2009, the year when I was so young and restless... and homesick! I was a newbie in
Dubai, while Ed, who was still my boyfriend that time, was in the Philippines. That year, I managed to go home, to be with him and my family every six months! On January 2009, my restless feet and my homesick heart brought me to Tacloban, Ed's hometown. I instantly fell in love with the town's laid back atmosphere, so I made a promise. Allow me to borrow Gen. Douglas MacArthur's famous line, I told myself that someday "I shall return".
Just like Gen. MacArthur, I kept my promise. Leyte was the second destination of our 8-day family trip. We had an hour flight from Ilo-Ilo to Tacloban.
I was able to purchase the plane tickets late last year when Cebu Pacific had promotional offers. We arrived at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport at 7 pm, checked-in at Hotel Alejandro and had a family dinner
at Ocho Grill.
![Hotel Alejandro Tacloban in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKzvQ9tTT761j61x6iu1ePTfqrnn9aS6MRfFMM6subW795RWtQ10emKX99fbmIK4-j1qZcQ3njfUlESZEpQIpNVvCar2KUZ925eKfAeUNHg7tNuOvm6O1PJSsH00oVrnKqEWwM0rStUs/s640/IMG_1576.JPG) |
Hotel Alejandro |
The morning after, we started our Leyte Tour. It was not a DIY tour as Ed, his family and friends served as our tour guides. It was gloomy when I first visited Leyte, so seeing the places on a sunny weather was like being there for the first time. The first stop of our family tour was
Balyu-an Amphitheater.
![Balyu-an AmpiTheater Tacloban in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwyg9y3qJVCMNExeK75yXeQdU6thxv59Yl0Ii1nHiuxkGU_rUivNtiBMdNeFASP7vOpNG2_aYzhYZU3l-khL8O7dHC2kRJb2AqXpc4bKT8hc7PbHrnDH6ywwmzbvziNOW-dAPFHp01-A/s640/DSC05373.JPG) |
Balyu-an Amphitheater: where major city events are being held |
![Cancabato Bay in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAnP7Uvp2ol7QMvQcNrsNRfx4UhD402-EO8PhqKNTBkiEEL14xGn1qoG1ZDqcIg7u4dfjZ8zPPGr3yfzxH581XS_0npbCxmi1LNN3_v_A1AKIIMKUdg6o7VdtLENjKUIB-EgaAYShiGY/s640/DSC05372.JPG) |
The amphitheater has a great view of Cancabato Bay. |
![City Health office looks like a hotel](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6_JPxcIdrqS6RzsjfJHNCwMaeAFm-_n0UT-Yv3DCYKROnjrqyS1Mdzv6-F5Nf3mitHtnsemBJdN8XawIuBofNeBAeyBjGgjU3N-lEKCfSVDhmSFmyFJQcR8Jg0ymKFW5-Ih4J5w5-Gg/s640/DSC05375.JPG) |
Beside Balyu-an Amphitheater is Tacloban's City Health office which I thought was a hotel near the bay. :) |
Remember when I said Tacloban is a laid back town? Just have a look at this photo of Magsaysay Boulevard. Zero traffic road, lined with lush trees exactly within the city! Now, you know what I mean!
Just across Balyu-an Amphitheater is the City Hall which sits right on top of a hill. Beside the City Hall are Philippine-Japan Commemorative Peace Park and Maria Kannon Madonna of Peace Shrine; the symbols of peace between the Filipinos and Japanese after World War II.
![Tacloban City Hall in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYxsiajTTbC_arenpGFYHwD6E21kzIo6uNQbicZph9zfrQCMvE8aH0m0v0e4T2C03ogtNHTGubIhzVcc9yO7s1O1X26S3G58a7dvdz_Bknfu93uMP0DjSxHUTRjGYpfxL5LkpsAwpRFQ/s640/DSC05385.JPG) |
Tacloban City Hall |
![Philippine-Japan Commemorative Peace Park in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr65Cyl3mIPg-QGF8Fq0FDiptnICu4NuNlce2W7r_Cxv_Ea5U6w-Z07Xygl5UPxBlg2aotVBmKfgPhgNl9WQYwRNiusc_gzHOo_oW-KoDpSEwe2lbCcvE3vjcKIrsN8qChImJCVAGvKA0/s640/DSC05389.JPG) |
Philippine-Japan Commemorative Peace Park |
![Shrine of Madonna-of-Japan Tacloban in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeX3FFj1E495dm_lvJOCt5t41Bz_5zoWL6TZV_onxCJdYhgf-CMo5Kcz5rwSvqNGGTlELfghbCOtzqopAgSufz4b0oW8JbRcAeybDLOn2rW22FIIFJjzPup0-uthtEotuxlc9c81NdE8/s640/DSC05396.JPG) |
Maria Kannon Madonna of Peace Shrine |
A short distance from Magsaysay Boulevard is the Sto. Nino Church. The church is a home of the miraculous image of Tacloban's patron saint, Senior Sto. Nino.
After Sto. Nino Church, we made our way to
Rafael's Farm, my favorite place in Leyte. Rafael's Farm is so beautiful that it deserves to have its own spot in my blog. Click
here to read more about Rafael's Farm.
Remember about me being a
jinx? Here's my story, while boating at Rafael's man-made lake, I sat on something that clung to my skirt and ripped the soft cotton cloth! A safety pin rescued me from the huge embarrassment. I was struck with bad luck twice in row because about an hour after, our van's tire burst in the middle of the street! Nevertheless, we were still blessed that it wasn't a major road accident. Tires where changed and we continued our tour at
San Juanico Golf and Country Club.
![San Juanico Gulf and Country Club in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z-93iTA5WFA1w5d6s1lPWkvUmg_LNmIYjVAVRUnBxUzk8pwHOaurYLqYp49CY2nEn4qC2VoE2UHk9zYwmOflmt02pbQxZVYQlGuinYDrH4i57frxtlAvr73rNuixrp1v8TTPpYPwOl8/s640/DSC05546.JPG) |
San Juanico Golf and Country Club is the latest tourist spot in Leyte. |
![pool in San-Juanico Gulf-and-Country Club in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpLJsEwRby5XCYdawCf0AQmvbz7XDPUjT8jxbMykikQApLtNeKUnail818Nta-flcXrYXU_6a4-LzBLIisU792d0na-2UOlS3MpQkHo0_y7LSqDpbdArUZfa1IvFRUz4CVESIb9cEJkc/s640/DSC05558.JPG) |
It has an 18-hole golf course, a swimming pool, a hotel and a restaurant. |
![stairs at San Juanico Gulf and Country Club](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kx_NH4CNDSiO6uIf1IlqADGx4CRW6inauNA3Fq6OKdqG0FLTqHUyHTjGCWKqDjykdtq7ur670nQDZP251rEFo1RZaMJAagJYBsb9JKp8avnM1KkhX-JpahWsy2wYFPdVsZBXqtYwTQQ/s640/DSC05554.JPG) |
San Juanico Golf and Country Club was the perfect place to unwind after a series of unfortunate events. |
![restaurant at San Juanico Gulf and Country Club](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4zzk6oqeFzozPwaFvlgrZ2r94iduIG5AaYr3g6SWJjaQPAdeEUZYkPluZvFwH3oJn2SG8cBcMW8CalzwgQkqU648p8jGixkw_3ywp1Jr3Wqny6Doy8rg90CpJulmWiRZYSOintY0YvU/s640/DSC05562.JPG) |
The boys had coffee at the restaurant, while us girls had some R&R time. |
On our way back to the city, we passed by Leyte Landing Memorial, popularly known as MacArthur Park. The large bronze statues of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his men were build to commemorate his return to the Philippines to help the country defeat the Japanese forces during the Second World War. Near the statues are the General's speech, casts of his footprints and the Commemorative Rock Garden of Peace Monument.
![Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur and troops](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivf9XavM-F921QjjCsRsFn0_-3zN55k6korlylwUsrBq7RQObC-D4jT7uq-CCuBzU5GPph-P8NNC-k6K8bQfaEx9aG5_gMvx8ZoC5gamI6IjigDHLCNC2V-EoUnWxMpIsO1EyrilRvMa4/s640/DSC05579.JPG) |
bronze statues of Gen. MacArthur and his men |
![Leyte Landing Memorial in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHSSB70i1Fyrkn-0zUs6v5YnqE8-8MkmXGBKfjHO8RZehXh7bpp7Nlrys2H_KKhUylvaM2MwUSQuQXXWx2-EGWG-4Q2l4IRIzun-h9V3JP24-C96k_H12FCJZ7hyphenhyphenIFM1Ms9yA2BLLfnU/s640/DSC05588.JPG) |
Rock Garden of Peace Monument |
![Messages in Leyte Landing Memorial](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqkgWxK_zhgzwpN9KdtSaS62XNFOppUWpIqNnYLuBf4TdrKse-XHGDcEiDqC5Y9ZDCT9vtPu0bZX4pIHGfosGkgl89r-ENOoyB1XxbBbn7Zwju0PpfkNIPM9FSQR1iCZtMj1Qwc_Sf3A/s640/DSC05591.JPG) |
Messages from the leaders of other nations surround the Commemorative Rock
Garden of Peace Monument. |
"Mang silot kita!", Ed told me while we were walking at MacArthur Park. I don't speak Waray-waray. I understand a little, but I didn't get what he said. "Silot" was my waray-waray word-of-the-day! :) He actually meant, "Let's eat coconut!" The nearby street is lined with coconut trees. Bundles of coconut fruits were lying on the ground and there are shacks where people can have their coconut break. Am I making any sense? Hahaha!
![Coconut near Mac Arthur Park](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XH15GUBKJzCHg2zEQR531K3E6QqyEKeomg0ACL6dCMCmkLW7G1ni1blmKmoHaFB7v5yQGpbqD3tO-2HsK0yelsOqUA_1hdc-TKJVcPbAeLxLPstP3Uxqz5qXys47-BGYUcC9YFciKfE/s640/IMG_1509.JPG) |
The Coconut Shack |
![cocunut boy preparing the coconut for us in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOEqWkLMY_dtc-zSHjFYw4woU00sBmi9AcHmjmX9AFCz4OXj8gZzpZKmf2hVPoHH2hMc5333n7lIiqqtqTaN9dAJGW-7idHjcoBs6TybTlQbgNzsezoEL8zeuiq3n49yZTjQpVligpP8/s640/IMG_1511.JPG) |
Coconut Boy! :) He prepared our coconut, made a hole where we can sip the juice and
opened it after so we can eat the coconut meat! |
![Lady Drinking Coconut Juice in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8m2WMdF9_ytCwMNLyRwiCNxB7lH8aQiI3hg6eQlnGnJl1J4HCQDbFXyh0TUecSaKnK-DIaZCT_cgjXg3VHRhlBTxCt8FHTrQy8PlZZScKefOaJBqYj_Wq-h8Vc7N9PhVAxc193w3w0Y/s640/IMG_1517.JPG) |
fresh coconut juice in the shack :) |
![The Coconut Fruit in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBvxCvTKtSJfyzNTrCIc-Hm1OW6JrYErz8Af5THnz_d10JaF9mWE3N8mfg_QifiztvNmvJh4Y0BeW3gUc5PhcfQNKjjUfcRKDApxSU0mvMdybfsZXg92__BRgzUS8u3tSyJHD46FMRnk/s640/IMG_1536.JPG) |
The soft and yummy coco fruit! |
My camera's battery went empty just when I was also running out of energy! We visited two more spots, namely Leyte Park Hotel and Leyte Provincial Capitol. Since, I couldn't use my trusted camera and we all looked drained-out, these are the only decent blog-worthy photos that we got:
![family in Leyte Park Hotel in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkDyiTeOGxuDeseoQ0mPTKz4P_1nvM_c1E_NK_tUXf54ONeKxz94THP7vmGCU1z4IpV8S3yYcED-F9kgZ31f-2OKR2kemvZpLS_Jdec_N31sntJA77q9V5V40iNiMwr_Q8kc9pQivKM4/s640/IMG_1558.JPG) |
Leyte Park Hotel is one of the best in Tacloban. There's a fantastic swimming pool and
an awesome view of the sea. (Sorry, no photos to prove it!) |
![Leyte Provincial Capital in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzXcUYhZh83J8FkOmFxR4008OMv2CtstgaIuYueyyGccSAXPkzU1fI24yRdYqBWpTboaGGAx8f_WiGRDxaMyAX_enwpL5KmapYxvOsMwJMJ2kBteIFxui_jMmknkmoxJ9uDnJIV-bLi0/s640/IMG_1571.JPG) |
Leyte Provincial Capitol at night |
Have you ever been in two places at the same time? You can at San Juanico Bridge! :) Flashpack Trip Day 4 started with a 2-hour road trip. We passed by San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in Philippines with total length of 2.16 km. The L and S-shaped bridge connects the islands of Leyte and Samar. Amazing!
![family in San Juanico Bridge](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr841fw8DvUaLkzyTEkaaC0PHwThc26Bppc1-zXSfOG5b8tvdOGNv16yfKHI9R79bVXb539yTqqrXS7H7M0sH3G1jASuhdF8uUwD1npkweNVfIgU74tLAL_pJDJ2Xy2IPZ4RULUp5DXs/s640/DSC05681.JPG) |
My family in the middle of San Juanico Bridge. |
After two hours of journey, we finally approached our destination in Samar. We went on a day trip at Caluwayan Palm Island Resort. I will also have a separate post on this; major ranting ahead! Sorry, can't help it. Anyhow, it will be up in the coming week.
![view from Caluwayan Resort Samar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fshlBiD_Nw9PKRzPIHtJfqv2bQI3IOYru7ksWX_f6Csooa73iDxi1S7TLvyW1Gz7Va3z3zxfWlXMkcR3n0xwy-pwnQkBv2EfePwZoL0G_kwxemvS6U2-X8GcHdtXZITFUtv8M46UyW0/s640/DSC05726.JPG) |
the rock formations near Caluwayan Resort |
Fast forward to Flashpack Trip Day 5. We woke up early to visit more heritage sites and do some souvenir shopping! We went to the downtown area to purchase Tacloban shirts and local delicacies. We also visited Sto. Nino Shrine and Price Mansion, but didn't went inside as we had a flight to catch. Before leaving Tacloban, we had lunch at Guiseppe's, a Filipino-Italian restaurant.
![Tacloban Downtown Area in Leyte Tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp14UtmN-n5UOO9FLHKpqU1U-EtjD0_lncn_hSVx_Kkbf-2T_M49XEtzLVnnobbW0yEobTEd99_G2UyOnPjleHQuI61AklGRN4kUuCW_tI76K7K6T_fv2zHlKWW9jP90RjPBcxR2IjXHs/s640/DSC05865.JPG) |
Tacloban Downtown area |
![Binagol, a native delicacy in Leyte tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYdrqsZqaJFAqel4FFwTM1cdAFp9XYjuihFZAUQUDFbYh9mkW7cCghSyMVls5BN5HCQ3HXthF5pgXIOAoq4B3B69eRiA_vGkSm5i4HEg1f34WWBAInql37kjRTbr6Ir_Ek5bzl9Cz66w/s640/DSC05616.JPG) |
We can't leave Tacloban without trying the local delicacies..
Binagol: native sweet made of taro, yam, cassava and milk served in a coconut shell |
![Moron, a native delicacy in Leyte tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KuxsiAVc8rwH0GQkJqtxzF6cXoyk__JHqoizefSM4zf29LZEBEmxaUkD23J6BhV_ArfkZOp6_Q5F1kVACWEv5G4IVu_3_zpXvNdtIYqPONL__D3Dh1aXrgrquMQxfYP02GHj_ZxJiJ8/s640/DSC05617.JPG) |
Moron: made of glutinous rice, coconut milk and cocoa |
![Kevin's Tacloban in Leyte tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2xT5mg5ELU9MVrfyBZfmcyu80Qda6CCoEm3cUURBhB1YF5TOeMI_2VXlsIhd17MubCYc9H4fDEj1gi2i1FT8QrKi1KtYscwhy8doV1Wb1-fhcJ14kDgoBovEyIPYmnFnSZW3p-bKZio/s640/DSC05866.JPG) |
We purchased souvenir shirts at Kevin's. They also have
caps, keychains and all touristy stuff! |
![Sto Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum in Leyte tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrttab-_rlQBBhKda9d9Vzv9fvgPujit1a1s182yeX320CxVPprrOQ8ZCwz9V0m1hBC5SdU9lOV4fq2RLASpfufFmW6ZdlYNLHL8odbzzkYyChdzaCwE07CA68MSRIR22XOvUH1djY_dA/s640/DSC05849.JPG) |
Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum:
home of President Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Marcos in Tacloban, now a museum |
![Home of General Mac Arthur in Leyte tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarykMrBkybyHUWyWAbq1QKnzGxtwpdliMz4X9bCC4HuN6dmcX26jK6jNsoVi6Hyq1KD22vBC0w0YTm1LbDegj45TNGk1bDlVGdlsBXx_AIkeCl_M3LQfeb5wXPhOYPESgxrTuVc_O5iA/s640/IMG_1751.JPG) |
Price Mansion: Gen. MacArthur's residence in Leyte |
![statue of Mac Arthur and Osmeña in Leyte tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpXQofQRvKc_m4H2qq1svi4BkLfAS6OOVoLBQdycZxP1VdGMZxRCrihqtRQw2YYMMbLfFxaCnrHtk9LJuRWsvyfO4UQok1vcbs4LGUK2zURvSh4vJTyWD1xZiyuCw6K5GuLiZkXNYPhQ/s640/DSC05862.JPG) |
statues of MacArthur and Osmena beside the official residence and headquarters
of the General |
![Guiseppe's Tacloban in Leyte tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyK_-XXsdKCkTKb3Yu1ubpGA-oSV8J3_GInAQz8P11PyGmcZeYKNAQBWqkoGKES6p0Nfglq57xQZRV032PwPaN_SLX-aUJXgsDNsb648ejsR3xcTP3FlbebS9dn_DNoZIh0czJ3g5o-4/s640/DSC05879.JPG) |
I love Guiseppe's authentic Italian Pizza!
I'll be sharing our dine-out experience at Guiseppe's soon. |
I was so happy to be back in Leyte after 4 years. I may have visited the same places, but this trip was more special because my parents were with me. Indeed, things are best when shared. It's even sweeter this time because Ed is no longer my boyfriend, he is now my husband! I actually reminisced our bf/gf moments while we were on tour. Cheesy!
Thanks for reading this super duper long post! The funny shocking truth is: this is just the beginning of my Leyte-Samar Series. I'll be back with the trip's highlights. More stories, more ramblings, more misadventures and more trip tips coming up!
More of Leyte:
I feel like I went there. Thanks for blogging about it. I get to virtually travel!
ReplyDeleteSabi nila bawala daw huminto at magpicture taking sa San Juanico Bridge. pwede pala? hmmm
ReplyDeleteReally? Uh-oh! :)
DeleteMarami naman ung nag stop. I think it's fine if quick stop lng naman.
Amazing photos! I haven't been to Leyte. The farthest I got was Cebu.
ReplyDeleteGrabe ang ganda dyan! Nung makita ko yung Magsaysaby Blvd. guess kung ano naisip ko? Mag jogging of course hahahah! Katuwa ka namana, really a jetsetter kahit saan mapunta.
ReplyDeleteLaidback nga! Ang ganda! I've never been to Leyte, and this time, it's on my bucket list na!
ReplyDeletewow, really nice! ang ganda ng place! wish we could visit samar/leyte too! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's one place I wish I can see. San Juanico bridge too.
ReplyDeleteno traffic in Magsaysay blvd coz only one route is allowed to pass in this street, at Aileen, you're right you can actually see a lot of joggers in the morning and in the afternoon. by the way, your photos are great...
ReplyDeleteRosemarie/Gven-Rose
Would love to visit leyte one day
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot about Leyte and Samar from a friend and his wife who really were from those two gorgeous places. Maganda daw talaga. You have great pictures there! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is a must see place. And gaganda ng photos.
ReplyDeleteMommy Maye2
Ganda naman. It's true when they say that the Philippines has a lot to offer.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that you and your family are hopping around the Visayas region. I wish we could do that as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite in commex. virtual travel. Feels like I've been there already.
ReplyDeleteooh... thank you for sharing! i've been to tacloban but i haven't gone to samar.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of places in our country that I really want to visit. And Leyte is one of them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking me there virtually! Ang ganda pala diyan...
ReplyDeleteLooking at the photos made me feel a sudden excitement to come back home hehehe! Although road trips is out of our plan for this vacation. No budget hahaha!
ReplyDeleteWhere's Kevin's near located at downtown? And anymore souvenir shop around Tacloban City?
ReplyDelete