Palawan 2013 - Day 3

CITY TOUR - Exploring the City of Puerto Prinsesa

 Palawan Museum

Sea shells, sea shells by the seashore...

Ceramics recovered from the vessels under the sea of Palawan

Immaculate Conception Parish 

                  - oldest Catholic church in Puerto Prinsesa City

I just took the photo outside since I know that my dress is not appropriate to enter the church.

Puerto Prinsesa Bay Walk

Baker's Hill 

Home of the most delicious hopia (ube and monggo) I've ever tried- you can buy it for only P45 per box

I wanna see your peacock... ^_^

Lunch @ Baker's Hill

Mitra's Ranch

Old house of Sen. Ramon Mitra

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PRIMA RESIDENCES

We stayed at Prima Residences for 3 nights and paid only P3300 (3 Tours + 2 buffet Lunch + 1 welcome dinner + Transfers <except City Tour>)

Budget:

City Tour = we rented a tricycle for P250 (contact me for the driver's details)

Lunch @ Baker's Hill for only 200/pax

Pasalubong:

Hopia = P45/box

Shirts = P200-250/each

Key Chain = P5-10/each 

Palawan 2013 - Day 2

HONDA BAY ISLAND HOPPING

This is one is not as tiring as Underground River and Ugong Rock Adventure...
It's more of relaxing and unwinding with some of my best buddies.

Stop over to get some bottled water.

Boat ride on our way to Isla Pandan...

First stop, Isla Pandan...

Most beautiful island I must say...

Cheat day!!! We had our lunch here at Isla Pandan... CRABS!!!

Beautiful scenery + Delicious Lunch = Superb Day!

Sometimes, its good to have some 'ME' time...

Next is the Starfish Island...

I'm really tempted to take home these cutie starfishes.

The only one whose not afraid to touch it. hehe...

Last island we visited is the 'Corazon Aquino' Island. We are supposed to go to Pambato Reef ..Unfortunately, the waves are not cooperating.

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Pick up time from the hotel: 7am

Pandan Island: 9am-12nn

Starfish Island: 12nn-1pm

C.Aquino Island: 1pm-2pm

Budget:

P1,300 = Transfers + Honda Bay Tour + Buffet Lunch

Again, Prima Residences arranged our Honda Bay tour.

Palawan 2013 - Day 1

"Water that drops from the Limestone above is not a Lime Juice...so you better close your mouth when looking upward.", this was the punchline of our boatman while we are exploring the beauty of the Underground River. According to him, when something cold drops on your skin, it is Holy Water...but when something hot drops on your skin...it is Holy Shit (Bat shit). So you better close your mouth while inside the cave or else... ^_^

UNDERGROUND RIVER TOUR

Fact: On November 11, 2011, Puerto Princesa Underground River was provisionally chosen as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. This selection was officially confirmed on January 28, 2012. (courtesy of Wikipedia)

On our way to the Underground River, our first stop over was in Ulugan Bay. Here, our tour guide collected our ID and filled out a form which is required before you can enter the Underground River. This was initiated by the Government to limit the tourist that can enter the Park. 

with our new found friends Brad and Joel.

Welcome to Underground River Subterranean Park!

 while waiting for the boat...

...and we are ready so sail!

The entrance of the Underground River. Looks creepy right? Bit excited to see bats too!

Inside the cave you can see different forms of stalactites and stalagmites.

Beautiful Limestone...

 The river is almost 8km but you can only tour at around 1.8km because the rest is still under scientific studies of the Government in collaboration with some foreign scientist. According to the boatman, scientist are still studying the fossils they recovered in the deep part of the river.

Wacky pose number 1! We rarely have this kind of photo so let me count it for tracking purposes. LOL

UGONG ROCK ADVENTURE

Ugong Rock Adventure

1st time to try the 'Spelunking'.

 Rappelling inside the cave.

Tiring but Happy! Worth all the 'pagod'!

Our tiring look... Wacky pose number 2!
Ang totoo mga teh...ang definition ba ng 'wacky' eh peace sign, nguso, at gulat shot? :))

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Pick up time from hotel: 7am (1 hr and 45 minutes. drive to UR)

Underground River: 9am-11am

Lunch: 11:30am-1:30pm

Ugong Rock Adventure: 2pm-3:30pm

Budget:

P1,500 = Transfers (to/from)+ Underground River + Buffet Lunch

P   200 = Ugong Rock Adventure

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P1,700 = Total Expenses

Prima Residences arranged all our tours.

Bangkok, Thailand 2012

Day 1!

WARNING! This will gonna be a heavy post... owner is a certified photo addict! ^_^

The Grand Palace is one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Siamese court. It used to be the residence of the Kings of Bangkok. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and Wat Phra Keo, the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple.

 It's very hard to get a solo pic on this spot. 

Amazed with all the golden structures inside the Grand Palace.

Phra Thinang Racharuedee and Phra Thinang Sanam Chan

 Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat group.

I'm not quite sure but I think this is their Malacanang.

 The central prasat of the Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat.

Wat Pho - Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan.

Schedules:

Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw - 08.30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m.
Wat Pho - 08.00 – 17.00 daily
Wat Arun- 07.30 – 12.00, 13.00 – 15.30 

How to get there:

GRAND PALACE AND EMERALD BUDDHA

1. From Pratunam, Go to the nearest station and take the Silom Line. Get off at Saphan Taksin Station (or S6 Station) and go out through Exit on the left.

2. Then walk to the boat terminal, take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang Pier (No.9) for 15 BAHT.

3.Arriving at Tha Chang terminal, you need to pass the market first . A 5-10 minute walk will bring you to the entrance gate of the Grand Palace.

After passing by the market you will see a national road, across the street you'll see the entrance of The Grand Palace!

The entrance fee is 400 Baht and a dress code is strictly implemented.

Warning: Avoid scammers, they will approach you to change your itinerary and will tell you that some temples are closed. THAT IS NOT TRUE, they just want you to ride a tuk-tuk and tour you around the place for a very expensive amount. tatagain po kayo sa presyo kaya mag-ingat. (see temple schedules above)

Looking for some souvenirs? You can buy some outside The Grand Palace (near the market)

WAT PHO

Next Stop WAT PHO (Reclining Buddha)

-This temple is located beside The Grand Palace (may signs naman), there is no dress code for this temple and the entrance fee is 100 Baht.

Note: Don't forget to claim your free bottled water.

Wat Pho is right behind the Grand Palace, so you will need to go back out the way you came in, and go around the block to enter Wat Pho. After visiting Wat Pho, you may have time to visit Wat Arun.