Rock climbing Taraw Cliff was one of the highlights of our 10-day Palawan trip. Not only were we privileged to witness the glory of the aforementioned municipality, but we were also able to engage in a heated argument with our tour guide, Gilbert, in the midst of our journey: is it better to travel alone or with a partner?

I don’t know if it’s because we were already ‘travel high’ after that eight-hour trip from Coron to El Nido, or because we were forced to hike as early as seven in the morning. But things really did spice up at the higher elevation we reached.

I already forgot who started it. Maybe it was Badeth. Or maybe Gilbert. But what’s clear is that everything began with the couple we were tagging along with: Agustine and Wilma. While the guide promised that we would be able to reach the peak at around forty-five minutes, given the trail difficulty and the fact that we were only wearing flip-flops at that time, such an estimate was irrelevant.

I know, I know. It was such a crazy idea. From an outdoor enthusiast’s point of view, this is absolutely foolish, not to mention risky. We were novices at this time, and were absolutely sold out to that YOLO idea.

So, back to the story, while we were concentrating on how to properly position ourselves so as not to slip and lose grip on the way up, we noticed that we had been losing sight of the lovers scrambling behind us. They didn’t get lost, actually. They were just having a hard time climbing the rocky and slippery trails. It was then when that the debate of “how being a couple hinders making a relevant adventure” began.

Which is Better: travel alone or with a Partner?

Sana all may choices no? Kidding aside, here are some points that Badeth and Gilbert highlighted during their discussion.

1. Achievement

• Badeth: Your pacing will be faster without helping and guiding someone. Therefore, you can achieve more and finish a lot when you are alone.
• Gilbert: You will be more inspired to finish what you have started because of that one person who never gave up on you. (char)

2. Expenses

• Badeth: You can save more since you will only spend on yourself. You can also buy whatever you want because the money is all for yourself.
• Gilbert: It’s good to have someone to share your possessions with. Someone to eat with and divide the payment with.
  

3. Pacing

• Badeth: You will be on par with your group since you will be focused on keeping up with them.
• Gilbert: It depends. What if you don’t get along with your travel buddy? It’s best to stay with a loved one.

4. Freedom

• Badeth: You get to choose from all the options without considering anybody’s thoughts. Thus, you get to blame yourself when everything else does not follow your expectations.
• Gilbert: It’s best to always ask for an opinion from others. You can solicit more ideas. Two heads are always better than one. 

5. Conflicts

• Badeth: You will feel lighthearted because you will not be in constant debate with somebody who thinks they can take care of you better than yourself.
• Gilbert: It’s healthy to have those conflicts sometimes. It makes the relationship grow.

Upon reaching the summit of Taraw Cliff, the debate ended. We were too astonished by the view set before us to further think of the conflict. El Nido is a very small town, but it surely offers tons of surprises. Such an astounding vista made us forget everything that we had to go through before reaching the summit.

And after relaxing and allowing our senses to feast on the beauty set before us, we decided to head back. As the ascent was not enough, going downhill was even more tricky. For non-hikers like us at that time, it was beyond stressful and difficult. It’s harder to estimate the steps, and the edges of the rock were honestly difficult to deal with. There were times when we thought it was already impossible for us to go down!

But still, we made it all in one piece. Before we arrived at the jump-off, we realized that the couple was missing once again. The three of us looked at each other, and a knowing smile later on crossed our faces. Badeth tried to start an argument again, but Gilbert was already blown away by his reggae music. He conceded and finally agreed that having a love life is sometimes not healthy in an adventure. Badeth won, yay!

We shared this with the couple when we were already in the town proper. We were just laughing our asses out with this. We know that more than anything else, our safety is our priority. It is of no importance who won.

We were safe. We were happy. And we succeeded in conquering Taraw Cliff. That’s what matters. Because no matter what status we are in—single or committed—as long as we are happy with our dispositions in life and there is no bitterness in our hearts, relationship status will not matter. It will never ever matter. (Hindi naman kasi lahat ng nasa relasyon masaya. At hindi naman lahat ng single naghahanap ng makakasama.)

Everything YOu Need to Know About Taraw Cliff: The Ultimate Hiking Destination in el Nido, Palawan

Taraw Cliff in El Nido, Palawan, is a striking natural landmark known for its jagged limestone formations and breathtaking panoramic views of Bacuit Bay.

This iconic cliff offers adventurous travelers the chance to embark on a challenging hike to its summit, which rewards them with stunning vistas of the surrounding islands and turquoise waters.

For those seeking a safer and less strenuous option, the El Nido Canopy Walk provides an alternative way to enjoy the scenery, featuring steel walkways and bridges. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or a casual explorer, Taraw Cliff is a must-visit destination that showcases the raw beauty of Palawan.

How about you? Which would you prefer: traveling alone or with a partner? Share this post if you can relate. See you on the trails!