Travel: Subterranean Adventure @ Underground River

I heard many enthusiastic stories about there. Read blogs and watched documentary videos. On our way to Puerto Princessa, Palawan. One of our plans is to visit the Underground River. Early 2012, it was announced that it is part of the new seven wonders of nature, and I am one of the millions of Filipinos who voted for these wonderful place.

 According to our tour guide, it requires reservation to enter the park, at least one month reservation. Lucky we were, we had an early reservation, so it was not a problem for us to wait.

Around 7:30am, we left Ysabelle Mansion to do the Underground River Tour. We were scheduled to enter the park at around 09:30am; it would take two hours of transportation from the city to Sabang Wharf. From Sabang wharf, we have to wait for our assigned boat to the underground river. It would take 20 minutes ride. Few minutes walk to the registration office where tourists were given a hard hat and lifejacket. And there, the much awaited moment, the boat rides to the heart of the cave.  

 As per the official website, it says - the Puerto Princessa Subterranean River National Park is one of the most distinguished biodiversity conservation areas of the Philippines. It is known lush old growth tropical forest, interesting wildlife, pristine white sand beaches and unspoiled natural beauty. It features spectacular limestone formation that contains an Underground River that is reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the World. It is one of the few such rivers which the public can easily experience and appreciate. The cave was inscribed to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s of (UNESCO) List of Natural World Heritage Sites. Inscription to the list confirms the exceptional and universal value of the Site that deserves to be protected for the benefit of all humanity.

Inside the Underground River, you would see the different rock formation. According to our boat man, it would take millions of years of forming it. The river has a depth of 40 feet, so it is advisable to wear a life jacket, and a hard helmet, because of the bat's pee that you would not know if it is a water or its pee. The boat man told us that there are two things where water dropletes came from; it is a holy water(water from the mountain) or a holy shit (bat's pee). So beware, and do not taste the river, because 10% of this are from the bats.

Exploring the cave was a lovely experience that I would be glad to do it over and over. Gladly the cave didn't stink like bat feces when we were there, for some it would be a minus point. After the bout ride, we were able to interact with a very elusive local of the Underground River, the monitor lizards. They were very shy animals but with have no qualms of hitting anyone with their tail if provoked. Unlike their Komodo dragon cousins, these giant lizards are vegetarian, good thing they are...

*Shots Inside the Underground River. There are different rock formation inside there. According to our boat man, it would take years to form that. 

After the underground river experience, the boat brought us back to Sabang for our lunch with other people from our tour group. We love the food that was placed on the buffet table; we feel the hot ocean breeze while taking our delicious lunch at the Taraw Resort facing beautiful ocean. We also tasted the famous exotic food which they called it “tamilok” it is actually kinilaw na wood worm. It has dark specs and as I size up the dish before me the smell of tamilok is trenchant. Imagine it as white long and skinny. 

Since we were not able to experience an island hopping, we played and feel the scent of the beach there. We were also allowed by our guide in which called her “Brenda” since we forgot her name, to swim also, since the water current was not that strong. Unfortunately we did not bring our extra clothes, after an hour of beach bumming, we took a short bath, and some of our friends did not change. We went back to hotel.