Woke up early morning against the Dutchman's will as we have a schedule to follow. We had breakfast at the Microtel but the Dutchman didn't really enjoyed it as most of the food are pork. Longganisa, pork tapa and pork lumpiang shanghai to name the few, however I enjoyed everything! We are waiting for our tour guide to advised us when the van is here.
Today we are going to Subterranean River or Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The river flows beneath a spectacular karts mountain before emptying into South China Sea and it the Longest navigable underground river.
We travelled 2 to 3 hours of long and winding rugged road. First stop, we took pictures of Honda Bay and Ugong Rock from a distance at this viewing deck. It was nothing to me at that time. I am very much looking forward to the Subterranean River cruise, instead of this front acts.
Second destination of the Day, The UGONG ROCK!
Ugong Rock is a limestone formation located in the scenic Barangay Tagabinet, a few kilometers away from the well-known Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
What is Ugong Rock?
Ugong Rock is a 75-foot limestone formation in the midst of farmlands and karst forests or forests growing on limestone substrate in Barangay Tagabinet, a once sleepy community of indigenous peoples. The word “ugong” stands for the reverberating sound (similar to a bell) that stalactites produce inside the cavernous structures of Ugong Rock when hit or pounded with the knuckles or the palm.
What’s so special about the Ugong Rock limestone formation tour?
There seems to be nothing special about a rock, or Ugong Rock, for that matter. But discovery awaits the curious tourist looking for a place of challenge. The tour in Ugong Rock is actually a climb to the top of the limestone formation. Tourists need to wear a helmet to prevent head injuries while squeezing themselves through holes and cracks and protect pockets to prevent the camera from hitting the hard limestone while actively climbing up a steep incline midway in the tour.
No worries for chubby climbers. Local tour guides are ready to assist.
The tour consists of an hour or less walk through narrow cracks and caverns, climbing up ladders, and squeezing through narrow holes and crevices that will barely allow chubby, plump persons to go through. About midway, tourists need to clamber upwards a steep incline with the aid of two lines of rope. For those who are not athletic enough or the heavier ones, the tour guides are ready to make the push necessary to hurdle this challenging ascent towards the top of Ugong Rock. Just a few more squeezes and ladder climb, the tourist reaches the top where a view deck awaits. The tour guides provide a cool towel wipe to refresh tourists who sweated it out.
http://factoidz.com/ugong-rock-a-limestone-formation-tour-through-nooks-and-crannies/
After the a half hour climb, it took us 21 seconds each to get down, via Zip Line! It was fun. The Dutchman went on first as the anticipation of waiting kills him. I was giggling and laughing my head off as I was nervous, when it was my turn when I was all fastened and ready to jump, I said, this is suicide... Im not doing this. But the locals whose managing the zip line are so reassuring, so I jumped! It was all worth it! I will definitely do it again. We even have certificate to proved it that I made it thought the Ugong Rock Zip line, worth 20 pesos!
Third Destination, Mangrove boating tour.
The Tour guide for Mangrove boating tour is Aling Aida (mangrove lady) and Manong Itoy (the taga-sagwan). They even sing a song for us while on the boat. Manong Itoy does the instrumental bit and keeps on banging my chair as the Dutchman and I was sat the back of the boat. It was annoying but he keeps giving us additional informations about the place and most importantly the whereabouts of the venomous snakes. Its an educational tour, they told us the importance of the Mangroves and wildlife was amazing, if you look up you'll see snakes are hanging on a mangrove tree and when you look in the water you can see school of fish while the boat is passing by the flawless river. It looks like a scene from Indiana Jones movie. It was raining a bit, but the rains just add up the drama of the scenery.
Fourth destination: Sabang Beach, had lunch prepared by the locals and drinks for free. We were offered if we like to try the wood worms or oysters I opted for oysters instead. Its only100 pesos per serving we gave the woman 20 pesos more. Wood worms are very clean as they eat wood. But they are both aphrodisiac. Hmm... lets see! The Dutchman had a few and stop me from eating the rest of the oysters as its not in its shell anymore, he said he doesn't trust it as he doesn't know when it was taken out of the shell. I enjoyed it!
We strolled along Sabang Beach collecting sea shells and wood rock, writing our names on the sand to passed the time, as we are booked to be in the Subterranean River at 4pm... yes booking needed to go in that river! Thankfully as its a package, the Tour guide already booked it ahead for us. We are just waiting for the boat to take us there. They don't want the place to overcrowd, and I agree.
Fifth destination: the Subterranean River or the Underground River.
Finally, the long wait is over! I can see
Armed with 3 kinds of Mosquito repellant lotion and patches that matches my dress... we bravely went inside the famous Subterranean River. It was breathtaking. We were told not to say "Wow"with an open mouth, for precautionary purposes otherwise you might catch a warm "bat shit", if it is cool thats alright that might me a mineral water. Inside the river we saw 2 black cats, the Holy Family, Virgin Mary in the Cathedral, tinanic, inverted poo, and many more!
We saw a lot of beautiful things today and I am so thankful. The Ugong Rock is my personal favourite.
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