Synopsis: My Roam Of Northern Samar's Pacific Towns
Let's do a recap of the 'resorts' and 'rides' part, of my fun travel to the Pacific Towns of Northern Samar, since that's where most of the "kakaiba matters" in my notes are!
Disclaimer: Whatever I say below, I will insist this corner of Samar Island is paradise in its own right; as of now worth a visit; definitely evolving (if you know what I mean)!
Ah! Yes, you have to know what I mean: the more developed a tourist destination is, the more crowded, showier and noisier, the lesser it is a respite for peace and quiet.
Unfortunately, more crowds mean more earnings for the tourism service providers.
So, go now! Aw, in the next dry season hehe!
The Rides
Going There:
We have extensively discussed how to approach those pacific towns: by air, then by bus or van earlier, right? Slow, few and fading are the jeeps, but mini-buses are a hit!
We said (oh, did I?), that riding a private vehicle (owned, borrowed or hired) is the best for groups and families but still expensive especially if you're alone or just a couple.
From Town To Town:
Or town to natural attractions, there are few commuter rides that you can hail at will - especially if you are a group. The norm here is the "iskooter" (scooter; habalhabal).
You will need to hail a platoon of scooters for a group! Otherwise, you just wait for a passing bus, van or jeep, which, may or may not come at your expected time of day!
But if you have a private vehicle, can it pass or ford the way to where you are going?
Within Town/Barangay Centers:
Or your resort to town center and back, scooters are still the way. There are usually a lot of pedicabs and tricycles for hops just within the poblacion or short distances.
Note: most resorts are a little away from their poblaciones. Some of them are even still hard-to-reach via a 4-wheeled vehicle (narrow or rugged paths). Da! So, ano ba?
Best to talk to your destination provider/s or town's tourism office (most are on FB).
The Accommodations:
Their Resort Concept:
Be aware that.., in Northern Samar towns (even all the way down to Eastern Samar), a resort doesn't necessarily have rooms, since a cottage is not necessarily a room.
Cottages are generally thatched-roof huts, that may or may-not contain a long table and benches around it. Prices vary accordigly. They do not care how many you are!
In 99.99% of resorts, 'cottages' do not have their own private toilets. You all use the common toilets. Showers too, if any - because others only have water in big drums.
Their idea of "The Epitome" of the best resort is THERE IS VIDEOKE AVAILABLE. No guest is ever perturbed that all cottages have them, only feet away, at max volume.
I'm telling you that, to manage expections, as some of us want quiet and serenity!
Those resorts that do have rooms with beds (the real hotel/resort rooms), even also have videoke (video singko) machines ready for quick installation, once you say so.
How do you ascertain those? Ask! Everyone is just a call away (via msgr normally)!
Food and Amenities
None! Still somehow part of the "existing resort concept" in these rural towns, you are expected to bring your own "cooked" foods. Almost all do have 'DIY grill areas'.
If you were alone or a couple, meals can be a challenge. No restaurants (except for Marcela's). No nearby eateries. And the town centers will usually be some distance.
There is even no assurance you'll find restaurants at those town centers hehehe!
My technique: I plead with the owners and/or crew that I be included when cooking their own meals, and I just pay them. Plus, I buy canned food etc., at nearby stores!
Now.., if you were a group, no issue. Because you will naturally bring everything you need - including utensils, water dispensers, rice cookers, dish soap, your drinks etc!
Why Is It Like That?
I am inclined to believe it has something to do with "culture" or vestiges of it. It may not even be a purely Waray trait. Maybe it's Filipino. But others have already evolved.
Specifically, all resorts whether low-end or (their) high-end are very obviously made to cater to groups (I call them battalions!) - like families, barkada, neighborhoods etc.
Why's that? Because Pinoys generally have an inherently 'sociable spirit'. It's always we or us instead of me, myself or I! Not only in grief or need, but also in celebrating.
How many of us think of celebrating a birthday with just Mom, Dad and Siblings? It is not common, right? Kung me pera lang, sama ang friends-of-friends - buong bayan!
Remember "bayanihan"? I have lately been discovering (here on Samar Island) that, that word doesn't only apply to helping others, but also in recreation and relaxation.
Yes, R&R is not really rest and recreation but more on Party AS Recreation! It's even a "walang pahingang kasayahan" - actually! And, most Pinoy vacations are like that.
That concept of a 'break', 'vacation', 'rest' has just become individualized because of western workforce/corporate influences - e.g., 'to recharge', 'to find one's self', 'chill'.
And many of us have by-and-by subscribed to this idea of taking a break "alone/solo" - though, majority of employees (private or public) will still annually scheme "oy sana magka-sabaysabay ang bakasyon natin para masaya"! That's being a "sociable" Pinoy!
Now... all that said...
On Samar Island (that has been the lagger in development, modernization, etc) resort-owners cater to the bulk of would-be guests: families, friends, officemates, barkada, barangay councils, alumni, LGU employees, etc! All in groups, seldom solo or couple.
And they all go home at day's end.
So, who needs rooms? Wala. Thus, they don't have many resorts with rooms!
Aw, I believe almost all resort-towns in our country started that way. Example: when I first went to Sabang Beach (Baler) long ago (wala pang MS Word noon!), there were only 2 "cottages" on the beach, benches of which, were made of 2 poles of bamboo.
Maryusep! Pinahiram lang ako nung mabait na Brgy. Captain ng kumot but I slept on that bench, made of 2 poles of bamboo, laid parallel to each other. A 'balancing act'!
It is still a bit like that on the Pacific Towns of Samar - with some comforts naman.
For example, KingVen has rooms but mostly "cottages" (na ang dami grabe)! On the day of my arrival, ako lang ang guest. At sundown, 5 or 6 of their cottages were full.
Full with big groups, especially by the pool - all had videoke, karaoke, guitars, etc. At midnight, some went home but many stayed/slept overnight at those 'cottages'. Ya!
I think 2 or 3 couples eventually got rooms for the night, but others stayed outside.
Ganyan!
I think, resorts with rooms will eventually 'sprout' according to demand - from us the 'visitors from outside' na hindi isang batalyon kung dumating - with 2 whole lechons!
Marcela's is already one lovely example - wala nga lang sila sa dagat.
Syempre, if you were proprietor of a resort in the area, you'd only supply the present demand, right? If we individual roamers keep visiting, "real rooms" will keep coming!
Like that. Ganoon yon. Asya it!
Hala kit!
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