Just another El Nido story.

It took us almost a year to plan all of this. We are just a bunch of minimum wage earners lol So this was like the vacation of a lifetime for us! All the extremities we had to stretch made this all worth our while. We purchased the plane tickets months ahead so we had a pretty good deal. We did a little countdown of our own and hanged it around our staff room - lol yes we are a bunch of losers like that. And in the process of waiting, we also found out that too much excitement can cause exhaustion too.

Novemeber is a pretty rainy and stormy month (remember, Yolanda?) So I was also secretly wishing to see a rainbow. Like a little promise between me and the sky, to keep us dry.

Anyway, we were told that the place is like heaven on earth, and boooooy were they effin right.

I will try to be detailed as possible because for all I know, this will all be just memories someday.

I did not bring my own camera because I am almost pretty sure, I'd either lose it or drop it in the open sea. I am tangadal like that. And of course, so I'll always be in pictures taken. Weh. And having said those, these pictures belong to Jim and Sir Jeffrey. Thank you. 👍

This generation had become visual learners now (which makes me sad because I've always believed that it is better with words)  But eh, I guess I'd better shut up now.

Iloilo Airport. Cebu Pacific now offers direct flights from Iloilo to Puerto Princessa, Palawan. Daw MWF lang. I am not sure if this is worth mentioning but we were15 minutes ahead of our arrival time.

Our van and tour guide was already waiting for us outside of the airport. We already planned the sitting arrangement, so we ran and got comfortable in the back. 

We stopped by Robinson's Mall to buy some snacks, travel pillows, and medicines and such. And also to this souvenir shop, where you can see, I just had to pose and take a picture with. Weh.

Then it was a two hour ride up to Sabang, Palawan. We had our free buffet lunch at this place. Our package included free breakfast and lunch, accomodations, island hopping, underground river tour, and transportation.

The three of us took another boat to the underground river with those two canadians by the stairs. The Canadian lady by the way first refused to wear the life vest because she said that she's canadian and that she knew how to swim. She's too cool to wear lifevests. Init ulo ko ah. lol Teh ano karon day!? *bop

This was the entrance to the underground river. For those who don't know, it is part of the new seven wonders of nature. It is an 8-kilometer subterranean river, but only two kilometers are allowed for all the tourists to see. You must get like a special permit from the coast guard  if you insist to go in further. Our boat is equipped with a giant flash light, enough for us to see things and navigate inside.

We rode a tiny little bangka. Our tour guide who proudly named himself Piolo assigned sir Dennis who was sitted in the front to control the light. And Piolo was paddling while talking and lecturing about its history, facts, the stalactites and the stalagmites. This is the only shot we had inside. It was very dark inside and Piolo told us that we couldn't use any camera with flashes on for it might startle the bats and maybe monkeys that will signal them to attack us. Out of fear of the unknown, we abided by the rules. Weh.

It was just magical, I really don't know how to describe it, it's out of this world. To see is to believe, they say. Sehr sehr schön! 

I googled this image online since we didn't take any pictures inside. Two kilometers or so of rock heaven. 👍 I don't know where they got the light to take this photo though.

Of course, another photo op outside (napamili ko nga picture ang gwapa ako) Hahahahaha.

Pang throwback years from now. lol 

A pic with mr. Piolo. He is an ilonggo too so we were lucky! He already mastered this job! He knew his punchlines well and everything there is to know about the river. We had to wear head gears by the way because there were water dripping from above us whilst inside. From from stalactites and some from bat pee. lol if the water's cold they say it's holy water. If it's warm, then it's holy shit. lolstrangely enough, It's not scary inside, It doesn't smell bad too. It smells like fresh waterfalls with an eerie feel. The whole underground tour lasted for maybe two hours. And we were practically clapping our hands on the way out. 

The experience is definitely one for the keeps.

And then  we couldn't help but feel sad.

That night we headed home with our hearts full of joy, 

Our memories stuffed with beautiful things,

And our lives, better for a while.

Thank you dear God, for letting us experience this. <3

🎶When violet eyes get brighter

And heavy wings grow lighter

I'll taste the sky and feel alive again

And I'll forget the world that I knew

But I swear I won't forget you

Oh if my voice could reach back through the past

I'd whisper in your ear:

"Oh darling, I wish you were here"

<3

Until then, we promise to come back. We're not quite done with you yet, Palawan. 

Ich werde für immer vermissen diesen Ort. 

Mit freundlichen grußen,

Emery