Kuhl-in Pension is a homestay accommodation partner of Northern Hope Tours in Puerto Princesa City Palawan. We left quite late in El Nido so it’s already 12 midnight when we arrived in Puerto Princesa City.

We stayed here for 3 nights. The accommodation comes with free breakfast. The owners are flexible and negotiable since it’s a homestay. It’s really a home away from home.

The stay here at Kuhl-in Pension comes with free Airport Transfer to and from the airport. This is a plus for me since you don’t have to spend for airport drop-off anymore.

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Thank you Northern Hope Tours for arranging our Palawan escapade itineraries for us.

For booking, you may have it arranged with Northern Hope Tours. Check out their contact details below;
Website: http://www.Northernhopetours.com
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/northernhopetours
Instagram: http://Instagram.com/_northernhopetours

I will not get a commission or anything if you mention my name or my blog (The Purple Slippers) to them when booking but it may earn you a discount. Hehe

Share your Palawan experience below if you have already, but if you are still planning to go there, feel free to drop me a question in the comment section below.

Share the article too, help others get the ultimate vacation you deserve. 

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We are occupying the ground floor room that accommodates 6 people. We are only 4 occupants on this trip. With me is Jam of Traveljams.com, Mike of Iliganonko.com and Doi of TheTravellingFeet.com. The location of this room is good for groups of seniors or aged family members. At that time of travel, they are fully booked.

It has 2 double deck beds with double bed size in the lower bed that fits 2 people. It also has a separate toilet and shower area.

The inn also gives you a towel for use during your stay. They don’t provide toiletries though so don’t forget to bring one. No worries if you did forget, you can buy some in the nearby sari-sari stores too.

If the 10-20 pesos price difference doesn’t bother you for some chips and drinks you can get them somewhere near too. However, if it does, make sure to buy some in Puerto Princesa before you head to El Nido. Just to give you a sample, a 1 liter of Mineral water costs 50 pesos in the stores of El Nido, wherein you can buy a 6L of water in PPS for only 68 pesos. That’s just a sample though if you’re that picky when it comes to water. If you’re not, the Inn has free water upstairs and it’s Mineral water. However, there are times that it runs out in the middle of the night, so it’s still good to buy one for your own consumption.

Our daily breakfasts

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Nacpan Beach in El Nido Palawan is one of the must-visit sites in El Nido. I don’t know what else to say. lol

According to my research (from other blogs), Nacpan Beach is a 4km stretch of powdery sand beach. The beach is still in its virgin beauty. Although resorts are starting to sprout in the area. I just hope it will not be abused like what other touristy beaches in the Philippines right now. Everything seems to be perfect in Nacpan Beach. Despite its distance and difficulty of access roads, people flock and visit Nacpan Beach. It is already touristy, but I am still hoping for its virginity be reserved. 

When we arrived we already saw a portion of the shore with umbrellas and seats for sunbathing for rent. I prefer those shouldn’t be that near to the beach. Small stalls or sheds where already visible and it caters the public for some freshly cooked seafood and other refreshments. 

We had lunch at Kyla’s Cucina, it’s one of the bigger cottages you see on the beach. A lot of bloggers also have blogged about them. And the food is undeniably delicious. The seafood is fresh, not to mention their mussels were huge! haha, it’s my first time to see such size on the table. The group feasted on the food and consumed it in no time. 

 

We arrived at around 11 in the morning. The sun is up and it’s extremely hot that day. Since its already crowdy after lunch, we chose to walk far from the crowd. We found this cute modern cabins that are actually good for overnight stays.

 

 

We walked some more and found this peaceful place. We stopped for some Buko Juice and waited for the sun to set. 

 

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Iligan City is known for its waterfalling adventure trips and a lot of trekking destinations. It is because mountains surround Iligan City and 92% of the total land area is mountains. Thus the tourist destinations mostly revolve around getting wet and trekking. 

TIMOGA SWIMMING POOLS (swim)

Reminder: Iliganons are living with our Muslim brothers and sisters who are pretty conservative, wearing two piece bikinis is something new and will make you stand out. People will surely be staring at you. So if you don’t want such attention, please wear beach shorts or cyclings and swimming tank tops or rash guards or swimsuits instead. But if you would insist, at least we warned you. The locals would usually wear t-shirts and shorts

Entrance fee: 100 pesos (as of October 2016) 
Table Rental: starts at 100 pesos (fits 4-6 persons)

MAZE PARK & RESORT (swim)

NPC NATURE PARK; MARIA CRISTINA FALLS (sight-seeing)

They have memorabilia for sale on the site too.

Zipline Fee: 200* (price may change without prior notice).

Entrance Fee: 35 pesos per person*

ILIGAN PARADISE RESORT; MIMBALOT FALLS  (sight-seeing/swimming)

Iligan Paradise Resort offers overnight stays, fun water and adventure activities and a good view of Mimbalot Falls. They have open cottages for day use too. 

They have also added some human-made lagoon and other attractions to keep their guests entertained with nature. 

Entrance Fee: 35.00 pesos per person
Overnight Rooms for big groups: 6,000

PASEO DE SANTIAGO (sight-seeing)

Paseo de Santiago gained its popularity because of the huge iconic ILIGAN CITY sign along the shores of Brgy Santiago. Privately owned by Atty. Leo Zaragoza and family, it has been a must visit destination in Iligan City since then. They have developed well the property adding PHILIPPINES in the picture, a great design for outdoor parties and hangout place for friends and family. 

Open cottages are free to use. They have a barbecue and other “pica-pica” food and drinks available. They also have concessionaires for other food and drinks. Some bands play on stage every weekend. 

Entrance fee: 10.00 per person; if with live band presentations usually Friday-Sunday 20.00 pesos each.

ILIGAN CITY HALL & BUHANGINAN HILLS (sight-seeing)

Iligan City Hall and Buhanginan Hills is the best place to be for a good overlooking view of the city most especially at night. At day time during office hours, it’s a busy place where almost all the government functions and offices are. {December Photos}

Entrance Fee: FREE

THE STRIP (Food place)

The strip is a food haven for all food lovers. It is where the new food places are in Iligan City. Quezon Avenue Palao Iligan City has become the food district and party place for the new millennials and old folks alike. It’s a one-stop destination for everything you’ve been craving. From appetizers to desserts, from coffee or hard drinks, a chill-out place to hardcore partying. 

Families and groups have been visiting the strip hunting for some good food. 

CENTENNIAL PARK (sight-seeing)

Just a few meters from the boundary of Lugait, Misamis Oriental, and Iligan City is Brgy Dalipuga. Centennial Park houses the tallest flag pole in Iligan City and the biggest Philippine flag so far in the city. Built in commemoration of the Centennial celebration of the Philippine national flag. Centennial Park developed along the shores of Iligan Bay, which gives you the best view of the beautiful sunset at Iligan Bay.

Families, group of friends and lovers love this place because of the romantic scene and a big loan for dry picnics. Bring a blanket or a mat to sat on and your packed dinner and other food and beverages to complete the setup. Make sure to clean and bring your trash after. There are also stores across the park that now sells food and drinks.

MACAPAGAL ANCESTRAL HOUSE (sight-seeing)

Diosdado Macapagal Ancestral House is the house of two former presidents of the Philippines; Pres. Diosdado Macapagal and Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The house was maintained and renovated by the Macapagal Family. The original house is till there, with Pres GMA’s childhood playhouse and swing still intact.

When you enter the house you will see a lot of memorabilia which also tells you a bit of history on how the lady president lived as a teenager. A prominent picture of her was displayed at the house that you surely cannot miss.

They also accept bookings for the parties and events in the new buildings they constructed in the open area of the property. They also have constructed a lodge that accommodates groups staying overnight or few days in Iligan City. The Macapagal Ancestral House is already co-managed by the Iligan City Tourism Office.

Entrance Fee: FREE

KOI CREEK (sight-seeing)

Photos by Douglas A. Garcia [Explore Iligan]

Baslayan Creek used to be a dirty and smelly canal until a group of good citizens cleaned the creek and converted it to a koi pond. The plan was ambitious, but everyone was surprised to see a rehabilitated canal turned into a beautiful sight seeing destination. Located in front  Gaisano Mall.

Update: Clean and Green Baslayan in Purok de Oro, Zone 3, Poblacion. The once polluted creek is now a beautiful pond for Koi to thrive. An exemplary example of a community in action. | Photos by Douglas A. Garcia [Explore Iligan]

Entrance FEE: FREE

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These are the senior and kid friendly touristy destinations in Iligan City if you think I missed on some spots, feel free to contact me to add that up Comment in the comment section below or leave a comment on our Facebook Fan Page.

You may also book through AIRBNB in ILIGAN CITY! Here’s a FREE GIFT when you sign up.

***This post is a request from a loyal reader who will be visiting Iligan City soon. If you want topics to be written on the blog feel free to send me a message on my contact page, your request might be in the next post.***

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• Ramon Q. Avancena Hall of Justice
• Department of Tourism Regional Office VII
• Museo Iloilo
• Department of Agrarian Reform
• Doane Baptist Church
• St. Paul University Iloilo

• 2 single beds
• cable television
• a dining table and chairs
• own bathroom with hot and cold shower
• an open cabinet for the bags
• air-conditioned room
• telephone

The room is okay. It has the vintage feel. You can quickly notice that the room is aged already and haven’t been upgraded for quite some time, yet it still looks decent. For a day, I am booked here with ate Emyat. This accommodation for two is spacious enough for the two of us. 

Our second accommodation is the Family Standard Room which fits 6 individuals (Php 1388 per night + 2 additional persons with beds ). It initially accommodates 4 persons, but you can add 2 more single beds to make it 6. This time my sister is with me and 4 other sisters in Christ from Manila and Iligan City.

I apologize for the chaotic room I don’t really have a decent picture of the room. hehe

• 4 single beds + 1 double deck bed
• own toilet with hot and cold shower
• study tables 
• open and closed cabinets for bags and luggage
• air-conditioned room
• telephone

On our last day (we stayed for 7 days) at River Queen Hotel, we transferred to a smaller room on the second floor; the deluxe family room. The room usually accommodates 4 persons we added 1 extra bed for this. 

• 2 single bed, 1 matrimonial bed + 1 additional single bed
• own toilet with hot and cold shower 
• study tables 
• cabinets for bags and luggage
• air-conditioned room
• telephone
• 21 inch CRT Cable Television

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The moment you enter Garin Farm Pilgrimage Resort, you will be greeted with a vast plantation of vines. They call it the millionaire’s vine. A foul odor is normal because, once again, you are entering a farm. Chicken, cows and other animals are there happy to see you (hehe). 

It will be quite a long walk going up to the cafe where the Pilgrimage and other amenities are. If you feel you can’t walk that long or an elderly is with you, you can choose to pay for a ride from the entrance to the cafe and up to the Divine Mercy Mountain for only 30 pesos per person (roundtrip).

The BAHAY KUBO is really nostalgic for me. It may look like an ordinary nipa hut, which is common to provinces here in the Philippines, but seeing all the vegetables mentioned in the song “Bahay Kubo” planted surrounding the Bahay Kubo makes me euphoric. I admit, although I know the song, I am not familiar to all the vegetables mentioned and how it look like.  Walk around the house and sing-along Bahay Kubo, hehe it was really fun. 

PILGRIMAGE

The Pilgrimage site of Garin Farm is a favorite destination for Catholics who wish to meditate and relieve Christ’s sacrifices and hardship in the way of the cross. 

As you enter the gates, you will see life-size images or relics from Genesis “Creation of Man,” the birth of Christ, Christ’s crucifixion and His Divine Mercy until experiencing a piece of Heaven on Earth.

Looking at the long stairs is a bit scary, most especially for those who are not physically fit, but as you walk your way up, you won’t really feel it much most especially if you are doing the station of the cross and stop in every station. Each site will give you a time to rest for a while.

As you reach the last station, continue your way up to the meditation channel and experience a piece of Heaven on Earth. 

Note: I will not post many pictures on this part, although a lot are on the Internet already. It would really be nice for you to experience it yourself. Feelings are somewhat subjective. Some people may not appreciate it as much as Catholics do. Nonetheless, it has been a favorite tourist destination as they offer adventure amenities and activities also inside the farm. 

I admit I did the shortcut going up the mountain. I rode the golf cart that transports people going up and down the meditation mountain. Design for those who wanted to experience heaven without having to go through the sacrifice of going up using the stairs. I was happy but not fulfilling. I will be visiting this October again. I’ll make sure I’ll do the station of the cross next time.

THE RESORT

Garin Farm Pilgrimage Resort offers accommodation packages for overnight stays. They also have a swimming pool and other fun activities for you, your family and friends. 

And when you’re hungry, the cafe sells their own mixes of ice cream and coffee. They have meals for their resort guests too. 

RATES: [as of February 2017; Rates may change without prior notice] 

Disclaimer: The Purple Slippers family is not connected or associated to Garin Farm Pilgrimage Resort in any way. For bookings and reservation click here.

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The Miagao Church also known as the Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines. [Source: Wikipedia]

Miagao Church is 15-20 minutes away from Garin Farm Pilgrimage Resort. It was just a quick stop when went there because we need to get to our next destination for late lunch. Worth the stopover.

Its altar is full of grandeur just like the other churches in the province. Gold fills the entire altar in yellow.

Looking forward to traveling in Iloilo soon?

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History: [Source: Explore Iloilo] 

Her shrine is often visited by many devotees who believe the statue to be miraculous. This 400-year-old image is the focus of an annual Jaro Fiesta held every February 2.

The Jaro Cathedral is the first and only cathedral in Panay built in 1864. Patriot and orator, Graciano Lopez Jaena was here on December 20, 1856.

A high point in the history of the cathedral was the visit of Blessed Pope John Paul II, who conducted a mass on February 21, 1981. He set a crown upon the Lady of the Candles and declared it the Patroness of the Western Visayas.

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From Jordan Port, you will see the big cross up the mountain and some wind turbines like that of Bangin windmill in Ilocos Norte. Our activity for the say started with going up the Balaang Bukid Shrine. 

Before coming to Iloilo, I did not bother to do some research because I am confident that the group has prepared itineraries for us. And yes, I don’t have any idea at all about Balaang Bukid Shrine, which makes the trip fascinating for me. 

FACTS:

Bala-an Bukid is a landmark in Guimaras known for being a pilgrimage site of Catholic devotees, especially during the Holy Week. This popular site is situated atop Bundulan Point, a short peninsula jutting into the Iloilo Harbor, one of the safest harbors in the world!

Bala-an Bukid, whose Hiligaynon name when translated into English means “Holy Mountain,” is marked by a chapel and a white cross at its peak. The large cross, which is visible throughout the neighboring towns of Jordan and the City and Province of Iloilo, is the culminating point in a Holy Week ritual which includes the world-famous “Ang Pagtaltal sa Bala-an Bukid.”

Trekkers are rewarded with a scenic view of Iloilo City and Jordan, Guimaras once they reach the top. Also on the summit of Balaan Bukid, is the Chapel of Ave Maria Purisima and a huge cross, which can be seen as far away as from Iloilo City’s coast. The peak of Balaan Bukid is a perfect place to relax and reflect because of the serene and tranquil atmosphere.[Source: Discover Guimaras]

Pagtaltal is the re-enactment of the Passion of Christ held annually on Good Friday, and it culminates at the top of Balaan Bukid.  Re-enactors in full costume ‘parade’ up Balaan Bukid with one of them playing the role of ‘Jesus’ carrying the Cross all the way up the mountain and ultimately and actually being crucified to end the annual Pageant. [Source: Historic Philippines]

THE EXPERIENCE:

The experience was unexplainable. While I’m catching my breath and pushing myself up the mountain. I just keep on praying for me to reach the peak safe and for the rest of the members going up to reach the peak of Balaang Bukid. The trail is clear, and there are pit stops, yes the stations of the cross. It was like experiencing the sacrifices of Christ during the passion of the cross. 

#SfcPreIcon2017 delegates

And when you reach the top, it was like heaven. The cool breeze makes you forget how hard it is going up the mountain. 

Well, going down is another story. hehe

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Planning for a trip to Guimaras Island?

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Campuestuhan Highland Resort was originally planned to be a retirement home of the owners. Inspired with the travels they have before they envisioned developing the 5 hectare lot into a tourist destination because of its cold weather like that of in Tagaytay City. It has a lot of great facilities that you and your family can enjoy. To read more about that click here.

Campuestuhan Highland Resort is also a home of adventure rides. These are a must try but not for the faint hearted. Here’s a few that are operational during our visit.

1. ZIPLINE – 200 pesos per person*

2. Rope Course – 200 pesos per person*

3. Sky Bicycle – 100 pesos per person (one way)*

4. Horseback Riding – P150.00/person (15 minutes)

5. Hamster Wheel – P 100.00/person

6. Grand Carousel P 30.00/person

7. Mini Train P 30.00/person

8. Bungee Trampoline

Coming Soon:

1. Chair Lift

During our visit, the chair lift is already there but still non-operational. It is still undergoing safety and maintenance check to make sure that it is safe to ride and ready for public use.

2. Outdoor Gym

3. Windmill

•  Bacolod | Campuestuhan Highland Resort – Facilities
•  Bacolod | Campuestuhan Highland Resort – Accommodations

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