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| The Enthusiastic Edison Dalanon. |
I heard mixed feedback about firefly-watching
tour conducted in Puerto Princesa City in the past. Some say there are no
fireflies to see, some say the food they serve is great.
Then finally, as I explore my beloved city this
summer of 2016, I had the chance of experiencing this new attraction at night. With
the assistance from the City Tourism Office, through my former colleague Michie
Hitosis and other nine bloggers from Manila, we witnessed right before our eyes
this amazing fireflies-watching tour in Sicsican River.
We were late due to some miscommunication
but our friendly tour guide Edison Dalanon cheerfully welcomed us on board on
their floating resto at the Baybay. This is the place where I grew up when it
was known as Sea Plane Base 1 and 2.
There was a lady singer serenading us while
cruising the Puerto Bay and enjoying the sumptuous meals they prepare. It’s an
eat-all-you-can drama with the view from the bay. As soon as we finished our meals, we were
told to transfer to the first boat that fetched us from the pier of Baybay for
a 15-minute ride going to the Sicsican River, and we have to transfer again to
another smaller boat that will take us inside the river.
During those travel moments, I noticed how
our guide Edison impressed us. His skills are beyond ordinary. You will know he
is knowledgeable enough for his job. He does his research well and can explain
very well everything about fireflies with his humor.
As we traverse the inner Sicsican River in
a gloomy night background, Edison challenged us to identify all the stars in
the heaven. True enough, he even knows all the names, positions and locations
of the stars. He brought a flashlight that could reach almost the stars that made
all of us amazed. We were clapping and even calling him a Jedi for that moment.
That part was so magical indeed.
Deep inside the River, Edison showed his
craft in showing us the real habitat of fireflies located beneath the mangroves.
With his red flashing light, the trees were lit like Christmas in the malls. We
were stunned and we were grateful that we experienced it. We saw around four
trees in total full of fireflies that evening.
After the viewing, we had the chance of getting
to know more of our guide. Edison told us that he is doing this part time job
for almost four years. He is a radio jock in a local FM station and he really
loves talking. Originally from Pasay City, he moved to Puerto Princesa along
with his family.
“Tour guiding is a passion. So kung hindi mo talaga passion, why study?
It’s a just a waste of time.” Dalanon said.
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| Inside the floating resto. |
Aside from Fireflies-Watching tour, Dalanon
also does guide tours for Dolphin and Whale watching tours that usually takes
place early morning on a daily basis. Obviously, he loves my City and a legit
victim of kambakkambak syndrome, a local saying that when you visit Palawan and
you wish to stay there for good, you are stuck with this syndrome.
“It’s really amazing to see fireflies on
their own habitat, and you’ll have a dinner in our floating resto. We serve it
hot and fresh. It’s hard to tell, hard to explain. All you need to do is do it
and you’ll be amazed.” Dalanon said in closing.
For inquiries on the said tours, you may
contact Dolphin & Whales Travel and Tours. They also have Facebook page and
can contact them at mobile number 09152632105.
Note: I don’t have enough photos since
Fireflies watching requires a much high quality kind of camera, plus I enjoyed
the moment since I was amused so much I forgot to document it.
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