Remembering Mom's Birthday Celebration in Puerto Princesa, Palawan in 2015

Hi, Ladies of Hive! Yesterday was my mom's birthday on September 27. Even though she's in heaven, I'll create a blog to remember her birthday.

Every time it was her birthday, we only did simple celebrations like buying a cake and she used to cook one of her specialties, my ultimate favorite, Filipino-style sweet spaghetti.

My father died in July 2015 while I was in Malaysia and I knew she was grieving but never made it obvious. Back then, my Southeast Asian backpacking trip was cut off so I had to go back to the Philippines. I canceled my volunteer work in a hostel in Thailand. In September 2015, I was able to fly back to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Singapore. I flew back to the Philippines as I had a blogging assignment in Palawan.

I got free accommodation in Palawan which was good for two people so I decided to book my mom a flight to Puerto Princesa. She was hesitant at first. I just wanted us to celebrate her birthday. I promised that she would enjoy it and stay relaxed.

4 Days and 3 Nights in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

When we arrived at the Puerto Princesa Airport, a van waited for us to pick up on our way to our accommodation at Palo Alto Palawan Bed and Breakfast. My mom was surprised because it felt like we were VIPs.

Palo Alto Palawan Bed and Breakfast

We arrived in a peaceful place. We heard the birds chirping and breathed the fresh air.

This is the reception area by the moment you step on the stairs. On the left side are the rooms. Across from the reception area is where our room was located.

There was another room near the pool area. I enjoyed swimming here and working with my laptop.

2 beds, for me and for Mama.

We just stayed in the room for a few hours to relax. We prepared ourselves for dinner but we had no idea where to go. We just went to the city center where the van took us there. We ate a simple dinner. We hired a tricycle to bring us back to our accommodation and at the same time, we hired him for tomorrow's day tour in Puerto Princesa.

In the morning, we decided to chill and enjoy our breakfast. I couldn't take photos but I could take photos on the next day. We were not in a hurry as we had enough time and our driver would pick us up when we agreed.

I also had the time to work on my laptop near the swimming pool.

Ka Inato for Lunch

We got out of our place almost during lunchtime but loved to eat. Our tricycle driver recommended Ka Inato and brought us here.

The nice thing about Ka Inato is that they hired Persons with Disability. A deaf-mute person served us food.

Calamares as a starter.

Our fresh mango juice.

We ordered grilled fish and 3 cups of rice.

Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center

Who wants to see the crocodiles?

After lunch, we visited this place. We got introduced to the museum. I will create another blog post for each place we visit.

Holding a baby crocodile, my mother was too scared to hold it feeling like it was slimey or something. So, I dared myself to carry it. The crocodile's mouth was taped.

So, my mom preferred to have her photo taken here.

Butterfly EcoGarden and Tribal Village

After the crocodile farm, we came to see the butterfly garden and tribal village.

It's a mini zoo here. We've seen different animals aside from the butterflies.

With our butterfly wings.

We went to see the village of Tribu Palaw'an, happy to see that they still existed. But I just hope they are well taken care of and not for exploitation.

My mother didn't like to hold a snake so she's better with the guy playing a local instrument.

Mitra's Ranch

The farm or the ranch is owned by a family of politicians. There's a certain fee to pay just to see the family rest house or farmhouse.

You can also do horseback riding if you like.

And zipline!

Baker's Hill

Baker's Hill is just next to Mitra's Farm so better to visit this as well.

Baker's Hill is also owned by a family turning this bakery into a touristic place with a little park and mini zoo.

My mom bought some pastries in the bakery but there were so many people I didn't get the chance to take photos.

Somehow, getting into the premises is for free. Families can enjoy their time, especially on Sundays after church.

Photos with the Oppas

My mom and I waiting for our turn to have our photos taken in this wooden seat when we saw these Korean tourists. Oppa means "older brother" in Korean. I've heard this many times when I watched K-dramas when girls call their boyfriends Oppa. Or fans of K-dramas call any handsome Korean guy Oppa.

My mother and I were laughing when we saw a photo of their friend. So, I asked where was this friend and what happened to him. They said their friend didn't make it on the trip as he was busy with work so they printed a photo of him feeling like he was still part of their trip to Palawan.

Then, they asked me and my mother to join the fun. Hahaha!

Aside from the bakery, they also have a pizza place. And yes, they do have a restaurant but never got the chance to check it out. However, I experienced eating at the restaurant in the later years.

We 2 Hawaiian pizzas and we invited our tricycle driver to join us.

We got back to our place with our full tummy and had a good night's rest.

Our Breakfast

The next day, I was able to take photos of our breakfast. We decided to enjoy our day in our place, just relax and do nothing for a day.

Rice with dried fish, scrambled eggs, and tomato

Rice with pork tocino, sunny side up egg, and tomato

Papaya

I was working on my laptop while my mother was just watching TV in our bedroom. I told her to sleep all day as much as she liked as she never had this kind of well-pampered experience vacation like this. We got an aircon, a nice bathroom, and a comfortable bed to sleep on.

Our Dinner at Puerto Princesa's Baywalk

I was able to finish my online job and my mother had a relaxing day. We decided to go out for dinner, we went to the Baywalk of Puerto Princesa. In this area, there were several local restaurants that offered fresh seafood, barbecue, and other Filipino meals.

On the left side is the sea view, and on the right side are all the restaurants you can choose from.

Grilled eggplant ceviche or eggplant salad

Tinolang isda or Fish Tinola

Grilled pork meat barbecue

We had a hard time finishing our meals. We ordered so much rice, as well. LOL

Ugong Rock Adventures

Our tricycle driver booked our next tour for the next day. Wow, it was so convenient. It was so nice that the tricycle driver gave us a discount because I told him it was my mom's birthday to celebrate in Palawan. The van picked us up for the tour.

In the van, we were also with other tourists who were picked from different hotels. We went to Ugong Rock where tourists have the choice to get into the cave and go ziplining.

My mother and I chose not to so we waited for the other guests while taking pictures around.

My mother enjoyed petting the cat while waiting.

Puerto Princesa Underground River

Of course, the highlight of this trip is to see the Puerto Princesa Underground River which is one of the UNESCO: Seven Wonders of Nature.

We went to Sabang Port as we had to ride a banca or a big boat to see the underground river.

Taking photos of the port.

Mama enjoyed the view.

Let's have a group photo with other tourists.

At last, we arrived.

It is a must to have a photo here. Hehe!

While at Ugong Rock Adventures, this Portuguese guy approached me and asked for a favor to have photos taken in the underground river. He didn't bring any smartphone or camera during this trip. He gave me his e-mail address to send photos later.

And he found a Filipino family on the trip. Hahaha!

And so, he became our photographer. I love this photo with my mother. <3 <3 <3

Happy Birthday to my Mother on September 27. I know this article was a day late but this morning, I woke up happy because my mother visited me in my dream.

I hope you enjoyed our Palawan trip photos with my mother.

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