I know I just came from a quick weekend getaway trip to Puerto Princesa City last week but it was a 4-day long weekend just after that so I wasn’t able to resist the invitation of friends for another one. This next trip which we started today (August 28, 2009) was booked months ago during an introductory promo fare of Cebu Pacific for its newly installed Manila – Incheon (Seoul) route. The roundtrip airfare for each passenger was only PHP7037 inclusive of all collectible taxes, minus the ones collected at the airport terminal (Philippine Travel Tax - PHP1620 and Terminal and Security Fee - PHP 750). Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 has been opened for almost a year already but it was my first flight out from this recently-operational terminal. Along with my friends Patrick O. and Patrick M., also together with my sister Julie, we were at the Terminal 3 this afternoon for our Manila - Incheon flight via 5J 194.


It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a Cebu Pacific flight, more so, on an international one. Last time I remember was for a trip to Kuala Lumpur to attend the Tech·Ed SEA 2007 conference where Julie and I extended afterwards when my mom and brother joined us along.


Patrick O., Patrick M. and Julie on one aisle. I was alone at the other side. sigh!


papers, papers, papers!.. and pen! forms to fill up for disembarkation purposes.


The plane took off on time on its published 3:55PM schedule. It was actually a full flight consisting of mostly Koreans returning home from vacation and some Filipinos taking advantage of the long weekend like we did.


my ever reliable Zune 4GB - a constant companion whenever I travel, especially when I am alone. useful and kept me entertained throughout the almost 5-hour flight.


We arrived in Incheon Airport and got out before 9:00PM. Our plan was to take public transportation as much as we could and as soon as we arrived, cleared the immigrations and customs, we headed for the Airport Express (AREX) train that took us to Gimpo Airport station (fare KRW3200) where we transferred for the purple line (5).


Buying the ticket was confusing at first. We saw the line of vending machines and we were both amazed and lost as we navigated through the system. A few more trial and errors and we were able to get our individual single journey tickets all the way to Jongno 3 (Sam) station (KRW4500 plus KRW 500 card deposit).


single journey ticket


The whole journey from the airport to where we will be staying took almost a total two hours, including transit, waiting and walking time. We entertained ourselves by talking about what to do during the trip and making faces with our cameras.

me and my sister Julie


Patrick O. and Patrick M., or simply "the Patricks"


group picture


I took this shot of the train line guide for us to know where we will go and to help me count the number of stations before we alight rather than standing up and again. This is something that I usually do whenever I travel a foreign country and intend to use public transportation a lot.


Our accommodation for that long weekend was booked at Yim’s House, an economy yet decent hotel in Seoul around 5-minutes walk from Jongno 3 (Sam) station.


reception area of Yim's House


Julie and I shared room while the Patricks shared another. This is the room where we stayed - there was a queen-sized bed, more like a matrimonial bed. It appears that the hotel staff thought that Julie and I were married. Anyways, we didn’t complain for it was a nice room - neat and comfy.


There was a "staging area" where we can leave our footwear. It separated the bedroom from the comfort room.


comfort room with half-tub


The Patricks room were just beside ours. They got a double mattress that is almost literally flat on the floor.


Our hunger were getting worse us by that time. It was past 11:00PM and we haven’t had our dinner yet. We decided to walk back nearby the Jongno 3 (Sam) station, look for a place to eat and then saw this fast food was still open by almost midnight.


me


Julie and me


I’m not sure about the name of the food I ordered but basically it was beef with rice served with some vegetables on a hot sizzling plate.


sidings


Patrick O.'s food was so hot and spicy that he can't do anything to control his sweating! It was good food according to him!


Basically we hit the grocery for some food and stuffs right after and then decided to sleep right after so we can get ready for our activities the next day. The following morning, this was my breakfast – noodle soup and a cup of Starbucks Paris coffee.


Yim’s House facade in the morning


These are all just start of this wonderful journey in this foreign land we’ve always seen on TV and ever wanted to visit.

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On our 3rd day in Puerto Princesa City, we were scheduled to take the Honda Bay Tour - translated: beach bumming and island hopping!

I woke up at 7:00AM and after the usual morning regimen, Jojo and I had our break at the pension house while waiting for our tour group to leave.

my breakfast - ham, egg, cucumber with rice, around (PHP80)


By 8:00am-ish, we left the pension house and arrived 30 minutes later at the dock where the boats that will take tourists around Honda Bay are. Our guide already arranged for our transportation so we just waited a few minutes and we were off.


waiting area


Honda Bay, or originally "Hunda Bay" (we were told that the word hunda translates to deep in Spanish language, relating to the body of or the bay), is home to numerous beautiful islands (and islets), pristine beaches and unspoilt coral reefs.

our boat for the day


There are islands that are yet inhabited, and some others considered as privately "owned" like the one below. One will be left to wonder how it feels to have his own island.


Our first activity for that day was snorkelling. We stopped in a floating hut that served as jump-off point to snorkelers. As usual, I'm not keen to do this activity because of a previous traumatic experience just months back.


We then went off to Pandan Island right after and arrived minutes before lunch time. While the group take the time to relax and settle in our cottage or go around the island, our tour guide and the boatmen prepared our lunch.


A lady approached us selling lobster and asked if we were interested. It was around PHP600 per kilo, including the cooking charge so Jojo thought of buying 2 kilos for everyone to share.


me and the lobsters


Oh, it was a good thing that they sold fresh coconut juice (still on its shell) for PHP15 because I don't drink water!


While waiting for food, I just went around the surrounding the place. I find Pandan Island very nice and cozy.


by the beach


another view of the beach side near our cottage


By the time the lobsters were cooked, our tour guide helped us prepare and break the shell. How morbid!


closer look. eek!!


It was a feast for all of us! Lots of food, lunch by the sea - fantastic! There were other food items prepared for our tour including:

grilled tuna jaw


boiled shrimps


cucumber and tomatoes mixed


sliced pineapples


This is what I got on my plate - a whole lobster, shrimps, grilled tuna jaw, pork barbecue and mixed cucumber and tomatoes on side. I am drooling as I'm looking at this picture and writing this blog now.


After lunch we had time to go around the island more and play. Here are some shots taken around the island:

lifeguard chair. not sure why it wasn't facing the sea..


beach bumming


me


me and Jojo


After lunch and lurking around Pandan Island, we headed off next to Snake Island, a beach island famous not because it has snakes on it but because of its snake-shaped white sandbar.


On this island, we also stopped to eat halo-halo being sold by a vendor (PHP25).


Our last stop for the day is in Starfish Tabuan Island.


Located at the far side of the island, one can an old house already wearing out.


What do you expect to find in Starfish island? Of course starfishes! Lots of them lying around by the beach!


I took the chance and had my picture taken with a couple of starfishes. Disclaimer: I hastingly returned them right after.


beach side in the island


our tour group picture


We left the island and boarded our outrigger boat to go back to the port. It was a short 30-minute ride back but most of us were tired due to the activities we've done the whole day. For the rest of the daylight before dinner, we just freshened up and rested in our room at the pension house.

For dinner, this time we ate at the usual Mang Inasal, located along Rizal Avenue.


waiting number 41


vinegar, chicken oil and soy sauce


We ordered for Chicken Inasal (roasted chicken) and rice topped off with chicken oil. Deliciously unhealthy!


We also had pork sisig (minced pig head, snout, ears, meat) served on sizzling hot plate on the side for sharing.


That basically capped off our night and we spent the rest of the day resting and watching TV.

On our last day in the city, we passed by the public market after having breakfast to buy local delicacies like marinated danggit fish (called lamayo), cashew nuts (baked and garlic fried) and cashew brittle.


A couple of hours later, we left for the airport (utilizing the airport transfer of our pension house) to catch our flight back to Manila. As I was waiting to board the plane, a small plane at the apron with a seal of the United States of America caught my attention so I took this shot. I was later told that US ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney was in the city that day.


While waiting at the departure area, I cannot help but think of all the things we've done in Puerto Princesa City and Palawan for the past few days. We've basically covered a lot in such a short time. Will I ever be back in the city again? Probably, and hopefully next time with my family whom I think would be very happy to see all the sights and experience all these things I've done on my short stint in the city.


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