Palawan Escapade 2014 (part 2)

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

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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.

See you guys later!

See other of my Palawan entries:

Part 1: Initial Exploration of Puerto Princesa - https://intro-traveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/palawan-escapade-2014-part-1.html

Part 3: Honda Bay Trip - https://intro-traveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/palawan-escapade-2014-part-3.html

Part 4: Underground River - https://intro-traveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/palawan-escapade-2014-part-4.html

Part 5: El Nido - https://intro-traveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/palawan-escapade-2014-part-5.html

Part 6: Last Hooray in Palawan - https://intro-traveller.blogspot.com/2014/12/palawan-escapade-2014-part-6.html