WARNING: Don’t try this if you don’t know how to swim or you don’t know how to build your own fire. Are you afraid of big monkeys? Forget about solo beach camping.
Day 1
My travel journal says,
The sun is about to set in this part of the world. How I wish I am always connected with nature like this. Barefooted, not bothered if my feet are covered with sand. I love it actually- the world is absent to judge you according to what they think is right.” -journeyingjames (4:30PM, December 2, 2010)
Money at hand is not enough to book a guesthouse (Php150/night the cheapest I found) while I was in El Nido. Friends told me to get off the bus at Brgy.Corong-Corong because its cheaper there. I did and just asked around the way to the beach. I can’t wait to see for myself what people from around the world rave about.
The quaint baranggay, Corong-Corong, just about a kilometer from El Nido town proper
After some amazement, I looked for a fisherman who would be willing to bring me in an island where I can sleep for free. I told him that I want an uninhabited place like that of Survivor (except the drama and please no frills). I want to be reconnected with the Creator and just be in solace.
Ronnie, my bankero, parking the outrigger boat
Luckily I found a fisherman named Ronnie who agreed to bring me to Ipil Beach for Php300 bucks (back-and-forth). Not bad as package tours are between Php500-700. I just need to buy some important survival stuffs from the market and I’m good to go.
Ipil beach, El Nido is inhabited by long-tailed monkeys and some monitor lizards, here’s the video I took:
Just like what I said before, forgive the wrong grammars used. Its hard to be a celebrity on Youtube. Hahaha
The Arrival
“Sun-drenched skin, feet covered with powdery white sand, watching the waves kiss the shore, amazed on how these limestone cliffs are formed.”
The misty horizon with some limestone karst
Here in this particular spot in this beach cove, I’m brought to what the essentials of life-shelter, food and clothing. No iPad/iPod, no laptop and internet, no air-conditioned room, no hot showers, no comfy bed, no kitchen. Convenience is unheard and you just take hold of what is important in life.
I brought my mobile phone in case of emergency and for updates too. I also want to update my friends (read: make them envy of my adventures) of what I’m doing. And somehow be connected thru Twitter.
Place surveyed, check! Hammock, check! Woods for fire, check! Flash light, check!
Accommodation: Beach front. No Aircon just fresh air. Comfort Room?
Here’s the game plan:
Just like what I said before, forgive the wrong grammars used. Its hard to be a celebrity on Youtube. Hahaha
My Tweets:
I hope it doesn’t rain for 2 days as I will set camp in one of the islands here. Let’s see if I will survive the island challenge.
Looking for a place to set up my hammock.. the view is surreal, limestone karst, white sand, tall coconuts, gentle sea breeze.
I’m now at Ipil island. Ronnie, my bankero, brought me here aboard an outrigger boat. I plan to stay in this uninhabited island for 2 nights, survival journeyingjames-style
Just had an aftrnoon nap on my good old hammock. Was a bit tired of the 6-hour landtrip to El Nido. I’m waiting for the sunset.
Sun-drenched skin, feet covered with powdery white sand, watching the waves kiss the shore, amazed on how these limestone cliffs are formed.
I already built a fire, I hope the woods I gathered will be enough till the m0rning. I also got company, I saw a big monkey..this is exciting!
To be continued…
Expenses
Php280 (student fare) San Jose, Puerto Princesa City to El Nido Bus
Php12 Breakfast at Roxas: 2 bananas and boiled egg
Php50 Lunch at El Nido: Stew and rice for lunch
Php71 Cutter, cup, water, candle (some stuff I need in the island)
Php150 Bread, biscuits, peanut butter, jellies (food for two days)
Php10 El Nido town to Corong-Corong
Php300 Boat
Total: Php837.00
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
sounds like you follow the code of the Bible “man doth not liveth by bread alone”. i can’t survive two days without two plates of rice at least every meal, most especially if i’m traveling where i consume a lot of energy.
props to you, man.
you hold the title for the most harcore backpacker blogger! walang ibang keri yan. ikaw lang. ikaw na! hihi
talaga? sana may award na ganyan. that’s the way to do if you wanna but dont have moolah. 🙂
This looks like a long way away from MOA! :)) And I’ll take your advice. Camping is hardcore much for me. Isang hamak na pang-hammock lang ako. Nice vid! 🙂
Happy new year!
Soon you’ll need a spare hammock for the girlfriend to be- Until then have more awesome travel experiences such as this. Hardcore Journeying James indeed…catch you on the road someday Man…
im ready anytime! haha you know, my hammock can accommodate two. thats too big for me.
wait for the part 2 guys, let’s see what will happen there… wala pa ito sa kalingkingan
hats off to you on this one. no tent and just a hammock! hopefully no rain or no bugs to pester you.
happy new year!
educational post I will have to give it a try in the new year. All the best with youR site. Will be back to read Palawan Chronicles III: Solo Beach Camping in El Nido (Part 1) | JourneyingJames regularly.
I agree with Chyng, hardcore nga!
Good to know your rss is now working, now I can read you posts at work hehe =P
thanks christian! haha, lagot ka sa boss mo, malay mo nagbabasa din ng travel blogs un. cheers!
James, alam mo kung bakit hindi na ako active sa twitter? alam mo kung bakit madalas ayoko na dalawin ang blog mo?
Wag ka nga! Painggit ka masyado, kainis! hahaha….
Great adventure you have there again man! These adventures you’ve been having are all part of my dreams since College and all I can do is ngumanga habang binabasa ang mga adventures mo. 🙂
Keep on journeying James 😉
pedz! tulo laway ba? hahaha don’t worry, ilalagay ko sa wall mo yung blog. haha happy new year!
MISMO!!!
BRUTAL KA! PAK!
Holy carp! 800 peysos. Sa susunod masaya kung gawa ka na rin ng mala Man Vs. Wild, Man, Woman, Wild or Dual Survivor na show. Hehe. But seriously, nakakainspire parati posts mo. Nawa’y magawa ko rin to this year. 🙂
hindi pa yan tipid, feeling ko pwede pa yan ibaba..haha
man vs wild and survivor man i really want to do kaya lang i need more practice and sponsors too, then no camera crew like survivor man.
yung man, woman, wild, i hope in the near future, need to find someone adventurous like me.haha
thanks ced!
If you’re gonna do a show similar to those Discovery Channel shows, make sure you practice talking with a British accent. Yun yata main requirement nila dun. Hehe.
hmmmm…. if that’s the case, i need to find a european wife na 🙂 para “man, woman, wild!” hahaha
* batok *
sira ulo!
Dude, apir! 🙂
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ey sir.. bka may contact number ka sa boatman mo… nabasa ko tong blog mo at nainspire(ampf) na subukan mgcamp din..kahit overnight lang..hehe
salamat
wow…all thumbs up..can’t wait to see more…god luck””journeyingjames
thanks a lot ron! hope i can do this again in a different island and longer days. spen less, travel more!
very interesting post. Thanks a lot for sharing it.
Wow…bravo! Hats off to you, James! The family (8 adults and 2 kids) is going to El Nido, Palawan in November and we are all excited. I do hope that more Filipinos choose to explore and appreciate our own native land. Cheers to the Philippines!
hats off to your family for shoosing to explore the philippines rather than other countries. you will definitely enjoy the sceneries and the secret coves.
have fun in el nido!
WOW! Fantastic post thanks so much for sharing.
Planning to spend a week in El Nido in November and this sort of trip is exactly what I was hoping to find! I understand the potential for boredom but am prepared to take the risk 😉
I have travelled a bit in SE Asia and currently live in Hong Kong but not been to Philippines before. Do you think it will be hard for a foreigner to find someone willing to take me out to a deserted island for a couple of nights or would I need to resort to a more organised tour?
Thanks,
David
i dont think so but be prepared to pay more as you are a foreigner.
if you cant find anyone, just take the tours, some have a plan your-own islands to visit where you can camp. enjoy your camping in the best place i ever saw, el nido!
Hi James,
Thanks for the reply. I ended up trying to do an organised kayaking trip with camping on the islands but this fell through so just did some diving and an organised 1 day boat trip.
However I loved El Nido so much that I have just booked my return trip for March next year so will look again to find my own deserted beach!
My next return visit would be for more trekking in and around Batad. You have a beautiful country.
wow, nice to hear that. you would love batad too.
wow… idol !
wow… i admire you….u are so daring… hmmm
wish to be with you inone of your travels para matoto ako mag tipid while travelling…
God Bless you ang take care always….:)
Didn’t the sandflies bother you whilst you were on Ipil Island? What month were you there? Thanks
there were no sandflies while i was there, and maybe bec my hammock is insect-repellant
Hey,
Nice! Love tropical places. I have done survival camping on deserted island 3 weeks ago in Philippines! Only for 2 weeks but still it was really something. Love to read about this kind of stuff. I have a blog if you would like to look at my trip report
http://www.searchingparadise.blogspot.com
All best,
Martin
Hey,
Actually read your blog before leaving to my island. Done survival camping near El Nido for 2 weeks. Oh man, really good adventure. Want more!
http://www.searchingparadise.blogspot.com
All best,
Martin
nice adventure you have here martin! glad you enjoyed the camping
What is the name of the island you were camping?
this is ipil beach
how to get to ipil beach from puerto prinsesa? or from el nido to ipil beach?
go to el nido (by bus) first then sign up for a tour to ipil. or you can kayak to ipil, just ask for a map while in el nido.
if i’m gonna beach camp overnight, do i really have to sign-up for a tour to ipil? if taking fort wally shuttle will they drop me off at brgy. corong-corong?
tnx.
no, you can just talk to fishermen in the area.
Hi James!
This is an awesome adventure. My husband and I are leaving for the Philippines in a few days, and El Nido is on the agenda. We would love to do some deserted island camping. Can you please give me an idea of essential items we should take? Thank you!
food, water and clothes, bring, tent and fire. bring what you usually bring during beach camping
Hi James,
REgular reader ako ng blog mo. I’m now in Puerto
and plan to go to El Nido. San mo pala nakita
ung tag 150 na room? I’ve been calling around
parang 500 yata ang pinaka mura but that’s too
much for me.
Thanks dude! Your blog is very helpful…
in el nido? that’s in brgy corong-corong, i dont think its still there as I did that years ago
Parang wala na nga eh. I’ve been calling around,
talagang 500 yata ung pinakamura…perhaps I would try asking around for boarding houses…thanks for your timely answer 🙂
700/night na yung nakita kong pinaka mura
What about risk of robbery there? Is there? Or is it save?
I plan to go to Palawan in january 2015. Can you recommend some nice camping locations?
I plan to go to Puerto Princesa, Sabang, El Nido, perhaps also to Quezon.
Hi,
Looking forward to another trip to Philippines, last time I hit Palawan was in 2011 and didn’t make it up to El Nido.
This time, I am looking to go up there, do you think in 2015, it is still possible to do beach camping like you did?
Or you can get even farther off the beaten track, check out some great spots in the Palawan area at http://www.islandhoppinginthephilippines.com/palawan/services/camping/. Half way between El Nido and Coron, clearest waters in the world, so excellent snorkeling, 52 islands in the area, most of which are deserted, so you can combine with local boat tour and sleep on your own island.
My wife and I are going to Palawan next week. Your info really is good and timely. Our first time there!