Last days on Palawan

April 15th-18th

Dusty road outside El Nido

Moved out from El Nido on Monday 15th, and back down to Puerto Princesa. El Nido has been nice, and are happy about my stay there and that I choosed to stay there for so long. The journey on the van went well, most likely a bit of luck it did. The driver was overtaking other cars and tricycles on any blindspot that was on the road, almost hit the back of a parked truck on the dirtroad just outside El Nido, run out of water on the engine just south of Tay Tay, overheated engine and no working AC. But, we did not hit the truck or any other car, we got water for the engine and made it back to PP, no problem. Stil, I must say that traffic here is a bit crazy, how you overtake an other car, that nobody use seatbelt, that people can sit on the roof of trucks and busses, just hold the horn in when there is people or animals in the road and expect them to move, and not reducing the speed at all. I wonder what happen when someone do not move?

Blue Lagoon Inn, Puerto Princesa

My hotel in PP this time is very good, with AC, TV in my room with English movie channals and a swimming pool in the garden, it is very good I will say, luxus. I have not been doing a lot in PP this time. I spendt the first day on Robinson Mall, looked at the shops, had coffee and cake, got me a very cheap haircut, 180,- Pesos (25,- NOK) and had lunch. The rest of the day I spend reading at the hotel and in the swimming pool, just relaxing. It is just great to have some TV time again, have not had a TV since Bali, and that is some time ago. So yes, I have used the TV and enjoyed it after I have had my dinner at the hotel resturant, which is very quite, have not been much other people eating here than my some of the nights.

Ego at Underground river

On my second day, wich is today, I have been to the Underground River in Sabang, I was a bit unsure if my permit was good or not, but it was abviosly since I got in. Transport, permit and lunch was a total of 1600,- pesos. I do think it is the almost the only way to do it, organised, even if I had gotten my own permit 2,5 week ago, at least the guide pushed us trough the wating line as fast as possible. The cave and the underground river was very good, impressive and BIG cave system over the river. Lots of birds flying in the cave, bats hanging around from the roof of the cave, snakes laying on the rocks on land, it was very cool I will say. Also got to see some monkeys outside and 5-6 big lizzards. Was a great day, and it was also the very first, and last of my typical sightseeing stuff I have done this year.

Coming out of the Underground river cave

Since this is my last night in Palawan and in Philippines in total, it should be possible to write down some general impressions. It have been good to be here, as former blogs shows mine maine activity have been the diving here as well as on Flores. I have enjoyed it. It have been a lot quieter than expected, nobody is pushing you to buy anything as on some other Asian countries, and I have not at all felt unsafe at anytime anywhere. Sure I get ripped off by the tricycles drivers, but it is only small money, so not any big problem, just a bit anoying. The Philippinos that I have met have been very nice and friendly, and I have enjoyed meeting the locals that I have met. Women staff at hotels and restaurants have on some places asked me why I am travelling alone, and if I do not are married, and seamed to be a bit surprised about that. Why?   Food, I must say that I am not to happy about the food, I have not found anything special that I really like that I can say is Philippines, but I have had good food. But have not figured the food out I must admit.
Next and last stop - Singapore.

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