Since Chester's miraculous recovery, and my new found wealth, I decided it was time to get off my ass and explore more of Palawan's beautiful beaches. Along the way we would get exercise, eat out, relax and take some photos and then share it all with you through our blogs. So next after Nagtabon was Tala beach resort.
This is also on the West coast of Palwan , about an hour's drive from Puerto, a bit further along from Nagtabon. In fact you follow the same route up the National Highway towards El Nido for 22 km, and then turn left and follow the winding undulating road for about 12 km. You go past the Nagtabon turn off and turn off's for 2 other beaches and the Day Park , and finally you come down the hill to Tala.
Chester and I turned off too early into PakPak Lauin Day tour destination, but having discovered this place on our previous visit walking on the beach we decided to stop there. You go through some gates on the left and then down a windy road flanked by new walls and flower beds ( they are currently upgrading this woodland drive and its looking very inviting). Then you get to a security hut where you register and pay- its 100 pesos for the day but when I ticked the Senior Citizen box he told me it was only 80 pesos! There are also cottages and other facilities for rent and he kindly let me photograph the charges to share with you all!
We drove down the sandy track, parked in the shade of a tree and got Chester's water bowl out. After he had a drink we walked along the beach to Tala resort.
As usual Chester enjoyed exploring and at first I kept him on the lead but when we got to the beach and there was no one there I let him run free.
The tide was out and much calmer than the day before at Nagtabon so Chester enjoyed paddling and later swimming in the sea. Just before Tala you have to cross a river that flows into the sea which was a little deep for Chester so he swam across. On the other side there was a lot of seaweed and soon he was rolling around in that and playing with another dog he met at Tala.
I think in the two hours we were there I saw maybe 10 people, mostly locals working on new buildings or improving existing ones. A couple of the properties look like they will soon be restaurants, bars or hotels , so this beach is also being developed. If you want to enjoy the peace and tranquility like me pay a visit soon.
The road is pretty good all the way, it just becomes a little narrow and bendy / undulating once you leave the National Highway ( the last 17 km) . As I have said before coming from the small flat island of Bahrain which is mostly sandy dessert it is always a pleasure for me to drive in Palawan with the lush green tropical vegetation and sea views and the magnificent mountains in the background.
As Chester cannot take photos and we have been travelling alone I had to stop to take pictures of the landscape. However for my return trip to Talaudyong beach next week a friend has volunteered to join me so I will get you some better photos of the interior of Palawan.
I always tell my friends a little story about these mountains. If they are clear like this get out the suntan lotion, it's gonna be a lovely day ( it's 31 degrees as I write this and I already got sun burnt again!). If they are topped by cloud it's gonna rain later, and if it is so overcast/ cloudy that you cannot see them its probably raining now or just about to. I can see these mountains from my bedroom window and when I go to collect Joven or take Frythy home so my mountain weather forecasting is pretty accurate.
Chester loved sniffing and rolling in the seaweed outside Tala resort and swimming in the river and the sea
Sadly back in Bahrain ,where I lived for 12 years, the only really nice sandy beaches were at the resort hotels ( Sofitel, Ritz Carlton) which you had to pay or stay in to use. They then started charging for the public beaches as well like at Marisai and Al Jazeir. Here in Palwan the beaches are free ( sometimes you pay for parking or to rent cottages etc) and much nicer.
Sadly recently two boys died in the north of the island swimming at Nacpan beach so there are now a lot of warning signs on the west coach beaches and when the resorts and day tour destinations are busy they fly flags and have lifeguards on duty from 8 am to 5 pm.
Just like Boracay Tala Beach has its own rules like being in control of your pet and clearing up after him!
There is plenty of shade at Tala and sunbeds but the nik niks were out in force and I got badly bitten on my arms again ( they are out before 8 am!!) . I have now put some suntan lotion and nik nik repellant ( OFF) in my car so I dont get caught again!
Chester enjoying the sea
The good news is that we did 5,641 steps yesterday which is the most since the start of August when we were at Lio and Nacpan and did a lot of walking. I decided that as it was the weekend to visit Surya beach so we could stay overnight, avoid the power cuts and relax by the sea for a couple of days. I also booked to stay there at Christmas ! I really cannot stand being kept awake by my neighbours Karaoke and fireworks again this year!
Eventually we headed back to the car and drove home stopping off at the Golden Hour cafe. As I missed breakfast I had the American breakfast this time ( scrambled egg, bacon, toast with butter and Jam and coffee. They bought me a huge bottle of ice cold service water and a glass and Chester lay in the sun so I decided to have a snack after ( Meryenda) and had another slice of their beautiful blueberry cheesecake.
In the afternoon it poured with rain and then we had a power cut which went on until 8 pm so Chester and I went to bed early ( me without dinner!)
I look forward to going back next week and spending all weekend relaxing at Surya beach.
Hello, I am The British Kabayan! Feel free to read my stories.
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