One of the best views to see the western area of Matinloc Island is by going top of the Matinloc peak. It was first founded during 1982 by two foreigner couples who believed the place to be sacred. They even dug a golden statue of Mary thus, it was previously called as Shrine of Our Lady of Matinloc. They built a small shrine/chapel there. After many years, this couple left the place but still allowed tourists to visit the place. It is now an abandoned tourist site hidden at the foot of the towering karst cliffs and mountain.
Hi mommies & bff's! This freedom is becoming a lifestyle. How much do you want to spend time with loved-one without worrying the time, commute and cubicle.
It's almost summer time again. I know most of you have swimming plans. Who wouldn't want to cool-down the heat with beach and pools, right?! As you plan along, here's my first-hand Matinloc Shrine, El Nido adventure tips. Moreover this lifestyle could be yours too.
HOW TO GET THERE
Preparation:
1. Take cash with you. Withdraw ahead of time at PPS because there are only two atms in El Nido (RCBC & BPI). Just so to avoid hassle. It accepts pesos and international withdrawals.
2. The electricity there is not that reliable especially during peak season. AC may turn on and off. It's being distributed in the area. But there's electric fan to borrow from the front desk. Or bring with you portable & chargeable fans.
3. Bring with you mineral water bought from PPS. Even in labeled bottle, it can trigger tummy ache for those people with weak digestive system.
ROUTE:
1. We were fetched from Airport Side Inn by Alexzus Travel & Tours van.
2. We were brought to the terminal. Took another van for 5 hours from PPS to El Nido.
3. We were fetched by a tricycle also by Alexzus.
Note: Same way going back to Puerto Princesa. The van even dropped us to Sheebang Hostel, nearby Kuya Ramon's house, where we spent the last night.
Note: Same way going back to Puerto Princesa. The van even dropped us to Sheebang Hostel, nearby Kuya Ramon's house, where we spent the last night.
VIA COMMUTE
From Puerto Princesa, you may hire a tricycle for 50 php going to the bus terminal.
You can choose either by taking a regular bus for 360 php or 480 php. You may also take a van for 500 php. Travel time will be 5 hours instead of 6 hours.
WHY WE CHOSE PACKAGED TOUR?
We booked for the complete package of Alexzus Travel & Tours for only 2,799 php per head for the Combi Tour A & C. For 3 heads, it's 8,397 php.
Deposit to their BPI account half before the trip and pay cash there upon arrival for the other half. Very convenient right?! You may check their facebook account and contact Kristine, the owner. She was very accommodating.
Included the following:
- 2 Days 1 Night at A/C Alexzus Backpackers Lodge
- Free 1x Breakfast @ Silog Republic
- Combi tour A & C 7 Islands
(Matinloc Shrine, Tapiutan Island, Hidden Beach, Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Seven Commandos)
- Land transportation (fully a/c van round trip from PPS to El Nido)
- Tour Guide Fee
- Boat Fee
- Snorkel & Vest
- Buffet Lunch
(water, pork and chicken liempo, shrimp, fruits, cucumber & tomatoes)
- Eco-Tourism Development Fee (good for 10 days)
COMPARE
DIY Tour (w/o package)
- Alexzus Backpackers Lodge 2D1N - 800
- 2x Breakfast 100 x 3 = 300
- Tour A & C via other travel tour 2,342 x 3 = 7,026
(Includes Land Transfer, Boat fee, tour guide fee, buffet lunch)
Not Included:
- Snorkel & Vest Rental = 150 x 3 = 150
- Eco-Tourism Development Fee (good for 10 days) - 200 x 3 = 600
TOTAL = 8,876 php
For 3 Heads
Packaged Tour - 8,397 vs DIY Tour - 8,876 = EXTRA DIFFERENCE : 479 php
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| mom and i ready with our vests |
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| before we boat off to the Tour proper. pic c/o Ced |
ITINERARY
06:00 AM - 06:30 AM : Prepare for the Tour
"The three of us woke up early to prepare ourselves for the tour. I made sure all equipments are ready and fully-charged. Mom & I used our dry bag. I felt so excited. We prayed before we had our breakfast."
06:30 AM - 07:00 AM : Breakfast at Silog Republic
"I approached the guy at the counter who was still napping.He just smiled at me and accompanied us to the same place we had dinner - Silog Republic.He gave a small sheet of paper to the cashier and we took our orders. The bill was on Alexzus.
I loved our breakfast.The spicy crunchy shrimps was fabulous. Chesca's and Mom's were tasty too."
07:00 AM - 08:00 AM : Rest at the hostel/wait for the tricycle
"We walked back to the hostel and there rested a bit waiting for the tricycle to pick us up."
08:00 AM - 08:15 AM : Tricycle to take us to Alexzus port by the beach
"Finally it came. We were driven to Alexzus port by the beach. It was 15 minutes only."
08:15 AM - 08:30 AM : Met Kristine/Listed our names/Got vest & snorkel
"Kristine asked if i was Ma'am Carole.I finally met her.She was so nice.I listed our names and ages. The guy handed our vest and snorkels. There were many tourists then waiting also."
08:30 AM - 08:40 AM : Walked to the boat by the sea
"Our group for the combi tour were called to walk towards the boat.The beach water level was at half of my thighs.Jason, our kind tour guide, carried Chesca. We boarded the boat."
08:40 AM - 09:00 AM : Meet&Greet/Boat Captain & Tour Guide/ Rules by Tour Guide/Start of Tour
"He checked our attendance.Only one didn't push thru.We were all 7 in the boat - so spacious.There were Matt & Thorin, Canadians, Merced, from Bohol, and the three of us. We also met our boat captain Alex and his assistant Jack. Our boat was Ayanna."
09:00 AM - 09:30 AM : Photo shoot boat/ ETA Matinloc Shrine
"Upon arrival to the Matinloc Shrine, we were advised to rub on some mosquito repellant. I forgot ours. Anyway, we had sunblock. We halted to the cemented port and paid the entrance fee of 100 per head before we can hike up to the Matinloc peak and enjoy the Shrine too. No senior citizen or child rate. hahaha. We also had some photo shoot.
"Upon arrival to the Matinloc Shrine, we were advised to rub on some mosquito repellant. I forgot ours. Anyway, we had sunblock. We halted to the cemented port and paid the entrance fee of 100 per head before we can hike up to the Matinloc peak and enjoy the Shrine too. No senior citizen or child rate. hahaha. We also had some photo shoot.
Jason our tour guide, told us about its history. He also led the way to climb up the peak. It was not easy because some stones were narrow and jagged but we managed to make it. Mom just went down right away."
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| The Matinloc Shrine |
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| Ced with Sto.Nino |
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| the karst stones to stand on |
Upon arrival at the peak, my heart exclaimed with joy. Awesome View! Breath taking. I love heights. Matt was even braver. He went up to the higher peak just to take photo of the view. Of course, we took the moment to take photos. It was a precious experience for us. We were overlooking west of Matinloc Island. Look at the clear jade and deep blue sea reflecting the beautiful skies. She's just so lovely.
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| Thorin's moment |
After 30 minutes, we hiked down. We continued to explore the Shrine area. It was so nice to also capture the shore of Matinloc island splashing by the shore.
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| my lil angel jump shot! |
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| karst limestone |
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