Puerto Princesa Day Tour
On day 2, we decided to do the City Day tour.
After breakfast, we were greeted by our tour guide and welcomed us for the
tour. She would accompany us on our entire stay in Palawan, including our El
Nido excursion.
We hopped on a large rented jeepney and went to
our first destination
.
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
This was our first stop. We registered before
entering the building. Once we entered the building, we were amazed of what is
inside especially the huge crocodile skeleton, painted crocodile skin and a
crocodile mascot.
We then proceed to the tour itself. As we toured around the
place, the guide talked about the facility and talked about their efforts in
preserving and taking care not only crocodiles but also other endangered
species that were in the center. First, we entered to the nursery, which is filled
with vats containing baby crocodiles.
Then, we went to the place where they
contain the larger ones. Too bad we didn’t get the chance of witnessing the
feeding of the big ones due to time.
After that, we proceeded to the Wildlife
section in which other animals were kept. The last part of the center is their
souvenir shops. Among the things that they sell were local handicrafts, food
and shirts. This is also where you can take a picture of holding a baby
crocodile (Don’t worry, its mouth is secured) for a fee.
Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm
Next on the list was Iwahig Prison and Penal
Farm. It is one of several major prisons here in the Philippines. It is not
like your ordinary prison because it is surrounded by farmland. Also, it feels
like this is a small village or community. You can’t sense that you were inside
a prison.
First, our tour guide reminded us that we
should not take pictures of the inmates due to their right of privacy. Also, we
should not give money directly to the inmates for they will just gamble with
it. One way we can support them is to buy their handicrafts inside their
recreation hall.
As we entered the compound, we saw some
prisoners together with jail guards planting rice. Next, we passed to a small
residential area. According to our guide, this is where the jail guards and
other workers live. Yes, they do live here. Then we stopped in front of their
recreation hall which is located in the center of the compound.
We then entered the hall to take a look on the
handicrafts made by the prisoners. While we looked, there were a group of
inmates dancing to entertain us. After they danced, they REALLY enticed us to
buy their product. (emphasis on the really) Some of them will really follow you
and tell you to buy so that they can have money. After my relatives bought some
of their products, we went outside for photo opportunities. Some of them even
talked to some inmates. It was so interesting to talk to some of them because
it gives you a different perspective on the lives of these people.
Mitra's Ranch
Next stop was Mitra’s Ranch or Rancho Sta. Monica.
It was previously a private property of a political family, the Mitra’s. But
now, it was open to the public. There are different activities that you can do
here. You can have a picnic, go on a horseback riding, and zip lining. Another
beautiful thing about this place is that it offers a splendid view of Puerto
Princesa especially Honda Bay.
We also got a chance to enter the Mitra’s
house (it's shaped like a pyramid). It is filled with pictures of the Mitra’s, different wooden furniture
and certain artifacts.
Baker's Hill
Located near Mitra’s Ranch was Baker’s Hill. It
is the place in Palawan where you can buy their famous hopia. Though their
other products is as delicious as their hopia. There are also a restaurant, a
pizza house and snack bar inside. People not only visit here for the hopia but
also the garden inside. It’s free so you can come in and have fun. There’s an
assortment of plants, flowers, statues and figures (including a big snake,
Marilyn Monroe, and Shrek and the gang), and birds inside.
Binuatan Creations
This is one of the shops that sells handicrafts
(made of natural grasses and fibers from the province) like wallets, bags,
baskets, mats and many more. One thing that is unique to this is that the
visitors can try first-hand on traditional weaving. This is definitely a must
when you’re in Palawan.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Last stop for the day was the cathedral. This
blue-colored Church is located along Rizal Avenue. We went inside, took some pictures
and offered some prayers.
This was officially the end of our day tour.
However we were not finished for the day. Some of my relatives really wanted to
try the halo-halo of Noki Nocs. The reasons for this was that, we recommend it
to them and since they just arrived from Palawan the night before, they did not
get the chance to eat it with us. So we head back to Noki Nocs and let them try
their halo-halo.
That’s it for day 2. On the next day, we went to Honda Bay.
