"The long table is in the middle filled with seafood. The ocean breeze turned to regular wind and we're literally isolated from any structure."

[PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES] ▬ In a city full of blessings of nature worthy to be bragged, it's with a great pride and honor to become a guest of the city of Puerto Princesa. The local government unit, the tourism department and all the private individuals and organizations did make a great job in keeping their city a favorite destination for most. I'm saying this because I'm one lucky lad who experienced the beauty of the place and its people.

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ▬ FLOATING RESTAURANT AT PUERTO BAY
Photo taken by Edmar Guquib on 11 November 2015
Camera: Canon IXUS 105

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ▬ HELLO! WELCOME TO PUERTO PRINCESA!

The beauty of the place comes with different activities from different perspectives. In the middle of the Puerto Princesa Bay fronting the West Philippine Sea, there's a secluded party happening.

With such great set of seafood, the ocean zephyr, inspiring night view of the Puerto Princesa baywalk and a cultural performance to spice the atmosphere with a hip vibe, I couldn't ask for more.

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ▬ PUERTO BAYWALK DOCK AREA
Photo taken by Edmar Guquib on 11 November 2015
Camera: Canon IXUS 105

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► LEAVING THE DOCK AREA

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► BOATS DOCKED NEAR THE BAYWALK

▬ The Start ▬

IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT IN PUERTO Princesa. I've just enjoyed the street dancing a while back and the clock turned so fast. The night has come. Sea waves' sound play the music of nature as they smash the shore gently. Neon lights lit up the baywalk lined with hawker stalls. The bay area was so alive that I never felt indifferent, uninspired. There's no baywalk in my hometown and what a joy for me to spend a lively night in an open air seaside park.

The sound of nature was being vanquished by the loud pop music playing from different points in the baywalk. Some people released a sound by shouting in joy. Some squealed in laughter. Indeed, this is fun place.

When it's time to leave the place (I was waiting for the instruction of the event organizers), I positioned my head for the final glance of this lively night space under the moon. I approached the sandy shoreline and stood near the edge of the boulevard that runs parallel with the beach line. I was enjoying the lovely seaside air, Palawan version, that's letting my brain bleed with beautiful memories of the past.

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ▬ PUERTO PRINCESA BAY
Photo taken by Edmar Guquib on 11 November 2015
Camera: Canon IXUS 105

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► THE SEASIDE BOULEVARD AS SEEN OFF THE COAST

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► SAILING THE DARK SEA, HE IS THE KEEN WATCHER

Guests excitedly boarded in the white boat. A piece of durable wood served as a short footpath connecting the boat and the land. A little caution is needed not to fall to the water but I think the chance of falling is minimal since it was well-secured. Besides, the crew was so caring for us guests.

After all the guests occupied the seats, the boat is ready to sail. A tour guide started telling great facts and trivia about Palawan that I think helped alleviate the worry and/or fear of sinking. Well, personally, I crazily thought about it.

It was a dark space, no visible horizon to enjoy, no sunset, just plain darkness with occasional light coming from other boats on the bay. After around 15 minutes of sailing, I'm seeing a well-lighted stationary floating structure from afar. Eventually, I learned it's our destination.

On how the floating restaurant managed to stay still amid waves is such a big deal for me since I've never seen like this before. I was told it's anchored somewhere at the ocean floor—I didn't know if this was true, a joke or a sarcasm but my ignorance really doesn't have any idea and I have no choice but to become gullible.

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► WITH FELLOW BLOGGER KIRA ON BOARD THE BOAT

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► ARRIVING TO OUR DESTINATION

▬ Seafood Party in the Middle of Nowhere ▬

I LOST MY ORIENTATION FOR DIRECTION WHEN we finally reached the place. I didn't know where was the north, the south, the east and the west.

So we occupied the space prepared for us. The long table is in the middle filled with seafood. The ocean breeze turned to regular wind and we're literally isolated from any structure.

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► THE TIRED AND HUNGRY PEOPLE

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► THIS CHICKEN WIRE PREVENTED US FROM ACCIDENTAL DIVING.

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► OH WELL...

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► THE LONG TABLE

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► CRUSTACEANS!

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► SEA GRAPES

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► MEATY FISH

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► THIS WAS MY PERSONAL WINNER.

▬ Konek-tibo Percussion Group ▬

FOR ME, ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF this dinner is the cultural show I watched. They offered a non-mainstream genre of music that admittedly, pleasing to my ears.

They mainly used percussion instruments and what an amazing way to create a lovely sound by just tapping and smashing the instruments together.

The name of the group is Konek-tibo.

[PUERTO PRINCESA] ► KONEK-TIBO CULTURAL TROUPE

▬ The Operator ▬

IF YOU LIKE A SETTING LIKE THIS, you can actually book a night with your family or friends. This dinner party is operated by Dolphin and Whales Travel and Tours.

For more information and booking, contact Angelo E Cayabo at 0915-263-2105 or visit their office at 399 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City 5300. You can also email them at dwhalestraveltours@yahoo.com. Included in the package is a firefly watching tour at Sicsican River. / end

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This dinner was made possible through the LGU of Puerto Princesa and its City Tourism Office during the PPUR Day's Bonggang Bakasyon. Thanks Heather Tejada and your team for the kindness!

[2] This post is filed under the category "Night Leisure." To see more posts from this category, scroll down and look for the "More Posts from this Category..." section below.

[3] All maps I used on this post are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2 | - Thanks geeks! You're making the blogosphere cool!