Hurry, a hidden paradise for a short time only...

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After a five hours ride in a packed minivan with our wedding cloths/bags on our laps, a couple of tourists with the rest locals we finally arrived to our honeymoon destination. The road getting to El Nido is half sealed and the minivan fly’s along stopping occasionally along the road to drop off and pick up more people. When we finally arrived it was a pitch black village where we could hardly see each other and the driver informed us that it is our last stop. The locals just disappeared into the darkness on the small village paths leaving us wondering what to do. Our eyes finally adjusted to the candle light when we saw some tricycles and the friendly drivers offering us a ride to our hotel which was a big relief for us and the travelling couple from Columbia. On the way to the hotel our thoughts were going fast as we were wondering if this place was actually the picture perfect spot we were hoping for. It wasn’t until morning that we did realize that this place indeed is amazing!

We soon worked out that this place has limited electricity and is thankfully quite unknown for tourists but developing quickly and in few years it will be a touristic destination like Boracay.The ‘five star’ hotels in along the El Nido beach front are equal with three stars hotels in the developed places. After Estacio Uno Resort in Boracay, this place was quite primitive and simple where the electricity is coming up just later afternoon but these things makes this place to an adventure experience which adds to its own charm. Most important that our hotel was clean and on the beach front, it was amazing to fall to sleep and wake up with the waves sounds in the background. El Nido is still under construction for tourists and you won’t find many touristic attractions except from the boat trips around different islands of El Nido. We can imagine that this small village is like Boracay 15/20 years ago but has much more to see and to do.It is here still possible to be on a beach and look out to see turtles swimming by, grabbing snorkels and joining them.

Souvenir shops are hard to find, no hassle at all and a friendly approach from the locals. Indeed this place is a small hidden paradise which will transform to a big touristic area with packed crowds of tourists in the close future. So go and visit this fantastic place now!

El Nido had some better food to offer than Boracay and our stomachs were calmer this time. The local restaurants are just great but avoid something called ‘balut’ which is a fertilized duck embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell. It is commonly sold as streetfood in the Philippines. Balut eaters prefer salt and/or a chili, garlic and vinegar (white or coconut sap) mixture to season their eggs.

During our time here we have done few tours around the islands (on some you will be the only people) and this was the best part of our honeymoon. We were on tour A and C (you will see these advertised everywhere), and both of them have been magnificent experience. These tours included swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, exploring hidden places and enjoying the amazing views. It is kind of hop on/ hop off trip and if you are in a smaller group so you can decide what you would like to do and see. Some places are just unbelievable stunning and quite easy we would say that some of the beaches are just the best we have seen on our travels (except from Tasmania 😉).

Once we got stuck on a paradise beach as we landed on coral and the boat got a nice nig hole in the bottom. We didn’t complain at all as it was one of the most amazing beaches we have been on… and so far away from the civilization and quite non touristic. The lunch which is included in the package is delicious and usually just the lunch would cost the price we paid for the tour. It is great value. The snorkelling is awesome as you can see so much of the ocean life. Diving is even better and you can see many awesome things without the crowds of other Asian countries. Of course we had some different experiences when we needed to jump off the boat to water where hundreds of jellyfishes were surrounded our boat. The Philippine guys ensure us that it is fine and they will just sting a little bit. It took a lot courage to jump into this soup water but we watched as the locals jumped first and we soon followed… and yes, they stung us quite a lot but not really painful… just a little bit itchy.

Still we couldn’t believe that it is ok to jump into a water with many jellyfish surrounded us. On one of these boat trips we have learnt that the weather is quite unpredictable as well. The last boat trip we have done the weather changed in a minute or the wind became extreme so all of us were forced to get the lifejackets on… the waves became so big that we got a little worried that the boat will sink. The sun was shining but the wind was uncontrolled. It was like a small typhoon going through Philippines and the boat was jumping through the waves. The guys had hard to control the boat and many boats were going quickly towards the harbor. We saw some rescue boats going opposite direction so we hope all people made safely back to El Nido Town.

Overall our honeymoon was fantastic and we were lucky enough to enjoy this small paradise before all tourists are finding them way to here. As the roads improve El Nido will become even more popular. At the moment it is like a backpacking village with the odd high roller flying in on float plane and going to one of the many secluded Islands. One big problem with El Nido is that the sewage system does not seem to exist and flows right in front of the beach in front of the hotels. It is why you won’t see people swimming here but on one of the many beaches a bike/boat ride away. We made the hard way which made this journey much more satisfied and these kind trips we love, and it is why our honeymoon was just perfect.

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Comments

[CandaceTWisdom]

its indeed super natural place and only you can find here in philippines. http://www.priceme.com.ph/