Little Detour
Trip Start
Feb 02, 2009
1
6
27
Trip End
May 12, 2009
Sabang, Palawan, Luzon, Philippines
Monday, March 2, 2009
Here, time is only a very elusive concept , and nobody really knows for sure, unless that you do not leave from a major hub like Puerto Princesa.
While some of the 12 passengers in the 10 max capacity van were complaining, about the bumpy ride, the ac that broke, the crowded accommodations, I spent my time just looking outside watching the unparalleled beauty of the area, also the guy on the roof did the same I guess, but he works for the company.
I choose not to take a chance to be left in the middle of the road so I took the 2nd best option, keep going to Salvacion, where if lucky you still might get a jeepney to Sabang and the Underwater River.
Please understand that Salvacion is a junction of 2 roads,there , you ask somebody that might be there, there was this lady whom assured us that before 3PM it would be one, it was 1PM.
I could not believe my eyes when as I am getting my backpack, the jeepney was there, a good sign .
The trip in a jeepney in this part of the world is an experience on itself, capacity is always 1 more, without counting boxes, chicken, generators, rice bags, we even delivered ice, in the way.
This mode of transport is much more than a vehicle to go from one point to another, it is the lifeline of fairly much everybody who lives around here.
It is beautiful to see that as they go along they stop whenever they see a package, or somebody gives them the empty bottles of soda and beer, or a list of groceries, and somehow , somebody, somewhere will fill it up and everything will be delivered in the way back.
It is not pretty but it seems to work, the most unbelievable thing is the fact that you see a sense of community completely lost in the west.
Here all are for all, not matter what, and always with an smile, and never a complaint, they are great full that they get their business done.
About 2 hours later, and once again enjoying the scenery , the last 20 km are the best, I checked on Dab Dab
The cottages are beautiful, prices from 350 pesos , about U$S 8, it is not on the nicest part of the beach but the place is immaculate, with nice gardens and a restaurant open bar area that is great.
The town is very small only a few restaurant and a few resorts, a long nice beach, and jungle and mountains around.
Went for walk on the beach, and found again my friends from Belgium, they could not make it to Port Barton either,
They already were there for a couple of days so they gave me the necessary info to go to the Underwater River.
The easy way is to pay $200 pesos permit, then a boat for 6 max, for $700 and you will feel that you are in Disneyworld, with the million of tourist that come just to see this and go back somewhere else.
The nice way is, after getting the permit you hike 5.3 km, about 3.5 miles through what is known as the Jungle Trail, which will take you around the mountain into the rainforest, the place is great, only birds and monkeys if you are lucky.
After you arrived to the cave, you will see all the tourist again switching boats and going into the river for about 45 minutes enjoying the rocks formations.
In the way back I choose to take the other trail, called Monkey Trail, this one goes closer to the beach and it is a lot easier to do since it is mainly wood and concrete stairs and walkways, no as remote but a lot friendlier for the way back
After relaxing on the beach for a while , there was another hike, this one 1 mile or 1.8 km to be exact to the waterfall, no fee in here, just walk on the other side of the beach on huge boulder till you find the small freshwater waterfall directly on the ocean.
All and all Sabang ended up being a nice place to see nature , relax a little bit and see my good friends once more.
Today will be flying to Cebu and then to Bohol, due to schedules it will take me about 38 hours if all goes well, from jeepney to tricycle to plane to ferry to bus to reach Alona Beach which might be about 300 miles away I guess.
As a last comment, if you come around here please remember that electricity is only at times and only if they have the money for the gas on the generator, no ATM, no Credit Cards.
There is one fancy place in the town where life is normal, but if I wanted comfort I would not come to Palawan, you come here to be in touch with nature, at least while it last .
Thank you , and I wonder, would I make it to Alona, or the winds of life have other destination prepared for me?
Comments
It's Deja Vue
Hector, reading your blogs sounds so much like my daughter's adventures over there a year ago! Everything you are experiencing is what she went through. Very interesting place. Thanks for keeping us updated.