PALAWAN PARADISE: A Fun and Relaxing Getaway
Let me share with you the story of a bittersweet yet unforgettable trip to Palawan with my family—a journey that included a wake and a seamless boat tour.
Photo taken at “100 Steps” hilltop.
In the first week of January 2025, I returned home to the Philippines with a heavy heart. My mother passed away from a massive stroke, and her sudden death extended my planned vacation at the end of January longer than I had anticipated.
My children booked a trip for us to the island of Palawan. Although I was born in the Philippines, I had never visited this beautiful island before leaving for the US as a working immigrant. All I had seen were enticing photos and videos online, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
We prepared by taking prophylactic antimalarial medications, as we had heard that malaria is endemic in the southern part of the island.
Prior to the trip, while I was in Iloilo, I contracted a stomach bug following my mother’s funeral. I was hospitalized for six days, and as a precaution, I ensured that when my children arrived, we only drank distilled or purified bottled water.
I flew from Iloilo City to Manila to pick up my children at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. They didn’t arrive until the following day because their airplane had to take a detour to Madrid due to an emergency. My cousin Belen, her son, and I decided to have a delicious dinner at the Mall of Asia, which was close to where we were staying. Unfortunately, while we were waiting to be seated, my phone was stolen. I later learned that phone theft is common in Manila, particularly involving iPhones. I felt fortunate to have my cousin and her son with me—they provided much-needed comfort and support.
Photo taken at the first island stop on our boat tour.
When my children arrived the next day, we took a full day of rest before our trip to Palawan.
The following day, we flew to Palawan with a couple of hours’ layover in Cebu. When we reached San Vicente Airport, the airline had failed to transfer one of our checked bags. It was a blessing that my daughter-in-law had booked a rental for a night there. Since the rental was far from town, we moved to another place and found one within walking distance of a grocery store.
We were fortunate to have a reliable tuk-tuk driver who took us to a steep hill known as the “100 Steps.” Although the owner of the attraction manned the entrance, the climb—despite its name—felt like 1,000 steps. It was quite a hike, but it was all worth it. The view from the top was stunning; you could see the inviting ocean and the gorgeous beachline of San Vicente.
The next day, we returned to the airport to retrieve our lost bag. We were so relieved to be reunited with it—otherwise, my children would have had no change of clothes. We then hired a minivan for an almost four-hour ride to El Nido. When we reached our Airbnb, it was already dinner time. Although we were tired, we managed to cook a scrumptious meal. In the morning, we awoke to the sight of lush farmland—a beautiful way to start our day!
We took another tuk-tuk to our Boatman’s Tour meeting place, joining a group of 20 tourists. The Boatman’s Dream tour guides were fun and very helpful. We rode a long jeepney that took us to the port where our boat and the rest of the crew waited.
After the coast guard inspected and gave their thumbs up, the boat sailed, and the fun began. All the crew and guests introduced themselves. We enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by Chef Hector while taking in the seascape—the glistening sea under the sun, the lush green shore, and magnificent rock formations highlighted by drifting, cotton-white clouds.
Sailing gave me a glimpse into the lives of my father and brothers, who once worked as merchants. The journey became an exploration of self-discovery and allowed me to connect with people from various nationalities, including Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and fellow Americans. I am very happy to say that all the guests were kind-hearted and fun-loving individuals. Everyone contributed to making my boat trip experience unforgettable.
Why is Palawan a paradise? They say you’re in paradise if you’re free from worries—and that’s exactly how I felt. Despite losing my mom, contracting a stomach bug, and losing my cellphone, all my stress melted away.
Exploring the islands and enjoying the activities arranged by the Team Pink Boatmen kept us busy. We relaxed while the boat sailed, played volleyball on the beach, swam, played card games and Jenga, laughed, and simply had fun. I even learned how to snorkel, paddle board, and kayak.
The turquoise water was enchanting. The variety of corals and fish kept us excited to put on our snorkeling gear, and the perfectly warm water made it hard to leave. The smooth, relaxing sand embraced our feet whenever we stepped onto the beach.
Palawan is indeed a paradise!
Thank you for reading, and I hope my story captured your attention and if you’re looking into boat trips like I mentioned, check out the link below.
Disclaimer: This is not a paid advertisement for Big Dream Boatman. I truly enjoyed our boat trip, and because of that, I highly recommend them for their excellent service.