We wanted to explore Baywalk, the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral and Plaza Cuartel but we were doubtful if we should go or not since it was around 5:30 PM in the afternoon. We may not have enough time to explore these places due to poor sunlight but thinking of doing nothing for the whole day did not go well with us.
It was a good thing that we stayed in WE Travelers Inn, one of the most convenient places to stay in Puerto Princesa, since it was just walking distance from Baywalk. But we decided to ride a tricycle since we needed to get there faster.
5:50 PM We were in front of WE Travelers Inn asking a tricycle to take us to Baywalk. He said 20 Pesos and we agreed.
5:56 PM Arriving at the Baywalk with the sunset covered mostly by clouds we tried to walk to explore while heading to the other end where the port was.
It was full of lively people playing around or just sitting having a conversation or maybe contemplating on what did life threw at them.
There was this lonely statue, unmaintained with tiles on its pedestal were chipping away. Yet it was a symbol of hope because her head was held high smiling while she raises one hand as a perch for two birds. I spent my time looking at this lone stature with bangkas underneath.
We kept on walking to the other side while observing people and the scenery of the calm sea and the mountains on the other side.
We passed by the boats that would take another batch of travelers for the Baycruise Dinner with Firefly Watching. We did this the week before and I would highly recommend this if you plan a visit to Puerto Princesa.
6:11 PM We reached the other end of the Baywalk where bicycles can be rented for less than a hundred per hour.
We were looking for a tricycle to take us to Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral but there was none in the vicinity. We asked one of bike renters where we could take a tricycle and he pointed us to go walk back where we came from. We asked for an alternative and he said that we could actually walk going there. He pointed the direction and off we went walking to Immaculate Concepcion.
Along the way we had to ask directions since we were not familiar with the streets of Puerto Princesa even if we were looking at Google Maps.
6:21 PM We arrived at Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral. On the outside it was a modern church with lots of smoothed cement but on the inside it was a sight to behold.
A large hall with huge beams of would arching to the center of ceiling. In the middle of every bended beam there were wood slabs carved with great detail. Rectangular box lights were dangling on the ceiling.
Chairs were rowed perfectly going to the large pulpit in the front. There were a few people praying.
Statues on every corner symbolizing Jesus Christ and other saints were around.
It was just a sight to behold.
6:25 PM Conveniently, Plaza Cuartel was located beside Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral.
Though it was a park for me it was a museum where it reminded us of the suffering during the Second World War.
According to the guard on duty there was no entrance fee to enter the park and they open and close at 8AM to 8PM.
The place was surrounded by huge trees and shrubs for the place to have a feeling of nature.
Aside from the physical things the panels with pictures and writing on the suffering that happened in Puerto Princesa during the World War 2 is the true beauty of this place. It reminded me of the cost of war and it made me think why the country had to go through it.
For now I am just glad that we no longer are at war with other countries but we still have a long way to go to improve our country.
6:37 PM We decided to revisit the Immaculate Concepcion Church again for us to go inside.
6:46 PM We were asking a tricycle driver to take us to NCCC. We were getting our newly washed clothes from there.
After getting our laundry we went back to WE Travelers Inn for some rest and dinner.
I am glad that we pushed ourselves to visit these places even if we had little time to do it. Palawan is truly more than beaches and islands.