Category: Philippines

Speedboat Cruising, Port Barton Bay

My SIL EJ at the helm of the speedboat.
We dropped by at Sitio Daraga. That’s my wife’s Uncle B showing us around.
The speedboat we used that day.
Some downtime, catching up with my wife’s Uncle B and Aunt A
My wifey making faces while taking over the speedboat steering wheel.
Walking on… sandbar.
A couple of tourist boats are also at the sandbar area.
The speedboat steering wheel and control panel.
My SIL C approves of the snorkeling experience.

Holiday Suites, Port Barton

We stayed at the Holiday Suites near Port Barton Bay. This boutique hotel exemplifies tropical paradise with its lovely position on the beach and gorgeous waters. Holiday Suites has well-appointed rooms and suites for relaxation and modern convenience. Each property is decorated with native elements to merge modern luxury with Palawan’s natural beauty. Private balconies give stunning bay views, and the lush-fringed pool is perfect for relaxing.

The helpful staff makes sure guests’ requirements are met during their stay. The restaurant serves local and foreign cuisine for a gourmet adventure.

Holiday Suites offers an amazing vacation in Port Barton’s pristine beauty, perfect for couples, families, or solo travelers. You can’t go wrong picking this place for you to stay in San Vicente, Palawan.

A few photos

The main dining area has a view of Port Barton Bay.
More sun loungers by the beach.
The hotel swimming pool is beside the hotel dining area.
Everybody in the pool! Well, except me and nephew C.
A cute little bar by the pool and the ocean.

Island Hopping in Port Barton Bay

Port Barton Bay in Palawan attracts tropical vacationers with its gorgeous turquoise waters, hidden coves, and rich marine life. An island hopping tour of this hidden gem will wow you. Island hopping tours are a beautiful way to learn about the region’s natural beauty and the importance of maintaining it. Today, I took part in this activity!

As the boat leaves Port Barton settlement, limestone cliffs and lush flora meet you. The first destination is frequently German Island, where pristine white sand invites relaxation. Snorkeling in the coral gardens shows the bay’s diverse marine life.

Next, Inaladelan Island, or “Turtle Island,” as our boatmen explains, provides the experience of seing peaceful sea turtles sliding over the water. We weren’t too lucky as we only saw one. Boatmen says the turtles haven’t been seen that much since the last strong typhoon a few months ago that battered the area.

Further on, Exotic Island shows Palawan’s stunning emerald waters and golden sands. The tour ends with a visit to the sandbar of the Starfish Island. This lovely spot for snorkeling, kayaking, or just relaxing in the sun lives up to its name.

A few island hopping photos:

Boatmen stopped at the Twin Reef in Port Barton Bay and gave passengers time to check the wonder. All with instructions not to harm the reefs in any way.
I think the boat is named “Olivia Plissen”.
Another view from just above the Twin Reef.
It’s amazing how clear the waters are.
Our boat beached near the southern edge of Albguan Island to take our lunch break.
Fresh coconut which I bought for the water. Would have been truly refreshing if I could put ice in it but the island doesn’t have it.
While waiting for lunch to be served, this chicken jumped on our table.
Lunch is served for the “island hoppers”. Chicken, squid, crabs, pork, noodles, fish, eggplants, and mangoes. Other fruits not in photo.
Post lunch lull.
Lunch was served earlier at this small hut.
This rocky part is just near the Kayoya and Inadauan Islands, not that far from Albguan.

Port Barton Beach

After a one and a half hour van ride from the San Vicente Airport, we arrived at Port Barton beach. We checked in at the Port Barton Holiday Suites. (We have reservations, month prior, which includes the ride that fetched us from the airport.) I think we got ourselves a truly awesome spot. I’d let the photos speak for themselves.

Some Port Barton beach photos:

“I Love Port Barton”
Late afternoon swimmers and a dog.
A young boy hangs on a makeshift swing while his playmates watch.
I have no words for the beauty of this place.
A young boy rushes to the waters as the sun starts to set.
Raining when we arrived. Could be more of it the coming days.

San Vicente Airport, Palawan

Map of San Vicente Airport
San Vicente Airport – Location Map

We’re headed to Palawan, an archipelagic province here in the Philippines, situated in the region of Mimaropa. We’re flying in via the San Vicente Airport in the municipality of San Vicente. San Vicente lies on Palawan’s northwestern shore facing the South China Sea. (Please refer to the map above.) The municipalities of Taytay and Puerto Princesa City border it northeast and south.

It was raining when we got there. We were relieved that there weren’t any weather systems that would have disrupted our flight from Metro Manila.

Now for some work-free time!

Here are a few photos. Click for a bigger view.

Heading to the airport’s Arrival area.
The ATR 72-500 of Sunlight Express Airways that flew us here from Manila.
San Vicente tourism collaterals at the Arrivals area
I’m looking forward to some R&R.

Guess I’ll see you in Cebu

Brace yourselves, fellow roasted pig lovers, for this shocking bit of news: One of our favorite lechon places is shutting down all its branches in Metro Manila. Boo-hoo!

Famous lechon spot Zubuchon will permanently close its doors in Metro Manila this August.

The restaurant made the announcement on Tuesday, Aug. 8 via a Facebook post.

“It’s time to move on,” it said. “Zubuchon will be closing down its huge commissary and all restaurant branches in Manila this August.” 

“All our branches in Cebu remain open and we hope to continue expanding there,” they wrote. “A majority of our Manila team have been placed in other good positions even before we post this announcement,” they added. 

Zubuchon to cease operations in Metro Manila

For a number of years, this restaurant has been more than a spot to chow down—it’s been a hub for culinary enthusiasts, a hideout for food fanatics, and a comforting refuge for the lechon-loving crowd. Every trip there was like a taste-bud treasure hunt, taking us from the crunchy skin to the tantalizing meat, leaving us in a state of flavor-induced lechon euphoria.

To the team behind this piggy paradise, a thunderous thank you is in order. As this chapter comes to an end, remember this: while delicious things may conclude, they make way for fresh, tasty beginnings. Let’s raise our forks, or perhaps a pata (pig leg), to the memories that will forever be etched in our storytelling and smiles.

See you in Cebu!

(Note: This is not a paid advertisement. I just love their lechon.)