Discovering Samar and Leyte
This is my third trip this year (thanks to an Airphilexpress seat sale) and I will be with my current co-workers as well as old ones. Its been a while since I last saw Dan and Jayjay and It was nice seeing them again and being with them on a trip. I knew from the start it'll be a fun trip because we were still at the airport and we were laughing already. When we arrived at Tacloban airport, we were still clueless on how to reach our destination which was Caluwayan Palm resort (which I discovered through Asia Travel), which was located in the nearby province of Samar. All we knew about the resort's location was that buses or any public transportation would pass by it since it was along the highway. We called up the resort and we were advised that we can catch a ride going to Guian and that the van's are located at the van van terminal. It was a good thing that at the airport, a local policeman helped us out and gave us options on how to reach our destination. We rented a van (costs around 50 pesos each so 250) to bring us to the van van terminal. The reason why its called van van was because it was really a terminal of vans. We stopped by a local ATM machine to make sure we had enough money before riding our van going to Guian. We waited for a while inside the van since we were the first ones inside. Once it was full, it was off to our adventure. The scenery and surroundings was lush and the landscape had the nice provincial feel. After 20 to 30 minutes, we were already crossing the very famous San Juanico bridge that connects the provinces of Leyte and Samar. Good thing I was seated at the first and 2nd rows of the van so we were able to take pics inside. After the bridge, the beautiful landscapes of mountains and rivers continued until we reached our destination, Caluwayan Palm beach resort. It was fairly easy since the van driver knew to drop us off there. We went to their front desk and were checked in at our villa. Their villa's were nice, very tropical and rustic. It can accommodate 5 people, a double bed with a pullout at the 1st floor and 1 bed at the loft with a terrace overlooking the sea. The bathroom was also spacious with a separate shower and CR.
After settling in and since it was already around 2PM when we arrived, we ordered lunch that was served in their cottages that also was by the shore. It was a hearty lunch that consisted of pansit canton, fish fillet and chicken and everyone was full not only with food but also with laughter. Its been a while since we were together so and it showed. After a while, our friends Bart, PJ, Abby, Paolo and their son arrived. They arrived late for their flight so they had to catch a much later flight. Once everyone was done with lunch, it was time to hit the beach. The beach has black sand although it was fine and there's not much beach in the afternoon because of the tide. So we settled for their big swimming pool that also had a waterfall feature. You can also order drinks that can also be delivered poolside so you can enjoy swimming and a drink at the same time. Last order for food is around 7:30PM so you have to make sure you order in already. We were already a group of 10 so dinner was fun and we feasted on buttered chicken, calamares, more pansit canton, sinigang and fish fillet. Ofcourse after dinner, it was time for drinks although I was so tired already so I passed and went to bed. The next day, Jayjay, RJ, Dan and I woke up early and were fully rested while the others were still sleeping. We took the opportunity to take pictures and have breakfast already. breakfast is a choice of Filipino or American and each villa has free breakfast for 2. After breakfast, we took more pictures and tried swimming at the beach and at the pool.
During lunch time, it rained but it didn't stop us from swimming. Instead what we did was ordered a bottle of rum and shared it among the 3 of us. We were a little tipsy so we knew the solution was to swim at the beach. I guess the cold water took our tipsiness away that after that we ordered lunch and a big serving of halo halo. After all that food, it was time for some singing at the resorts videoke machine. It continued to rain but it didn't stop us from swimming until early evening when we felt chilly already. It was still raining until dinner so we decided after dinner so go back to our villa and stay warm and dry While the others continued drinking.
On our last day, after breakfast, we explored the nearby Calaboso beach. The use of the boat was free since we were checked in at their villa, we just had to give a tip to the boatman who helped us paddle and tour us around. Calaboso beach was around 15 minutes away from the resort and its a secret gem, very secluded. There's also a cave that you can explore although we weren't able to explore that much since we didn't have any flashlights with us during that time. We swam, took pics and Jayjay, Karl and I gathered some shells. I personally have a shell collection where I have shells from all over the Philippines. I was getting shells that had holes so I can make a chime out of it.
After an hour or so, we headed back to the resort since we were about to check out at 12 noon. Also, our van pick up (the one who took us to van van terminal) was already there to bring us around and back to the airport. After settling our bill, we bid farewell to the lovely and helpful staff of the resort and headed on our way. First stop was San Juanico bridge. I know we passed by it already but this time, we were able to stop for a few minutes so we can take pictures at the bridge. During that time everyone was running around making the most of the little time we had at the bridge. If we stayed longer we might get fined already. Since it was lunch already, we were brought to Ocho seafood grill, which was a dampa style. They also had a selection of wine as well as delectable desserts. Last stop was the monument of MacArthur. We were advised we might get wet so we were thinking that the monument as at the beach. It wasn't, the reason that we might get wet was because there was a little pond around the statues. The rest wen in while Dan, Karl and I decided we wanted our feet dry. Although last minute, we were able to do a lot. It was also a fun bonding with old and new co-workers. As early as now, we are already talking about where to go to our next destination. I'll surely post it here. :)
After settling in and since it was already around 2PM when we arrived, we ordered lunch that was served in their cottages that also was by the shore. It was a hearty lunch that consisted of pansit canton, fish fillet and chicken and everyone was full not only with food but also with laughter. Its been a while since we were together so and it showed. After a while, our friends Bart, PJ, Abby, Paolo and their son arrived. They arrived late for their flight so they had to catch a much later flight. Once everyone was done with lunch, it was time to hit the beach. The beach has black sand although it was fine and there's not much beach in the afternoon because of the tide. So we settled for their big swimming pool that also had a waterfall feature. You can also order drinks that can also be delivered poolside so you can enjoy swimming and a drink at the same time. Last order for food is around 7:30PM so you have to make sure you order in already. We were already a group of 10 so dinner was fun and we feasted on buttered chicken, calamares, more pansit canton, sinigang and fish fillet. Ofcourse after dinner, it was time for drinks although I was so tired already so I passed and went to bed. The next day, Jayjay, RJ, Dan and I woke up early and were fully rested while the others were still sleeping. We took the opportunity to take pictures and have breakfast already. breakfast is a choice of Filipino or American and each villa has free breakfast for 2. After breakfast, we took more pictures and tried swimming at the beach and at the pool.
During lunch time, it rained but it didn't stop us from swimming. Instead what we did was ordered a bottle of rum and shared it among the 3 of us. We were a little tipsy so we knew the solution was to swim at the beach. I guess the cold water took our tipsiness away that after that we ordered lunch and a big serving of halo halo. After all that food, it was time for some singing at the resorts videoke machine. It continued to rain but it didn't stop us from swimming until early evening when we felt chilly already. It was still raining until dinner so we decided after dinner so go back to our villa and stay warm and dry While the others continued drinking.
On our last day, after breakfast, we explored the nearby Calaboso beach. The use of the boat was free since we were checked in at their villa, we just had to give a tip to the boatman who helped us paddle and tour us around. Calaboso beach was around 15 minutes away from the resort and its a secret gem, very secluded. There's also a cave that you can explore although we weren't able to explore that much since we didn't have any flashlights with us during that time. We swam, took pics and Jayjay, Karl and I gathered some shells. I personally have a shell collection where I have shells from all over the Philippines. I was getting shells that had holes so I can make a chime out of it.
After an hour or so, we headed back to the resort since we were about to check out at 12 noon. Also, our van pick up (the one who took us to van van terminal) was already there to bring us around and back to the airport. After settling our bill, we bid farewell to the lovely and helpful staff of the resort and headed on our way. First stop was San Juanico bridge. I know we passed by it already but this time, we were able to stop for a few minutes so we can take pictures at the bridge. During that time everyone was running around making the most of the little time we had at the bridge. If we stayed longer we might get fined already. Since it was lunch already, we were brought to Ocho seafood grill, which was a dampa style. They also had a selection of wine as well as delectable desserts. Last stop was the monument of MacArthur. We were advised we might get wet so we were thinking that the monument as at the beach. It wasn't, the reason that we might get wet was because there was a little pond around the statues. The rest wen in while Dan, Karl and I decided we wanted our feet dry. Although last minute, we were able to do a lot. It was also a fun bonding with old and new co-workers. As early as now, we are already talking about where to go to our next destination. I'll surely post it here. :)
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