2019 Breathtaking El Nido and Paradise Port Barton

After three years, I'm back in one of my top three destinations in the Philippines. My fifth time to visit El Nido and second time to visit Port Barton and the excitement never withered.

Hadefe Travels and Tours has always been my long time partner in my series of travels in Puerto Princesa (PPC) Coron and El Nido. They are simply superb and Sir Hanny is simply one of the best friends one could have and keep.

Hadefe - 0920 952 3280, 0920 600 5979, 048 723 1909

There are numerous flights going to PPC and there is a direct flight to El Nido using Air Swift. But I  still opted using Air Asia. I got use to passing to PPC and seeing Sir Hanny before going to El Nido. Seeing PPC completes the journey.

With the kind assistance of Sir Hanny, I was transported from PPC to El Nido.

PPC to El Nido -P500 (5 hours) vice-versa

El Nido to Port Barton - P500 (3-4 hours) vice-versa

Port Barton to PPC - P300 (3 hours)

I arrived past 4 pm and strolled at the beach and enjoyed the view.

Weather was not that good but there was still sunset.

DAY 2
TOUR A
P1,200-1,400

EL NIDO offers a variety of tours. But Tours A, B, C, and D are the common island hopping tours.

I chose Tours A and C. And for that day, it was Tour A.

BIG LAGOON was the first destination.

Before there was Small Lagoon but right now you have to choose between the small and the big lagoon. After the Big Lagoon, we went to the Simizu Island for snorkeling. 

Then, we went to Intalula Island East and West.

We took our delicious lunch at Intalula.

Last stop was the Papaya Island.

Going back, I witnessed one of the breathtaking sunsets El Nido can offer.

DAY 3

TOUR C

P1,200

We started the tour at Helicopter Island.

Then went to Hidden Beach.

The foreigners love this part of the tour.

We took our lunch at Talisay Island.

Last stop was supposed to be Secret Beach.

But we still went to another snorkeling area and Pasandigan Island.

DAY 4
NACPAN BEACH

I stayed at Hadefe Resort. It has the best view in town and the most accommodating staff. The rooms were great and cozy!

You can simply enjoy and relax at Hadefe Resort and all your tour needs will be provided by them.

Early morning, I rented a motorbike for P500 and went to Nacpan Beach (about 22 kilometers or roughly 30-40 minute ride).

After Nacpan, I bid goodbye to the staff and  boarded a  van to Port Barton. Fare was P500 and the ride toom me more than 3 hours.

My accommodation was at the White Hauz (BJ 0906 356 7610).

They have the dormitory room for P350. The fan room for P800-900. And the aircon room for P1,200-P1,500.

Then the day ended.

DAY 5
TOUR A
Boat rental c/o Michael - 09758580078, 09469641456

All other needs
Van rental, tours, etc
Macky - 0935 036 7676, 0946 964 1456

We started the tour at Twin Reef. Fee for one person is P1,200. 

Second stop was the German Island and the Turtle Spot.

Then, we took our lunch at Pena Plata Island.

One of the sites for your lunch and snorkeling.

One of the things that Port Barton has is the turtle watching tour.

Then we went to Exotic Island.

Maxima Island

Then, the last two stops were the Fantastic Reef and the Sandbar.

Finally, another mesmerizing sunset in Palawan.

MY SINCEREST and HEARTFELT GRATITUDE

My longtime friend Sir Hanny Enor.

Owner - Hadefe

0920 952 3280, 0920 600 5979, 048 723 1909

A friend to keep Macky Tinebro

0935 036 7676, 0946 964 1456

Boat rental

Michael Perez or Cael

0975 858 0078, 0946 964 1456

And my new friend BJ of White Hauz 

0906 356 7610

SALAMAT PO 😃

2019 Batanes Rediscovered (Basco, Itbayat, Siayan, Sabtang)

My fourth time in Batanes. But this time with a new mission.

Last time I went to Itbayat, I was with Red and the rest of the gang. This time I was alone again exploring Batanes.

Flights to Batanes
Skyjet - 6:15 am from Terminal 4
PAL (from Clark)
CebuPac - 6:25 am
Sky  Pasada 9:30 am (from Tuguegarao)

Flight to Itbayat
Fliteline from Basco - normally it has one flight a day which leaves past 9am. But there are instances of second or third flight. The flight to Itbayat is only 15-20 minutes. Fare is P2,700 one way.

Boat to Itbayat
It leaves 6-7am and travel time is 4 hours. There are 3 boats going to Itbayat, namely: MB Veronica, MB Ocean Spirit and MB Itransa.

From the sky, you can enjoy the scenery of both Basco and Itbayat.

I stayed at Gordo's Homestay (email - gordobernadette@yahoo.com / 0999 390 9553). My best stay in Itbayat. The owner was very kind, hospitable and accommodating.

Arriving in Itbayat, I immediately set myself on the first available tour and that was the Torongan Hills and Cave Tour. The fee for the tour is aside from the guide fee.

The Tour is more of a hiking and spelunking tour. You will love this adventure although it is quite tiring. The tour includes Old Pagasa, Sitio Yawran, Raele Church, Airport, Lake Kavaywan, Mauyen port and cliff, Paganaman port.

I was supposed to have the Rapang Cliff tour the following morning. But I was so tired I decided to skip  it.

Itbayat has numerous ports and this port is my favorite. It is 20 minute hike from the town.

My guide was Obet (0939-112-7123).

That night I slept soundly at Gordo's homestay.

DAY 2

The mission was to go to the other farthest islands of Batanes. After encountering numerous problems and paying P5,000 for chartered boat, we were able to proceed to our destination. Travel by boat is more than an hour.

The plan was to go to Siayan, Aelle, Ditarun, Yami and Magudis.

But the waves were not that cooperative and I ended up going only to one island - Siayan.

DAY 3

Time to go back to Basco while the weather was still ok and I bid goodbye to the owner of the homestay, Ma'am Edit Gordo (0999 390 9553). She also has thr biggest grocery in the town of Itbayat.

Going back, I boarded the Fliteline flight back to Basco.

Fliteline

0948 071 7435

0939 645 1441

0922 831 2132

0925 512 5858

Arriving in Basco, I immediately rented a bike and went to Mahatao Lighthouse.

Then, I went to Diura Fishing Village.

In Basco, I stayed at Ysabelle Homestay (0928 234 2542).

They have numerous rooms to choose from. And the rooms are very cozy and relaxing.

Price ranges from 1,000 - 1,500 depending on the size of rooms or the number of beds.

They have also packaged tours to choose from.

DAY 4

This time the itinerary was set on going to Sabtang. There are two ports in Basco going to Sabtang. The Ivana port and the San Vicente Port. Travel time 30-45 minutes. Fare is P500 roundtrip.

One of the best attractions of Sabtang is the Savidug Stone houses.

Then, using the rented bike from Ysabelle, I went to Tinian.

The seascapes and landscaspes of Sabtang were really breathtaking!

Last stop for the day and for my dinner was Morong Beach and Nakabuang Arc.


FINALLY,

I just want to include and say hello to my new friends whom I met in Itbayat.

And to these new friends whom I met in Sabtang while taking lunch.

I WILL BE BACK BATANES!