El Nido was old news, I needed to get with the programme because I was officially in a 'New Era!' I had gotten over the super long drive from El Nido, with two days to fill before heading back to Manila, I turned to PPS! Purposed as the main gateway to Palawan, I kept an open mind as far as Puerto Princesa was concerned. This pint-sized city was about to get a bit spicy! Yes, po!
El Nido had been blessed, with that part of my trip in the can I needed to brave another six hour minibus journey back to my Palawan entry point. I had decided to use this island capital as my turnaround base, I wanted to see what 'Puerto Princesa' had to offer. With my tour package I was able to get a budget hotel and a half day tour thrown in for the overall price, I wanted to embrace this lesser known Philippine destination. Now, let me inform you real quick because PPS had me on my toes from the first second. Stepping down from that minibus at my hotel felt like a blessing, I was about to cause a commotion without evening realising it! After dropping my bag in my basic guest room, I wanted one 'Red Horse' beer before I could call it a night. Heading down to the bar, I saw that a party had claimed the Videoke machine. I ordered my drink, not wanting to impose I sat on a separate table away from the party. The only 'American' in the group, presumably the husband, well he was the one who invited me to his table! Po, it got real!
Now, it was wild how such a basic and juvenile conversation of five minutes would turn very sour after I had slipped out of the bar. Little did I know that I had caused 'World War III' between that 'American' and his 'Filipina' wife! I heard shrieking through my hotel room door, I heard every single word of that domestic! It sounded as if the 'American' had had a wandering something in past because my brief presence had infuriated his wife. Needless to say, the 'American' was left to grovel to his wife and plead to her that he wasn't going to engage in any unholy behavior with said 'stranger!' It was hilarious but you know I slept with one eye open because that Filipina sounded like my presence in hotel really bothered her! I was relieved to see the 'boardwalk' the following morning during the first throws of my city tour in Puerto Princesa! The inner views still served 'Pantropiko' vibes even though the 'Realness' of the city stood near behind me. I had absolutely no idea what the morning would bring, I was excited! Indeed, po!
Plaza Cuartel, a Spanish built fortification was about to school me good and proper! Now, this time the Spanish had nothing to do with the use of 'Plaza Cuartel' during the perils of 'World War II' because I was about be educated! When the Japanese reached Palawan, they commandeered 'Plaza Cuartel', transforming it into a 'Garrison of Chaos!' Repurposed to imprison American soldiers, this formidable structure witnessed the 'Palawan Massacre'. The darkest of days can be found in the most beautiful locations, that was true for Puerto Princesa in this instance. I learned that a famed Palawueño doctor was imprisoned and later killed by the Japanese, 'Dr. Higinio A. Mendoza' stood up for his rights and people. This medical professional was captured by the Japanese to treat their wounded soldiers, this proud Pinoy professional refused to patch up the enemy! It was mystifying to see such a culturally rich place that held so many striking and cold historical facts. P, the tour was fast-paced but I was listening carefully!
Located over the way from 'Plaza Cuartel' was 'Palawan Cathedral', I braced myself to see another place of worship! It was a really exciting time to be near that cathedral, it was 'Ash Wednesday' and that meant the parishioners were busy receiving their ash crosses on that special day. It was nice to see inside that 'House of God' because it wasn't in a commercial area, it was more of a 'everyday situation'. I didn't pay any mind to the history of that Palawan church because it wasn't the right time. After doing some reading, I found out that the first mass was held on March 10th 1872 just one week after a Spanish expedition had landed on the nearby shores. The area around the cathedral had been a mere 'Baryo' before the Spanish had set foot on Palawan soil, yet another European addition to this Philippine island. The morning had been fast, the pace of the tour was ferocious because we had been bundled back into the van! Well on our way, already it was time for the third part of the tour! Things were set to super-speed! Yes!
As the minibus drove further into Puerto Princesa town, I was already looking at places that I could have a drink at that evening! A certain 'Palawueño Brewery' looked mighty fine to me! Turning up a the 'Pasalubong' told me one thing and one thing only, shopping! I really don't like spending my tourist coins unless its on a cold hard beverage! I pushed those vibes away because I saw a whole host of cultured pearls on offer! I bagged myself a respectable deal for a necklace and par of pearl earrings. I felt content with my purchases but immediately after I wanted to move on because I hadn't traveled to Palawan to shop, no I had not! Those money making motives screamed commission for a certain entity! Hey, I wasn't mad because I was on my holidays! Hitting the road before we could say 'Pandesal', we headed for 'Baker's Hill' to pick up some baked goods! Of course, that Filipino sweet bread was a whole mood! Puerto Princesa impressed me much but the bread was the true winner! I would soon be rocking those pearls, P!
The 'Binuatan Creations Weaving Center' rolled around as the next place on that 'Nonstop' half-day tour! I felt 'shopping vibes' from this stop, I didn't feel the need to buy anything from this cultural workshop but it was amazing to see the ladies weaving the raw materials into newly formed crafts. The Taiwanese family who were on the same tour all got into the spirit, they tried their hand at the weaving but I preferred to watch because I wasn't about to ruin hard work! I spent some time talking to the driver at the stop, he was friendly and informative about the local area. A street kid pulled at my heartstrings and even if he was grafting, I gave him a couple of hundred Pesos because I didn't need all that money in the end! Puerto Princesa really had showed me a lot, I really think the pace of this tour was much too quick! Yes, it was nice talking with that Taiwanese family because politics differ in Mainland China, I wanted to express how certain policies presented Taiwan as inclusive and accepting. Puerto Princesa, I needed a break!
Before I could press pause on the day, it was time to visit one of the final places of the tour. Arriving at the 'Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center' left me asking one question, what were we going to see? I wanted to know! So, this intriguing looking 'animal farm' doubled as a 'rehabilitation' refuge for unruly crocodiles. Leaving our driver and guide behind at the entrance, we were handed over to a very capable student from the local community college. This young lady guided us around the many enclosures and educated us about the crocodiles, lots of them having lived very colourful and rebellious lives! Our conversation flowed and soon moved away from crocodiles to 'Drag Race Philippines' with attention paid towards 'Mawma Pao!' I actually had to take a double take because those baby crocodiles looked super cute, sure I remembered that they were capable of devilish acts! Our student guide was so gracious, I slipped her a 1,000 Pesos for her time and consideration. £13.00 goes a long way, po! To 'Mitra's Hill?'
Please don't ask me for specifics but I know that we did stop at a vantage point, a lovely view was served up! It was magic to take three minutes or even thirty seconds to marvel at those greener pastures with the ocean in the near distance. I felt that choosing that tour in Puerto Princesa showed me something off the beaten track, sticking near to the town allowed me to maximise my time. The tour ended around lunch time, it was time for the transfer back to my hotel and a well earned rest! From the previous nights drama to seeing those huge crocodiles, there's no way I'll be forgetting that very chaotic 'Era!' Of course, the rest of the day was spent laying low and to conserve my energy because a 'Valentines' night out would be had! No, I did not need to bring anymore drama my way! Not a chance! Puerto Princesa held the key, it allowed me to stop off before Manila's reality hit me, I didn't want to leave the Philippines! I knew there wouldn't be a next time for Puerto Princesa, cramming that tour in was heaven sent! Trust the underdog! OK!
My Chaotic Era!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
