Blogs from Palawan, Philippines, Asia - page 4

Port Barton had a Jamaican feel. Not that I have ever been to Jamaica..there was just a lot of reggae music and the unmistakable wafting of dope. To get here, you need to get off the beaten track and travel on a very bumpy, dusty unsealed road (although one will soon be completed) so not many European resort travellers here. Everything was relaxing and cool. I got sick from the dust and had a sore bronchial tube but I recovered with some delicious chicken soups from our accomodation restaurant (Elsa's). Locals very nice.... read more

David here... The minivan from Port Barton was hot and cramped with every seat taken, as is normally the case. We arrived after a 5 hour journey into El Nido at the bus station, just outside town. Our first impression was amazement as the backdrop to the main road was a big cliff face, more like Austria or Switzerland than the Philippines. It was a short walk to our hotel which we nearly missed as it was set back a little from the road and was surrounded by building work, much like every hotel we've stayed in on this trip. The Raje Residence is a little family run place that had fairly small rooms but they were clean and had all-day electricity and air-con. The main reception area was the family living room so everytime you ... read more

Flew in to Peurto Princessa in Palawan Island from Manila stopover late afternoon. Picked up at airport and taken to our little home in the burbs. Helpful and kind people. Everyone calls you "sir' and Ma'am" with every comment. I guess an American influence. Walked the 15mins to town and so witnessed PP as the sun went down: Chaotic, bustling, madly busy with motorbikes, motorbike taxis (motorbikes with a carriage seat attached on the side for passengers) kids playing basketball in the court right on the main street; lots of banks; fast food joints like Jollibees and McDonalds (high up above the other stores on the street); and dogs, dogs, dogs...and cats. Saw some pretty horrible sights which aren't worth mentioning but nothing compared to what I have seen in other SEAsian countries concerning dogs. Generally, ... read more

Suzanne here... We arrived in Puerto Princess, Palawan, at about 6.30pm. We considered getting a trike but it was relatively cool and our hotel, although right in the town, was only a twenty minute walk from the airport. So we headed off on foot. The hotel - Orchid Lagan Palawan - was fine. Cheap and cheerful but a decent size room and the all important air-con. We dumped our stuff and headed back out for food and drink. Our first priority was to find the Palaweño Brewery - a craft brewery I'd read about in The Guardian months before, and then again in the Philippines Airlines flight magazine. San Miguel is ok, but we wanted something a bit tastier. We found the brewery easily enough, although at first it looked shut. We persevered though, popping around ... read more

Great beaches! Will write more later..... read more