Palawan Chronicles II: Puerto Princesa City Tour (The Palawan Museum, Plaza Cuartel & Immaculate Conception Cathedral)
Puerto Princesa City has been my home for almost a year in 2008 and 2009. I have roamed its streets so many times that the must-see spots have become too familiar. I observed that when a certain place (like home) became too common and routinely we forget to see its beauty, we fail to behold what first-time visitors came for to be awed and inspired. That happened to me in Puerto Princesa City- Honda Bay became like a mall where I go any time I choose to and fresh seafood become too ordinary that I can’t even differentiate the taste of a crab from a shrimp.
The Palawan Museum
Illustration of “The Myth of Sun and Moon” (Creation story as told by the Palawan natives)
Revisiting what I reconsider my second home brings memories I want to happen again and again. My local friend, Harvey, looked surprised when I told him I’m going to visit the Palawan Museum. I asked him if he has been there, he said not yet, and I think he has no plans of visiting either today or the future.
Manunggul Jar Replica
Inside the museum I found myself basking on Palawan’s rich treasure– her culture, her archaeological inheritance that dates from the time of the Tabon Man. I was amazed by the replica of the Manunggul Jar, made during the Neolithic period (710-890 BC). If they make this kind of jars for their dead in those times, imagine what they can do if they lived these days. Maybe they would laugh on your iPad and type a document using not their fingers or voice command but with their minds. Hmmmmm?
My Tweet: having some taste of history and culture here at the Palawan Museum. the artifacts here are in dire condition
After touring the museum I went inside its library and scanned a coffee table book entitled “The Pearl Road: Tales of Treasure Ships in the Philippines” by Christophe Loviny. The picture of a Badjao diver caught my attention:
“A Badjao diver hyperventilates before plunging to depths of up to 80 meters. These sea-gypsies cut off their lashes in order to ties their home-made wooden goggles close to their eyes. And, because of repeated, high-speed descents to the oyster beds, most Badjao divers have broken their eardrums.”
It has been said that the Badjaos are the greatest pearl divers the world has ever known. Now their tribe is left to the streets begging for money, at least in Manila (I pity the kids being used by syndicates, praying that this be stopped). How I wish the government would discover their potential and maybe develop them as professional swimmers and divers for the Olympics. I believe they can!
Note: Open on Mondays-Saturdays between 9:00am-12:00nn and 1:30-5:0pm. (Entrance Fee: Php20 for adults and Php10 for students & children)
Plaza Cuartel
Memorial Marker to the 143 American soldiers burned here
Nothing so special about the place- that is if you don’t listen to your history teacher. Poor boy! Let’s admit it that conservation is so foreign to the Filipinos and most don’t care on preserving our heritage (visit Intramuros or the famed Banaue Rice Terraces to understand this). Anyway, the plaza was used by the Japanese soldiers as a garrison during the Second World War. Some 143 American POW experienced the darkest days of their lives when the Japs burned them here. Now a memorial marker is erected as a grim reminder of the realities of the waging war.
Note: Open daily from 8:00am to 6:0pm, admission is free.
Puerto Princesa City Cathedral
Whenever I see Catholic churches, I take some time to reflect, to pray. Nothing to do after that and I don’t want to copy Mr.Wikipedia regarding the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. I just took some photos because I think it’s one funky cool church, look its blue:
Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Puerto Princesa City
Money Spent: Palawan Museum entrance fee: Php10.00, Tricycle fare: Php16.00 back and forth from my place. ( I have to put it here for your reference. I guarantee you, reading JourneyingJames.com would help you “spend less while you travel more” or your cup of coffee on me.)
Next post is a challenging 2-day camping somewhere in El Nido’s uninhabited beach . I shot two videos during my stay. I hope you can watch those too!
The Palawan Chronicles is a 6-part series of unforgettable moments I experienced during my 7-day escapade (December 2010) in Palawan. Some sights have become familiar and common because I stayed in Puerto Princesa City for almost a year but most are seen with fresh insight- rediscovering the beauty of simple life.
Join the adventure and let’s walk among throngs and throngs of Palawenos in Baybay (Baywalk), tour some city spots, survive a 2-day island challenge; visit a vanishing Batac tribe and taste French and Vietnamese influence in this beautiful island paradise. I will also add how much I spent to guide you should you plan to do a Palawan escapade.
Baywalk Christmas Tree Madness / Puerto Princesa City Tour / Solo Beach Camping in El Nido (Part 1) /Solo Beach Camping in El Nido (Part 2) / A Visit to the Vanishing Tribe of Batak / Perfect Match- French Bread & Vietnamese Noodles
If you are looking for a budget-friendly packaged tour of Puerto Princesa City, you can contact me at 0926-745-0858.
nice post James, (the last part of Palawan I have not explored yet)
“I observed that when a certain place (like home) became too common and routinely we forget to see its beauty, we fail to behold what first-time visitors came for to be awed and inspired.” – I couldn’t agree more. Which is why I sometimes make it a point to move to several destinations or let time pass before returning to a place I’ve already visited. Teka, dumugo ilong sa English. Anyhoo, nice post. And di talaga nakalusot yung word na mall. 😀
aha! kaya pala d ka sumama sa Palaui! bumalik kana naman ng Palawan! Inggit ako! sana makabili na ako ng underwatercam para makabalik na ako ng Palawan. hehe
haha! yes, as i said, im in love with palawan. and i was able to go to el nido narin. sama mo ako ha!
hi, you did not go on a city tour right? mas mura ba if kami na lang magtour sa city? thanks!
nope, i did my own tour. of course, way cheaper than the package tour.
I think 800pesos/head ang package tour. I spend less than Php100 on my own.
hi james! how much ang fee per head sa honda bay, crocodile farm at under ground river at iba pang spot na alam mo? papunta kc kami this week. we did not avail package tour para mkatipid din… thanks.. 🙂
honday bay, there are boats for hire, before its 800 yung smallest boat good for 4-6pax, i think its 1200 na ngayon.
crocodile farm – Php40
underground river – kapag DIY aabutin ng 800pesos.
Hi James! How do you do DIY underground river? tricycle from to _______? then hire a boat from ____________ to underground river? is this how it is? can you recommend anyone who can do/give a underground river tour? my foreigner friends are coming in on december 28 and would stay 2 days. do you think the palawenos would be good enough not to take advantage of foreigner tourists? thank you 🙂
just book a tour, the rates are standard. just dont book using at the hotel bec its more expensive.
if you want DIY, bus from san jose terminal to sabang, walk the monkey trail (2hours) then paddle boat.
you just have to get permit one day in advance sa city mismo.
Is there a normal beach in PP, just to spend half a day. What are drawbacks ? What place in PP you can recomend to swim a little ?
what do you mean normal beach?
you can check out honda bay, island-hopping tours are available at the honda bay wharf. i recommend honda bay especially pandan island
Hi James, would like to ask if enough na ba ang 4days for Puerto Princesa and El Nido tour? Limited lng kac ang vacation leave eh..including the connecting flight na..Thank you..Maganda nga rin sana if Puerto Princesa and Coron, pero parang di kaya ng oras..Thank You
aside from limited ang VL, limited rin ang budget..hehe..kaya thanks sa mga posts mo. 🙂
el nido nyo nlang po ispend yung 4 days nyo.
Hi James.. I’ll be in palawan on March 28-31, 2013 Holy week(4D3N)with my 2 sister. i got a 4,500.00/head package which includes the 4D3N accommodation, underground river and honda bay tour with snacks and lunch.. mura na ba yon? is it advisable for us to be there without any reservation on our accommodation and make our own iterinaries on that season? and is it possible to visit the el nido for one day? our arrival would be 12:30nn.. on march 28.. medyo super peak kasi yung napili naming date.. can u help us?
that’s peak season po, im not really sure as i always stay with my friends whenever im in puerto.
el nido is impossible to visit for just one day. 6hours po byahe palang.
at least overnight po. mam ella, konting research pa po.
Hi James, very nice blog you have here. I just would like to ask if you have an idea how far is the Irawan Adventure Park/Zipline from the Crocodile Farm? Can we take a trike from the Crocodile Farm to Irawan Adventure? Also would you know what time do they (Irawan Adventure) close? THanks so much!
i havent been to the zipline, i guess its near, yes take the trike
Hi James! Is it possible to visit the underground river and honda bay with a 3d/2n? Arrival is 130pm day 1 and departure time of 2pm day 3. Any suggestion?
Hi james, is it possible to tour the underground river and honda bay for 3d/2n ?
Arrival day 1 130 pm departure day 3 210 pm
Hi James 🙂 Do you have any promo tours for underground river & honda bay for 2 in July? Please let me know.
hi Mr.Well-travelled Guy! 🙂 May I ask if you can arrange a tour for us (3pax) on October 17-20, 2013? I was trying to call your sun and globe mobile numbers listed in your site but both aren’t working i guess. Thank you. 🙂
its working naman po. if not, you can email journeyingjames@gmail.com 🙂
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Is it possible po na mkpagtour ng 1day sa puerto princesa? 27 po dating nmin tapos 28 alis…thanks