Barefootroamer: El Nido Palawan, Philippine's Last Frontier part 2

Package B of the El Nido island tour

To start our El Nido Day 2 Tour, we were privileged to have a foretaste of the tropical island paradise of Entulala. With its sugary white fine sand, coconut lined beach and friendly water, this could have been an ideal place for us to swim;

Entulala Island

but since only those billeted at Miniloc & Lagen Beach Resorts would be allowed to swim & rock climb here, we could only wish that we could. With no meaningful tryst at this island, we were brought to....

... Pangulasian Island

The long stretch of white beach and lush vegetation made this tropical island an idyllic place to loaf and laze around while watching the sunset; or to trek up the hill while bird watching.

Being a private resort however, we were only allowed to snorkel around. We could have conquered the kingdom of these friendly and camera conscious fishes up to the Turtle Island if not only for the fact that the latter is a protected marine sanctuary for turtles.

Within the vicinity of Pangalusian island is the Snake island. Enclosed within an enclave of islands, we felt we were entering into a mythical kingdom of the sea.

View of Pangulasian island from Snake island sandbar

Our arrival was perfectly timed at low tide, so the snake shaped white sandbar sparkled gloriously under the sun.

The shallow crystal clear waters on both sides were inviting us for a nice dip but we opted for a hike up the hill to have a 360 degree - panoramic view of the place.

Since we saw groups preparing picnic tables at the foot of the hill, we presumed our lunch would be served when we go down. But we sailed some more until we came to a halt at the shore of Cudugnon island where they dismounted our foodstuff.

Cudugnon Island coast view

Cudognon Island white beach

While our lunch was being prepared, we were lead to a hole in one of the limestone faces of the mountain where one by one,

we crawled and squeezed

until we thought we stumbled into Batman's cave.

But this cave is otherwise known as Cudugnon Cave.

Despite some bat protesters,

the young ones still managed to have an enthralling scale of the cave's limestone walls.

On the way to our dining area, we passed by the now familiar limestone carvings.

We had a grand time at Cudugnon island; among which was lying in a hammock while watching the clouds pass us by. We did not give in to a relaxing massage in a balinese gazebo for fear of being left behind once we were lulled to slumber.

Shaped like a cathedral from afar, I had imagined this island to be the one aptly called Cathedral island,

Pinabuyutan Island with Malapacao Island at the backdrop

but no matter how gothic its structure looked like, this is not the Cathedral island.

Cathedral Island is this one.....

Carhedral island El Nido Palawan

It is not the shape, but the cathedral-like cavern that earned Pinasil Island its popular name of Cathedral Island.

As we approximated the entrance of the cathedral cavern, sudden downpour deterred us from taking a good snapshot. But all the same, we could see that had we been riding a small boat, we could have easily squeezed ourselves within the limestone lined cavern....the rain though made it eerily navigable.

On our way to our next destination, we passed by Lagen Beach Resort. If it were not for the big limestone boulder at the middle of the cove, it could easily pass up for Miniloc Beach Resort.

Lagen Beach Resort

As you see, rain followed us up to Pinabuyutan Island; with Malapacao Island at the background, this picturesque view is a familiar site in Bacuit Bay.

It was a blessing that the owner had not yet turned this island into private resort

So just like the day before, we ended this day's tour with a leisure swim.

Pinabuyutan Island White Beach

But unlike in 7 Commandos island where we were able to wade and snorkel on its crystal clear water, here we had to don our life vests and assure that the boat was within arm's reach...for the water although pristine was rather deep.

El Nido Palawan Bacuit Bay

It had been agreed upon that all tour boats must reach harbor before 5 PM since afternoon hale-like rain shower was a common occurrence in Bacuit Bay (old traditional name of El Nido Bay). True enough, the dark clouds that had since hovered around could not wait for us to get tired of swimming.

Island adventure would not be complete if we do not mingle with the crowd at night....and we could not do that at Four Seasons Resort. After enjoying its swimming pool the night before, we decided to check out and transfer to a beach house fronting El Nido Bay.

Ricson's El Nido Bay

This turned out to be a good move because we were able to walk around the town and participate in El Nido Bay's night activities.

Package C of El Nido Tours

Looking forward to another day of unforgettable adventure, we set sail for the Hidden beach filled with hope that it would not be left hidden from us. Unlike the calm waters of the 2 previous days, we were welcomed by rough waters as we edged into the South China sea proper where the Hidden Beach lie concealed within Matinloc Island.

Although we were mesmerized by the raging waters that reminded us of our beloved Pacific ocean, no one among us challenged the invincible gateway. Jonel our tour guide, offered to go inside to take some snapshots.

Hidden Beach

Then we were brought to Star Beach in Tapiutan Island where we snorkeled amid friendly schools of Planktons.

Star Beach

What came next was totally unexpected.

My unending amazement of El Nido got into its maximum when I came in contact with this part of Matinloc Island.A castle in the middle of nowhere? The limestone cliff formation from base to tip of the mountain made this seem to be a medieval fortress.

Why was this fortress built in a remote island along South China Sea? Without a backgrounder, I definitely felt a mystery behind Matinloc Shrine.

With a towering cross above a dome-like gazebo which was obviously built as an altar, and 3 cross on what looked like tombstones, indeed there must be a tale to be told.

With this small private cove, this could be an ideal island getaway. But as I looked intently at the right side of this picture of the effacing limestone wall guarding the entrance from the cove to the Shrine, I got goosebumps as I deciphered a very distinct replica of Jesus facing me.

So the story goes...a certain Guadalupe (Ting) Yabes, a known religious visionary, allegedly having a direct communication with the Blessed Mother Mary since she was 8 years old, was miraculously healed of a debilitating illness at the age of 42 in 1981. In 1982, upon the instruction of "our Lady", she lead an expedition in search of a heart-shaped island in Palawan.Riding a helicopter, the pierced heart aerial view of Matinloc Island came into view.

Matinloc Shrine, El Nido Palawan Philippines

So in this island was built a domed shrine with 12 pillars which Our Lady wanted to be called "The Shrine of the New Jerusalem". 29 years hence it is simply called "Matinloc Shrine".

Back in Manila, for our lunch our choice would either be Jollibee or Mcdo but here in El Nido, we had 45 islands to choose from. Our freshly cooked food of steaming white rice, grilled liempo, chicken, prawns, squids and 3 big fishes with fruits for dessert, were served in porcelain platters that were deftly set on utterly draped dining table.

Up to now I have no idea what the name of this island is. But if I would be a castaway, I would rather that it be in one of these cloistered islands.where the activities of the nearby islands can be visible to my naked eyes, and in low tide I can even swim across.

I presumed the Secret Beach was within or beyond this cavern, but it turned out it was across. We had to wade at the side entrance cautious not to step on any poisonous sea urchin

because the front entrance of the Secret Beach at low tide was almost water less.

It was so depressing that my camera could not capture the grandeur of the place.
While the others were so exuberant in finding Nemo and his buddies,

and as I was sitting within the small coastline all alone, whizzing winds gushed in creating a spine chilling atmosphere, as if a multitude of delicate crystal glasses were being crashed against the humongous limestone walls enclosing the Secret Beach. It created such an impact that I wondered if I had gone to pieces.

This place can be an ideal setting for one of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequel or a mysterious adventure novel.

This was the nth time that we had passed Cadlao Island, the biggest island among the group, but this was the first time we came close to its magnificent limestone formation.

Limestone cliff, Cadlao Island El Nido Palawan Philippines

This was supposed to be included in Package D El Nido Tour, but since we would be leaving the next day, Jonel was kind enough to give us a glimpse of this white beach which was connected to a fresh water lagoon; at the exit of which, fresh and sea water mixes.

To wrap up our 3 day island hopping, our boat was steered against the tide
to reach Helicopter Island

Helicopter Island, El Nido Palawan Philippines

where we snorkeled and swam on another pristine waters.

In our almost 4 days stay in El Nido, we were among other tourists. Australians and Europeans met, mingled and partied together. What was heartwarming was that tourist guides towed in line to be with us. They averred that their place was a tourist destination for people around the world, but it would only be by chance that Filipino tourists would find their way to El Nido. If they would have their way, they would rather that the beauty of their place be shared with their countrymen.