On our last day in Puerto Princesa, we decided to have a quick city tour before saying goodbye to Palawan.
Most of us will (in fact, half of the group) depart at one in the afternoon, including myself. My scheduled departure is 1:55 P.M. While the first batch in the group will depart at 1:20 P.M.
I have already packed my belongings early in the evening, it is decided that those who have a scheduled flight in the mid-noon will bring their baggage along because our rented Van will bring us straight to the airport after the quick city tour.
By eight in the morning, we started traversing the city. Puerto Princesa in general has an urban vibe just like Bacolod, Legaspi, or Naga. The roads are all concrete not asphalt. Not much of a skyscraper type but there are new buildings/properties that are in progress.
Palawan in general is a haven of nature. Trees are everywhere. And it looks like the government is promoting an eco-ways of lifestyle. One of its transport systems, its unique version of a tricycle can only carry three passengers. Its SM Mall design, I think is unique in the Philippines. I mean, most SM Malls have the same design, anywhere you go, right?
The SM City Puerto Princesa has cost-efficient, energy-saving as well as disaster-mitigation features. The three-storey mall, which spans a floor area of over 69,000 square meters has high or clerestory windows to allow natural lighting and minimize the use of electricity during day time.
Restaurant and toilet waste are treated via the sewage treatment plant. Rainwater collection is incorporated with the water recycling system which will be repurposed for toilet flushing, plant irrigation, cleaning or maintenance, and other non-potable purposes that helps in the conservation of freshwater. Recycled water will also be used in the air-conditioning system’s chilled water and cooling towers to reduce freshwater consumption. Paver blocks are strategically used in the parking areas to allow rainwater penetration on the grounds to replenish the underground water table.
Its exterior walls use six-inch thick concrete hollow block (CHB) walls treated with an insulating finish to help reduce the consumption of electricity by the air-conditioning system.
Because we don't have much time, we have agreed to just stop by the well-known attractions and have some picture taking. Just to have proof we've been there when in Palawan. Lol.
The next stop is the Crocodile Farm. True enough we've just taken a picture on the signage that says Crocodile Farm or take a selfie near a sculptured crocodile at the entrance. Getting inside will take more time. And there are actually quite a queues during the time of our visit.
It's already 10:30 in the morning. Our last stop will be Baker's Hill. Baker's Hill is a popular attraction in the city.
Situated atop a hill in Barangay Santa Monica, Puerto Princesa. What started out as a bakery known for its delicious pastries, particularly hopia, eventually developed into a picturesque park. It is a private property, which the owners graciously open to the public.
Baker’s Hill is the perfect go-to place to buy “pasalubong” (gifts to bring home from a trip.) Aside from their popular hopia, they sell mouth-watering baked goods such as crinkles, cakes, bread, pastillas, and pizza among others.
It is also a good choice for lunch or snacks. There are restaurants and snack bars in the park that serve delectable cuisine. It is known for “tamilok”, a famous exotic Filipino delicacy, often found in the provinces of Palawan and Aklan. It’s also called woodworm, the wood-eating larvae of many species of beetle.
But more than the food or delicacies, people are coming to this place not for food hunting but for Instagrammable photos and selfies. The place is lovely in every spot. My favorite is their viewing deck with hearts on the top, and with a spiral ladder before getting to the deck.
I was actually running when I am doing a Facebook Live here. Because of the time constraint. I need to at least to show a glimpse of Baker's Hill.
Baker's Hill ala Blair Witch Project video. Lol
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