Here we are after three plane rides, a brief night’s sleep in Manila, bouncing along in a packed van in Palawan. We landed at the Puerto Princesa Airport via Air Asia. Hoping to be greeted by our ride to a boat, and then a boat ride to our long-awaited island resort. Instead, I realized the grave mistake I made once we landed. We are at the wrong airport and now have to take a van ride to get to the pickup point. Ooops!
After our 1.5 hour plane ride from Manila, we deplaned, walked across the tarmac to enter the tiny airport and were promptly screened for a fever, sloshed our feet through some disinfectant (swine flu), and waited for our bags. I walked over to the transportation counter an was told there was a van ride for 700 pesos each ($14 USD) for this ride. Oh, good, I thought, well it can’t be that far then. That’s quite cheap. Hahahaha…little did I know.
We left the airport after collecting our bags from one of two carousels. Walked across the street to be greeted by the van people. I told them we wanted to go to El Nido, and they said “the terminal,” to which I agreed. No idea what I agreed to, so I showed the lady where we wanted to go (the name of the resort on my phone) and she said yes. After I paid with what money Matt had secured from the exchange that morning at the Manila airport, our luggage was whisked away to an awaiting van. I hurried after it, and climbed into the way back, by the window. Matt took the opposite window, and we saw there for what seemed like eternity (foreshadowing much?)
I decided to google map our location to the El Nido terminal and complete dread spread across my face. Oh my gosh – 5 to 6 hours in this van? With at least 6 other people. WOW – not at all what I planned or expected… and all for a mere $28. Uh oh. I don’t dare tell Matt. We continued to be packed in like sardines, sardines in a van that wasn’t running yet. It was hot, humid, and I was horrified at this now unexpected adventure that I didn’t really want to be on. Instead I wanted to be on the speedboat headed towards island paradise.
We finally get going and after 2.5 hours of watching the countryside through the window, we stopped at this Halfway Cafe – aptly named. At least we got to sit down, have a mango smoothie, see the ocean, and watch the stray dogs beg for food. It’s about the journey, right?
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