Scrumptious Food at San Vicente Palawan's Capari

Had a quick getaway and break from all of Manila's busyness, and all the grim and unwanted, like traffic, pollution and stress. We hopped on a Zest Air flight (which was already booked long ago) to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. Our destination: San Vicente Palawan, in time for the the municipality's festivities, called the Malagnang Festival or Mud Festival. My friend, Aliah, her husband Jordan, and I, did not have a planned itinerary so we decided to wing it when we got there. Besides, commuting is not as bad, if you are friendly and you know how to ask for directions.



It wasn't my first time in Palawan, but it certainly was our first time in San Vicente, so we did not have any clue on how to get there. We just knew that we had to take a bus or a shuttle which will bring us there. Luckily, Carmela Pie Alvarez, the mayor of San Vicente, just flew in the city a few minutes after we did, and so she brought us with her aboard a chopper (which took around 30-45 minutes) to San Vicente (compared to the 3 to 4 hour rough road ride which we took going back).



She hosted us in their resort, Capari, which had its own cove. It is where the Survivor Philippines, or part of it, was shot. In fact, the tribal council scene was filmed there, and the structures still exist up to date. The place is simple, which has its own charm. But what I rave most, besides the waters, is the food. Almost anything you order from the menu, I guarantee that you'll be having a great meal. Props to the chef, which hails from Palawan. Here are some of the food we ate:



We had a great time in San Vicente. Definitely, we would come back to one of the Philippines' paradise. :) Photo below (Jordan, Aliah, Sharon - Resort Manager, and I) and photo of myself in Long Beach, a 14 km stretch of white sand beach.



Special thanks to San Vicente Mayor Carmela Alvarez, Capari Resort, and the wonderful people of San Vicente Palawan. :) We'll be back! :)

El Nido Palawan's Islands, Beaches, Lagoons, and Fun Activities

El Nido in Palawan boasts of more than 45 islands, that's why it brings a lot of excitement, adventure and fun to travelers and visitors to the place. It has a lot of picturesque limestone cliffs and formations, beaches, lagoons, and islands to discover. We went and explored some of the islands, lagoons, beaches and caves, when we were there a few weeks ago.



After breakfast at Miniloc Island Resort, our group proceeded to our itinerary. First up was the Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon, where we kayaked and enjoyed the scenery and its majestic allure. The photo below is courtesy of El Nido Resorts.

Miniloc Island Resort of El Nido Resorts Philippines

We stayed at Lagen Island for two nights. During the first night, we went on a sunset cruise, but the sun did not really show itself, so we were a bit disappointed with that. Although, having a cruise boat all to ourselves was quite of really awesome, which made up for the lack of a beautiful sunset :) We sailed back, had dinner, and slept soundly in our comfy beds.



The next day we were jam-packed with exciting and fun adventures, starting off with a breakfast at another El Nido Resorts property, Miniloc Island Resort, just 30 to 40 minutes boat ride away from Lagen Island. They say it is the introductory resort of El Nido because it costs cheaper but still gives the picturesque and jaw-dropping view and facilities for vacationers.

Blog Giveaway #3 - The Travel Factor Adventure

If you LOVE to travel, like me, but oftentimes you fail to organize trips because your friends are just too busy, or your schedules simply do not match, and you end up stressed or depressed because the trip which you were all excited about doesn't push through...well then this next blog Christmas giveaway is for you! :)

"Tourism is the people's business," said Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. Doing their contribution to promote the Philippines, through group travels and travel deals, I introduce to you TRAVEL FACTOR.



Travel Factor was founded in 2006, "when a group of young urban professionals realized the need for an organization dedicated to promoting and providing affordable trips for fellow city slickers and urbanites. From a humble beginning of small surf trips to San Juan, La Union, the same group has explored and is continuously combing the Philippines for alternative destinations." Today, Travel Factor (TF) has grown to be one of the biggest adventure tour providers in the country.



Travel Factor takes pride in its current lineup of trips promoted in 7 categories: SURFVIVOR, PHOTOHOLIC, CONQUER, DIVE, BACKPACKING, FOODTRIP and the Ultimate Beach Bumming Experience (UBBE). Whether you love to surf, travel and just want to take snapshots of the places you go to, conquering new destinations, go backpacking and climbing mountains, taste the most scrumptious regional cuisines the Philippines has to offer, see the beauty of the underwater world, or just simply have the best beach bumming experience, there's one trip bound to fit your adventure.



Whether you are alone or you are with a group, Travel Factor will suit you because of their arranged trips and adventures which will make you fall in love more with the Philippines (and the beauty of traveling), and let you meet new friends along the way. You can check out their site for the December 2011 Travel Factor trips and the 2012 Travel Factor group tours which you can join! :)

Travel Factor is managed and owned by travelers and entrepreneurs Michelle Tan, Reg Mamaril, Cedric Valera, Leia Nagal, Lallie Udquin and Leyna Torralba. Completing Team TF are Aica Lenon, Jessie Morqueda and Ian Jayco.

I'm giving away two (2) Php 500 Travel Factor gift certificates to one lucky reader, thanks to Cedric Valera of TF. Check out how you can join in the post. It is more or less the steps of the previous giveaways. All steps are optional, but with corresponding entries, just do what you want to do. But more optional steps you do, the more chances that you will win. Simple. :)

HOW TO WIN Php 1,000 TRAVEL FACTOR GIFT CERTIFICATE:

I miss you! Sunburn!

Even though I go home tired from work, I can't help but pause and spend time writing this post. I want the world to know that I miss you. I miss the beach! I want to be reunited with you forever. I want to live on a house by the edge of a cliff, overlooking the sea. Only you and me can and will know. :)

I just want to be on the BEACH! Take me, bring me, kidnap me! :))))