IRAWAN CANOPY ZIPLINE, PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN

Signage for Irawan Canopy Zipline, Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

"Are you ready to fly?" The question is printed on a t-shirt that I got as a souvenir at the Irawan Canopy Zipline. I got the answer to this particular question last August 20, 2011.

We were cruising early in the morning on that fateful day en route to Puerto Princesa city when we reached Barangay Irawan, and passed by this huge tarpaulin signboard put up by the Irawan Canopy Zipline staff along a prominent corner of the highway leading to the city. Curiosity got the better of us when, suddenly, we decided to go and check one of Puerto Princesa's newest attraction -- the Irawan Canopy Zipline, reputed to be Asia's longest.

The Irawan Canopy Zipline is quite new, having opened its doors to the public only last June 18, 2011, in time for the "Pista y Ang Kageban". A Cuyuno word which means, festival of the forest, the "Pista y Ang Kageban" is a huge, festive tree planting activity being held in the forests of Bgy. Irawan which is a watershed area supplying Puerto Princesa city's drinking water.  And the festival itself is a major part the Baragatan Festivities being held around the  third week of June every year (see my earlier related post on Baragatan 2011). Bgy. Irawan is about 12 kilometers from the city proper, along the southbound National Highway and can be reached by the city's public transport system. For the remainder of the trip into the area, tricycles can be hired to bring guests to the Art Cafe and to the zipline area but fees can be difficult to predict as it is highly dependent on the passengers' ability to haggle and negotiate. It can reach to about P300 to P500. The staff, who are predominantly from Bgy. Irawan, intimated to me that they take 30 minute walk from the barangay to the zipline areas everyday.

Irawan Art Cafe and Gallery, Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

The bar inside the Irawan Art Cafe and Gallery

Inside the Irawan Art Cafe and Gallery, Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

A wooden creation on display inside the cafe

A few hundred meters into the road our first stop was the Irawan Art Cafe and Gallery, an airy building full of artworks and wood products where guests register and maybe pick up some food before entering the Irawan Eco-Park where the ziplines are located about 1.5 kilometers into the forest.

Irawan Eco-Park, Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Arriving at their business station, we were greeted by the staff that included an energetic caucasian named Jordan. I've heard his family runs the operations of the zipline. After some convincing by the staff I decided I should try the zipline.

Irawan Canopy Zipline map, Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Business station of the Irawan Canopy Zipline, Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

The safety harnesses used by the riders

Pulleys and carabiners

The 68-step stairway leading to the boarding stations

We went up to a 68-step stairway that led to the first boarding platform and geared up for the Juan Tamad Ride, a ride where the rider is at a sitting position. I was met at the landing by Jordan. Soon we were at the next boarding platform all geared up for the Superman Ride, a faster but shorter ride where one gets to experience flying superman-style. And for a fee of P500, it was such an exhilarating experience, one that shouldn't be missed! I just found out I was ready to fly after all. A longer, 914-meter line is still being constructed as of the moment and the opportunity to check it when it is completed would be a nice prospect.

Moments right after take-off..

During the flight..

Certificate of Completion

What about you, are you ready to fly? If not, then don't lose heart as you can always take the Carabao Cart ride that they offer for the less daring..

   

The Carabao Cart ride..anyone?

For reservations, contact Irawan Canopy Zipline at:
(048) 434-1132/ 434-1658

Booking office is located at:
The Lotus Garden, Asian Fine Dining and Suites
371 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City

HALO-HALO AT NOKINOCS, PUERTO PRINCESA CITY

Halo-halo at Nokinocs in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

I'm no expert at this but I think I may have found the best halo-halo in Puerto Princesa City. It is at the Nokinocs Savory House Restaurant located along Rizal Avenue, just in front of the Palawan Provincial Capitol Complex. Of course this claim isn't forever. After all, there's still a lot of restaurants in the city that I haven't been to. But the Nokinocs halo-halo is just so good that I and my wife never leave the place without having a glass each after taking their usual fare. Friends who have tasted the halo-halo also swear by it. I've seen some foreign nationals enjoying the treat too..

 

Halo-halo at Nokinocs in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Nokinocs Savory House Restaurant, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

BARAGATAN SA PALAWAN 2011

           Baragatan sa Palawan 2011 streamer along Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.


BARAGATAN is a Cuyono word derived from the word "bagat" which means "to meet". It can be loosely translated to mean a "convergence" and is therefore the most appropriate word to describe a festival in Palawan held every 23rd day of June to celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of the first civil government in the province in 1902. It is during this time that delegates from the province's 23 municipalities literally converge in the city to compete in the Booth, Float and Street Dancing Competitions and just enjoy the company of old friends. The Baragatan festival has come a long way since it was first celebrated in the year 2000 and has now become a major tourist attraction Puerto Princesa City. This year's edition was just as grand.

                                    The booth of the Municipality of Brooke's Point, Palawan.

                                  The booth of the municipality of Cuyo, Palawan

   The fiesta-like atmosphere around the Provincial Capitol Complex in Puerto Princesa City. Palawan.


The Baragatan sa Palawan 2011 softly opened last June 1 with a trade fair, a garden show and an open dining area called "Caraenan sa Baragatan", all scattered around the Provincial Capitol Complex along Rizal Avenue. Earlier, the different municipalities in the province erected their respective booths to showcase their products ranging from foodstuffs, fruits, handicrafts and to highlight their localities as tourist destinations. The private sector joined in with stalls filled with consumer goods, apparel and food supplements resulting into a fiesta- like atmosphere that stretched well into the night.

                                          The Philippine National Flag and the honor guards.

                Majorettes and the Drum and Lyre Corp of one of the schools in Puerto Princesa City.
  

On June 13, the provincial government formally opened the Baragatan sa Palawan 2011 Celebrations with a grand civic parade early in the afternoon that passed along Rizal Avenue on the way to the Provincial Capitol grounds. It was participated by selected troops coming from the different branches of service of the AFP, some in their full battle gear. Students from various schools around the city also came with their respective Drum and Lyre Corps. Local executives and their staff headed the delegations coming from the different municipalities in the province, showcasing their floats designed to depict their respective municipalities. Provincial leaders also joined the parade. The over-all mood was festive; not even a slight drizzle failed to intimidate the people from coming out to admire the floats brought by the municipal delegations as they passed by them. The entry from Brooke's Point, a bustling town 192 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa, won the float competition with its realistic interpretation of a huge, open   coconut fruit on top of the float and coconut shells intricately placed at the sides. Brooke's Point is a major producer of copra in Palawan.

                Giant "Lapu-lapu", the float entry of the municipality of Agutaya in Northern Palawan.

                    Giant coconut, the winning entry of the municipality of Brooke's Point, Palawan

On June 22, a Beauty Pageant was held to search for the Mutya ng Palawan 2011. Sarah Sopio Osorio, a  young lady from the municipality of Kalayaan on the western side of Palawan, won the title.

         Sarah Sopio Osorio of the municipality of Kalayaan,the newly-crowned Mutya ng Palawan 2011

   

On the next day, June 23, another parade was held, this time, participated by contestants of  the Street Dancing Competitions. The dancers came in their most colorful costumes and their fanciest moves to the delight of the people who waited for hours along Rizal Avenue to catch a glimpse of them. The delegation coming from Magsaysay won the contest, bagging a hefty P 300,000.00 prize.

                                       The street dancers from Roxas, Palawan.

                                         The street dancers from Sofronio Espanola, Palawan

 

A male dancer from Sofronio Espanola, Palawan enjoying the moment.

                               The street dancers from Brooke's Point, Palawan won the 3rd Prize.

                     A male street dancer from Brooke's Point, Palawan doing a fancy move.

                                   The street dancers from Rizal, Palawan won the 2nd Prize

                    A female street dancer from Rizal, Palawan concentrates on her moves.
                  

                              The street dancers from Magsaysay, Palawan won the Grand Prize.

                             The dancers from Magasaysay, Palawan showing  their winning form.

                                     A female dancer from Magsaysay, Palawan.

                                        Male dancers from Magsaysay, Palawan

HOTEL CENTRO, PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN

The marker for Hotel Centro, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (Photo by LDocena)

Hotel Centro is the newest hotel to rise up in Puerto Princesa City. It softly opened its doors just this March and comes fully equipped to cater to the needs of even the most discriminating visitor to this side of Palawan. Located along the National Highway in San Pedro, it can be reached within minutes from the Puerto Princesa International Airport. It features 111 guest rooms, a grand ballroom, 5 conference venues, a cafe aptly called "Expressions", a poolside bar named "Soul". It also has a spa, a gym and a horde of other amenities that are all guaranteed to pamper its guests in style.

The driveway of the Hotel Centro, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (Photo by LDocena)

Recently we were able to sample its outdoor swimming pool as a concession to our 3-year-old daughter who had been nagging us all day for a swim. We checked in rather late in the evening at about 8pm and still had two hours to enjoy the soothing waters of the pool before it closed at 10pm.  The fee was P300 per head.

The lights around the building change from one color combination..

To another..

The "Soul" Poolside Bar, Hotel Centro, Puerto Princesa City (Photo by LDocena)

As the crisp, reggae music wafted through the air, the lights around the building and in the water danced along, changing into different hues and combinations, in a subtle way of  uplifting our tired moods. After two hours of frolicking and wading in the two feet deep children's pool area our daughter was now speechless, completely satisfied. Later on we just retired into the night with smiles on our faces knowing fully well that another day has just ended beautifully.

Hotel Centro Puerto Princesa, Palawan

National Highway, San Pedro,

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan 5300

Website: www.hotelcentro.ph

Telephone Number: (6348) 434-1111

PUERTO PRINCESA SUBTERRANEAN RIVER NATIONAL PARK

The Underground River, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (Photo by LDocena)

The road going to Sabang, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (Photo by LDocena)

One of Palawan's hottest tourist attraction is a river. Nope, it's not your ordinary river because this particular one runs inside a cave,  deep beneath magnificent limestone formations with its steep cliffs. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, popularly known as the Underground River is located at the midwest coast of Palawan mainland facing the South China Sea. It was formally established on March 26, 1971 and was later expanded  to cover its present area of 22,202 hectares by virtue of  Presidential Proclamation No. 212, issued on November 16, 1999. It is believed to be the longest navigable underground river in the world with an estimated length of 8.2 kilometers. The Underground River is currently one of the 28 finalists in the worldwide search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature, a prestigious search for seven of the most awesome locations on the planet that would truly represent nature's greatest wonders.

Entrance to the Underground River, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (Photo by LDocena)

The park contains fragile mountain and sea ecosystems and protected lush forests that serve as habitat to various endangered, beautiful, rare and endemic wildlife species. In the coastal areas, old growth mangroves, sea grass beds and coral reefs can be found.

Palawan monitor lizard roams the area. (Photo by LDocena)

On December 4, 1999 the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the park's exceptional and universal value and included the park in its list of World Heritage Sites, declaring that the site truly deserves to be protected by all stakeholders for the benefit of all humanity.

I feel blessed to have been to the Underground River three times already yet the beauty of the place and the sense of adventure never fails to send some shivers down my spine each time the paddle boat I'm riding slowly inches its way through the entrance and glides into the pitch black interiors of the cave. The silence only adds suspense to the whole experience as the only audible sound inside are the occasional splash of the boatman's paddle and the dripping sound of water droplets that had seeped through miniscule cracks on the limestone above.    

To get there, visitors must first secure their entry permits for P200 at the Underground River Booking Office located at Rizal Avenue near the airport. Then they may take a shuttle van at the San Jose Terminal complex in Puerto Princesa City for the one-and-a-half trip to Sabang, 76 kilometers away along the north National Highway. Sabang, itself a tourist attraction, is where the park information office is located and where the entry permits will be processed. It is also here that motorized boat arrangements are finalized for the half-hour trip to the entrance of the cave. Since only six passengers maximum are allowed for each boat,  the small tour groups are combined to fill one. Fee is around P700 per boat. For able bodied and adventurous travelers who have the time,  a trek in the jungle might be an option instead of taking the boat. There is a 5.3 kilometer trail from Sabang to the Underground River which passes through thick forest formations affording them a true wilderness experience. Monitor lizards and macaques routinely roam the trail along with numerous birds.

The motorized boat then brings the passengers to a secluded white sand beach. There,  a wooden walkway winds through a lush tropical forest and leads to the docking station where the paddle boats are lined up. Visitors then log in, are given hardhats and life jackets, and are seated into the paddle boats for the one hour trip inside the Underground River. From then on the excitement begins..

"Dinosaur head" inside the Underground River, Palawan (Photo by LDocena)

The "giant corns" inside the Underground River, Palawan (Photo by LDocena)

The "giant candle" inside the Underground River, Palawan. (Photo by LDocena)

The trip inside the cave reaches to a distance of about 1.5 kilometers. The boatman, acting as tour guide, explains the intricacies of the cave, pointing to the various stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over long periods of time into interesting shapes. The passenger in the front row usually holds the battery powered torchlight. At various points during the ride, figures of the "holy family", "giant candle", "giant corns", a dinosaur head emerges from the darkness. The area called "cathedral" elicits the most "WOWS"; the light from the torch can hardly reach the ceiling 65 meters high above!

One word of caution: the smell of bat urine is somewhat strong inside and this might cause discomfort to some visitors. Just bring the appropriate gadget to cover your nose if you think this might cause problems.

The "giant mushrooms" inside the Underground River, Palawan (Photo by LDocena)

Intricate patterns inside the Underground River, Palawan (Photo by LDocena)

Insect bats on the wall inside the Underground River, Palawan. (Photo by LDocena)

Friends in the Palawan tour (Photo by LDocena)

View from inside the Underground River, Palawan (Photo by LDocena)

Of course, there are other activities that can be done in Sabang- bird watching, mangrove paddle boat tour, adventure caving, snorkeling, or just a leisurely swim  at the beach. Two posh resorts now operate in the area, the Sheridan Beach Resort and the Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort, and both are fully equipped to handle anyone's accommodation needs.

Sabang Beach, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (Photo by LDocena)

The Underground River comes as a source of pride not just for the people of Puerto Princesa City and Palawan but the entire country as a whole.

Visit their website at www.puerto-undergroundriver.com

Please support and vote for the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. To vote, kindly log on to: www.new7wonders.com