23 Sep 2013
We arrived yesterday, hah! first time in
El Nido.
It’s a fine day, although the sun did not
shine much, just some peeping here and there, but the island hopping tours A
and B were running so many tourists took advantage of that, we didn’t, instead
we took the time to swim on the beach in front of Tandikan Beach Cottages and
Resort which is also the starting point of some of the boats that goes island
hopping, the backside is a main street lined with several stores, eateries,
massage parlours, tour operators, and where tricycles are passing by so the
place is very central, excellent location indeed.
I booked this place by calling the
owner - Jane Fernandez, I got her number from some websites online, try
googling Tandikan. Jane is very nice and we were lucky that the place
isn’t full, after all it’s not yet peak season. They have about 6 rooms,
two facing the sea and 4 sideways, both have porch anyways that is shared by
all guests. We got room R-2 on our first night which is 2 doors away from the
porch facing the ocean but we got room R-4 on our second night onwards which is
beside the porch. What’s good about that is, we were being put to
peaceful slumber by the sound of the waves directly whispering on our windows,
and during the mornings we could just jump onto the beach literally –
priceless!
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I just watched the tour boats loading
passengers for the island hopping while swimming on the clear waters of Bacuit
Bay. The rain drizzles every now and then creating a cocktail of cold
water on my upper torso exposed to the air and a bit warm on the lower part immersed
on the sea water. I own the beach, no one is swimming except for a couple
of local kids. Somehow, the rain, the waves, the limestone mountains on
the backdrop creates this kind of melancholic ambiance that soothes the nerves.
By the way, last night, we had our first
dinner in El Nido at the popular Seaslugs bar and restaurant. We seated
at the chairs laid out on the sands al fresco, in front of the beach, though
it’s no longer visible in the dark, the sound of the waves confirms it’s
presence right there few steps from where we were. We ordered the
fish steak fried in butter with some veggies on the side and rice, and
“chopsuey” – a mélange of chopped vegetables also sauteed in butter and soy
sauce, until the rain started to drizzle hard again. So we run inside the
restaurant and finished our dinner.
Sea Slugs was recommended by the couple
staying at our accommodation, for me though, it’s expensive for what it’s
worth. Although many foreign tourists frequent the place, probably
because there are few good restaurants in town and Seaslugs is one of those
favorites. But I think the hush about the place is bit overrated.
Bacuit Bay for swimming : Free -
Sweet!
Seaslugs Restaurant average dinner for 2 = P700
TIPS:
- Before heading to El Nido, be sure that it’s not
storming or there’s no typhoon so you won’t be wasting a day or two if the
island hopping tours are suspended. Call
either your hotel or the bus company based in EN, try Kim of Cherry Bus in El
Nido at 09127920598.
- Wait until you arrive in El Nido before you book
your island hopping tours, it’s cheaper there than online, you can get some
discounts upfront.
Tours
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El Nido Island Hopping Tour A (per person)
El Nido Island Hopping Tour B (per person)
El Nido Island Hopping Tour C (per person)
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P1,200
1,300
1,400
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Others
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Snorkeling gadget rental
|
120
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*Update : As of October 2013, the rates of Island
Hopping tours have gone high. You can still ask for a discount at your
accommodation or any tour operators in El Nido town.
How to get there:
Puerto
Princesa City to El Nido :
(1) Take a multicab from the
city center to San Jose “New Market” Bus Terminal, fare is PHP 8 – 12 depending
on where you hailed them. Tricycle is
more expensive from PHP12 – 50.
(2)
Cherry Bus Line – fare is
PHP465 (one-way on aircon bus) from San Jose.
(3) Tricycle from El Nido Bus
Terminal to town centre (or Tandikan Beach Cottage) = PHP50 for the whole
trike.
Alternative
option – upon arriving at the Puerto Princesa City airport, ask around
for the vans that goes directly to El Nido, chances are, you’ll find some
vacant seats there, ask at the tourism desk/booth. Fare should be no more than P700, perhaps
less.
Address: El
Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Google
Map Location: El Nido, Palawan
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