El Nido, Palawan

We have been on the Fast Ferry for 3 hours and it will take another hour to reach the port of El Nido.

Finally, we are back on solid ground and we have to ride a tricycle for 45 minutes to our accommodation. The roads are only partially paved and we have to be careful not to lose our suitcase. Since our destination is right on the beach, we get stuck in the sand just before reaching it. So we have to get out and push to move forward. The last 500m are impassable for the tricycle, so we have to carry it from here.

We are already expected and taken directly to our 'rooms/cabins'. We are told that there is not always water available (which we experienced firsthand on the second day) and the electricity is sourced solely from the solar panels. The Wi-Fi here is basically non-existent, but that's somehow okay, and we don't need to talk about cell phone reception. All in all, it's the perfect place to relax.

The 'Nacpan Beach', which is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines, is only 500m away from us. Although there are too many day tourists there, our section of the beach is quieter and cleaner. We simply enjoy every second, every ray of sunshine, and every sunset.

The water is crystal clear and the beach is extremely clean. No rows of sunbeds, no sunglasses sellers, and no loud or drunk people.

But see for yourself, pictures speak louder than words.

Paalam.