Dear blog of mine and dear friends

Posted by pat on Jul 20, 2010 in Uncategorized | 3 comments

Dear friends and family who have been waiting for the other Palawan posts,

Yes yes… I’m so sorry. I know you have been nagging me to continue and I will. Better late than never right? Palawan will still be there, my experiences are, thankfully, noted down (yay for mini notebooks for those random notes to help refresh my memory later)….

More to come. Thanks for prodding me and telling me that you liked the first few Palawan posts!

Beyond the Palawan posts, it inspires me to write more. I wish I could dedicate at least one half day a week of unadulterated, undisturbed time to write. A time when I don’t have to think about other responsibilities, other things on the “to-do” list, other people asking/request me to do this or that, and the hulabaloo and what not’s of daily life.

But well, that’s why we gotta learn to balance it all right?

————–

Dear blog,

I’m so sorry for not updating you. I have a backlog of content waiting to be written and drafts of the long long over due Palawan trip to be completed. Inspiration comes in the worst of times… when I am in the middle of working. At the end of the day, sometimes I’m just too brain dead to type. That is why I’ve begun meditation to keep me going and to help me focus so that I can do what needs to be done (work) and I still have enough energy to do what I want to do (dance, blog, and what not).

Stay with me, yah hear?

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Arriving in Palawan and Quezon Town

Posted by pat on May 8, 2010 in Travel | 3 comments

Arriving in Palawan

We arrived at Puerto Princess airport 27 March, Saturday, late afternoon. Joel, our driver and our ad hoc tourist guide/Mr. Popular Palawan (he had friends everywhere!) was was already there waiting for us with the van which we used for the rest of the trip. Before setting off for Quezon, we passed by the grocery and bought mosquito nets, mattresses, candy for the kids we’ll be encountering in Kalatagbak, and some supplies for the first part of the trip. It’s a wonder how we were able to squeeze in the groceries and those mattresses considering the whole family of 7 kids, my parents, ate Lina (a native of Kalatagbak) plus all of our bags already stuffed the vehicle. We managed somehow.

From there, we set off for Quezon town. Because of all the baggage, I was forced to cram into a little corner in the back row. It was an uncomfortable 3 1/2 hour night drive, especially when we passed portions of bumpy dirt roads. Despite the discomfort, there was something about that ride which I liked – the darkness. We drove through long unlit roads. It was a if Palawan’s sights was a surprise and the darkness the gift wrapper. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a place where the only thing illuminating my surroundings is moonlight and where the next street lamp is kilometres away. When I looked up out the window, I saw a deep dark blue-black sky dotted with stars, and when I looked back, I saw nothing but the dust stirred by us driving by, illuminated by nothing but the van’s hind lights. Trailing behind the dust was total darkness that was sometimes broken by the headlights of an occasional vehicle. It was exciting, especially when I opened my window at one point and heard the waves crashing along the shore parallel to the road we were travelling on.

The excitement lingered for a while until my behind began hurt. My legs were beginning to feel stiff and my body needed space to stretch. To make it worse, Sammy, my youngest sister let our her first, “Are the there yet?” line. I was beginning to get really restless. I only relaxed when Joel announced that we were close. “Thank god”, i thought to myself.”

Arriving in Quezon Town

We finally arrived at Quezon around 9pm past and checked in at Joavech Pensionne (scroll below for details on the Pensionne) where we were warmly greeted by Julie, the accommodating and cheerful manager of the pensionne. The location looked really welcoming and comfortable, whether your idea of a good holiday is a warm bed and some FoxyBingo for a week, or a hike across the mountaintops.

Joavech is nice and quaint little place which has everything you need.  Don’t expect it be fance but you can sure its affordable, the rooms and bathrooms are very clean, the beds are comfy, and they have air conditioning. For meals, local Palawan fare is served. Lodgers have to talk to Julie in advance regarding the meals as they don’t have a set menu. You may tell her what your meal preferences are and what your budget is and she’ll work around it. What can be cooked depends on what is available in market. They serve pork, beef, chicken, and seafood but I would suggest you go for the seafood. Quezon town is right by the sea therefore, the fish you get is really fresh…and Julie, together with the ‘chef’, cook great simple seafood meals.

Speaking of food, she had prepared for us scrumptious dinner of nice hot Seafood Sinigang and some vegetables (I was too tired to take a picture). It was perfect after a long trip. We were exhausted from all the travelling but excited nonetheless excited since the next day, we were set to go off exploring islets and the Tabon Cave.

28 March 2010,  a Quezon Town  Sunday Morning

It was nice to wake up to a charming scene after a 3 hour night drive– the orange-y hue of sun rise, little blooming yellow flowers scattered across the lawn…and I was breathing fresh air. I thought to myself, “Hello Quezon, it feels so good being away from Manila!

Quezon town is little town located 155 km South from Puerto Princessa. As the jump off point to the Tabon Caves, it was given the title “Cradle of Ancient Philippine Civilization when archaeologist Dr. Robert Fox discovered the Tabon Man, skeletal remains carbon dated to be 22,000-24,000 years old, in the Tabon Cave Complex.  The town is also the access point to some lesser known spots around the area such as Sidanao Island, Double Island, and Tumarbong Falls.

We got up early, shook off the drowsiness, got ready for Sunday Mass, and headed off to the town church to hear Mass. It was Palm Sunday that day, the beginning of Holy Week. We went to buy our own Palms and entered the church. When we arrived, it was almost full. It seem like everyone in this little town was up early this Sunday.

Its always interesting to witness Holy Week in different parts of the Philippines, especially in the provinces. The main rituals remain constant but it seemsevery province injects its own unique way of carrying out this Catholic practice. In Quezon town, they anointed twelve representatives (twelve apostles) tasked to carry out a task for the Church, all throughout Holy Week. I forget what task it was (I think it was to collect donations in different parts of the town).

After the Mass, we headed back to the pensionne. Waiting for us there was a breakfast of Lamayo (tuyo or dried fish) egg, rice, fruits and instant coffee (no brewer yet ). I noticed that the dried fish in Palawan is different. It’s not as salty and the dried fish that we get in the city and doesn’t have that fishy smell. Even their vinegar is different. It was less acidic and had a nice flavour.

It was a pretty leisurely breakfast. There was a lot of excited chatter about what we were going to do that day. After breakfast, we got ready, boarded the van, and Joel drove us to the Quezon wharf where were supposed to board our pump boat. On the way there, we stopped by the local market to buy some water and food supplies as we were going to be out the whole day. Sometimes, I wonder how alcohol companies come up with brands for their cheap alcohol because while buying water, I saw this…

My sister who was there as well, started joking around with the owner of the store…

Joanna: Sino po umiinom niyan? (who drinks that?)
Sales lady : Ah! babae, lalaki, matatanda. (oh! Women, men, older people)
Joanna : Anong ginagawa nila pagkatapos? (What do they do after??)
Papa: Natutulog! (THEY SLEEP!!)
Sales lady : *tries very not to laugh*

I, on the other hand, could not stop myself from laughing! If you knew my sister, you’d know how she would’ve looked and sounded while asking the question – with that mischievous but clueless look and almost monotone nonchalant tone of voice. Crazy, crazy girl.

We got what we needed we went straight for the warf where the reserved pump boat was waiting. If you stay at Joavech’s, Julie and the staff can help you book a boat for your trip to the Tabon Caves and the surrounding islands. Julie was able to reserve the municipal boat for us. The municipal boat looked slightly bigger and better maintained than the other pump boats. I would think that they reserve the use of that boat for some important people and politicians therefore my family and I felt very V.I.P.(either that or Julie is just really good and goes the extra mile for her lodgers!)

We excitedly boarded the boat and got ready for our destinations – The Tabon Caves and the “Secret Island I refuse to name”.

Travel Tips and Tidbits:

Joavech’s Pensionne
Manager: Julie Abiog-Respicio
Mobile number : +63-9194040054
Postal address: Joavech Cafe & Pensionne, Poblacion, Quezon
Email : vjmarespi@yahoo.com

Room rate : approx Php 600/night
Meals : Php 90-150/meal

Boat : approx 2000/whole day

How to get to Quezon town:
(Travel time: estimated 3-4 hours)
1) Rented Van (contact me/leave a message if you want to get Joel’s contact #)
2) Bus – find them on Malvar St. near Puerto Princessa City Public Market.

For more info you may call:
Municipal Tourism Office of Quezon : 09182390296

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