Puerto Princesa: Araceffi Island aka Dos Palmas

I am now committed to cheap traveling, but once in a while splurging on special occasion is not bad at all. Last years splurged was at Mactan Shangri la and this year is Puerto Princesa Dos Palmas and I am now thinking whats for next year? :)

For our day tour, we went to NCC Mall since Dos Palmas office is located there. But we already pre-arranged this tour, there are lots of people signed up, so I suggest you booked early too to avoid delay. The departure time of the van is 7am, it will drop us off to Sta. Ana wharf. Dos Palmas is within the vicinity of Honda Bay and from the wharf we also rode a boat for 2 hrs going to the island.

They welcomed us with an ethnic music and a drink. Gave a short orientation on what we can do in the island, what are free and what are not. Did not kept us long to savor what they can offer.

What we did first was to try snorkeling, all gears are free. But you have to ride a boat to go to the snorkeling site but no worries, it's also free. What can I say about the site, I did not enjoy it that much because the water was not that clear. There are few colorful fishes, and you have to go to farther from the floating cottage. And there are humongous and lots of baby jelly fish around the area. And lots of territorial fishes that bit me plus the place leaved me a nasty mark, because I bumped into a sort of coral and I have been itching because of it for a week. 

Next activity, kayaking or I might say riding in a kayak while Carlo do the kayaking. We also tried biking, but I don't know how to balanced myself, oh yeah, poor me.

Finally, my most awaited part! Buffet lunch! What's nice about it is that you don't need to find a seat, because they already pre-assigned the seats. But would you believe, because we where so hungry we sat on a seat that's not ours! Hahaha! We just switched the names to cover up for our mess. The viands are not that memorable but their salad especially the Mango-Prawn Salad was awesome.

After eating, we went for a walk, check out the place. Some are under renovations and on-going construction. But the place is real huge and big part of it is not yet developed. 

We signed up for an aromatheraphy massage and it was just relaxing and perfect. But you know, it comes with a cost. After seeing the bill on my credit card that is the time I kinda regret it, 1 hour for Php1,200 each. Tsk! Alright, moving on.

While waiting for the boat to take us home, he had a relaxing nap while I savored the view and dreamed for my next destination.