The Long Way to Palawan, Philippines

At the end of hot, steamy Asia, we planned several days of tropical beach weather at a resort on an Island near El Nido, Palawan in the Philippines.

To get there was quite a trek.

Thai to Bangkok - a night at the Mariya Boutique Hotel by the airport - back to the airport in the morning - breakfast at the lounge (no massage as the Spa wasn't open yet) - Thai Airways to Manila - cab ride around the airport to the Island Transvoyager Inc (ITI) terminal - ITI flight to El Nido - overnight at Bill Tourist Inn in El Nido - Van Ride to Tay Tay - boat ride to Apulit Island.

Green Curry in Bangkok


Morning flight from BKK


Manila airport immigration


I liked this sign in the immigration area and had to google "Wang-Wang" to know what it meant. This was the word of the year in the Philippines last year and apparently means civil disobedience.

Boarding passes for our ITI flight.


Bill Tourist Inn: good for one night in El Nido.



Pilipino dinner in El Nido








We went back to the airport in the morning to take a van to Tay Tay, 68 km away, but 90 minutes with dirt roads plus potholes, chickens and dogs to avoid.

We then transferred to an outrigger boat to get to our island.


It was windy and choppy during the hour long ride, but the island looks pretty awesome approaching.


All the rooms sit on the water - the view did not disappoint.


We were almost as far as you could get from the center of the resort which was nice. The first night it seemed like there were very few other guests.


In our room was a checklist for all the animals that you might see on the island.


We saw most of them and plenty more including the biggest bats I've ever seen at night and a sea snake.

We spent 3 days island hopping, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, pool, playing banagrams and enjoying the islands - no TV or wifi here. I really wish I had a waterproof camera. The wind would really pick up in the afternoon making a big swell on the sea.

We made one snorkeling trip out to a place called Lopez Reef mid afternoon. While on top of the water rough, underneath had fish and coral and was pretty amazing.

Each trip had a guide and security guard that would accompany you on the boats and into the water. It seemed unnecessary, but was nice and the guides were cool guys in general. On the trip to Lopez Reef there was a couple that had trouble swimming, and I understood why they got in the water with you.

I think that 3 days was the perfect amount of time. We wore out all the activities and managed to get some sun. A family we went on a trip to an island called Isla Blanca said they didn't get any sun during their 4 days - all clouds and rain.

The last evening we watched a pair of blacktip reef sharks swim around our room.

The Apulit Island Resort is a bit pricey but, stunningly beautiful and away from the city or any people for that matter.