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Palawan Philippines Stay

El Nido Stay | Tapik Beach Park: Serene Home at East El Nido

El Nido sunrise at Tapik Beach Park
El Nido sunrise at Tapik Beach Park

Discover East El Nido, the cultural side of this paradise region of Palawan. West El Nido with its dramatic karst islands and stunning beaches in Bacuit Bay may be the main draw for tourist but there’s fulfilment in discovering the quiet side of El Nido East with unspoilt beaches, island and incomparable marine life than the other side. The perfect home base in discovering the wonders of the east is Tapik Beach Park, a rustic, family-run, beachfront lodging in Sibaltan El Nido offering spartan native beach huts accommodation to more sophisticated beach cottages with elaborate designs.

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Palawan Philippines Stay

El Nido Stay | Mahogany Beach Resort: Beachfront Bliss in Corong-corong

Dusk by the infinity pool at the Mahogany Beach Resort
Dusk by the infinity pool at the Mahogany Beach Resort

Modern tropical-inspired bungalows and villas widely spaced apart for the guest’s utmost privacy. A private beachfront garden with sand and bermuda grass patterns forming natural pathways where people can pleasantly walk barefoot. A small but scenic pool facing the beach where guest can lounge around and watch the changing hues until dusk. For a pace like El Nido town bustling with development, El Nido Mahogany Beach Resort is a breath of fresh air from the often cold and characterless lodgings in El Nido Town.

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Palawan Philippines

Everyday El Nido from East to West in 25 Photos Captured using Honor 6

Corong-corong Panorama with the Honor 6
Corong-corong Panorama with the Honor 6

I could never get tired of walking by the beach in the afternoon after work. In fact I look forward to what the sunset would be like that day. It’s never the same, especially when the amorphous clouds roll in to paint the sky towards the end of the day. El Nido, Palawan has been my home for almost three months and it’s one of the places in the country I wouldn’t mind staying long. When an opportunity arose to work on a project there, I grabbed it immediately. How can I say no to a place surrounded by inviting turquoise waters, dramatic karst islands and captivating sunsets almost everyday? While I go around my ways in El Nido, most of the time walking, I didn’t carry my DSLR or compact camera all the time. It was my smartphone that captured most of the everyday scenery I see, and quite recently the 13MP prowess of the Huawei Honor 6 takes center stage. Here are photos of El Nido that made me appreciate the beauty of the destination every day.

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Bike Touring Mountains Palawan Philippines Travel

El Nido | Bike and Climb to Mt Mansilawit Pasadeña

Trail dog Tsatik overlooking the summit of Mt Mansilawit
Trail dog Tsatik overlooking the summit of Mt Mansilawit

 

The mountain’s Hersheys chocolate kisses-like shape makes it an eye-catching roadside attraction when passing through the main highway of Pasadeña to Barotuan, about 12km north of El Nido from the town center. But it took a while before someone conquered the summit of Mt Mansilawit despite its low elevation as there were tales of giant snakes and notorious monkeys living on this mountain. Pasadeña Native couple, Sylvia and Alex were brave enough to explore and are now lead guides to share the wonders of this little mountain. I decided to bike here from town since I’ve been curious about this mountain and I thought biking would be the best way to see other places en route. It took me almost an hour to reach the signage pointing the way to the mountain.

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Palawan Philippines Travel

El Nido | The Wakat Wakat Mangroves Boardwalk at Bubulungan

The Wakat Wakat Mangrove boardwalk
The Wakat Wakat Mangrove boardwalk

I’ve been long interested with the mangroves of El Nido. Yes, the place is most known mainly for it’s dramatic karst islands, blue lagoons and scenic beaches. But El Nido also has a rich mangrove eco-system. I was originally looking for a way to visit the Aberawan Mangroves but it’s not a popular tour and could cost me a lot. I was told of the Wakat Wakat Mangroves of Bubulungan, just at the border of El Nido town proper. Decided to spend an afternoon to look for this place.

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Palawan Philippines Stay Travel

El Nido Stay | Nacpan Calitang Twin Beach Accommodations

Dusk at El Nido's scenic twin beach
Dusk at El Nido’s scenic twin beach

Distance won’t stop tourist from visiting these natural gems of the north in El Nido, Palawan. The Nacpan Calitang Twin Beach has grown in popularity that tourist would rent motorbikes, hire tricycles and join van tours just to reach this set of beach 17.5km up north from El Nido town. I can’t blame them, as I have been here several times and the beaches are always mesmerizing to see. Playful waves, soft golden sands, scenic hills and still unspoilt by mass development. Visitors frequent the beach daily, usually as day trips, but staying overnight at these beaches yields a much richer rural experience.

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Festivals Palawan Philippines Travel

El Nido Ati-atihan | Barotuan Festival 2014

A kid getting painted as part of his costume
A kid getting painted as part of his costume

“I feel a little tipsy” I told my friends. I think it was a bad idea to drink that cupful of emperador in one gulp. I couldn’t refuse the drink out of good gesture from the locals. Now I’m wondering if the lechon I’m looking at has really lost the rest of its body with only the head left rotating on the fire. The Barotuan Festival parade hasn’t even started yet and I find myself trying to find a seat to gather my senses back. I guess if you go to any ati-atihan celebration, there’s always a chance you’ll get a little alcohol in your system aside from that little soot on your face.

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