Puerto Princesa, Palawan Underground River Tour

Arriving at the entry point of the Underground River 

On our second day, we bought the package tour of Casa Linda for our trip to the Underground River. It cost us P1,300 each. We would’ve gotten the one offered by our trustworthy tricycle driver, Mang Lito, if it didn’t involve being on the road for two hours. I thought, if something bad would’ve happened to us, at least Casa Linda would’ve been accountable for it. So we went on with our journey.

The left side of Sabang Beach was where we boarded our boat.

By 7:30 am, we were already on the road. The annoying thing about joining a package tour is that you get to be with other people, mostly of foreign descent, who have their own various styles and personalities. What ticked me off about it was these two Koreans is that they move so slowwho happened to move so slow. They seemed ignorant about the concept of respecting other people’s time. We waited for them outside Asturias Hotel for more than 30 minutes when we could’ve been using that time heading to our destination already! Apparently, when I talked to the Filipino couple we were with, who also came from Asturias Hotel, they explained that their hotel front desk  officer was not able to coordinate well with the tour agency. The two Koreans thought they were going to Honda Bay, so they went back to their room and changed attire making us all wait for them in the process. How inconsiderate, right? Grrrr!!! It was infuriating!

Dropping by the Information Center in Sabang for our boat tickets.

Anyway, as if I wasn’t stressed at all, I just put on my ipod earphones and calmed myself down. After ten years, we were on our way. The ride was smooth on our first hour on the road. We passed by scenic views of trees, mountains and seas. We even saw Honda Bay from afar. On the second hour, the road started to get a little rough until we couldn’t nap anymore because of the very bumpy ride.

After around 20 minutes, we docked at this beautiful island with limestone cliffs. 

Passing through the jungle path to the Underground River 

Finally, we reached Sabang station where a boat took us to the entry point of the Underground River. They got us off at a nice beach beside limestone cliffs. The view was pretty spectacular. And Palawan is really known for these natural formations.  We didn’t get to swim there because we were following a schedule (which is another annoying thing when joining package tours. You don’t own your time. You always follow your tour guide or risk getting lost.) From there, we walked through this jungle path leading to the river. While walking, we noticed that around three komodo dragons, locally known as bayawak were crawling everywhere. I think I got my first ever heart attack! What were they thinking??? It took a while before it dawned on me that these creepy and scaly creatures didn’t mean any harm and that’s just the way people take care of them there. It’s their environment after all and we were merely visitors. Still…!

crawling on the ground… 

crawling on a tree trunk… 

crawling beside me… 

Anyway, when we got to the riverbank, there was a long line where we registered our names. And I think it took another 30 minutes or so before our group was called for the boat ride inside the underground river itself…

 
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