F – Sulawesi: Manado – Lembeh – Bunaken

November 7th, 2013

E – Sulawesi: Unaaha

November 7th, 2013

D – Sulawesi: WAKATOBI: Kaledupa – Tomia – Hoga

November 7th, 2013

C – Sulawesi: Kendari

November 7th, 2013

B – Bali

November 7th, 2013

A – Jakarta

November 7th, 2013

roundtrip should start very soon…….be curious about it

Juni 6th, 2013

Northisland: from 27.12.2012 – 28.01.2013

Januar 14th, 2013

Nadi & Mana Island: 04.12. – 27.12.2012

Januar 14th, 2013

pick up time by Nadi

Mana Island

Mana Island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I arrived on the day at Christmas-Party, lucky me

I arrived on the day at Christmas-Party, lucky me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and we got the best food on Fiji, a "'lovo-meal" hmm lecker

and we got the best food on Fiji, a „‚lovo-meal“ hmm lecker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...of course with Kava!

…of course with Kava!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and   pretty girls ..... Urrrrrrrroooooo!

and pretty girls ….. Urrrrrrrroooooo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

later was "partytime" with dancing

later was „partytime“ with dancing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

beautiful color of the ocean around the island

beautiful color of the ocean around the island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did of course some dives there

I did of course some dives there

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did one dive with a very nice and pretty Japaenese girl - "Konichiwa Ai"

I did one dive with a very nice and pretty Japaenese girl – „Konichiwa Ai“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

underwater impressions

underwater impressions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bird´s-eye-view

bird´s-eye-view

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nice sunset directly on the beach

nice sunset directly on the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the view from the hill to the summit cross, back to the bay

the view from the hill to the summit cross, back to the bay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kava drinking for Touris after dinner (sorry it´s not real)

Kava drinking for Touris after dinner (sorry it´s not real)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pretta Anna behind the bar

pretta Anna behind the bar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

crazy girls are working there

crazy girls are working there

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

we saw twice a "Polynesian fire dance-show"

we saw twice a „Polynesian fire dance-show“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

very hot!

very hot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my darlings again

my darlings again

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love them

I love them

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found also some softcorals

I found also some softcorals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

big Joe, the local divemaster

big Joe, the local divemaster

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

happy Harry (Mana Island in the backround)

happy Harry (Mana Island in the backround)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiji-culture-night - with a chief and his bodyguard (names Olivier)

Fiji-culture-night – with a chief and his bodyguard (names Olivier)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salamada wreck dive

Salamada wreck dive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olivier and I (only half)

Olivier and I (only half)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

our briefing before the arrival of Cyclon EVAN

our briefing before the arrival of Cyclon EVAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the direction of EVAN

the direction of EVAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two "Spätzle" Franzi & Pierre, which I met later in the plane to Auckland again

The two „Spätzle“ Franzi & Pierre, which I met later in the plane to Auckland again

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

preparing for EVAN

preparing for EVAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the kids from the village, which is behind the backpacker´s places

the kids from the village, which is behind the backpacker´s places

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the wind started comming up!

the wind started comming up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

preparing in the bar area

preparing in the bar area

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVAN is knocking on the door....

EVAN is knocking on the door….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.... better switch the power off .......

…. better switch the power off …….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the crazy Fijian enjoying the big waves for surfing on any piece of wood

the crazy Fijian enjoying the big waves for surfing on any piece of wood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

we, the Touris (in total 6) were now only at a safe protected place

we, the Touris (in total 6) were now only at a safe protected place

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... EVAN is getting stronger and stonger ...(was Category 4)

… EVAN is getting stronger and stonger …(was Category 4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... now was the maximum, I took that pic from inside of the shop ... won´t go out anymore  ;-)

… now was the maximum, I took that pic from inside of the shop … won´t go out anymore 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... the Internetroom was our last safety place, where we did go..lucky we had some drinks with us   ;-)

… the Internetroom was our last safety place, where we did go..just by luck we had some drinks with us 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

some impressions in the break (eye) of EVAN - Internetroom

some impressions in the break (eye) of EVAN – Internetroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

very bad ....

very bad ….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.... a lot of sand was blown away by the wind

…. a lot of sand was blown away by the wind

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... the time after ....

… the time after ….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... very hard for the peoples of the village ...

… very hard for the peoples of the village …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... EVAN stole also a part of the beach ....

… EVAN stole also a part of the beach ….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... a lot of roofs are gone ...

… a lot of roofs are gone …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... but, we always had a proper delecious meal - thanks to the famous cooks

… but, we always had a proper delecious meal – thanks to the famous cooks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... our terrace afterwards, a bit more breezier (without roof)

… our terrace afterwards, a bit more breezier (without roof)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and now started the big cleaning

and now started the big cleaning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... fancy looking palm trees and a lot of staff on the floor ...

… fancy looking palm trees and a lot of staff on the floor …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... every one had to give a hand, even the kids ...

… every one had to give a hand, even the kids …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... EVAN was very strong ...

… EVAN was very strong …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... puuuuhhh

… puuuuhhh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... poor kids ...

… poor kids …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a lot staff to burn ...

a lot staff to burn …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... it was nice before ...

… it was nice before …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... inside of the beach bungalows ...

… inside of the beach bungalows …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

good bye to Gui, one of the survivors - take care buddy!

good bye to Gui, one of the survivors – take care buddy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

without words

without words

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... view from the hill at the northest point of the island

… view from the hill at the northest point of the island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

that woman "bombshell" would have eaten me completely - careful Harry

that woman „bombshell“ would have eaten me completely – careful Harry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

thats the two diving instructor of Ratu Kini Backpacker Hostel, Shirley and Pete

thats the two diving instructor of Ratu Kini Backpacker Hostel, Shirley and Pete

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

we had some bonfire in the evening, in case of lots wood laying around

we had some bonfire in the evening, in case of lots wood laying around

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and now it was "X-Mas time!"

and now it was „X-Mas time!“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

everyone loved my hat

everyone loved my hat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... of course the bombshell   ;-)

… of course the bombshell 😉 

 

the crazy Fijian are joking around while repairing the roof

the crazy Fijian are joking around while repairing the roof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sexy Urrrrrrrroooooo - very nice!

sexy Urrrrrrrroooooo – very nice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

big work in the kitchen for our X-Mas dinner

big work in the kitchen for our X-Mas dinner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my goodbye with Olivier, cause he left with Joe to his home for Christmas

my goodbye with Olivier, cause he left with Joe to his home for Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nice sunset from the hill

nice sunset from the hill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas under water

Christmas under water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my dive at the supermarkt

my dive at the supermarkt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a mask porcupine fish

a mask porcupine fish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a lot of Santa´s suddenly running around

a lot of Santa´s suddenly running around

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... many ...

… many …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

our brillant menu

our brillant menu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the Christmas tree soup

the Christmas tree soup

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a cool Santa ...

a cool Santa …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

funny Santa´s

funny Santa´s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jammy!

Jammy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"it´s Christmas time"

„it´s Christmas time“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X-Mas sunset

X-Mas sunset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hmmm, I am hungry ......;-)

hmmm, I am hungry ……;-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fun at the bar

fun at the bar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a luck, it was also a nice Christmas for the kids, thanks to the Aussie family!!! - I got the adress of the school, please contact me if you wanna help them too.

What a luck, it was also a nice Christmas for the kids, thanks to the Aussie family!!! – I got the adress of the school, please contact me if you wanna help them too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

happy kids

happy kids

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"You also can help!"

„You also can help!“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my farewell-Kava bowl - the roots from Somosomo

my farewell-Kava bowl – the roots from Somosomo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my good bye from the cooks

my good bye from the cooks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I left some sad staff behind

I left some sad staff behind

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Sayounara Harry!"

„Sayounara Harry!“

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanuatu 2 – Espiritu Santo: 04.10. – 22.10.12

August 31st, 2012

Palawan – Puerto Princesa 09.06. – 14.06.12

Juni 17th, 2012

Puerto Princesa

journey

I took the air-conditioned RoRo-Bus from Corong Corong in El Nido for 483,-PHP to Puerto Princesa. Before we started we got a short mess and a prayer for a safe ride, which was 6,5 hours.

 

RoRo bus station

RoRo bus station

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

our rogation

our rogation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The road was in the beginning sandy and stony with a lot of potholes.  We had two stops on the way. The first was after 2 hours in Tray Tray for only 10 minutes. There are some small shops around.

 

the road in the beginning

the road in the beginning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way you will see many rice fields, that Palawan is very green and very simple houses, where the locals living.

ricefields

ricefields

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ricefields

ricefields

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

kind of funny

kind of funny

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Somtmes you pass or use a short tarred piece of road, just in the middle for only one lane of traffic.

there is only place for one

there is only place for one

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…but place enough for the common sport

basketball

basketball

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second stop is in Roxas after 4 hours from starting was for around 30 minutes. It´s also possible to get there some food or jump to the toilet. Don´t forget, that your language down in the bus will get very dusty.

second stop in Roxas

second stop in Roxas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

rice to sun-cure on the road

rice to sun-cure on the road

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

still under construction

still under construction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and rain again

and rain again

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

now we got a better road

now we got a better road

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on a half finished bridge

on a half finished bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By arrival on the bus station in Puerto Princesa are waiting taxis, tricycles, multi-cab and Jeepneys for your further travelling.  So its your decision, Jeepneys of course the cheapest.

from inside, on my way to my next accommondation

from inside, on my way to my next accommondation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Honda Island hopping

I got a pick up at around 07:00AM for the transfer to the Honda Bay. The bus was quiet cold!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shortly before we arrived we stopped for picking up some snorkeling gear (my recommendation: take also fins!) for 150,-PHP per set. Later I saw an offer for the same package for only 100,-PHP directly at the pier.

...better you ask also for fins

…better you ask also for fins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After signing and paying 40,-PHP for fee we jumped on our boat no. 35. Don´t forget to remember your own boat no., cause there will be later some more side by side (I got a flashback to diving in Egypt).

guess, how busy that place was!

guess, how busy that place was!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

our boat was not the only one

our boat was not the only one

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first stop was only a floating jetty, with enough place for around 15 boats close to a reef. It was quiet busy there, maybe more snorkelers than fishes. If you have now fins, you can stay away from the bulk. The reef is alive and big enough for one hour snorkeling – I saw a nice Barracuda there and many reef fishes.

not the best stop for for a snorkelling trip for around ten boats with each 15 persons

not the best stop for for a snorkelling trip for around ten boats with each 15 persons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second stop after a 20 minutes boat ride was the starfish-island.

arrival

arrival

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A long sandy beach with shells, houses for having lunch, a small shop, some clever Tourist staff, such as a full-size frame, where you can stand into it with a nice back round. Even dresses to-use for free for the pictures are there. If you are unlucky like me, you will have at the snorkeling spots the wind and the waves.

our lunch place

our lunch place

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the full-sized frame

the full-sized frame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"be a shark!"

„be a shark!“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"... or a hula-girl!"

„… or a hula-girl!“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the crew is preparing the good lunch

the crew is preparing the good lunch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third stop was on Isla Pandan. A well touristic organized island. A beautiful beach with white fine sand and some reef blocks with many small fishes waiting for the bread, to which you can easily walk in. Of course you are not alone on the island. Even a bar you can see there and they are selling coconuts, which are dropping down just some meters beside. I arrived back at DALLAS INN at around 04:00PM and it was worth to do that and leaving the noisy Town.

 

arrival at our last stop

arrival at our last stop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

again not alone

again not alone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... on the ....

… on the ….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

it is a well organized island

it is a well organized island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sometimes you see more snorkelers than fishes

sometimes you see more snorkelers than fishes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took a tricycle on my departure day to the airport for 40,-PHP.

 

I booked a flight with ZestAir for 1.700,-PHP from Puerto Princesa to Manila and I knew, that allows only 10kg (my language-weight 20kg). So at the check in, it came up and I asked, if the plane is fully booked. – It wasn´t, not at all. The plane was only half full with peoples and they still asked me to pay 1500,-PHP more for my added luggage.

They ripped me off! I never will understand that, if the plane is empty like that. Wuuuuzaaaaaa – Harry!

There is also an airport fee to pay 45,-PHP

 

 

 

I took a tricycle to the DALLAS INN, my next accommondation for the next days. They asking 600,PHP for a single room with private bathroom (while rainseason maybe cheaper). The DALLAS INN  is located in the Carandang St., where it is not so noisy. The Rizal Av. is the main road, goes from the harbor down to the airport and is very noisy.

The staff from DALLAS INN is very friendly and helpful with organizing daytrips, transfers or getting the permit for the Underground River (which could be a bit hesitantly or annoying in case of full booking). It´s like a visit in a family, which are renting some rooms and trying to do business. You are welcome to step in their private rooms for picking up your staff out of the fridge.

 

the gate - closed from 10:00PM - U gotta ring the bell for entrance

the gate – closed from 10:00PM – U gotta ring the bell for entrance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the garden with terrace on the left and  the workshop on the right

the garden with terrace on the left and the workshop on the right

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the meeting place with free WiFi, tea and coffe

the meeting place with free WiFi, tea and coffe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from different point of view

from different point of view

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

upstairs to the first floor, behind the plants

upstairs to the first floor, behind the plants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... and if you´re more fat than me, you´ll have a problem in that floor

… and if you´re more fat than me, you´ll have a problem in that floor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the view to the sea and the bay walk (and the staff house)

the view to the sea and the bay walk (and the staff house)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My room was in the first floor, but a fat person wouldn´t reach it in case of the narrow floor before.

 

my single room ...

my single room …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... with private bathroom

… with private bathroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the terrace with hammocks, plugs and WiFi

the terrace with hammocks, plugs and WiFi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you´re lucky and telling them one day before, you might get a small breakfast. There are always free tea, coffee and drinking water by the living room suite. You get the WiFi everywhere, best place is in the living room suite. They have also a roofed terrace with two hammock’s and sufficient plugs. Around six o clock mosquitos showing up. The distance to the shops and restaurants is very short, even the airport is reachable with an 20 minute walk.

Rizal Av. mainroad

Rizal Av. mainroad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rizal Av. mainroad

Rizal Av. mainroad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

puerto princesa impressions

puerto princesa impressions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

puerto princesa impressions

puerto princesa impressions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

inside different event´s

inside different event´s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can visit some churches, the bay walk or the Tiki-bar with live music every evening. At my visit time were a music-event going cloce to the Capitol, with a market and many local food shops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bay walk

bay walk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bay walk

bay walk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... in the evening sometimes full with shops

… in the evening sometimes full with shops

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a tiny church, but a atmosphere like in a Gospel-Church

a tiny church, but a atmosphere like in a Gospel-Church

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... inside

… inside

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is also a big wall market called “NCC” in the side road at the Jollibee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A interesting offer for lunch or dinner you can find in “Mang Inasal” in the Rizal Av., where they serving unlimited rice for the most menus – just be clever!

 

Inasal ....

Inasal ….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... unlimited rice

… unlimited rice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some other activities can be the Honda island hopping daytrip, a visit to the crocodile farm, a trip to the Underground River or watching the fire flies (a bit far away).

The most of the tourists are staying only one or two nights in Puerto Princesa.

good food in a cheap restaurant

good food in a cheap restaurant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the typical traffic n the main road

the typical traffic n the main road

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the typical traffic n the main road

the typical traffic n the main road

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tricycles

Tricycles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

still 11 seconds time to cross the road

still 11 seconds time to cross the road

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the road to the NCC mall

the road to the NCC mall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Jeepney

a Jeepney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

you´ll find many fast food shops on the road like Chowking or Jollibee

you´ll find many fast food shops on the road like Chowking or Jollibee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

careful! The power supply lines hangig sometims quiet low

careful! The power supply lines hangig sometims quiet low

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Nido – Palawan 30.05. – 09.06.2012

Juni 10th, 2012

It took four hours to go with the new Montenegro-Ferry from Coron harbor to El Nido harbor. That Ferry is operating since one and a half month now.

 

Arrival on El Nico - Jojo, which owns the asiano arts & crafts shop at the Rizal Ave. and me

Arrival on El Nido - Jojo, which works in the asiano arts & crafts shop at the Rizal Ave. and me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marina Garden Beach Resort (MGB)

I walked with my luggage to the Marina Garden Beach Resort, which is located right on the beach, in the opposite of the police station (sign “Pulis”).  That took between 5 and 10 minutes.

By the check in, you got to ask what you want to know. There is not really showing you around, but anyway, it´s not so big. I booked a room (no. F1) with shared bathroom for 730,-PHP in the family cottage. It is not the cheapest one in town, but you get an amazing ocean view and the sound of the surf, which brings you every evening to sleep.

receiption

reception

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

way to the beach

way to the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

family cottage

family cottage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

oceanview from the coffeeshop-terrace

oceanview from the coffeeshop-terrace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the coffeeshop

the coffeeshop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the two angels "Ana & Mars" of the Coffeeshop with me

the two angels "Ana & Mars" of the Coffeeshop with me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me  in front of room no. F1 of the familycottage - long live Franconia (best part of Bavaria)

Me in front of room no. F1 of the familycottage - long live Franconia (best part of Bavaria)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marina Garden Beach Resort from the sea

Marina Garden Beach Resort from the sea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

room no. F1 inside, with oceanview from the bed

room no. F1 inside, with oceanview from the bed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

room no. F1 inside

room no. F1 inside

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shared roofed terrace

shared roofed terrace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shared bathroom

shared bathroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the door to the beach

the door to the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are offering different kind of breakfast for average 120,-PHP. It looks like a small beach bar in the garden and you can get also drinks here. The price for the local “San Miguel Pilsen” beer is in town 35,-PHP, in MGB 40,-PHP and in the restaurants at the beachfront 50,-PHP.

breakfast-service by rain to the terrace

breakfast-service by rain to the terrace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by sunshine directly on the beach

by sunshine directly on the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The electricity is only available from 02:00PM until 06:00AM. So by your daily morning-toilet you gotta take a torch with you, if you don´t want to be in the dark. The bath and restroom is good, ask for your own toilet paper. The room has two beds, which you can move around like you want. There is further a desk, Ventilator, closet, the view from the bed to the ocean and at the entrance a private terrace with ceiling and washing lines. If you want to lock your important staff, ask at the reception, you get it for free.

 

MGB at night

MGB at night

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes it´s possible to hear the noise of the disco „Asylum“ or a few party-people on the beach.

 

 

El Nido

El Nido has two main roads with corner food shops , bars, massage and spa center, island tours, diving shops, restaurants and accommodations. What I heard is the tourism growing up the last years quiet fast. Before there was only one massage center and now you can count around ten, which are offering a full Swedish body massage for 350,-PHP per hour (7,-€). Very cheap compare to Germany and very good. I got one of course already for my body and I was very satisfied. I am sure I´ll have another one. The primary public traffic is here also the tricycles.  A pity is, that the rain season started already and it was raining every day.

El Nido town

El Nido town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Nido town

El Nido town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a small shop, but you get very good local sweets - opposite of the tourist information, beside the post office

a small shop, but you get very good local sweets - opposite of the tourist information, beside the post office

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Nido town

El Nido town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Nido town

El Nido town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

maybe the first Tricycle in town

maybe the first Tricycle in town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

barbecued pork, beef or chicken on a stick

barbecued pork, beef or chicken on a stick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

corner shops

corner shops

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

corner shop

corner shop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got at that place my wonderful massages

I got at that place my wonderful massages

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

traffic in town

traffic in town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the "squidos" a very good and inexpensiv restaurant - I recommend the stuffed squids and a rum-coke

the "squidos" a very good and inexpensiv restaurant - I recommend the stuffed squids and a rum-coke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

rental bikes an Kayak, also by Rico´s Cottages on the beach

rental bikes an Kayak, also by Rico´s Cottages on the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

slim paths between the shops to the beach

slim paths between the shops to the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In one of the two main roads you can find also a tourist office, which hands out quiet good information’s

the tourist information

the tourist information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

an internet cafe

an internet cafe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a rice mill

a rice mill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the Pamhalaang lokal Palawan - Department of the Interior and Local Government

the Pamhalaang lokal Palawan - Department of the Interior and Local Government

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the busstation

the busstation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

garbage pick-up

garbage pick-up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my favorite tricycle in town

my favorite tricycle in town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The locals by themselves living in really poor conditions. In very small houses with many persons. They are always very friendly and helpful. There is also no reason to be afraid during nighttime’s going a round.

local living in El Nido, just  between the tourism

local living in El Nido, just between the tourism

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

local living in El Nido, just  between the tourism

local living in El Nido, just between the tourism

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

local living in El Nido, just  between the tourism

local living in El Nido, just between the tourism

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

barber

barber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sports arena - common is basketball

sports arena - common is basketball

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you gonna to buy something it is worth to burgle a bit.

 

corner shops in town

corner shops in town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Nido is surrounded  with black chalk-rocks covered with brushwood

El Nido is surrounded with black chalk-rocks covered with brushwood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the bakery in town

the bakery in town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That means you are quiet limited in doing something. The streets are getting really slippery and muddy, so a little bit risky to hire a bicycle for a island tour. Alternative you can visit the “hot spring”, going out for diving, doing Island tours A, B, C or D to different islands or taking some wellness. The most of the tourists are staying only some days, before they travelling further to Puerto Princesa or to other islands of the Philippines.
one of the Carinderias, offering good and cheap local food

one of the Carinderias, offering good and cheap local food

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took my lunch often in town by small local restaurants called “Carinderia”. They are offering fish, pork, chicken or vegetables a portion for only 40,- – 50,-PHP served with rice for 10,-PHP. That means you can have a good lunch with a soft drink for only 100,-PHP (2,-€).

 

 

At dinnertime I went always out to the restaurants right on the beach. There you can find all one by one beside each other along the beach with sometimes torches in front.  The price is nearly the same, only the entertainment is different. In the “Sea Slugs” is always a very good live band playing and a delicious food with big portions. Here you can meet also a lot of Backpackers. The “Pukka bar” offers also very good food and Reggae music, which I love. So I took always my last beer here, by listening the sound of the ocean.

dinnertime at the Seaslugs with livemusic on the beach

dinnertime at the Seaslugs with livemusic on the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

dinnertime at the Seaslugs with livemusic on the beach

dinnertime at the Seaslugs with livemusic on the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children are selling the local food “ballot” here in the evening on the beach going up and down. They are shouting their offer quiet loud. If you are interested you should try it, only for 20,-PHP. It´s a duckegg with already an not development embryo inside. Beside you are getting a spicy sauce, which you take on the half open egg and then you suck it empty. If you lucky, you will like it and your stomach can handle it. You get an impression by that LINK: “…………………………………………..” done by the pretty  Ana, which is a staff member from the MGB Resort.

Ana alias "the Cannibal"

Ana alias "the Cannibal"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not every Philippino likes that, so its about 60% like it to 40% which don´t eat it.

oceanview with some excursionboats

oceanview with some excursionboats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

oceanview with some excursionboats

oceanview with some excursionboats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

oceanview with some excursionboats

oceanview with some excursionboats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

catch of the day for lunch at the beach

catch of the day for lunch at the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

kids playing on the beach

kids playing on the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just by luck I joined the “Reyna Elena St. Constantine Procession”. It´s possible for the kids to do it more often. The only thing they have to do in advance is, to bring in the month may every day a flower to the church. The small ones are looking really cued painted and with high heels.

 

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

Reyna Elena St. Constantin Procession

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best way to transfer to Puerto Princesa is to take the “RoRo bus”. You need to buy a ticket maybe one day in advance at the “Corong corong market by the RoRo ticket office for 482,-PHP. So you get a ride in a air-conditioned bus with a transfer time of six hours. The service starts at 08:00AM, 10:00AM, 12:00AM and 04:00PM.

 

the RoRo bus station

the RoRo bus station

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Islandhopping Tours

Tour A

Small Lagoon – Big Lagoon – Shimizu Island – Secret Lagoon – Seven Commando

By not optimal weather conditions, in case e of the rain season, I joined the tour A for a daytrip.

Tour A

Tour A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So first we went to the small lagoon for snorkeling. With sunshine must be really amazing colors in the lagoon. She is quiet good hidden, only a small opening between the rocks is the entrance. Of course you can find it now, because the island trips are a quiet good running tourist business and I think you will be never alone there. So there were around ten other boats beside ours. So while snorkeling you can see in the water batfishes, snapper and “Hornhechte”. If you are lucky there should be also possible to see turtles or Barracudas. It is quiet cool to snorkel in the lagoon with tuerkis water and high chalk rocks around you, which are teilweise grown with trees. The water temperature is often changing quickly.  So we had around 30 minutes for snorkeling there, before we went to the big lagoon.

handing over the snorkeling gear on the beach

handing over the snorkeling gear on the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the entrance into the small lagoon

the entrance into the small lagoon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... he is big enough for snorkelers and Kayak´s

... he is big enough for snorkelers and Kayak´s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

getting ready on the boat

getting ready on the boat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... happy Harry

... happy Harry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

amazing colors

amazing colors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love turquoise colored oceans

I love turquoise colored oceans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We only past slowly by boat the big logoon for taking some pictures, here is snorkelling not planned.

 

the entrance into te big lagoon

the entrance into te big lagoon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... again beautiful colors

... again beautiful colors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... here is more space for Kayaking

... here is more space for Kayaking

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

imposingly black chalk-rocks surrounding the lagoons

imposingly black chalk-rocks surrounding the lagoons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards we drove to Shimizu island for taking our lunch and snorkeling. The spots are quiet good for snorkeling and you can see all different kinds of reef fishes there. The reef is in the shallow area broken, but if you go along the edge of the reef-slope, you have a nice visibility to the deeper side. The Anemone fishes are a bit more aggressive compare to these from Coron.  I really love to play around with them. The lunch what they offered was very good: two big grilled fishes, roasted chicken, rice, vegetables, spicy sauce and fruits for dessert. The lunch was a part of the package.

 

Schimizu island

Schimizu island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schimizu island

Schimizu island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schimizu island and lunchtime

Schimizu island and lunchtime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... jup, we were not the only ones again there

... jup, we were not the only ones again there

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... what a view

... what a view

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In case of the raff sea, we couldn´t go to the secret beach – safety first! So our captain choosed a different island for the next snorkeling stop.

on the way to the next island

on the way to the next island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the reef for snorkeling was not so good here

the reef for snorkeling was not so good here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... but lovely colors

... but lovely colors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our last island stop was on Seven Commando. You can find here a small shop and a Volleyballfield for some activities. The staff is waiting for a challenge, good luck. They started at that time the construction of new rooms on the beach. Three young cats, were the star´s and we didn´t snorkel there. Anyway it was raining again.

 

the beach area

the beach area

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the shop with snacks, hot, non and alcoholic drink offer

the shop with snacks, hot, non and alcoholic drink offer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards we  went home and arrived at El Nnido around 04:00PM.

 

 

My diving day with Submariners

 

I got the offer for two boat dives incl. equipement and lunch for 2.400,-PHP (ca.  46,-€ – there was no discount for own brought equipment).

The staff was friendly and they did a good job. We were only three divers in a group and got sufficient time for taking our pictures. The boat was much smaller then by Rocksteady on Coron. We went to a small lagoon for lunch, which was very good.

 

the divingshop on the beach

the divingshop on the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the first divespot at the Helicopter island

the first divespot at the Helicopter island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The most of the reef was dead and the visibility was only 10m – 15m, but we saw some staff.

a sponge

a sponge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

featherstar

featherstar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hardcoral

hardcoral

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my darlings - Anemone fishes (clownfishes)

my darlings - Anemone fishes (clownfishes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a giant clam

a giant clam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

coralreef

coralreef

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a crab is turning his house

a crab is turning his house

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

coralreef block

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

leathercoral

leathercoral

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a sleeping green turtle with two sharksucker on it

a sleeping green turtle with two sharksucker on it

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.... woke up

.... woke up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a pyjama nudibranch

a pyjama nudibranch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

featherstars

featherstars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a grooper

a grooper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

yellow fin Barracudas

yellow fin Barracudas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the small lagoon at lunchtime

the small lagoon at lunchtime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the small lagoon at lunchtime

the small lagoon at lunchtime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nice colors again

nice colors again

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nice colors again

nice colors again

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

........ happy Harry

........ happy Harry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nice surf on the rocks

nice surf on the rocks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

after returning we got a free decompression beer - barami salamat!

after returning we got a free decompression beer - barami salamat!