After the early dinner and coffee, we decided to walk a few meters to the provincial capitol.  We've passed by the capitol on our first day and it's unusual structure caught my eye.

One of the LED screens at the intersection 
 by the provincial capitol

Palawan Provincial Capitol

We asked permission from the guard to enter the lobby of the building as there's a sign  at the door for "No ID, No Entry".  I guess they're not that strict here.

The next day, we were already on our way to the airport at 5:30 in the morning.  Check-in counters for our flight are already open.  Oh, there's still a PhP40/person terminal fee that has to be paid at the airport.

After check-in, we proceeded to the gates.

This is just it... the boarding gates and waiting area

The gate

There are cellphone charging stations at this airport

This sign caught my eye as this is the first time I've seen it in airports.

Passenger Bill of Rights

It's time to say goodbye to Palawan for now.  We'll be back for sure.

After the bumpy ride to and from the Irawan Eco Park, we got hungry.  And since we only had light lunch, we decided to just have early dinner.  I wanted to try the bird's nest soup so we went to Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill and Restaurant in the town proper.  It was about 30 to 45-minute ride that costs PhP20/person (from Irawan).  Going to the town proper, it would be on the right side of the street, near the multicab terminal.

Facade of Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill and Restaurant

Tables are set up in elevated, nipa-hut-feel platforms

What did we order?  Of course, there's the infamous balinsasayaw soup (bird's nest).  One order is good for 3-4 persons and costs PhP495.  Good thing the server informed us that they have half order so we don't have to make ourselves full just because of the soup.  We also had pancit canton, crispy pata and rice.  We also had an order of mango shake and 1L of cola.  That's more than enough for the two of us.  The price is not that expensive.  If I remember it right, we paid around PhP900 for our order.

Balinsasayaw (Bird's Nest) Soup

Crispy Pata and Pancit Canton

The verdict: In my opinion, their pancit canton and crispy pata tastes just like that of other restos.  As for the bird's nest soup, it was really yummy.  Of course, I won't be able to compare it to others as this is the first time I've tasted it.  It looks like an egg soup but the color is plain white, it's not too thick and tasty, like the Nido soup but more delicious.  Just eat the soup as it is, no need for any condiments.

After the hearty early dinner, we were craving for coffee.  So, we crossed the street to Itoy's Coffee Haus.  I liked the ambience of the place, plus they have free wi-fi... yehey!  Coffee, though, is just ok... at least for the one I tried which is Cashew Frappe.  I forgot to ask if they have a specialty but maybe I could just save it for next time.

Facade of Itoy's Coffee House

 

Interior of Itoy's Coffee House

Near the counter

A frame hanging on the wall

Cashew Frappe

Irawan Eco Park [Puerto Princesa 2013]

With nothing else planned for the day, we decided to go to Irawan Eco Park.  We got to know about this when we visited Crocodile Farm last Saturday.

From the place we're staying, we hopped onto the Irawan-bound multicab (PhP18/person) and got off at Crocodile Farm.  From there, we talked to the Irawan Eco Park representatives.  They offered to give us discounts to the canopy zip line (from PhP799/person to PhP700/person).

Since we do not have any transportation, they called someone to pick us up at Crocodile Farm.  A tricycle came and we were also assured that we would be brought back to the multicab terminal (no extra fee).

Entrance to the Registration area

Irawan Eco Park Activity Area Map

  
At the registration area, you could pick the activities you want and pay for it there. If you decide to try the other activities later on, you could pay for it at the park activity area. We waited for 10-15 minutes for someone to bring us to the activity area. However, their multicab service seems to have an errand so we rode on a motorcycle (they asked if we're ok with it). It was a bumpy 10-min motorcycle backride.

Skywalk area

Zip line for the kids

When we got to the activity area, I'm surprised that not a lot of people were there. I think they still need to do some marketing for this Eco park.  Anyways, after wearing the harness, we're off to the zipline adventure.

Activity Area Headquarters

There are different starting points for the zipline, depending on which you signed up to.  We tried the longest one.  To get to the starting point, we have to walk up about 60 steps.

Ready... set... go! 

View from the zip line

The 1st leg is the longest, can't see the end of the zip line from this point... if I remember it right, it was 914m

The 1.3 km zipline is composed of 3 segments.  The first one is the longest (about 914m).  Then, you have to go up some steps to go to the 2nd one, which is about 300m.  The last one is the shortest (about 100m) but the fastest.  For this, the staff will give you tips on what position you have to be in when you get near the end (not sure if I got it right though, hehehe).

Having tried different kinds of zip line before, the experience was just ordinary.  But what makes it special is doing it with my 68-year old mom.  I'm so proud of her!

Here are the rates of the activities in the eco park:

Rates

Besides the 3 islands we visited, we also asked the boatmen to pass by some other islands in Honda Bay.

One of it was Luli Island, so called because of it's lulubog-lilitaw nature (depending on the tide).  Although, it's not the whole island that's being submerged in the water, but most part of it is.  This island has a diving board that tourist's could use.  If one would opt to drop by this island, fee is PhP60/person.

Luli Island

Diving board at Luli Island

The other one is Snake Island.  It's currently closed to tourists.  I believe it's being used by DENR (related article here).  This island boasts of a long stretch of sand bar.

Approaching Snake Island

That's the stretch of the sandbar

Honda Bay: Pandan Island [Puerto Princesa 2013]

Pandan Island is the largest and most developed island in the area.  When we got here, there are already a lot of people in the island.  This is a favorite lunch place for tourists.  You could either bring your lunch or buy from the vendors in the area.

Island map

We first tried to get a table under the shade of the tree (PhP300).  Then we bought our lunch.  There are vendors here where you can buy seafood and they'll cook it for you.  I bought tiger fish (grilled) and some seashells (1 kilo of halaan; half of it cooked with soup and half grilled) for PhP450.  I also bought one order of rice (I forgot how much that cost).  Good thing, just had one order as the rice serving is for 5-8 persons.  We also bought some plates, spoons and forks from them for about PhP12.  We told them where we're seated and they would just deliver the food once it's cooked.

Grilled tiger fish for lunch

Halaan for lunch

We went for a swim and roam in some parts of the island while waiting for lunch.

Massage Area

Docking Area

The water is already chest-level here but I still got a clear picture

The water is not too warm, not too cold, just the right temperature so we really enjoyed swimming.  Add it to the fact that the water is clean and clear.