Summer is just around the corner. One would slowly notice that the day is getting longer than the night, and the temperature is slowly rising.
And as a prelude to the much-awaited summer break, I flew to Palawan courtesy of Air Asia Philippines.
During the 4-day junket, we witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of agreement between the provincial government of Palawan, the Palawan Tourism Council and Air Asia Philippines. The agreement launches the Palawan World’s Best tourism campaign with Air Asia as its official airline partner.
Together with other invited media, I got to revisit some of Palawan’s already – established tourist spots as well as its secret gems.
During our first day we got to visit Splash House. this aquaculture facility is located just a quick 5-minute boat ride from the port. Its is on the same port where tourists would normally flock for the more popular Honda Bay Island hopping tour.
At the splash house, they breed several lobsters, groupers, and milkfish. And the best part of going the the Splash House? You get to witness thousands of fruit bats fly from the nearby island back to mainland Palawan.
“It’s a daily phenomenon one must experience while in Palawan!” exclaimed Monica Mitra, chief operating officer of Splash House.
After our brief encounter with the wildlife we traveled north to experience the best of Palawan. The crême dela crême of all beach destinations: El Nido.
I can recall my last visit to El Nido in 2009, majority of the tourists then were Russians trying to escape the harsh cold climate in their country. But after Survivor France or locally known as Koh Lanta was aired, Statistics have greatly changed. Today most of the foreigners you get to see in El Nido are either French-speaking, or hailed from France.
The continuous influx of European tourists is just a testament that Palawan is indeed one of the “World’s Best Island”.
During our third day in the province we got to sample the best of El Nido. We did a customized tour. We got to visit the small lagoon and the big lagoon, our lunch was at Dibuluan Island care of El Nido resorts. The island is just so serene. With very fine white sand beach and turquoise waters perfect for the summer swim.
Our final stop for the whole day island hopping tour was at the Ipil Beach. Upon arrival we were welcomed with snacks and fresh buko juice by Miss Bong Romero, of Ipil Suites Puerto Princesa and El Nido.
And our final stop for the junket before flying back to Manila is at La Terrasse for dinner. This French-inspired restaurant serves nothing but the best of Palawan. We had ceviche, bread sticks with pesto on the side, duck confit steamed tilapia and to cap it off we had the Palaweño Brewery craft beer. I samPled the Ayahay Palaweño Honey Kolsch. It was so good with a slight hint of pineapple. Not a hint of bitterness unlike i n most commercially-produced beers.
Palaweño Brewery boasts as the first and only producer of craft beer in Palawan. And they have a brewey tour too! It’s something that I should look forward to when I get back to the World’s Best Island next time.
