Palawan – One-Armed Wanderer

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- Palawan

Hidden Paradise in Aborlan, Palawan: Surya Beach Palawan

Posted on April 19, 2024April 19, 2024by One Armed Wanderer

Palawan is definitely one among the beautiful vacation and holiday destinations in the Philippines. Palawan offers an array of beautiful places to visit. If you are planning to travel to Palawan, the popular tourist destinations are El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa.

Surya Beach Palawan

For someone who longs to explore new places, we decided to try Surya Beach Palawan in one of the least popular destinations in Palawan – the municipality of Aborlan. Prior to our visit, I checked online for videos specifically about Aborlan and Surya Beach Palawan. I watched one video and was amazed by the unique beauty of the place! Truly, it’s a less explored and hidden paradise in Palawan!

Transfers

Surya Beach Palawan offers airport transfers and travel time from Puerto Princesa City to the resort is 2 hours. In our case, since we are in Puerto Princesa already as we’ve stayed at The Funny Lion Puerto Princesa for 3 nights, we asked Surya Beach Palawan to pick us up at The Funny Lion.

Quiet and Serene Resort

We arrived at Surya Beach Palawan and we were the only guests at the resort. We immediately liked the place as it was quiet and serene. We felt like we had the entire resort and the beach to ourselves.

Beachfront Villa

Since having a great view from our accommodation is one of our trip requirements, we booked the Beachfront Villa, as it offers the best view of the beach. The villa, which is actually an A-frame, can accommodate up to 7 persons, making it perfect for families or groups of friends. It includes a queen-size bed, 2 single beds, and another queen-size bed in the loft.

Beachfront Villa at Surya

Surprisingly, the villa comes with a Smart TV so you can watch your favorite Netflix series or watch your favorite YouTube channels. And note that their internet service provider is Starlink so the internet is ultra-fast. Additionally, the villa is equipped with a refrigerator, a coffee and tea area with an electric kettle, drinking glasses, mugs, and complimentary drinking water. However, please note that coffee is not provided, so be sure to bring your own.

Another pleasant surprise is the spacious and beautifully designed toilet & bath. Toiletries, towels, and guest kits are provided, which include a toothbrush, small toothpaste, and a small soap.

Our favorite spot is the veranda, equipped with a lounging area and a dining set, where you can relax and enjoy the breathtaking view of the beach.

Beachfront Villa Rates start at 5,400 Php a night. For bookings, please check-out their Cloudbeds listing.

Good Food

You can bring your own food to Surya and even cook there with corkage. However, since Surya has a chef and serves delicious dishes, I highly recommend ordering food from them.

Activities

In addition to enjoying the views and swimming, they offer relaxing beachside massages, but remember to book a day in advance. They also have kayaks but we were unable to try due to wavy conditions during our stay. At night, ask one of their staff to set-up a beach bonfire which is free of charge. Lastly, during low tide, stroll along the shore and appreciate the beach’s untouched beauty.

Overall, we had a restful and enjoyable stay at Surya Beach Palawan. The staff are very helpful, the beachfront villa is nice, the place is relaxing and serene. I can not gate keep this place as everyone needs to know that there’s a hidden paradise in Aborlan, Palawan!

You may also watch my vlog and review of Surya Beach Palawan below:

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Palawan
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- Travels

Crocodile Farm Tour in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, travel

Posted on March 30, 2013March 14, 2016by One Armed Wanderer

Palawan’s Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center was the first stop of our Puerto Princesa City tour. Founded in 1987, this Puerto Princesa tourist attraction well known for its Crocodile Farm and Nature Park.

Palawan Wildlife and Conservation Center in Puerto Princesa

Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (Crocodile Farm) Location

This interesting tourist spot is located in National Road in Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City and just 30 minutes away from Puerto Princesa city proper.

Crocodile Farm Entrance Fee

Basic Tour (30 mins.)

Child – P 10.00

Adult – P 40.00

Privileged – P 20.00 (senior citizen, disabled, students)

Group Tour – P 20.00 (min. of 20 pax)

Crocodile skin and skeleton welcome guests and visitors at the lobby.

Crocodile skin at the lobby of Crocodile Farm Puerto Princesa

Crocodile skeleton at crocodile farm in Palawan

Crocodile farm tourist guide shares info about the farm. The guests also learned from her that croc skin used in bags and purses are usually that of younger crocs.

The tour continues and guests were taken to the “Hatching House” of the farm.

Guests are busy taking pictures of baby crocodiles

tourists strolling and taking pictures at the crocodile farm

Baby crocodiles.. Aren’t they cute?

Hatching house is where baby crocodiles are born, bred and taken care off until they become adults. I was a bit disappointed that we did not witness live crocodile egg hatching. lol

The tourist guide advised us not to put our fingers on top of the croc dens. Even baby crocs can be aggressive and cut one’s fingers off.

After the hatching area, guests were then taken to the adult crocodiles. There’s a metal bridge approximately 20 feet above the crocodile den.

We crossed the bridge and we were able to check out these huge and scary adult crocodiles

Perhaps the largest crocodile in the farm is “Valentino”, 16 foot and 500 Kilogram a male saltwater crocodile captured on Valentines Day of 2012 in Bataraza, Palawan.

Valentino, a 16 foot crocodile in Palawa, Philippines

Right after the exciting ‘crossing the bridge with huge crocodiles below’ part of the tour, guests were headed to a photo opportunity with a young crocodile. There’s a professional photographer and you may have your picture taken and printed for only 150 Php. Apart from this, you can also have your pic taken with your own camera for free.

Photo taken from my iPhone. A friend helped me since I couldn’t carry the croc with two hands. I just realized that I was holding the croc on its neck (I’m sorry).

After the photo op with the croc, guests can freely stroll around the Nature Park.

The shy Palawan Bear Cat.

Palawan Binturong that smells like “Pandan”. You may also have your picture taken by a photographer with this cute, love, tame friendly Binturong. Printed photo costs 150 Php.

White Bellied Sea Eagle

There’s also a mini zoo in the farm but we decided to leave after a short walk since we still have to visit Mitra’s Ranch and Baker’s Hill that day.

Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center is a must visit! I super enjoyed seeing crocodiles of all sizes. I loved Palawan Binturong, very friendly and good smelling creature.

Palawan
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- Travels

Baker’s Hill Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Posted on March 29, 2013March 14, 2016by One Armed Wanderer

Baker’s Hill is one of the tourist attraction in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Baker’s Hill is literally on top of a hill where a number of bakers work together to offer deliciously baked goodies for tourists and visitors.

Baker’s Hill Location Map
Mitra Road, Barangay Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines.

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Tourists and visitors say that Baker’s Hill Hopia is a must try. In fact, it’s one of the bakery’s best seller. Small box of Hopia costs only 40 Php.

Since I’m not a fan of Hopia, I opted to taste their Spanish bread instead. It was delicious!!

Apart from the freshly baked breads and snacks, you can also stroll around the area for free. This privately owned parked is open to the public. Thanks to the extremely generous owners.

Huge modern houses welcome visitors of Baker’s Hill.

Statues of Marilyn Monroe

Baker’s Kitchen – Restaurant in the heart of Baker’s Hill

Baker’s Hill Restaurant menu

Beautiful floating local flower petals are everywhere.

A mini playground for kids

Baker’s Hill garden is a perfect place to simply sit and relax.

There are also several birds in the garden including Myna, Peahens and Peacocks. Well, the latter is my favorite!

My Take on Baker’s Hill

Reviews say that Baker’s Hill is a theme park. I just don’t get its theme. There’s a bakery, then beautiful huge and modern houses, not so Filipino statues, a Filipino restaurant, a relaxing garden with a number of lovely birds.

Anyway, Baker’s Hill is still a perfect place to eat, relax and take pictures. The area is very clean and well maintained. Well, at the end of the day, there’s no place like Baker’s Hill in the Philippines – bakery with delicious breads plus a park with beautiful garden! What more can you ask for?

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Food
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- Palawan
- Travels

Bilao at Palayok Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Posted on March 23, 2013March 14, 2016by One Armed Wanderer

Aside from the breathtaking Underground River, white sand beaches, exciting zip line adventures and friendly locals, Palawan vacation would not be complete without dining in the city’s restaurants.

Bilao at Palayok Seafoods & Native Restaurant is located along Rizal Avenue and just about 5 minutes away from Puerto Princesa Airport. This Filipino restaurant is one of Puerto Princesa’s finest restaurants.

A huge “Palayok” or Earthen Pot outside the restaurant. We visited Bilao at Palayok for our first dinner at Puerto Prinsesa. Since I’m only using my smart phone for photographs, pictures are dull due to lowlight conditions.

Bilao at Palayok’s interior is very native and “Filipino”. I was impressed and amazed by the overall design and feel of the restaurant. Tables, chairs and even flooring are made up of wood mostly bamboos. Too bad that we were the last guests that night and lights were dimmed on other areas of the restaurant.

Short bridge heading to the main dining area of Bilao at Palayok.

At the heart of the restaurant are wooden crafts. Bilao at Palayok looks like a mini Filipino art gallery to me. I highly recommend visiting this restaurant during daytime to appreciate the ethnicity and beauty of the area.

We ordered “Bulalo” – kneecap, a famous dish in the Philippines.

Boodle feast at Bilao at Palayok. We were all shocked by the generous serving of this group meal for five persons. Food presentation is perfect!

This group meal we ordered consists of Sisig, boneless Bangus, Inihaw na Pusit, Inihaw na baboy, fried danggit, Adobo, Hipon, Laing etc. I should say that their rice is the most tasfeful and delicious rice I’ve ever tasted!

My friend wanted to bring home this water pitcher covered with a woven rattan.hahaha

Bilao at Palayok Puerto Prinsesa Menu

Aside from the menu below, the restaurant also offers sizzling, fish, pork and vegetable dishes ranging from 170 Pesos to 450 Pesos. Desserts are also available starting at 70 Pesos.

Puerto Princesa’s Bilao at Palayok is a must try to those who will visit the city. The resto’s interior, ambiance and feel looks expensive but for the delightful and delicious food, Bilao at Palayok dining experience is actually affordable!

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[Updated] Where to Stay in Puerto Princesa: Lola Itang

Posted on March 22, 2013March 14, 2016by One Armed Wanderer

Lola Itang Pension & Restaurant is located in Roxas St. corner Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa, Palawan. This affordable accommodation is 15 minutes away from Puerto Princesa Airport and is walking distance to baywalk, plaza quartel, The Cathedral and other commercial areas. It is also very accessible to the city’s numerous tourist attractions.If you have booked prior to your vacation, Lola Itang will provide a free transfer from Puerto Princesa Airport to the pension/hotel.

January 3, 2016 – Updated the post title, room and rates.

Lola Itang Pension House in Puerto Princesa

Aside from being an affordable pension house/hotel, Lola Itang also has a restaurant which is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM except on Sundays. The restaurant is less fancy but very clean and decent.

Lola Itang restaurant in puerto prinsesa

The pension house area is very quiet and pleasantly comfortable and cozy. Unlike typical hotels or pension houses, Lola Itang’s unique atmosphere which I should say very “Filipiniana” makes it a must stay hotel in Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan.

Refreshing and relaxing athmosphere at lola itang pension house

Although the rooms we stayed in are a bit modern and deviate from the “Filipiniana” feel of the hotel, we were very satisfied for the cleanliness of the room and its toilet & bath.

All rooms are air conditioned and has Cable TV. Room service is also available. We even had our room cleaned while we were out touring the city.

Lola Itang Palawan Room Rates

Single Room (1 matrimonial bed): 950 Php per night for 1 person or 1,100 Php per night for 2 persons toilet does not include hot shower
Twin Room (2 single beds): 1,200 Php per night for 2 persons – toilet does not include hot shower
Executive Room (1 matrimonial bed and 1 single bed): 1,350 per night for 2 persons
Solo Villa (1 matrimonial bed): 1,500 Php per night for 2 persons – room includes refrigerator
Suite Room (1 matrimonial bed and 1 single bed): 1,500 per night for 2 persons

For inquiries, you may contact Lola Itang’s Pension house at this number, +63916-233-3652 or e-mail them at [email protected]

Lola Itang’s staff are very friendly and accommodating. During our 5 day stay at the pension, we experienced superb customer service – from the security guard, room cleaners, restaurant servers to front desk officers. Less fancy rooms but are reasonable for the price, very secured and homey. A must stay for budget travelers.