Last 2009, just a couple of weeks before the rain season began, we were able to visit El Nido, Palawan. Palawan is an island peninsula consisted of one large island and a couple more surrounding it, located in the Philippines that protrudes outside the islands of the Philippines and El Nido is in one of the islands in the said peninsula.

Even though the rain season hasn’t begun at that time, it was already raining making our entire flight from Manila to El Nido horrible – adding the small plane and lots of turbulence.

But, it was definitely worth it.

Plane to El Nido, Palawan

There are two island resorts which one can stay in at El Nido. There’s Miniloc for the budget travelers/vacationers. And there’s Lagen for the up-scale ones. Being in a big family of 7 plus a 2-year-old (minus my brother-in-law who wasn’t able to come with us), my parents picked the budget resort.

Miniloc Island, El Nido

It may be labeled as “budget resort” but nothing about it is budgeted. What I mean is, you still get a great view, great food, the same activities as the ones in Lagen, great rooms/cabins. Everything was great. I just don’t know how much my parents actually paid for this one. But they got one cliff cabin with 2 floors – 1 queen size bed and 2 single bed (had a REALLY great view of the horizon). And another sea-view cabin which had 1 queen size bed and 1 single bed (my oldest sister wasn’t sure that they – her and her daughter – could come then and thus the separate cabins).

All activities are included in the cabin payment. Listed below are the activities:

• Snorkeling around the area of Miniloc
• Scuba Diving Lessons
• Kayaking in the Small Lagoon
• Snorkeling around the area of the Small Lagoon
• Sunset Cruise
• Bottom Fishing
• Island Hopping + Cave explorations (depends on the weather)
• Lunch in a separate island
• Rock Climbing
• Hiking

Kayaking in the Small Lagoon

We were able to do everything except for the Scuba Diving lessons, rock climbing, hiking, and the sunset cruise. The scuba diving lessons had a specific time of the day which we were usually out. The rock climbing and hiking was at Lagen – we didn’t have enough time to go there and climb/hike as we had a tough schedule for 3 days in the island. And as for the sunset cruise, we would have loved to have done that if only the ocean wasn’t angry (high waves). At the other side of the Miniloc resort was the South China Sea therefore it would be terrifying to go out with high waves and in a small boat.

They also had a lot of activities in the island itself. At night there was a cultural show of some sort, where after they do their dance, you, as a guest, get the chance to be able to try the dance itself. I was able to try the Tinikling (a native and our national dance) while we were there and it felt good to be back on my feet and dancing – rather trying to get my feet out of the way.

Tinikling is the type of dance where in there are two bamboo poles involved. Bamboo poles which are being beaten, tapped, and slided on the ground and against each other, by one person on both ends. This is in coordination with the one or more dancers who step over and in between these poles, and thus my experience as trying to get my feet out of the way of the poles so that they don’t get squished.

Overall (except for the plane rides), it was a really great experience. And if there was any other way to be able to get there, I would definitely go back. We weren’t able to maximize our stay there because of the weather, but it was definitely worth it.

Neighbors

And of course, don’t forget your neighbors!