WITH THE MOTORCYLCLE THROUGH THE ISLAND OF PALAWAN

If there is a paradise in our world, definitely Palawan, this idyllic location could be the perfect candidate for it. One of the 7107 islands that the Philippines offers, impresses the visitors with its heavenly white-sand beaches and the seawater son intensively azure as the sky during the summer months. If you are a nature lover, you adore sunbathing and swimming, and you also would like to taste some delicious seafood, you will fall in love with this marvelous place. Come on, even in Money Heist there is a mention about Palawan at the end of the first season.

HOW I GOT TO THE PALAWAN AND OTHER PRACTICAL ISSUES

I used to live in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines some time ago. One of the largest cities due to its size and number of inhabitants that I have ever seen in my life. If I have to be honest with you, I consider that Manila is a city with terribly chaotic and slow traffic, so moving around becomes an odyssey, since it can perfectly take up to 3 hours by car between two different points in this city. What a madness! In order to get away from the chaos, during the weekend days I used to take the plane to explore different islands or nearby countries. But, I will tell you my story about them in another moment. I traveled by ferry to Palawan from Coron, another wonderful island. There is also a possibility of taking a plane from Manila to El Nido, the AirSwift Company operates on this route. However, you should keep in mind that especially during the high season (for example: at Christmas time) the tickets “fly away”, so try to book them in advance. Although there is another opportunity to arrive by plane from Manila: taking the plane to Puerto Princesa, located in the central part of the island, and then taking a van to El Nido.

Also, when planning your trip, it is important to check not only the availability of flights and hotels, but also the time of the year you wish to visit. I would like to remind you that in the Philippines the climate has a clearly dry season between December and March, the right one to travel there, and the wet one, in which it never stops raining. The tropical climate, as its name indicates, is located between the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, and its temperatures are quite warm throughout the year, around 27ºC. If you can only travel during the wet season, between June and October, keep in mind that torrential rains and even typhoons may occur, so it is possible that you will spend your holidays in a hotel room without having the opportunity to visit many fantastic places. In this case, the only adventure you will try out, it will be going out to search something to eat.

EXPLORE THE ISLAND OF PALAWAN BY MOTORCYCLE

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A good idea, in case you know how to drive a motorcycle and your balance does exist for real, not as mine, thank goodness that my partner knew how to drive it, it is to rent one for a day or even for some hours and make your own route around. The rents are not expensive, I believe that it costs around 10€ per day, and it gives you the opportunity to explore new places, perhaps even less popular and crowded. Actually, using the Google Maps you can choose the places that you are interested in and just visit them. Don’t worry about the gasoline, there are plenty of stands all over the island, where you can buy two-liter Coke bottles filled with it. Honestly, I wonder how these bottles do not explode being all day under the sunlight. Another Palawan’s charm… And the locals, especially, the children, who greet you as you ride the motorbike through their towns. To them you are as exotic as they are to you. I remember once on a “lost” island on the east side of this country, well…nowadays there is not almost anything lost in our world, even so, it was a corner less known by the foreign tourist. There, the children from the village came to me in order to touch my wavy blond hair and when they did they laughed surprised. I really felt like a doll.

So, what track should you follow? In my opinion taking the Tay-Tay el Nido National Highway to the north and then changing this road for the A90 el Nido JCT New Rd. could be a good plan. You have the possibility to go around in the north part of the island from the west to east, and then come back going down on the east side. The road views are amazing even if some places are a little bit “wild” to pass, but why not to go on a little adventure and feel new experiences? This route will offer you beautiful landscape to watch, some places where you can stop for a bath in the sea, lunch or just to take a picture for your Instagram account. I remember now that in Nacpan Beach I witnessed a marriage proposal from a military man to his girlfriend…oh, that was such beautiful moment! Nacpan Beach is still a popular spot among the tourist, but maybe you could also visit Duali Beach, located further north that appears to be an idyllic scene from a romantic movie. You will not remain indifferent watching such a wonderful place.

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If you like the idea of renting a motorcycle and exploring the island on your own, the next day there is another possibility for an excursion. This time change your direction to the south from El Nido. I would recommend you to visit Corong-Corong Beach, especially during the golden hour, at sunset, when the sun disappears “into the sea” and the place becomes a fascinating natural spectacle. Going further south there is a typical costal village Bebeladan that I visited. Some beautiful views of different islands around are integrated in its landscape. On the way to the village my partner and I had to help two local boys with their tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled motorized vehicle used as a taxi, because the machine broke and it was no way for them to take the tuk-tuk up a steep hill. We had a lot of fun with them. On the way to south there is also Kuyawyaw Waterfall, where it is mandatory to pay the entrance and some taxes in order to visit, but the place is worth it and it does not cost a lot. The only thing I did not like is that the staff insisted on paying for a guide service, although I believe that there is not a greater mystery about the way in this wonderful area. You do not really need the guide. In fact, locals do not use it at all, just follow the path up to the waterfall. Up there you have an opportunity to take a cool dip and remove all dust from the road accumulated on your body. I suggest to jump off the rocks into a natural pool, but not anyone dares to do it.

Palawan is really a magic place, homely writing this post my desire to return intensify…maybe one day I will, who knows? Soon, I will tell you a story about my boat adventures around the neighboring islands. SALAMAT PO for reading this post.

TIPS:

• Ask in your hotel if they can rent you a motorcycle or recommend a good place.
• If you do not like to drive a motorbike just rent a tuk-tuk with a driver.
• Do not forget to try seafood in Angel restaurant, it is cheap and delicious. Some Filipino family had recommend it to me, I went in several occasions there.