Puerto Princesa Palawan City Tour & Firefly Watch

It’s been my long-time dream to travel to Palawan, one of the top tourist destinations here in the Philippines, both for Filipinos and foreigners. And last 2013, this dream came true. I was in-charge of planning the itinerary, and arranging for the lodging and tours, and my boyfriend was in-charge of the expenses. Fair enough, right? LOL!

We arrived at Puerto Princesa City before lunch, so we were able to unpack our things in the hotel where we stayed for 3 days and two nights. Puerto Pension served as our home in the city. 

After several minutes of rest, we boarded a tricycle that we rented for the city tour.

It was lunch time, so after visiting the cathedral, we headed to Ka Lui, the famous native restaurant where you have to take your slippers off upon entering their premises. We ordered the 'Special Catch of the Day Set'. It was a complete meal for two. Fish steak, prawns, sauteed veggies, and spicy squid. Plus slices of fruits in a freshly opened young coconut to top it off! This is just one thing we love when travelling: Food Trip!

After lunch, we proceeded to our city tour. We visited the crocodile farm. Here in Palawan they're serving crocodile meats as one of the exotic dishes, but please don't ask me how it tastes because I can't even imagine chewing a piece of meat of those deadly creatures! They culture young crocs in this farm for their meat. We also went to butterfly garden to have a closer look of these pretty insects. Then we visited Mitra's ranch where there is an overlooking view of the Palawan shores. We also went to Baker's Hill, a park where you can have your pictures taken and buy some 'hopia' for pasalubong.

The last spot for our Day 1 Itinerary was the Iwahig Firefly Watch. And this was my favorite! At first it seemed so creepy and I really felt nervous. It was so dark, only the two of us, plus the bangkero in a small boat, paddling across the silent river covered with mangroves. When the bangkero saw a tree full of fireflies, he will flash some red light to them so they will make their lights blink and shine even brighter! We approached the trees being lighted by hundreds of fireflies, the nature's very own all-season Christmas lights , OHHHHHH! It was really amazing! I can't even put into words how I was delighted by the sight. Awesome and magical! Too bad we cannot capture how beautiful it was because we only have smart phones that time and the surroundings were so dim. We spotted around 4 to 6 'blinking mangroves' during our one-hour boat ride. As we approached the dock, the moon slowly began to rise into the clouds. 

Boat ride in a river, full moon, fireflies all over the trees, silence, with the one you love. Awwwwww.... Could there be any more romantic scene than this? :)