Words & Photos By Nathan Allen

The Ride of a Lifetime: The Long Way Home–Chapter 8

After the jaw-dropping island-hopping photos I captured at Linapacan with Tapik Resort, I decided to ride the “long” way back to Taytay. Ironically, the long way is actually shorter in distance, and much more direct. However, the road is still very long…and very much unpaved. 

I had it in my mind that I wanted explore the full loop of (north) Palawan, with as little backtracking as possible.  Despite people advising me against it, I continued. For this, I was rewarded with endless vast stretches of scenic coastline few tourists have ever seen.

Up until now, I had done 850 (often challenging) kilometers without any incident. The journey was beautiful, but I could see why the locals advise against it. It’s just very hot, very rough, and mostly quite secluded.

It was so far that I starting running low on gas. I found a hut with the ultimate symbol of “fuel” in the Philippine provinces: A row of 1 liter Coke bottles, full of green gas. After buying 10 litters of “Coke” for my thirsty Kawasaki, I snapped a photo of the nice sales girl and continued on my way.

Breakdown (In the Middle Of Nowhere)

It was about 2 hours later, and I was really in the middle of nowhere. Suddenly I saw a Caterpillar backhoe working in the dirt ahead of me. I slowed down and was signaled through by the young guy assisting the operator. I smiled and waived as I passed by, and that seemed to catch him off guard. His serious “work face” suddenly broke into an ear-to-ear grin, and he waived back at me.

I continued out of sight up the next ridge, and just then I heard a loud “clunk!!” come from my bike. Suddenly I couldn’t accelerate anymore. I came to a halt right there on the steep dirt hill. When I looked down, I noticed that my chain had come off.

I somehow managed to turn the bike around and coast back down toward the workers on the next ridge. When they saw me pushing the bike and waiving, they quickly ran down to meet me.

In a mixture of broken English and Tagalog, we were able to communicate what needed to be done. Amazingly, these guys just happened to have the tools needed to put the chain back on–and in the middle of nowhere!

They were nice as can be. We became friends as they quickly got my “trusty stallion” back on the road…but they told me it would be wise to ride to their house up the road so they could properly oil the chain. That was very kind of them, too.

(Continued below…but I’d be honored if you follow along with me on FB)

When I arrived at their nipa house, they laughed when I asked where the C.R. (bathroom) was. They just smiled and pointed to the trees along the edge of the property. I should have known better. It’s nature’s way. I snapped this photo of their native house:

I wanted to leave them with a bit money for their effort, I mean, they really saved me out there! How lucky I was that they were there, after all that time riding and not seeing a single person or structure. They refused any kind of payment many times, but I kept insisting, so eventually they reluctantly accepted.

Thank you so much kuya Noli, Gerry, and Ronnie! They asked that I text them when I made it safely back to Puerto Princesa. People in the Philippines are generally wonderful.

(Note: It is a bit misleading to call what happened a “breakdown”…nothing actually broke. The chain simply came off, which is quite common if you ride long enough. Simple fix for those who own motorbikes.)

The Longgggg Dirt Road Ahead

Once I was back on the road, I had no problems at all. Well, apart from the verrrry long rest of the ride back. Roads like the one above require quite a bit of concentration to ride, especially on a bike like mine.  It was hours and hours (and hours) of careful riding in the hot sun. I was already exhausted and sore by the time I reached Taytay.

I had been through Taytay before, but a new Australian friend told me to check out the old Spanish fort on the water there. I’m so glad I did! It was well worth the small admission price. Great for photos, especially on a nice day.

Fort Santa Isabel Photos

It is said that Taytay was ruled by a monarch king before the arrival of the Spanish. The king was waited on hand-and-foot by 10 scribes. After being conquered by the Spanish, Taytay became the capital of Palawan (then known as Paragua) in 1818.

Historic Taytay fort, known as Fuerza de Santa Isabel, was built in 1667. I think it was only 20 pesos to visit.  I loved seeing the artifacts in the museum, as well as the colorful tropical flowers along the outside walls.

You can still see the chapel and vintage military equipment, such as the canons they used to fight off Moro invaders. Such a fascinating place, I can’t believe I didn’t know about it on my previous trips to Palawan!

When I wrapped up my tour, I came back to find this little man trying to steal my bike! Haha…JK, that’s not mine. Have you already forgotten what my motorbike looks like?

One Wrong Turn is One Too Many

You’d think I would just stay there in Taytay, knowing how exhausted I was after this epic day of riding. The problem was that I was still hours away from Puerta Princesa, where I had an early flight the next morning. I basically had no choice but to push through. I stopped at an eatery near the turnoff to Puerto.

There was a roundabout, and it sent the road in 4 different directions. Confused and with no sign, I asked the woman at the eatery which direction I needed to go. She pointed to the same road I suspected.

Now, as a general rule, when traveling in another country, I always ask 3 separate people for directions…and make sure they all give the same answer before I follow it. This helps avoid language barrier issues, or just those times when people want to give you some kind of answer instead of admitting that they don’t know (you’d be surprised how often this happens).

Well, I went outside and asked a worker on the street as well. He pointed to the same road, so because I didn’t have a third person to ask (and I thought it was the right way already), I continued on my way. I couldn’t wait to be back in Puerto resting.

 *If you’re wondering, I took this most of these shots with my Sony RX100III. <–Amazon, but in the PHL you can find it HERE.

I was making good time…about 50 kms down the road when I noticed a tour bus that said “Puerto Princesa” pass the opposite direction. Wait a minute…if that bus was going to Puerto Princesa, that meant I had been going the wrong way for 50kms already! I was heartbroken.

I had to turn around and head all the way back to Taytay…adding an extra 100kms to my trip home. This is why I always ask THREE separate people. Haha.

Very, Very Happy To Get To Pagdayon Traveler’s Inn

Anyhow, after many long, dark hours, I finally made it back to Puerto Princesa. I was mentally and physically destroyed. I limped into a native-styled guest house that caught my eye when I arrived the first time. The owner was also very kind, and even recognized me from the blog! What a small world.

It was called Pagdayon Traveler’s Inn, and it’s really a great value. I think I paid 900 pesos ($18) for an aircon room with a private bathroom, veranda, and 2 beds. There was a particularly good breakfast included the next morning as well. Oh, and it’s so close to the airport.

If you’re lucky enough to catch the owner himself, he’s very nice, and can provide a wealth of information about touring Palawan. Famished, I asked for advice on where to eat dinner, and he pointed me to KaLui restaurant, right across the street. Man, am I happy I listened to him…

KaLui Restaurant Photos

Wow. KaLui is such a beautiful place. I have no idea how they manage to keep their prices so reasonable.  The ambience is warm and inviting, with native styling and artwork surrounding you. Expect to see a lot of tourists, because this is the #1 restaurant in Puerto Princesa. I can see why–the seafood was delicious and the experience is worth every penny.

I’m more of a traveler than a tourist, so I don’t always have room (or money) for souvenirs. However, I was visiting friends after this trip, so I decided to check out some of the handicrafts made by local Palawan tribes. So cool, and surprisingly affordable! This is very close to KaLui as well. 

Before I knew it, my epic day of travel was behind me, and I was snoozing back at the inn.

I’ll never forget this trip. 1000 (accident-free!) kilometers around one of the most breathtaking tropical islands in the world–truly the ride of a lifetime. Big thanks to all who made it possible, and all of you following along.  If you have any questions about this trip, feel free to let me know.

Stay tuned on FB for the next big adventure!

By the way, and the Philippines has excellent budget flights available. I flew to Manila from Singapore for just $40, and to to the paradise of Palawan from Manila for just $25! You can scan for the best deals HERE. 

Cheers.

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

Pt 1. <  Pt 2. <  Pt 3. <  Pt 4.  < Pt.5 < Pt 6. < Pt 7. < Pt 8.

*Aside from the tiny issue of my chain coming off (it happens to all motorbikes occasionally), my Kawasaki performed flawlessly on this trip. Started up every time, and I never had so much as a flat tire. It was very generously provided by rent-a-bike.ph, just steps from the Puerto Princesa airport. It’s the ONLY place I know of where you can choose & reserve a reliable bike online before your trip. Highly recommended. (Sorry, I think it may be closed now?)

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share!

Goodbye, Gopro…I Finally Review the TG-4 Underwater Camera in the Philippines

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My Qi Palawan Resort review…I stopped here on an unforgettable trip around the island. This is a particularly adventurous story!

Words & Photos By Nathan Allen

The Ride of a Lifetime: Pt. 6

I’ll never forget the very surreal experience of how I arrived at Qi Palawan Resort. I was on a mission to ride a motorcycle and photograph my way around the stunning island of Palawan, in the Philippines. I had just left Duli and Dialpila Beaches, and the weather had turned on me along the way. Having a laptop, hard drive, and a few cameras with me, I was worried about being exposed on the road in heavy rain.

I had been riding for quite a while, but eventually pulled over and had a nice chat with a local man who was kind enough to give me refuge from the storm.

I had a plastic bag that could cover my large backpack, but the problem was that I wouldn’t be wear it with the plastic concealing the shoulder straps. Instead, this kind man helped me cover the backpack and fasten it to the back of the bike with some packing ties.

This gave me some added confidence as I rode carefully through the pouring rain. The road was on the verge of being washed out at points, with a torrent of water flowing across it quite often. There was so much water flooded everywhere, I really had no idea what lay below the surface…could be large rocks, branches, who knows. I just stayed focused and did the best I could to avoid losing control of the bike.

Eventually I found the turn off for the resort, which made things even more challenging because it was a dirt road for 1 or 2 kilometers. By now there were large pools of water everywhere, and you can just imagine how slippery and muddy it was. I was on a road bike, which I chose, so I asked for it.

I was freezing cold and mentally exhausted from this very technical ride. To make matters worse, my bag kept sliding off to the side, coming dangerously close to the street and throwing my balance off as I rode.

Qi Palawan – My Very Thankful First Glimpse…

Somehow I managed to make it all the way there with no accidents, and in the pouring rain. This was the surreal part: Suddenly I found myself walking a beautiful path through what seemed like a dense jungle, to the open-air lobby of this incredible resort. I must have been a sight for sore eyes, being soaking wet and mentally and physically destroyed like that.

These pictures were shot with my trusty little Sony RX100III <–Amazon, but in the PHL you can find it HERE.

However, I was greeted right away by a very helpful staff member who was kind enough to forego my check in procedures and get me to a hot shower as soon as possible. I have never looked forward to a shower as much as I did in that instant. When he took me down the lush green path to my bungalow and swung open the door, I was in disbelief.

Check Qi Palawan rates HERE

It was my own beautiful and private refuge from the world. When he took me through the room to the washroom outside the back door, my jaw literally dropped.

It was a private outdoor shower with a covered ceiling that extended halfway, with the other half exposed…looking directly up to the jungle canopy above.

Showering in private, under the shade of coconut trees, was an island  dream come true–and a totally surreal experience for this poor weary traveler.

I really enjoyed the native-inspired bamboo and nipa design throughout my cottage. The villas have the same styling, but are just larger (they are better for groups). In case you’re wondering, the sink is just behind me as I took this picture…

After rejuvenating, I came back into my room and found a Bose sound system waiting for me to plug my iPod into. You might think I wouldn’t want to hear my everyday playlist form back home while I’m on the other side of the world on vacation, but in fact it was exactly what I needed.

Hearing my comfort songs with that big, room-filling sound was the finishing touch to make this cozy island paradise “home”. I looked over at my massive bed with down pillows and comforter, and I couldn’t help but smile to myself. I earned this.

Later I found out that the resort will provide you with a massive “flash drive library” of movies to choose from on request. You just “check out” a USB stick, watch it on the flat screen TV in your room, and return it when you are finished. Great idea. Did I mention that Internet download speed is surprisingly good for being such a far-flung island paradise?

(Continued below)

Don’t worry, with usual weather conditions, the journey to Qi Palawan is as pleasant as can be, and the place is really cool. The chef / owner is from Barcelona, Spain, and this adds some interesting flavor to the property. While there, he presented a few dishes to me, all of which were immaculately prepared. I tried chicken curry and rice, as well a spicy Filipino dish known as Bicol Express.

To finish things off, I tried a decadent chocolate mousse. It’s also quite surreal to be in such a secluded island location and have world-class cuisine prepared for you.

The weather improved the next day, and I was able to tour some of the other rooms, as well as the pool, the yoga deck, and the beach. Qi Palawan is totally off the grid, running on generator until the massive solar panel unit is up and running. How great it must be to have your own little self-sufficient piece of paradise!

The owner is also an avid diver, and you can arrange island hopping / diving tours at Qi Palawan as well.

Contact Info, Reviews & Rates

 
Overall, it will cost you, but for those who are looking for a luxurious island experience far from the crowds, this is the place for you. It would make an absolutely unforgettable honeymoon or family vacation. I would like to thank the resort for allowing me to share the experience with my readers. More unbiased reviews and info can be found below…


Check Qi Palawan rates HERE

Wondering how to get to the Philippines? Check out the awesome flight scanner I use HERE.

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

Pt 1. <  Pt 2. <  Pt 3. <  Pt 4.  < Pt.5 < Pt 6. > Pt 7. > Pt 8.

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Goodbye, Gopro…I Finally Review the TG-4 Underwater Camera in the Philippines

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Words & Photos By Nathan Allen

The Ride of a Lifetime: Chapter 5

On the ride from Long Beach, San Vicente to stunning El Nido, I encountered some beautiful scenery.

These are my favorite kinds of days for landscape photography. I always say…no clouds = boring. Too many clouds…also = boring. I like blue skies with just the right amount of puffy, white clouds. You’ll notice this is frequently featured in my photography.

Anyhow, after a few amazing days in El Nido, I headed north into uncharted territory, at least for me. I had to take refuge from the rain under the roof of a “sari sari” store on the way, and then eventually made my way to Duli Beach, which has become a popular surfing spot in north Palawan.

A few years back there weren’t many tourists coming here at all, but now word has spread, and quite a few adventurers are renting motorbikes and exploring these beautiful northern beaches. I didn’t spend too much time at Duli actually, and I don’t even have good photos to share. Haha. The weather wasn’t great there, and I was never planning on surfing or anything.

Instead, my goal was to make it all the way to Qi Palawan on the eastern side of the island. However, on a whim, I did decide to head down an unknown dirt road nearby, hoping it would quickly lead me to a new beach to explore.

Well, the road just kept going and going…it also had some large hills and plenty of rough, muddy patches. Every now and again I would see a tiny hand painted sign saying “Tin’s Canteen, this way —>”. There was hardly anything out there, so I became intrigued by these vague signs. The rough, dirt road seemed endless. I really felt like I was in the middle of nowhere.

Diapila Bay – My First Glimpse

Eventually the road led me up to lookout point…and wow, was I glad I continued all the way up there! It was an incredible view of a colorful fishing village below. I had come so far, I knew I had to explore this place…below is a close up photo with my Canon Powershot G3x (Find it HERE in PHL or SG)

I continued down the steep, rocky dirt road. It led me through a basketball game some local teens were playing, and I noticed a small opening nearby that led to the beach.

Suddenly the view widened, and I found myself staring out at the picturesque fishing village of Diapila Beach.

To my right was the fabled “Tin’s Canteen”, and Tin herself came out to greet me. It was just a simple shack right on the beach, but then again, I suppose that’s exactly what I was hoping for. Haha. It was after lunch, and I was starving. I ordered a drink and some fresh caught fish. There wasn’t a tourist in sight.

(Continued below…but I’d be honored if you follow along with me on FB)

After chatting with Tin for a while, I learned that her family came from Cebu and Masbate, both of which I had a chance to explore previously, so along with her husband, we reminisced about the language, food, and culture of Cebuanos and Masbateños. They were very kind.

The fish portion was massive, and that explained why the price seemed a bit high at first (by Filipino standards). It turns out that for the size and quality, it was actually a great deal! It could be good for 2.

Some locals kids became interested in the photos I was taking, and they requested I take some pictures of them. The older boys got excited and started “flipping out” on the beach. Literally. Haha.  I noticed a small boat with “Tao Philippines” painted on the side. I learned that this village is so remote, it’s usually only accessed by boat. In fact, it is one of the stops on the famed Tao Philippines island hopping tour.

Fishing Boats & Storm Clouds – Photos

It’s not easy to catch these kinds of dramatic colors in the sky and on the water. I was lucky to have the storm clouds in the distance.

These were taken with my Canon Powershot G3x <-Amazon (In the PHL or SG you can find it HERE)

Riding Off Into the Sunset (Or Rainstorm, As it Turns Out)

Feeling full and completely pleased with my unexpected discovery, I said my goodbyes to this nice family, and started on my way. I noticed these boats being carved on my way back up the mountain. What a worthwhile discovery Diapila Bay was!

At the vista point near the top, I noticed some storm clouds rolling in over the sea, creating some beautiful hues in the sky and water. Great for pictures, but as you’ll see if you read about my journey from here to Qi Palawan, those storm clouds created quite a challenge for me about an hour or two later.

I continued down the road and snapped one last photo before the heavens opened up on me…

Next chapter: The Wet & Wild Ride to Qi Palawan Resort

Curious about the cost of flights to and around the Philippines?

Pt 1. <  Pt 2. <  Pt 3. <  Pt 4.  < Pt.5 > Pt 6. > Pt 7. > Pt 8.

*Motorbike for this trip supplied by www.rent-a-bike.ph.

If you notice any misinformation or something that needs correcting, please don’t hesitate to let me know!

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share!

Goodbye, Gopro…I Finally Review the TG-4 Underwater Camera in the Philippines

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The following is my review of Long Beach, San Vicente, a beautiful stop along my tour of Palawan.

 Words & Photos By Nathan Allen

The Ride of a Lifetime: Chapter 4

My next stop was San Vicente’s “Long Beach” to the north–the longest stretch of white-sand beach in the Philippines. 14kms, I believe. However, getting there would be a real challenge. This time there WAS a dirt road connecting Port Barton and San Vicente, but it is quite long, and very rough.

Much of it was muddy after the recent rains, so that made things even more challenging, especially on a street bike with slick tires. As I was on a mission to take photos along the way anyhow, I just took my time and rode cautiously.

Bigaho Falls

About 30 minutes outside of Port Barton, I came into a small village and noticed a sign for “Bigaho Falls”. I like to “leave no stone unturned”, so of course I stopped to check it out. Very rewarding! There is a short hike through a beautiful and rustic community.

The waterfall is quite beautiful in my opinion, and the pool at the base is nice and refreshing. It’s a cool, shady area with a few large boulders you can climb around on. Nice place for photos.

The rocks are a bit slippery, so be careful. You can take a refreshing swim here, but prepare yourself for the cold!

I believe you can also take a boat tour here from Port Barton–it’s only about a 20 minute ride (and a 15 minute hike).

I was fortunate to have such nice weather here. This really was one of the most friendly and picturesque areas I have visited in the Philippines.

In Order: 1. Trail passing through native huts in Bigaho village 2. Colorful clothes drying in the jungle

A native house in the Philippines is called a “bahay kubo”, and they are often made of bamboo and nipa materials. This is one of the most beautiful examples I have ever come across!

It was a rewarding stop with plenty of good pictures, but I had much more ground to cover. I hopped back on the bike, and soon all signs of life had faded from view.

Letting My Instincts Guide Me…

I had assumed there was only one road, so it should be easy to navigate all the way to San Vicente. However, it was very remote out there, and the dirt road split off quite a few times. There are no people and no signs, so I really had to use my intuition.

I ended up studying the tire tracks in the dirt, to see which direction the majority of traffic was heading. I assumed that must be the way to San Vicente. In the end….whew. I was right.

Untouched, Remote Beaches

Being deep in the jungle for some time, I was relieved to catch a glimpse of the sea finally. As long as the coast was on the left, I knew I was going the right way. Haha. I was treated to some incredible views out here. Being so isolated on rough, dirt roads, I doubt many people have even seen some of these beaches.  What a feeling it was to be there…just my bike and I–not a soul around.

Thankfully the nice weather continued, so I wasn’t hit with any rain to further muddy up there roads. A couple times snakes, lizards, and even turtles scurried across my path…that was a first for me in the Philippines. I loved seeing all the wildlife. For many more hours in the hot, tropical sun, I carefully negotiated the rocky (and sometimes muddy) dirt road.

Crossing Rivers & Bridges

There were a few sections of road that were completely flooded. I really wasn’t sure how to get across–I had to get off the bike and really study the situation. I didn’t know how deep and soft the mud was. My bike wasn’t exactly designed for situations like this. Haha.

In photos: My motorbike confronted by a flooded section of road, and other shots crossing a river on a wooden bridge

I ended up slowly skirting the muddy edge of the pool, and somehow avoided dropping the bike and all my gear. I guess all my trail riding in California paid off. I found a picturesque wooden bridge and figured it’s a good place for a motorcycle photo shoot…

After what seemed like forever, I was dumped into a decent-sized town, and that was a welcomed sight. I was mentally and physically exhausted after such a long, technical ride. My shoulders ached. You can imagine how much sun I had been getting riding the past few days, too.

It wasn’t clear which direction Long Beach was, so I stopped and asked directions. Turned out I was just a few kms away. When I finally joined the road alongside the famous beach, I could hardly contain my excitement. It really is almost completely undeveloped.

Long Beach At Last…

It’s easy to see how Long Beach is the “longest stretch of white sand” in the Philippines….if you catch it at the right angle, you can see that the beach goes on for miles and miles. I’d love to see it from a plane someday!

You really can have the beach to yourself…there’s hardly any development, but I doubt this will last long. Be wary of sand fleas, depending on the season.

I followed one of the only signs I could find, one pointing to “Turublien Resort”. The groves of coconut trees and perfect beach to my right was just too much ignore. I had to get of the bike and take some photos.

It Takes a (Fishing) Village…

Further up the trail I spotted two local fishermen pulling a net onto the shore. Soon many villagers joined in to help. I had witnessed this previously in Antique province, it was called “sahid fishing”. The locals (including children sometimes) work together to pull a heavy catch in from the sea. Sometimes it takes up to 2 hours, but then they all split the catch afterward.

(Continued below…but I’d be honored if you follow along with me on FB)

This fishing boat on Long Beach was captured with my Canon Powershot G3x <-Amazon (In the PHL or SG you can find it HERE)

Just before I reached the resort, I came across hundreds of fish drying on trays in the sun. When I noticed a few dogs playing by the water, I really had to do a double take. They weren’t dogs at all–they were pigs! These happy pigs roam one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, rolling around in the sand and cooling off in the sea.

More Long Beach photos: Thousands of fish drying on racks under the sun, while pigs roam the beach and locals ride through the sand on motorbikes

Another interesting things about Long Beach is that the locals ride their motorbikes right alongside the water. I suppose it really is the fastest way to get from point A to point B on a vast stretch of beach like this.

Turublien Long Beach Inn & Bar

When I finally arrived at the resort, you can imagine how exhausted I was. I was hot, dusty, sunburned, and covered in sweat. Alex, the owner of the simple place, was very helpful. He quickly brought me some cold water and cooked an excellent meal.

Turublien is one of very few lodging options on Long Beach. This is by far the more rustic and affordable option. The other is a very fancy resort called “Club Agutaya”. I hear it’s owned by the Governor of Palawan.

Photos of Turublien beachfront and lagoon

Sharing the place with me was a French/American couple, and 2 women from Denmark. Being the only people for quite a distance in any direction, the 5 of us quickly bonded, discussing my Danish heritage, travel blogging, and newly elected President Trump, among other things.

Also pictured are some friendly locals who were in Palawan for work. They stopped by for dinner and we had a great time hanging out.

Long Beach Moonglow

What a view we had. As the sun began to set, the sky lit up with fiery sunset hues. We noticed giant bats, known as “flying foxes”, making their nightly pilgrimages in search of fruit. Alex mentioned that we could go for a night swim and see the glowing plankton in the water.

How surreal it was to be out there in the warm, tropical sea…with each movement creating a glowing, phosphorescent trail through the water. I looked up in the fading light and saw a full, yellow moon rising from the coconut trees. I’ll never forget the magic of that moment.

 *If you’re wondering, I took this shot with my Sony RX100III. <–Amazon, but in the PHL or SG you can find it here.

Turublien is a simple place, and the beach front section is only the restaurant / bar area.

The actual lodging is unique, because to get to your room, you literally  have to take a paddle boat across a lagoon. The staff will assist you in this. The rooms have air-conditioning, but are quite spartan otherwise. If you want to get away from it all and have a very unique island experience, this is the place for you. The Tripadvisor reviews are fantastic, and after meeting Alex you’ll see why.

So Happy To Meet You, Long Beach

This place is just stunning. Fine, powdery white sand as far as the eye can see–and the water’s perfect for swimming. One for the memory books. Thanks, Alex and friends!

By the way, if you take a bus or van here, it’s a much more pleasant experience. Haha. I just love to push myself and explore backroads. Next episode will take us through the stunning beach town of El Nido, and on to the relatively unexplored northern tip of Palawan. Stay tuned!

You can check Turublien rates and reviews HERE

Check out other Palawan hotels HERE

Wondering how much flights to and around the Philippines might cost?

 Pt 1. <  Pt 2. <  Pt 3. <  Pt 4.  > Pt.5 > Pt 6. > Pt 7. > Pt 8.

*Motorbike for this trip was graciously provided by rent-a-bike.ph

If you notice any misinformation or something that needs correcting, please don’t hesitate to let me know!

– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share!

Goodbye, Gopro…I Finally Review the TG-4 Underwater Camera in the Philippines

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The post Palawan By Motorcycle – Pt.4: Long Beach, San Vicente – A Wild Ride appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

Words & Photos By Nathan Allen

For me, there is no better way to explore Palawan than by motorcycle. It is the modern day stallion, providing nomads and wanderers the ultimate freedom and mobility. As a photographer, I especially love the ability to stop along the road anywhere I see something that catches my eye.

Bus rides may be more comfortable, however, they are torture for photographers.

In the Chinese zodiac, I was born in the year of the horse. According to tradition, this perfectly explains my penchant for wandering. In other words, I need to stretch my legs; gallop far and wide. It’s fitting that I have ended up in Asia the past few years, submersing myself in cultures and climates vastly different than my own.

A Motorbike Trip On Palawan Island, Philippines

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Palawan, it’s a large Philippine island bordering the South China / West Philippine Sea. Palawan has consistently been ranked as one of the top tropical islands – with the best beaches in the world. As you’ll see later, it surely deserves the honor! Along with Boracay island, it’s one of the top tourist draws in the Philippines.

However, the island still has vast stretches of rugged, untouched jungles and white sand beaches. Well off the beaten path. That’s why when rent-a-bike.ph offered to provide me a motorcycle, I jumped at the chance.

Where To Rent a Motorcycle in Palawan

I landed in Palawan’s main hub, Puerto Princesa, and stopped by the motorcycle rental place next door to the airport. I tested out a yellow Kawasaki Rouser, and loved the way it felt. It’s an on road bike, but I’ve had heaps of practice riding off road if needed.

Rent-a-bike.ph is owned by a Russian transplant named Sergey. He offered to take me on a quick ride to some of the nice beaches nearby. I certainly looked forward to seeing this region of Palawan!

The next morning, after a great stay at the Ivywall Hotel, I met Sergey and we made our way out of town. He rode a Honda XR150, which is better for off road. It’s available for rent as well. I figured most of my riding would be on paved roads, so the Kawasaki would be more comfortable for my trip.

The roads in Palawan are nice and windy, – quite scenic as well! We pulled over at a mountainous overlook, and Sergey posed his bike so we could get this shot.

The Rough Road Trip to Kalaodiong Beach

After that, we continued to little known Kalaodiong Beach. The last stretch of road is unpaved, steep and rough. However, the beach at the end is pretty good. It’s probably the nicest, undeveloped beach relatively close to Puerto Princesa.

To clarify, there’s actually nothing on this beach. Just a few locals who might ask for 20 pesos to park your motorbike. We had more to see in this part of Palawan, so after relaxing here for a few minutes, we started back for Nagtabon beach (another gem which we had passed on the way).

There’s a vista point along the way between the two beaches…at least I think that’s where it was. If you want to relax with a fresh coconut and views out to sea, this is a great place in central Palawan.

Nagtabon Beach, Palawan

Nagtabon beach is barely developed. To be sure, there are very few options for snacks, food, and drinks. If you walk to the end of the beach, an American has returned to his roots in the Philippines and opened up a unique guest house there. I think it’s called Caroline’s Secret Resort.

It’s basically a simple beach bar, but there is a giant castle “turret” which you can stay overnight in. However, it has no windows or screens, and is a bit pricey for what you get. I suppose it’s the unique experience you’re paying for?

We were pretty hungry by the time we arrived here, so we stayed for dinner. Drinks and burgers seemed a bit expensive, however, no other options are available on the beach. Prices reflect that. It’s a bit remote, so transporting supplies probably costs him.  In any case, super nice guy.

Nagtabon Beach View, From The Castle

Here is the vista from the top of the castle turret. In addition to nice views of the beach, there’s also an adventurous rope bridge you have to cross to get up here…

Caroline’s is an excellent place for watching the sunset, too. As chance would have it, 2 women from Latvia were there practicing “stick dancing” on the beach. I captured these silhouette shots just before we left…after the sun had dipped below the horizon.

( In photos: 1. Silhouette of 2 women checking their phone on beach 2. Nagtabon Sunset landscape )

In case you’re wondering, I took these shots with my Sony RX100III. A very impressive pocket camera! That link is for Amazon, but in the Philippines or Singapore you can get it here..

We walked all the way back to the motorbikes on the other end of the beach…and of course then I realized I left my sunglasses at the resort. I told Sergey I would just meet him back in Puerto Princesa later, and then I ran back to get them.

Luckily I found the sunglasses, and trekked all the way back to the bike again. I rode back to Puerto Princesa in the dark…the trip seemed to take forever! Without a doubt, I was completely exhausted.

(Continued below…but I’d be honored if you want to follow along with me on FB)

Once back in Puerto Princesa, I met with a tour operator to get more information about my next stop, the Underground River tour in Sabang (central Palawan). She invited me on the tour as a way of saying thanks for promoting the Philippines. Very kind, and she even told me there was no need to promote her company specifically!

Looking Forward To Day 2 on the Motorbike…

Basically, this short ride was just a warm up for the rest of Palawan. Just wait until you see how much better the beaches get! The ride to Sabang the next day was unforgettable, too I’ll leave that for chapter two…

You can find hotel rates and reviews for Puerto Princesa and Palawan HERE

Pt 1. >  Pt 2. > Pt 3. >  Pt 4.  > Pt.5 > Pt 6. > Pt 7. > Pt 8.

*Motorbike for this trip was provided by www.rent-a-bike.ph.

* Updated January 18, 2021

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– Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

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