After being reunited with the Bombom boys and feelin' steady with the RegBeat at Katabom during my first night, I woke up still feeling a bit quirky. I hurriedly prepared my things and head off to Matutina Pension along Taft St. to meet my sister's office mates. We were very lucky not to spend van for hire to take us to Sabang Wharf because Nang Daday happens to have a bro-in-law who currently works in the city, generously offered to be our guide and drove us to the wharf with his green pick-up truck.
We were all excited for the trip. We left the city around 7am and arrived at Sabang by 9:30 am of Dec. 8. I didn't enjoy much of the scenic views along the way since I only slept for 3 hours and I felt like a zombie with a huge eye-bag so, I played dead for the rest of the trip. Zzzzz..
When we arrived at the Sabang Wharf, we were greeted by hundreds of tourist waiting in line for their slots for the underground river tour. I remembered what Nong Bobot once told me: "If you plan to go to Underground River, magbook ka muna ng permit mo, before you book a flight to Puerto Princesa". haha I can say that there's a really a truth in his statement. Good thing we've already secured permits and booked ahead of time so it was easy for us to just wait for our turn for the next boat to take us to Underground River entrance.
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| At the Sabang Wharf, still dizzy from the ride.. |
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| The cool waves are tempting at the Sabang Beach. |
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| Tourists hurriedly jumps off a motor banca that will take then to the Underground River entrance |
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| Click. Click. Click. - Picture perfect. I was able to go bonding with my sister's office mates. You miss all the fun, dear sister! lol. :) |
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| Yehey! 1 down, Six to go!! #dyingtoseeallthe sevenwondersoftheworld. hahaha and why not?
Monkeys and monitor lizards roam around the area and welcomed us like kings and queens as we entered the entrance. We were told not to feed them so as not to affect their natural habitat but a snappy monkey with a great sense of smell , jumped over Nang Bing's plastic bag with biscuits, and that scared us all. tsktsktsk.
   
We walked about 2 km. to the Underground River entrance and enjoyed listening to the humming of the birds and insects around the area. It felt good to be one with nature. This is just a perfect weekend get-away from the cacophony of the city and from the monotonous routine back home.
For more details about the Underground River as to how to secure permits and everything you need to know, please click this site:
 
I soooo love life!!!!
 
As we entered the cave entrance and sailed with our paddler, we sat in amazement and bewildered by its unrivaled beauty. Our lips were sealed, unable to utter a word for we were all captured by its magnificent rock formations. God must have took a long time to create this wonderful art for us to take pride in His creation. We should do our share to protect and conserve it the best way we can so the little ones may be able experience it the way we did. :)
  
This is Kuya Ading - our funny cave guide and paddler.
Our 1.5 km cruising-in-the-underground-river-experiences has just ended yet the fun never stops. We were like teenagers sharing different versions of the story after watching a great movie. hahaha Too bad that I wasn't able to take pictures of various rock and limestone formations inside the cave since I didn't have an expensive DSLR camera at hand. tsktsk. On the other hand, my eyes were able to capture it up close and personal, unedited and that by far is a moment to be cherished more than seeing it through expensive lenses. :)
We ate our late lunch at a restaurant around the Sabang area. We feasted on the food prepared by Kuya Umpong -our new-found friend/guide/pick-up driver and ate like hungry wolves. BUrppppp! We left Sabang at around 2pm and while on the road, we recalled funny experiences with our cave guide. I mimicked everything and impersonated the guide with my funny antics and that made the whole gang laughing endlessly. And I thought, "Hey guys, don't you think I'd be better off as a tour guide?" lol..
We paused for awhile to re-position ourselves inside the pick up truck. I felt my butt was already getting numb so we needed to stretch as we took advantage of a picturesque view of the Karst Mountain and Elephant Cave from where we stopped. Should there be a chance to visit PPS for the second time around, I wouldn't hesitate to get an experienced guide and trek this trail all the way to Sabang. And I mean it, for reals! :)
We stopped by at a view deck overlooking the view of Snake Island, Dos Palmas and Cowrie Island and so, cameras started rolling. Endless poses were revealed. May shooting teh?
  
We head off to Sta. Lordes Wharf just to see the starting point of the Honda Bay and its nearby islands and headed back to the town proper around 4pm. We drove down to San Jose Public Market to buy some dried fish and other pasalubong and we were all surprised to know that their dried fish cost half the price as those were sold in Aklan.
  
It has been a long and tiring day for me yet a very fulfilling one for I was able to see one of the seven wonders of the world. As they say, there are no short cuts to any place worth going, all the butt-aching rides paved way for a great and wonderful memories to cherish.
Yes, I have so many stories to tell. And this is just one of the many treasured moments to share with. What makes this tour special is that -- it's free, it's unplanned, and it's worth taking the risk of meeting the elements of surprise.
P.S.
Power nap for 2 hours to get ready for an Irie-Saturday-Night with the Mitus Tribe at Katabom.. Do not disturb! :)
(updating post soon..)
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