Day 1: 27 November 2015
We woke up around 6:30 AM to have our breakfast by the beach. Breakfast meals are served by the tables outside their "cafe". This is a place where you can enjoy the early morning breeze and a view of the beach. The shore was full of boats used for tours.
Going back to our breakfast, the resort offers various options for their meals. From Filipino breakfast - Tocilog, Hotsilog, Baconsilog, etc. to Continental breakfast. You can also choose from hot chocolate (Milo) or coffee as your hot drink. I can say that the meal was pretty heavy which is enough to keep me going until lunch time.
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| Breakfast by the beach |
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| BACONsilog! |
By 8:00 AM, Mark, the one who arranged our tour arrived at the resort. I thought that we will be coming with us with our island hopping activity but it appeared to be that he just contacted an owner of a tourist boat to handle us. Thinking that we are boarding by the beach in front of our resort, Mark told us that we will be riding a tricycle to go to the other beach. This happened to be in Brgy. Corong-Corong. The tricycle ride cost 50php for 3 persons since the driver said that they were hailed from the terminal. But usually, it was said that tricycle rides would only be for 10php per person. Anyway, we walked on a small street with a sign of La Piage (if I remembered it right). On our way to the beach, I noticed a lot of constructions on-going. So guys, it's better to visit El Nido as soon as possible before it can become too commercialized.
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| To the beach |
The street led us to the beach in less that 5 minutes from the main road. The beach were also has plenty of boats parked used for either fishing or for tourists. Compared to the beach in front of our resort, this one's more peaceful and quiet. Less people are here since this is kind of far from the center of the town. Right there, Mark called one of the boat owners who's name was Robert. After a few minutes, we hopped on the boat. Kuya Robert was accompanied by Kuya Abner who did almost all the talking about the islands.
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| Beach in Brgy. Corong-Corong |
You can rent some snorkels for 200php each but tell them before you start the tour because they are not available in the islands. We left the shore before 9:00 AM having us so stoked to explore El Nido.
1st Stop: Seven Commandos
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| Our boat fighting against the waves |
As per Kuya Abner, the name came from the 7 commandos who actually lived on the island. Their names were found carved on one of the stones. The beach in this island was so beautiful. With white sands and crystal clear waters - this was a great start for our tour.
2nd Stop: Small Lagoon
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| The end of the Small Lagoon |
It was just a few minutes away from 7 Commandos. Our boat needed to stop at the entrance of the lagoon because we need to pass by a small passage. You can either swim or kayak your way inside the lagoon. Kayaks can be rented for 300php and it can fit 2 persons. So we rented 3 kayaks for our group. It was so calm inside the lagoon where the waters are not that deep.
3rd Stop: Big Lagoon
This was one of my favorite part of Tour A. Everything's more peaceful out here. Our boat went all through the lagoon's end. We were the only one's in the place because everyone's were just at the rear part. Kuya Robert and Kuya Abner stopped the boat's engine and they started to prepare our lunch.
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| At the back of the boat, they started to prepare our lunch. |
This surprised us. We did not expect that they will be "cooking" our lunch at the back of the boat. Haha! Cool! While waiting for our food, we enjoyed swimming around the lagoon.
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| Nash, enjoying the fresh air in the lagoon |
We noticed that there was floating platform on one side of the lagoon. Kuya Abner said that it is used for some events that are held here, like weddings especially. Very intimate indeed.
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| Bon appetit! |
Our lunch, as you can see from above's picture, was grilled pork liempo and fresh fish. All I can say is, "Ahh! This is life!". We also had fresh fruits like banana and pineapple for dessert. It was a very fulfilling meal for all of us.
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| View from the Big Lagoon going out the the open sea |
We finished eating by 1:00pm and after resting a bit, we continued our tour towards the Secret Lagoon.
4th Stop: Secret Lagoon
We docked the boat on the beach near the lagoon. This time, the area's pretty jam-packed with a lot of people waiting on one line to go inside the Secret Lagoon. It takes time to go inside because the hole can only fit one person at a time. Be careful when you go into the small hole for the rocks are sharp and watch your head!
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| One by one as we enter the hole |
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| "The Hole" |
Inside the lagoon, you can enjoy the calmness of the waters. Kuya Abner was so kind that he climbed up the rocks to take a picture of us from above. Nice!
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| Shot taken by Kuya Abner from the above the rocks |
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| Walking back to our boat |
5th Stop: Shimizu Island
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| Beautiful beach of Shimizu Island |
Does the name intrigues you? Well, it made me wonder too. It got its name from a Japanese diver who died from exploring a cave on the island. This is the last part of our island hopping for the day and I can say the we saved the best for last. We went snorkeling near the beach and the beauty under water was amazing. There were a feast of fishes and corals to lay your eyes upon.
Here, I share to you guys some of the shots a grabbed from my videos underwater.
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| A school of fish feeding on from coral to coral |
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| You know them! |
For the beginners, be careful not to go far from the shore because the waves can sometimes be strong and you might be carried somewhere that you should not be.
We finished today's tour around 3:00 PM and was able to get back to town by 4:00 PM. Again, we rode 2 tricycles for the 6 of us for 50php per ride. It had been a long but fun day exploring some of the islands of El Nido and so we rested for a few hours before we went our for dinner.
