EL NIDO DAY 2: Big & small lagoon and Entalula beach

8:00 AM had breakfast and converged for a banca ride to the Big Lagoon. It was low tide yesterday afternoon so we didnt have the chance to kayak to the lagoons.


The entrance is very shallow and waters are crystal clear


The Big Lagoon is awesome the guide said they believe its a huge cave thousands of years back until the roof collapsed which is the the reason why there are awesome rock formations on each side.

The big lagoons water are deep and theres not much to see when snorkeling according to our guide.  We just cruised inside the lagoon.

Next stop is the small lagoon. We were dropped by the banca near the small lagoon you could either snorkel around or get adventurous and kayak to the small lagoon. To get to the small lagoon you have to kayak throught this small gap in between the two rock formations( even i had second thoughts due to jagged edges of the rocks)

After kayaking at the small lagoon we returned to the banca to moor the kayaks and headed to the beachfront to snorkel. This is where we saw a shark ( about 1.5 meters) it was scary but we knew it was harmless!

The whole trip (banca, kayak, and snorkeling)to the big and small lagoon took about 4 hours we enjoyed every minute of it. I guess spending 4 hours in this side of El Nido is more than enough.

TRAVEL TRIP: There are no establishments or structures at the Big and small Lagoon so better eat up before your trip, bring lots of water and snacks, and head to the restroom.

TRAVEL TRIP: banca to the lagoons are scheduled in the morning around 8:00 am. I doubt it if they have trips mid afternoon as the tide changes and the banca wouldnt be able to enter the Big lagoon.

12:30PM off to Entalula beach an exclusive beach for guests of Miniloc and Lagen. Looks like a scene from fantasy island also the rocks and limestone formations is straight out from a mens magazine pictorial.

The resort prepared lunch here. Then we spent the next 2 hours just laying at the beach beds and snorkeled.This is were we saw a lot of clown fish(hello Nemo!)

Entalula beach is were i wshed we spent more time as 3 hours is not really enough( 3 hours for relaxing and 3 hours for enjoying the water) 

TRAVEL TIP: Entalula Beach has nipa huts along the beach, a dining area, and restrooms. So this is where you could spend more than half a day. If we had an extra day we would definitely spend at least a whole day here just to relax.

                                              ( tested obets red filter in this pic)

4:00PM back to the resort to freshen up then were of to the biggest trimaran yacht in the phillipines courtesy of Smart Infinity. The captain was a cool dude form Norway. it was a 2.5 hour cruise around bacuit bay.the sunset was awesome! 

TRAVEL TIP: if you have the extra cash and there are scheduled cruises i suggest you go for it to maximize your time in El Nido. As there are not much you could do in terms of water related activities in the afternoon.

7:00 PM dinner time at Minilocs main hall there was a Philippine Cultural dance show( Sayaw sa bao, Tinikling, Itiki-itik) it was good as i havent seen a cultural dance for the past few years. Too bad my cameras batteries went dead!

9:00 PM spent the evening just relaxing at the bar and drinking some SMB's

It was a activity filled day as we were packed from morning to evening, we havent even sampled all the resorts facilities yet and we havent been to Lagen resort yet. Tomorrow would be our last day at El Nido...

TRAVEL TIP: We were already 2 days into the island and engaged in numerous adventures but we havent been to Lagen resort yet, seen all the island, gone bird watching and hiking the trails. If you enjoy marine activities, nature, sports activites, and you want to spend some time relaxing just doing nothing. Definitely a 3 day trip would not be enough!

EL NIDO PALAWAN DAY 1

El Nido Palawan, stunning and unbelievable i couldnt believe my eyes when we first reached Bacuit Bay! Pristine beaches and magnificent limestone formations makes you feel that your right in Paradise. El Nido town and El Nido resorts are at Bacuit Bay but the latter has a couple of exclusive beaches for resort guests. You can take a plane to Puerto Princesa and its a 4 hour van ride and a ferry ride to get to El nido town. if your a guest of the resort you can take the ITI( Island Transvoyager) plane its a 19 seater dornier plane which lands right at El nido airstrip which it has exclusive rights. Then its a 20 minute banca ride to the Miniloc and Lagen resorts.

You would run out of adjectives to describe El Nido its stunning beauty is just overwhelming! We could just sit in the beach and do nothing for hours its serenity and solemnity is unrivaled. 

Theres two ways to get to El Nido Resorts: 

1. Commercial flights to Puerto Princesa City Palawan. 5-6 hour bus/ private van to El Nido

2. Take a ITI( Island Transvoyager) flight straight to El Nido airstrip then its a 20 minute banca ride to El Nido resorts.

TRAVEL TIP: EL Nido is different from EL Nido resorts. El Nido town has lots of small resorts and hotels but im not familiar with its beachfront. You can get to the islands by renting a banca although some islands are exclusive to EL Nido resorts guests. El Nido resorts is at Bacuit Bay and is composed of two resorts Lagen( modern) and Miniloc( rustic, outdoor).

Here we go again, we present to you our El Nido adventure through a timeline format to help you maximize and plan your vacation. Remember when it comes to vacation theres not enough time, theres so much to see and do. We spent 3 days at Miniloc and we were only able to enjoy 70% of the activities that we wanted and only about 40% of all activities at the resorts.

Day 1

We departed at A. Soriano Hangar around 7:30 AM its located behind the domestic airport( near NAIA 3). Transpacific voyager served complimentary sandwiches and juice at the waiting lounge.




The trip was quick a little less than 2 hours Bacuit Bay can already seen throught the plane window.

TRAVEL TIP: take the morning ITI flight you get to El Nido around noon in order to maximize your stay.



Upon arrival we were greeted by a choral group welcoming us to EL Nido again complimentary snacks and juices were served before we were directed towards small motor boats to the awaiting large banca farther away from shore.





It was a 30 minute banca ride towards our destination: Miniloc Resort. The travel coordinators briefed us on the activities on the island. We would again transfer to small motor boats to head towards Miniloc Pier. At this point the view is unbleievable! reminds me of a scene from a movie!












11:30 AM A live choral once again greeted us as we entered into Minilocs main hall drinks was again served while we registered and given room assignments.

A mountain side cabin was assigned to us.

The cabin has two levels, two single beds on the first and a double bed on the second floor.


View from the 2nd floor window


After a sumptous lunch it was time to head out for some adventures! We had our afternoon off as we had a private dinner scheduled at Payong Payong island nearby.

TRAVEL TIP: You stay at the resort is inclusive of daily buffet breakfast/lunch/dinner. Prices for snacks in between meals and late night drinking is pretty reasonable.



2:30 PM After walking around the resort played Darts, Table Tennis  and fooshball before we decided to kayak to nearby big Lagoon and small lagoon.


It was pretty scary! we cannot see the Miniloc resort as we went around a limestone formation. We can already see the Big Lagoons clear waters but the waves were picking up a little bit and Ella was already panicking! so we returned back to the resort! I was informed that it was low tide when we came thats why i could see the rocks at the bottom and the travel coordinator informed us that even kayaks can not enter the lagoon if its low tide.

TRAVEL TIP: Make sure you have a floating/water proof bag for your cameras and electronic items. You dont want to miss a lot of phot ops while your in a kayak or in the water!!!

TRAVEL TIP: kayak to the big lagoon from Miniloc in the morning at high tide so you could enter the lagoon. Theres a platform at the center were you can dock your kayak.

4:00 PM It was too early to get ready for dinner so we just went snorkeling in front of the resort. It was an unforgettable experience as we could already touch the corals and fishes of all shapes,sizes and colors were swimming around us! Ella was so scared of the jackfish! it was about 2-3 feet long. During high tide this area is a diving spot as depth increases to at least more than 10 feet.


We were a few hours in the resort and we already had 2 unforgettable experiences!!! Just chilled at the bar and had some snacks and beer before preparing for dinner.

TRAVEL TIP: They have a water tumbler for sale at the resort if i remember it right around P400.00. Its for a good cause cause a part of it is for conservation of biodiversity ( i think) and you get unlimited mineral water refills.




7:00 PM A 5 minute motorboat trip to Payong Payong Island right next to Miniloc resort for a private dinner.





9:00 PM Back to the resort Ella decided to lay cozily at the beach beds and just enjoy the landscape while i drank a few SMB's at the bar. Due to the calming environment Ella fell asleep! for around 2 hours infront of the beach!

11:00 PM back to our rooms time to rest for the activities tommorow.

DAY 5 55th Macau Grand Prix

>8:00 AM Up and ready to watch the races. 5 races is scheduled today: Final of Formula BMW, GT, Formula 3, Pre-final and final of World Touring Car Championship( WTCC). I had some good seats reserved at Lisboa corner 2 months back but i hesitated as they had no online transaction form they asked for your credit card details, ended up purchasing available Reservoir stand tickets yesterday( located along the main straight, opposite side of pit building)

TRAVEL TIP: If you want to see all the racing get the Lisboa Grandstand tickets. 
But dont go to Macau without the tickets as its sold out a week before the event. If your not really a hardcore racing fan watch from the Main Grandstand as you get to see all the activities, Grid formation, Race start, and all the drama in the pits.
9:45 AM Just missed the Formula BMW race! It was free seating and there were still a handful of spectators as they usually come in later for the WTCC races.




View from the Resevoir stands



11:30AM Ella was really getting cranky as it was really hot!!! Purchased an umbrella but still the heat was taking its toll. Decided to head to Senado Square to cool down and have lunch.

WTCC race start



View of the touring car pits from the pedestrian overpass





1:00 PM Watched the final race of WTCC on the giant screen At Senado Square. Ella was busy doing some last minute shopping. Eventhough im a hardcore race fan i couldnt stand the heat at the Reservoir stands( Main grandstand and Lisboa grandstand are covered and numbered seating).

3:00 PM Was lucky enough to get a pass from my racer friend to the Lisboa grandstand! I was just in time for the start of the much awaited Formula 3 race( ella opted to stay at Senado). 

Jampacked Lisboa Grandstand

Lisboa Corner

F3 Action

For me the best tickets would be at the Lisboa Grandstand. Best vantage point to see the cars in action.  

5:00 PM A very exciting race it was time to meet Ella at the hotel and prepare to board our 10:20PM flight.

7:00 PM Had dinner at a local diner across the Holiday Inn. Ordered Fried Rice( HKD 30.00) and Crispy Pork ( HKD 28.00) the meal was good enough for two. Our meal arrived but the Crispy Pork had plain rice with it i told the server can we have it without rice? She happily obliged but to our surprise he came back without the rice BUT a bigger serving of the Crispy Pork!!! There was no point in arguing as we had to rush to the airport and we were so hungry! We ended up paying almost double our bill as the Crispy Pork they served was the stand alone order without rice good for about 3-4 persons. They thought i wanted the one without rice!!! 

TRAVEL TIP: Always get the menu and check the food prices. Its very hard to get your point across as most local restaurants staff cant speak or understand English.

7:40 PM arrived at the airport, fare cost about HKD 50.00. After a very tiring weekend( due to all the walking) its finally time to head home...Will post our thoughts on this trip at a future date.Were already planning to go back next year as we missed out al lot of tourist spots due to the Grand Prix.Till our next trip...