Philippine Travel Notes

For now, maybe. But it looks like that's the new normal our planet is headed towards. Here's the story: I went early to Tacloban's Save More (near the pier) for some urgent errands. As in I was there before it opened. Done at 9:37AM, I was out to ride a jeep, and saw this: That scene could look normal to the unfamiliar or unconcerned. But having been in and out of this city for 11 years now, I just knew something was not quite the usual. At first I thought "parang lumiit ang kalsada" . Then it quickly turned into a bit of alarm and amusement. I told myself "ata, bakit umakyat na ang dagat, sasakay din ng jeep"? Anupangaba! Sugod Pinoy Traveler! Osyosohin alamin bakit kay-ano nasugad! Da! Total puzzler (to me at least). On a hot sunny morning, why would there be a 'flood'? It was not like that years ago. Well, things change - for the worst, very unfortunately! That's no ordinary flooding. Look at the water, it is clear clean gree...

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 g...

This was not really in my itinerary, although somewhere in the recesses of my brain was saying, I'd love to drop by, even for just a while. And it happened... Opportunity! Let's start from the very beginning... From the previous story , I hopped on a van at Gamay with Oras as my destination. It went well, with just one little caveat , that I would give up my Seats 1 & 2 at Arteche. Arteche Arrival Van stopped at the side of Arteche Covered Court ( Multi-Purpose Building ), to let off some of its Arteche-bound passengers. Here. This was the last pic in my earlier story . I learned, not all Arteche-bound passengers have-to or need-to alight here, although I saw people get-off or wait-for their rides here. The 3 ladies with 5 'big suitcases' did! Those of us not getting off, sat tight waiting (due to offloading of bags and boxes). Tricycles strategically wait for passengers also at this corner (babaan at sakayan nga naman ng vans & buses) , alth...

Exit time! Time to leave the Pacific towns of Northern Samar. I wish I had more days. In fact, I even wish I could live in this place, at least for a few months, years, or kahit forever! Anyway, leave I must ! Now, this was a trip full of learnings - I dedicate to you, fellow commuting roamers! Planned itinerary for this day was: 1] walk to the highway in Potong (~100 meters) ; 2] hop on a vacant 'anything' going to Lapinig town proper (~3kms) ; 3] roam around Lapinig town proper; 4] take a bus or van going to Oras (~65kms) ; 5] stay overnight. There were other alternatives I considered - like going via Catarman, then Calbayog, down to Catbalogan and finally Tacloban. But I remembered: avoid the ' holy roads '! Flying out of Catarman, Calbayog or even Borongan were also options, but I already had a ticket out of Tacloban. So, reversing how I came was the best option this time. However... (eto nanaman ako) things do change. What actually happen...

A wonderful encounter.., in one of my morning-walks, I found a beautiful new friend. Can you see her in this picture? Wheh, malayo pa lang I already noticed her alindog! At 6:26AM, I was walking to a sari-sari store (upper left corner of pic, beside red gate, sarado pa kasi ang sa Momoy), and there she was on a sidewalk, confidently seated. She knew I was there though she was busier looking at a cat by the opposite house. But I just said "Good Morning Mingming" once, and she immediately walked to me! First it was curious about my phone. Maybe she thought I was giving it to her as my hands were outstretched. When I said no, she sat by my feet. I said now what? hehe! Oh eh, di tumambay kami sa gitna ng kalsada. Baka magalit pag iniwan hahaha! At nag-usap kami. OMG kinausap ko! I talked, she wagged her tail or bunt my feet! My most important question was "mingming, bakit naman white ang eyeliner mo, 'di ba pwede violet or green man lang"? Hahaha, wal...

This is a beautiful beach, still a daily tableau of the "rural life-and-recreation"! Potong Beach , is not (yet) that much publicized, thus, not in the bucket-list of many a traveler, and I think I like it that way (greedy ba?) , but by-and-by, it is getting 'found'! If not yet widely-known, how did I know about this place? Ah eh, I have my ways, let me count the ways... hehehe! Honestly, I saw this last year, while at Sunrise Resort. By my guesstimate , Sunrise Resort will probably be somewhere at that yellow arrow, or probably even nearer. My green arrow points to Momoy and Sinulog resorts area. Learning about Momoy and Sinulog, I bucket-listed them. After a year, here na me ! Oy it looks like, and very similar to other beaches, like Binogawan for one. The sand here is just lighter in color. But another place, another experience - that's the essence! The essence of "travel pa more", di ba?! Oh, what I loved about this visit was the reali...