I have been traveling solo to distant places for quite some time but whenever I do, there is a part of me that still gets anxious. The fear of the unknown always lingers at the back of my mind but I normally overcome it with ease however, the road to Balabac was the one trip that got me so edgy. As soon as I got out of Puerto Princesa Airport, I hopped on a tricycle going to San Jose Terminal to catch a van bound for Rio Tuba.

Before you go any further and to avoid any disappointment in the end, let me inform you right now that this post is more of an experiential narrative rather than a travel guide. If you wish to know how my experience on my way to Balabac went down then I encourage you to read on. However, if you are looking for a more detailed Balabac travel guide, I recommend you read these posts below. These are the guides that have inspired me to visit Balabac and assisted me with the planning (or the lack thereof).

Southern Palawan Travel Blog: Exploring Bugsuk and Onuk Islands in Balabac by Akrosdayunibers
Balabac Series by BlissfulGuro
Balabac Travel Guide by Detourista
Balabac: Travel Guide by Lakwatsero
Balabac, Palawan P6,935 to Paradise by Taralets Anywhere
Balabac Island: Sandbar Hopping Paradise in Palawan by Viviomigsgee

If you’re still reading this, thank you. I guess you chose to stick around to learn more about my experience on my way to Balabac. Well, here it is.

The Road to Rio Tuba

It was 3:00PM when I arrived at San Jose Terminal in Puerto Princesa. There are two ride options to get to Rio Tuba, one is by bus and the other by van but I chose to take the van, as it seemed more convenient and it could be faster. The van driver waited for another thirty minutes for other passengers before it rolled out. There were only four passengers in the van when we left the terminal but we picked up some more along the way. The travel time from Puerto Princesa to Rio Tuba can take up to 5 hours. I remember when we went to Gigantes Islands in Carles, Iloilo from Caticlan Airport. Although we stopped and explored Roxas City, the whole trip also took sooooo long.

I was a bit concerned during the whole road trip from Puerto Princesa to Rio Tuba. Not even the amazing view of the fields with the mountains in the background and the uninterrupted traffic flow along the national road were enough to chase my worries away. It was not because of security threats or anything of that nature but it was because I did not fully prepare for the trip; not everything was organized. I have read the guides but I used it just as that, a guide; a reference, a structure of the things that I needed to do but I did not follow it to a tee.

After a couple of hours on the road, slowly, the sun went down and darkness blanketed the sky. I have poor eyesight and it is hard for me to read small texts or signs from far away during daylight. In the dark, it was just more challenging even with my eyeglasses on. The distance of one streetlight to the other was more than the usual gap of that in the city. If there were any lights, it was maybe just 10 watts or less and not enough to see or read the road signs comfortably when in a heavily tinted vehicle. The only consolation that I had was that it was not a bumpy ride.

At around 6:30 PM, after cruising on what seemed to be a never-ending highway, we have reached Brooke’s Point, Palawan. I have read and heard good things about this place as well and would like to explore it for myself next time.

Another hour had passed when we have reached Bataraza Proper (Poblacion) and it was time for a much needed bathroom break. From there, it would be another hour before we get to Rio Tuba.

There was only one other passenger with me in the van but he was to alight right onto the next block and that would leave me as the only passenger onboard. When the driver came back, I thought that we were heading our way. Instead, he told me politely that I needed to transfer to another van because he will not be going to Rio Tuba anymore and I completely understand why. He already arranged for the transfer even before he informed me and the next van was already waiting for me to board.

Riding on the new van, we were already on the last stretch of our road trip and I was glad and apprehensive at the same time. I was glad because in about an hour, we will be reaching our final destination for the night and I can fully relax after a very long trip. I was apprehensive because heading for Rio Tuba was the only thing certain at that time but without reservations made to any homestays, I was not too sure if I can get a place to stay when I arrive in Rio Tuba. Plus, it was also getting late.

We went past the compounds of Rio Tuba Mining around half past eight in the evening. The driver announced that the last stop would be in their terminal. I was seated at the back of the van so I asked the person beside me who seemed to be the driver’s assistant (conductor) if White Heaven Lodge rings a bell but unfortunately, he has not heard about it. He suggested that I disembark in their terminal and from there just take a tricycle to wherever I needed to go which totally made sense.

The moment I got off the van, I asked a tricycle driver if he knows where the lodge is and to my surprise, he pointed me just right across the terminal. I was in the right place after all and they still have a room available. From what I have gathered, White Heaven Lodge is the cheapest lodging in Rio Tuba but do not expect for more than the basic amenities. True enough, there was no AC, just a fan room but it was just enough for me to put my exhausted body to rest.

I might have been just overthinking things at that time but I have never felt so vulnerable on a trip. For the first time, I did not arrange for anything except for the island hopping tour with an operator in Balabac. I did it on purpose in a way because I wanted to experience how it was like to be spontaneous, to just go with the flow and hope for the best.

Trying to be spontaneous may sound stupid and reckless for some but to each his own anyway, right? 😊 But after all that, I came to realize that when we are thrown in at the deep end, it will definitely test how well we adapt to different situations outside of our comfort zones. Now, I am more confident to do another spur-of-the-moment trip of sorts anytime.

Check out Part 2 – Island Hopping in Balabac here

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How about you? Have you tried to be spontaneous in your journeys? Have you felt vulnerable or lost in a trip? What did you do about it? How was your experience? We would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts.