Stayed at Marina Garden, and found two new guides, one of them happened to be a fellow Bicolano. Accommodating staff, more convenient location, and more comfy bed. Allotted P1,500 for an airconditioned room per day, with T/B, good for five.
Fired up for island hopping, the highlight of our trip. Started at 9AM, ended at 530PM. Usually categorized into four tour packages (A-D), depending on the location. Managed to negotiate with the guide, combining some islands from two different packages.
Small Lagoon, part of Miniloc Island. Personal fave. [Aside from its captivating view, I spent my longest time underwater here, periodically lifting my head to catch my breath and to expel the water that had entered the snorkel's purge-valve.] No other way to access the lagoon but to jump off the boat and swim toward a small opening in the rock wall. Led us to pristine calm green water bounded by limestone walls. Entertained by a school of Nemo and small jellyfish.
Big Lagoon, also part of Miniloc Island. As enchanting as the Small Lagoon, but bigger and "private". [We were only allowed to see the lagoon and have some picture picture.]
Small Lagoon, part of Miniloc Island. Personal fave. [Aside from its captivating view, I spent my longest time underwater here, periodically lifting my head to catch my breath and to expel the water that had entered the snorkel's purge-valve.] No other way to access the lagoon but to jump off the boat and swim toward a small opening in the rock wall. Led us to pristine calm green water bounded by limestone walls. Entertained by a school of Nemo and small jellyfish.
Big Lagoon, also part of Miniloc Island. As enchanting as the Small Lagoon, but bigger and "private". [We were only allowed to see the lagoon and have some picture picture.]
Shimizu Island. Second fave. Provides an extraordinary private escape. Warm clear water, with gradually slopping sea floor. Enjoyed our simple packed lunch included in the tour package and some shaggy dog stories. [Ang cam whore talaga ni Sol, hehe.]
Secret Lagoon. Shhh.
Ipil Beach. Fine stretch of sand, just right for getting brown and going for a dip. Shallow reef area near the bend for snorkling.
[No one was there when we arrived. It was ours for half an hour. Sol resumed her come-hither poses. Talaga naman. We covered him with sand. Rosch took the task seriously-- like her masterpiece-- carving a slimmer version of Hulk slash Robocop slash astronaut figure.]
Secret Lagoon. Shhh.
Ipil Beach. Fine stretch of sand, just right for getting brown and going for a dip. Shallow reef area near the bend for snorkling.
[No one was there when we arrived. It was ours for half an hour. Sol resumed her come-hither poses. Talaga naman. We covered him with sand. Rosch took the task seriously-- like her masterpiece-- carving a slimmer version of Hulk slash Robocop slash astronaut figure.]
Decided to pack up at around 530PM. Spotted oversize jellyfish drifting in colonies near the water edge. Grotesque scene one way or another.
Took an easy stroll back to Ca-alang Beach, where we stayed the previous day, to have our last photo op in EN, taking advantage of the sunset background. [Quite conventional. But having this laidback town as location, you can't help but consider every view a must-have shot.]
Some of his shots. Framing and shutter speed setting-- not bad. Improving ang buddy ko. =)
Wrapped up the day with a dishy supper at Ric Sons, a downright neighborly beachfront resto. [Night life in El Nido is relatively calm, feelgood.] Most customers were Europeans. Some of them were playing cards, others were just chatting and enjoying their SMB bottles. An in-house acoustic band with a shy male lead vocal and his more confident female substitute (even better than him, or maybe he was the sub), warming up in the background. Started out slow, eventually changed their set to Bob Marley's and Joey Ayala's. Nabuhay ang alaala ng pakikipaglaban, hehe. Felt like we were singing for a cause.
Took an easy stroll back to Ca-alang Beach, where we stayed the previous day, to have our last photo op in EN, taking advantage of the sunset background. [Quite conventional. But having this laidback town as location, you can't help but consider every view a must-have shot.]
Some of his shots. Framing and shutter speed setting-- not bad. Improving ang buddy ko. =)
Wrapped up the day with a dishy supper at Ric Sons, a downright neighborly beachfront resto. [Night life in El Nido is relatively calm, feelgood.] Most customers were Europeans. Some of them were playing cards, others were just chatting and enjoying their SMB bottles. An in-house acoustic band with a shy male lead vocal and his more confident female substitute (even better than him, or maybe he was the sub), warming up in the background. Started out slow, eventually changed their set to Bob Marley's and Joey Ayala's. Nabuhay ang alaala ng pakikipaglaban, hehe. Felt like we were singing for a cause.
[We were the only customers who can sing along with the band. Obviously. Redemption Song and Karaniwang Tao were a hit, mahn.]
Took a lazy walk around the town afteward to burn a few calories. Stopped at three souvenir shops for EN shirts. Nibbled some chips for dessert in front of our cottage, hoping to finish the tequilla that we had brought from PPC. But Rosch switched to her usual "night mode" again-- lay down on the bed, and didn't get up until the next day. The rest opted to call it a night.
Day 3 was 4 1/2 stars.
