It’s our 3rd day in Palawan and our 2nd day in El Nido. Our day started early again. We had to wake up early because electricity goes off at 6 am. Around that time, we ate our breakfast c/o Marina Garden. Afterwards, we prepared for another day of island hopping. This time, we got the Package B tour. Our Package B destinations were Entalula Island, Snake Island, Codugnon Cave/Island, Cathedral Island Cave, Pinagbuyutan Island and Ipil Beach. (Package price is still P1800. Great job to the hagglers. =P)

Entalula Island
The main part of the Entalula Island is owned and maintained by a private resort. If you want to visit the whole island, you will have to ask permission from the resort. Good thing for us, there is a small part of the island that is open to the public. Check out the top-left picture below; that boat in the middle is where the private resort is located. Oh well, the other side – our side –  is also pretty. Nice place to snorkel and lounge around the beach area.

Entalula Island

I was extremely frustrated during our day 2 tour (especially when we were at the Small Lagoon) because I didn’t have an underwater camera with me. So, I came prepared for this day and bought my own underwater camera.

Underwater!

Snake Island
Make sure that you go here when it’s a low tide. The place is really pretty. It’s a great spot to take pictures. Aside from taking photos, you can also do a mini-trekking. Yes, apparently, you could go up the highest peek of the island. The view was breathtaking.

Snake Island El Nido

Photo shoot at Snake Island!

At the top of Snake Island

Codugnon Island
Also part of the deal was the Kuya boatmen would cook our food. We bought the raw fishes, squids, meat and all the ingredients needed. Kuya Boatman (We never really got his name. We just called him Kuya, which is the generic name for an older guy), then, cooked everything during our stop here in Codugnon Island.

Lunch at Codugnon Island

Codugnon Cave
After eating our lunch, we headed over to the Codugnon Cave. It’s just a few meters away from where we ate our lunch. To go in the cave, we had to enter through a small opening. Once inside, you’ll find yourself, well, in a cave. Honestly, if the place had more history it would’ve been more interesting. If you are a photographer, rock climber or a repeller, you will definitely enjoy this place. The light passing through the small openings above makes it a great place for photography, while the rock formations is, well as far as I believe, a great rock-climbing route.

Various ways of entering the Codugnon Cave

Group picture!

Cathedral Island Cave
It would’ve been cool if we were able to get inside the cave. Unfortunately, the opening was just enough for a small boat to fit in. Aside from that, Kuya happily informed us that were sharks in the area.

Cathedral Island Cave

Pinagbuyutan Island
This is probably one of the most memorable islands I’ve visited El Nido. Not because of its unique natural beauty, but because of our ridiculous attempt to snorkel in the so-called beach area. See the top most picture below? Well, that’s the so-called beach. And there’s us, giving up snorkeling.

The "beach". And us - trying to not injure ourselves.

But I have to give the place credit; It IS a nice place to take photos.

Go Emz! (Picture taken by Norman)

BTW, this is where Kuya Boatman borrowed my underwater camera and went crazy taking pictures of “Nemo” the clownfish. Yes, he was the only one who managed to the enjoy swimming and snorkeling in this area.

The Nemos (clownfish)

Ipil-Ipil Beach
By the time we reached Ipil-Ipil beach, we were already tired.  This is where we hang out for a bit, sat on the beach, and snorkeled.

Clare in El Nido '09

And that sums up our day 3 – El Nido tour.

Underwater Peace!

I’ll be posting our Day 4-5 soon! (Yeah, I’m really stretching out this blog series, aren’t I? lol)