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| Chesca floating in Secret Lagoon |
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 Secret Lagoon, El Nido adventure tips. Moreover this lifestyle could be yours too.
One of the must-see and enchanting as always is the Secret Lagoon of Miniloc Island. It is hidden inside a adult bent-size person hole between huge rocks. Thus, if you are on a boat, you cannot see it right away.
We stood in line for our turn because there were previous tour groups already inside. They allow at least 20 people inside. Going towards the line was not that easy since the waves were a bit strong. Our tour guide, Jason was kind enough to pull us (mom, chesca and I). When we reached the lower area, we then walked. Good thing we wore aqua shoes. Some of the rocks were pretty sharp.
Finally, we had our turn. Jason led us with Chesca who entered easily. Next he assisted mom, who at 5'6 had to bend, sit a bit and slip thru the hole. Then was I. It was easy for my height. Well, even our Canadian guys made it (they were 6' and 6'2).
An adult just need to bend, slip one leg in and then the other leg. Make sure to be careful not to bump your head on the rock ceiling so do bow as low as you can.
Behold the Secret Lagoon. The water was a bit cloudy brown. Just thigh deep for me. It wasn't good for snorkeling. The temperature inside was cooler so we all enjoyed just standing and sitting being surrounded by the black karst limestones whose ragged edges looked like crowns. These limestones had plants on them.
After the photo shoot and a bit of rest inside, we then had to leave the same hole we got in. Then the next tourists got inside.
It was an unexplainable feeling to see it. How could a lagoon be in a sea. It is such a wonder.
HOW TO GET THERE
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.
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 = SAVED : 479 php
We stood in line for our turn because there were previous tour groups already inside. They allow at least 20 people inside. Going towards the line was not that easy since the waves were a bit strong. Our tour guide, Jason was kind enough to pull us (mom, chesca and I). When we reached the lower area, we then walked. Good thing we wore aqua shoes. Some of the rocks were pretty sharp.
Finally, we had our turn. Jason led us with Chesca who entered easily. Next he assisted mom, who at 5'6 had to bend, sit a bit and slip thru the hole. Then was I. It was easy for my height. Well, even our Canadian guys made it (they were 6' and 6'2).
An adult just need to bend, slip one leg in and then the other leg. Make sure to be careful not to bump your head on the rock ceiling so do bow as low as you can.
Behold the Secret Lagoon. The water was a bit cloudy brown. Just thigh deep for me. It wasn't good for snorkeling. The temperature inside was cooler so we all enjoyed just standing and sitting being surrounded by the black karst limestones whose ragged edges looked like crowns. These limestones had plants on them.
After the photo shoot and a bit of rest inside, we then had to leave the same hole we got in. Then the next tourists got inside.
It was an unexplainable feeling to see it. How could a lagoon be in a sea. It is such a wonder.
HOW TO GET THERE
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.
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 = SAVED : 479 php
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