Foods that Define Puerto Princesa

Chow Long, Tamilok and Hopia – your stay in Puerto Princesa will not be complete without trying these local foods. Locals say there are other great foods that are unique in the province like Suran and Lamiyo but I am not that fortunate to try them all on my stay. So here, I will attempt to describe how it feels like eating the food that Palaweño’s love to eat.

1. Chow Long (sometimes spelled Chao Long) – You’ll surely don’t want to miss this one. A Vietnamese influenced dish, this beef stew noodle with bean sprouts in sweet and spicy soup is perfect for an afternoon snack or a quick munch on a midnight walk. This is best served with meat stuffed French bread. Your stories about Palawan would just be half-exciting without the Chow Long experience. By the way, a bowl costs only P45.

2. Tamilok – Your Palawan visit would not be complete without trying this famous local delicacy. This woodworm (which is not actually a worm) is found in mangroves. To have it fresh from the wood, you may ask for one if you're trying the Mangrove Paddling Boat Tour in Sabang. The best way to enjoy it is dipping it in spicy vinegar - Kinilaw as we call it. You can also order it in Kinabuch's for P120 or you may also get it from the market for P20-P30.

3. Baker’s Hill’s Hopia - If you're in Puerto Princesa for a date or just an out of town getaway with friends, the best destination for posing for photos is the Baker's Hill. But more than the quaint landscape, they serve really good pastries. The crowd's favorite is their version of Hopia. You may get it for P20 for a pack of five. So I suggest you take out some bread and pastries, add to your itinerary the extended walk to Mitra Mansion, bask on the view of the city in one of the benches as you eat the newly cooked hopia you just bought.

Things To Do in Puerto Princesa City Proper

Having the cleanest city, the locals of Puerto Princesa are indeed more good-natured. So never attempt to throw your trash anywhere nor smoke in public places. Follow traffic rules and be polite and friendly just as them. Here are some of the things you can do in the city proper of the cleanest and greenest city.

Hear Mass at the Cathedral

If you’re a Catholic, you’ll appreciate hearing mass at this big church serving as the home of the Apostolic Vicariate of Palawan. I happened to attend a Sunday mass with a really good homilist. If you’re not a Catholic, you can still say a little prayer in this peaceful worship place. Anyone can also appreciate its beautiful interior.

Remember the war heroes in Plaza Cuartel

Having been told of so many war stories passed on by our grandparents, we might have been used to hearing tales of people being tortured and killed during the Japanese occupation. But this places might break your heart though. This former military base is where 150 American soldiers were burned alive during the Second World War. A historically significant place, Plaza Cuartel is now a landscaped park where you can walk around and see the beautiful view of the bay.

Eat Chow Long at the Public Market

After a long walk, you can take a tricycle going to the public market for P10. Pamper yourself with a hot Chow Long. Add some spice until it perfectly matches your taste. The public market recipe is just enough though for the authentic Palawan Chow Long experience. Pair it with a meat-stuffed French Bread for a heavy merienda. You may also grab some seafood in this market and have it cooked in the hotel.

Bike by the Bay

Just near the public market is a wide and long stretch of the Baywalk facing the beautiful bay. Have your picture taken with the ferries and boats at the background. The time to go here is during sunset and also sunrise. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll see the dolphins prancing on the clean waters. Bike rental is available at good deals.

Walk along Rizal Avenue at Midnight

For me, Puerto Princesa is not only the cleanest and the greenest city in the Philippines but also one of the safest places in the country. Walking along the highway at midnight is such a wonderful thing to do. Pass by all the bars and clubs that are still alive at this time of the night and also drop by Mendoza Park. During daytime, the Palawan Museum located in this park is also a good destination. You will also notice how the public market is very organized without any garbage visible in any corner. This may be a hard thing to say but the night here is the irony of all our Metro Manila phobias. Having been a victim of mugging, I do hope that someday Manila could be this safe. Many food stalls are still open at night so you can grab some more Chow Long again (Sorry it’s my favourite). I suggest you do it during your last night in the city. It’s going to be very memorable. We stayed until almost 2:00 AM and that was the best Puerto Princesa night I had during the whole duration of my stay.

This is just in the city proper. You'll definitely enjoy more of the city itself when you check out other districts where the exciting adventures and enthralling views await. More posts about Puerto Princesa coming shortly.

The Puerto Princesa Nightlife

I was only able to try Gypsy’s and Tiki. Have I stayed longer, I might be trying some more bars along Rizal Avenue. Although as far as the locals say, these two nightlife destinations are the bests in town. True enough, hanging out even on weekdays did not seem less exciting – at least to the perception of visitors like me.

If you’re looking for a cozy place to spend the night after that long day of island hopping in Honda Bay, Gypsy’s Lair Art Café is the right venue to grab some bottles and chill out with the peer. It’s relaxing acoustic live music will never fail to make you comfortable as you share stories with your friends. The bar is actually an art gallery with a very artsy fancy interior. Make good memories during your stay in the city by jamming with the band.

The most well-known bar is of course located at KM 0. Tiki Bar it is. Tourists, Filipinos and foreigners alike, make up the perky crowd. The pumpy bass sounds and the hyperactive drumbeats will surely give you a blast. Should the live band excite you with their Top 40 repertoire, feel free to hit the dance floor. Hitting a bucket of beers and requesting your favourite song to be played can also be the simple way of enjoying the place.

What does Tiki mean by the way? Check out the picture.

On the Last Day of my Puerto Princesa Trip

It has been the fifth day since I left Puerto Princesa City with a heavy heart. How I wish I could stay longer. Falling in love with the city is one of the good things I felt for all these travel escapades I have been doing in the past couple of months. In this regard, allow me to express something through the language of my heart that is Filipino.

Ang terminong walang pagsidlan ng tuwa ay isang pagtitipid ng pahayag. Oo at nag-uumapaw ang aking saya at pagtangi sa nag-iisang lungsod sa Palawan subalit ang totoo, ang saya at pagtanging ito ay hindi maipahahayag ng mga salita. Sa aking palagay, kailangan mo itong sadyain nang malaman mo ang ibig kong sabihin.

Dumating ako nang walang kakilala roon maliban sa ilang taong nakausap ko online sa pamamagitan ng proyektong Couchsurfing, isang website na layong maipagniig ang mga manlalakbay sa iba’t ibang sulok ng mundo. Iyon ang una kong subok na gamitin ang pagkakataong makituloy nang libre sa isang hindi ko kakilala bagaman Disyembre pa nang nakaraang taon nang ako’y nag-sign up sa website na ito.

Kung tutuusin, estranghero ako sa bayang iyon subalit sa mga unang pagtapak ko pa lang dito ay kaibigan na ang turing ng mga taosa akin. Hindi pa man nagsisimula ang aking paglilibot, ginagabayan na ako ng mga bago kong kaibigan para sa mga dapat kong gawin at puntahan sa pinakamalinis na lungsod sa bansa.

The City in a Forest – Ito ang taguri sa makakalikasang lungsod ng Puerto Princesa. Kaya nga naman, una sa aking listahan ang dalawa sa pinakabantog nilang atraksyon: Ang pamamangka sa Puerto Princesa Underground River at ang paglundag sa mga isla ng Honda Bay. Ang dalawang ito ay lubos kong ikinatuwa. Aaminin kong may mga pagkakataong sa sobrang ganda ng aking nakikita ay halos maluha ako sa mangha. Subalit ang mga ito ay wala pa sa kalingkingan. Sinasabi nilang marami pang mas maganda sa Palawan higit sa Puerto Princesa. Sabi ko sa kanila, kung dito ay natuwa ako, sana hindi ako atakihin sa pusosaiba pang makikitakosaibangmga pueblo sa hinaharap.

Oomanghang-manghaako, isang Manilenyo, sa kakaibang hulma ng Diyos sa kalikasan na nahahayag sa marikit na bayang iyon. Subalit higit sa mga atraksyong panturista, hindi ako halos makapaniwala sa pagkabukas-palad at pagkapalakaibigan ng mga lokal doon. Bukod sa libreng matutuluyan, ibinigay ng may-ari ng bahay ang kanyang panahon upang masamahan ako sa paglibot sa magagandang pasyalan sa lungsod gayundin sa pagkain ng pinakamasasarap na kainan. Nakipagkuwentuhan siya hanggang madaling araw sa kabila ng maagang pasok kinabukasan. May iba pa akong mga naging kaibigan sa pamamagitan din ng website na sumama sa aming mga gimik. Ang isa’y manggagamot na dumederetso pa sa aming hapunan pagkatapos ng kanyang trabaho at ang isa ay hotelier na siyang tumulong sa aking pagpapareserba ng tour na may diskwento pa!

Maliban sa di-maitatangging gandang Underground River at Honda Bay, maraming bagayang tumatak sa akin sa loob ng apat na araw na paglilibot ko roon. Hindi sasapat ang isang paskil para maihayag ang lahat ng ito.Subalit ang habambuhay kong magugunita ay ang huli kong paglalakad nung huling araw ko sa lungsod. Ito ay sa Mitra Road sa distrito ng Sicsican. 

Habang binubusog ng magagandang tanawin ang aking mga mata sa kalsadang iyon, hindi ko napigilan ang mapaluha sa pasasalamat. Bagaman madalas kong gawin ang paglilibot mag-isa, hindi ko maikakailang sa mga paglalakad na iyon higit kong nakakausap ang Maylikha. Sa kaabalahan ng Kalakhang Maynila, mahirap nang pilitin ang sariling manahimik at magmuni sa kung ano ang ibig ipadama ng Diyos sa atin. Mahirap ang buhay na walang panahon para sa katahimikan. Nakababaliw. Napakabuti ng Diyos sa akin sa pagbibigay Niya ng pagkakataong makapaglakbay ako sa kabilang limitadong panahon at salapi. Subalit higit pa sa pagkakataon, ang lakas ng loob na kahit paano’y subukang lakbayin ang Pilipinas ang aking ipinagpapasalamat. Maraming tao ang mas may kakayahang maglibot. Subalit iilan lang ang napupuspusan ng tiwala sa sarili na kayang kaya pala gawin ang lahat ng ito kung gugustuhin.

Hangad kong marating mo ang Puerto Princesa. Siyangapala, humigit kumulang limang libong piso lamang ang lahat ng aking nagasta sa apat na araw na pananatili ko doon. Kasama na rito ang lahat ng pamasahe. Ang detalye nito sa mga susunod na artikulo.

How To Get To and Away From Puerto Princesa International Airport

You just need ten pesos (P10.00). Yes you read that right! Once you alight the plane, just walk straight to Rizal Avenue. Don’t mind the tricycles within the airport premises. They charge around P30 to P50. Just walk around 20-30 meters towards the gate and get a tricycle on the road. You’ll know you’re in Rizal Avenue when you see the Rotary Club symbol at the Exit Gate. The tricycle fare is just P10 from the airport to any point in the city proper. By the way, don’t look for taxis. They don’t have any. They actually don’t need it. You’ll find out why when you go around the city.

In Puerto Princesa city proper, Rizal Avenue is the only major road you have to remember. All other major roads are going towards the direction of other districts. Here’s the map for your reference:

Hence, from any point in the city going back to the airport, it will cost you only P10 too!

Dining in Puerto Princesa

Life is beautiful. You’ll surely agree with me once you try the best dishes and food trip in Puerto Princesa. Oh did I mention that they are really inexpensive? Ok. Let’s start with the pricey ones. P200-P400. Yeah I know it just equates to a burger in Stackers or a frappe and cake tandem in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. In Puerto Princesa it is the cost of a dinner of two to three guys. Yes I mean guys who get extra rice.

My First Taste of Palawan

It is very unlikely of me to leave the bowls half-filled and the rice plates unfinished. I thought it was a Manila serving. Oh well I forgot I was in Palawan. The usual price range of meals is P70-P120 per person. Where are these bountiful plates found? Here are some of the tastiest meals I had.

My first taste of Palawan was the famed Inasal of Balinsasayaw. For how much? P79. Add it up with Fresh Buko juice and of course, my extra rice, that would be P133. Burp.

Now the main feature of this restaurant is their elevated Nipa huts where the tables are situated. You ring the bell when you order and voila! You can feast on their Filipino menu. Their cooking time takes a while though. But it’s totally worth it. BTW, albeit the huts have big windows, smoking is not allowed in this restaurant.

Dining with the gang? Try Kinabuch’s! Don’t get over excited though. Their serving of Sinigang na Baboy is unbelievably huge. I think it would suffice 3-4 male stomachs. Their Sisig is one of the best I’ve tried. Three of us dined and the P600 bill was for the half-emptied 3 dishes, drinks and 6 cups of rice. Some said their Tamilok serving is good. But I wanted it raw so I decided to have it in Sabang Beach right after the Underground River tour.

Kinabuch's Restaurant

My favourite restaurant in Puerto Princesa is named Ka Inato. I tried their P95 Inasal and I was surprised by the big chicken thigh being served in front of me. Their seafood Kare-kare is good too. For beverages, their Naughty Professor is to die for. Meals’ prices range from P90-P130. But what you will surely enjoy in Ka Inato is the homey ambience. It reminded me of an ancestral house with artsy paintings, ceramics and sculptures in the interior. The OPM instrumental music being played is also a win, soothing your auditory senses as you savor your sumptuous dinner. Are you going to Puerto Princesa with your special someone? This is the best place to dine.

Ka Inato in Rizal Ave

There is also another good restaurant they told me about. It’s called Kalui’s Restaurant. I have not tried it. If you’re planning to dine there, have your table reserved a day before.

The Lost Chronicles

Here I go again. Trying to revive something I have taken for granted for a couple of months. And in spite of some people expressing their interest in my neophyte reads, I still go back to the old lazy me who does something whenever I feel.

Why have I stopped writing? Aside from being extremely lethargic, I was thinking that I was doing those things out of obligation for myself in order to stay focus on my goals this year. Alas! It's July and I don't think I have reached even just a quarter of my personal goals.

Anyway, it should not matter now. The fact that I am writing this post right now is another stage of pushing myself on top of some unnecessary baggage. Some things are better shared in order to beat them. Including these personal snoozy stuff and the likes.

Tomorrow, I will be embarking again on a new backpacking journey. This time, it's just for a shorter time of four days but I do hope this will help me get back on track of sharing my adventures and experiences.

I have told myself I will be going out of Manila or feature a unique Filipino event at least once a month. I was able to do this. In fact, I have been to many places and did some cool escapades with friends but I failed to write them down. I will try to post some pictures in this blog and write what I can remember in the coming days.

Meanwhile, let me share my excitement in this Palawan trip that I will be doing in a couple of hours.

God is so good. =)