Traveling in the Philippines often involves traveling from one island to another.
Sometimes, it's a fast plane ride, other times, it's a long boat trip.
My sister recently took one of these longer trips, a local ferry ride that took her from Roxas to Araceli, both in Palawan.
Her journey started at the port in Roxas, Palawan.
This port is busy with local boats.
It's where people and goods travel between islands.
They got on a local ferry, and this would be their ride for the next eight hours, all the way to Araceli.
The ticket cost 400 pesos.
This price included not just the long boat ride, but also a simple lunch served on the boat.
Discovering Araceli: Beach, Language, and Kiteboarding
As they arrived in Araceli, the first place they checked out was Tinintinan Beach, located near the town center.
This beach is special.
People here speak Cuyonon, their local language.
Tinintinan Beach is also a spot for kiteboarding.
My sister met a foreign couple there who teach this sport, and even yoga, to local kids every summer.
What's cool is how they ask for "payment" from the kids for the lessons... they ask them to join them in cleaning the beach shore.
It's a smart way to teach both sports and responsibility!
It seems to be part of their business too.
Also, unlike busy places like Puerto Princesa, you will not see a lot of foreign tourists here in Araceli.
But there are some, especially those looking for a quiet and peaceful escape.
It's truly a hidden gem for those who want to get away from the crowds. Hehe.
The Quiet Charm and Friendly Faces of Araceli
What also really stands out about Araceli is how super quiet it is.
It's a peaceful place where you can really relax. And the people there? They are so friendly!
They share their smiles with you, even if you’re just walking down the street.
It makes you feel very welcome.
Near where they stayed, there was a beach right in a residential area, and it was free to swim.
In fact, most of the beaches in Araceli don't have entrance fees. It’s a wonderful perk of the place!
My sister also shared a funny story. 😅
One time, they forgot the key to the house.
Our cousin, Ren-Ren, had to climb through the window to get inside and open the door. 🤣
Good thing she's small, so it was a bit easier for her to squeeze in! Haha.
For their local delights, they also found a cashew tree there.
According to my sister, the cashews are really yummy. But, they have this sticky sap that's hard to remove, especially if it gets on your clothes.
Cashews are actually very famous in Araceli... It's their special fruit.
The Challenge of Healthcare: A Remote Hospital Story
Beyond the beautiful sights, there are also real-life challenges in remote places like here in Araceli.
My sister shared something about the local hospital there that really struck me.
It's located quite far, almost in the middle of two towns on the island, up in the mountain area.
The road to get there is very rough.
It’s funny, but also sad, to imagine someone having an accident and then needing to conquer that bumpy road just to get help.
With painful wounds, they might get even more bruised just from the ride itself.
She also told me a memorable, almost movie-like, story.
A family rushed to the hospital after hearing a relative was in an accident.
They saw a person covered with a blanket and nearly started crying, thinking it was their loved one.
Then, they realized it was just the patient in the bed next to their relative! 🤣
They all laughed, saying it was just like a scene from a movie, but it really happened. Haha.
But jokes aside, it highlights a serious issue.
The situation there can be tough.
For emergency patients, getting medicine or critical care instantly is a huge problem because the hospital is just too far and the roads are bad.
It's a reminder of the struggles faced by communities in remote areas.
Until my next travel story...
Thanks for the visit! Have a lovely day. Buh-bye. 💗🌸
All photos are from my sister, shared with permission.
