Prepared before 8:30am and wait at the lobby of the hostel
as we followed island hopping tour today. This tour is only 7 person for a boat
which other 5 persons were Filipinos. My girlfriend paid this tour for PHP1200
while I paid PHP1100 since I have snorkel and mask and asked for the discounted
price. The PHP1200 tour include boat, lunch, life vest, snorkel, mask and the
Eco-tourism Development Fee(ETDF). Actually, it was PHP1400 as the ETDF is
excluded. But the hostel owner give the discounted price.
0900 – We were brought by an old man. First, he bring me to
a shop that have snorkel and aque shoe for rental. When he told us that we can
choose the aqua shoe. I thought it was included. But after that he said it is
PHP100/pair. Then we don’t want as we have shoes that can wear to walk on the
rock. After that, walked to the beach and get on the boat. They use a kayak to
transport to onto the boat as it was a distance from the shore.
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| The departure place which is at the El Nido Town beach |
After the boat departed, a young man which is the tour guide
for this tour told us that this is the combination tour of A and C. Then I was
shocked as we only booked for the tour A. But it also good that when I heard it
go the highlights of tour A and C. But the most important thing that this tour
don’t provide any snorkelling gear. Hence, my girlfriend cannot see the
underwater view. We had no choice also as we’re on the boat already☹
0945 – First destination is the hidden beach which is the
highlight of the tour C. It is quite tough to get to this beach from the boat
as there are many rock underwater which is quite hard to see from the above.
There is also wave coming and hit us and easily lose the balance and hit the
coral reef rock which is sharp and get hurt easily. Many people legs hurt and
was bleeding after get on the beach. This beach has crystal clear water and the
cliff is around the beach. There is also a small cave that can explore. We’re
staying here for 45 minutes.
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| The helipcopter island |
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| Hidden Beach |
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| A small cave from the beach |
1030 – Departed to the next destination which is small
lagoon. There are many kayaks that can be rent. The Filipinos ground rent
several kayak which each kayak cost PHP400. However, we’re on budget and hence
we decide to swim to the small lagoon. The place we go to the water is not that
deep as there are still many sharp coral reef rocks. So I had to wear
snorkelling gear to see the underwater condition and help my girlfriend to stay
away from the sharp rock as she don’t have any swimming goggle with her. I
thought the way to the small lagoon is short, but it was quite far. I think it
was around 400 meters took around half hour from the boat as we need to go
through a cave to get into the small lagoon. There were also many people renting
the kayak. Hence, we need to stay caution to the kayak to avoid the kayak
hitting our head. At the small lagoon, we enjoyed to take many photos while the
surroundings is the cliff and kayaks. After the half hour and the tour guide on
the kayak calling us to go back to the boat, we them swim back again the same
distance. I started feel tired as I need to hold her to swim back and I haven’t
swim for long time.
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| At the small lagoon |
1200 – Reached back to the boat and the lunch is prepared at
the middle of the boat. The Filipinos was already there and started to pray.
The lunch is abundant which have a grilled unicorn fish, small crabs, prawn,
grilled chicken, grilled pork, fruits and vege.
1330 – Arrived Secret Lagoon which have to go through a very
small hole of limestone to get into this lagoon. Hence, this is called Secret
Lagoon. The water is yellowish since the water is not connected to the sea but
still salty.
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| Along the way |
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| At secret lagoon |
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| Group photo with filipinos |
1400 – Departed to the next destination which is Big Lagoon.
To go to the big lagoon from the boat, it need to kayak as the distance is
further that that of small lagoon. The Filipinos were shocked again as they
need to kayak and they decided not to go. This time I had not much power to
swim too. Then the group decided to go to the last destination which the tour
guide said is the Shimizu Island. At the half way to last destination, I found
that the boat is going towards the main island. Hence I don’t think the boat is
going to the Shimizu Island. The last destination is 7 commandos Island. The
water and beach is nice. Other that sitting on the beach, here don’t have much
activity. We just collected the shell for fun. While I snorkelling to find the
shell, I saw there are fish in the deeper place. Hence, I continued snorkelling
to deeper place, there is some coral reef and fish but in few amount only.
Lastly, we tried to big swing. It was fun! After that, we get on the boat and
went back to the El Nido town.
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| 7 commandos beach |
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| The way going back to town |
1630 – Get back to the room. The owner still let use the big
room with private bathroom for shower first. After bathed, washed the clothes
and packed the thing, I find the owner to move room. But he allowed me to stay
in the same room for another two nights. At here, I also told him about the
tour which is not tour A and there is no snorkelling gear provided. After that,
we’re having our cup noodles and plan for the next day. We also went out to
street to find some breakfast for tomorrow, some snack and cheap motorbike for
tomorrow motorbike tour.
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| Street snack, Range from PHP5-10 each |
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