TACLOBAN – ORMOC – CEBU TRIP

We were bound for Ormoc Leyte for a business trip but since there was no direct Manila - Ormoc flight our option was to take either the Tacloban or Cebu bound flights.  So make the trip more worthy, we decided to fly in through Tacloban then flew back through Cebu.

Day 1
We left Manila for Tacloban at about 430am and arrived an hour thereafter.  At Tacloban airport, we rode the jeepney to the town proper for P50 per head.  We headed straight to Duptours shuttle terminal to inquire for Ormoc schedule.  With the next trip at 1030am, we had ample time to stroll around Tacloban City.  After we confirmed our slot, we hailed a taxi to bring us to Tacloban's fame -- the San Juanico Bridge and Mc Arthur Landing Memorial.

I've always been curious about San Juanico as early as the primary days.  Though I can't recall now the history writings but what it has been known to connect Tacloban and Samar.  Now, I was finally able to sat foot and experience crossing San Juanico bridge.  For the tourist, it was a wonder and some dared to climb the top for a pose.. but for the locals, maybe just an ordinary bridge that they pass through everyday.

San Juanico Bridge

After the San Juanico crossover, we're off to Palo for Mc Arthur's Landing Memorial.  Palo was surprisingly the prim-and-proper town type.  According to hubby, Palo is the seat of Government and even of the Catholic Church in the region.   The town planning as exhibited by tree-lined roads and the classic government buildings can be mistaken as being in another country.   And the beautiful, clean and quiet environment is also an added factor.  

The memorial was filled with water that time so we had no pose beside the might General.   But nonetheless, hubby's planking sealed our visit.

Mc Arthur Landing Memorial

After Palo, we went back to the terminal to catch our ride.  I’m starving already because we haven't had breakfast and no sight of an open restaurant on our way. Thankfully the terminal has a donut store and that lived for awhile.

The bus left at 11am and unlucky for me, I seated at the wrong side – direct at the sunlight.  I can feel the heat of the sun and the air-conditioning was inadequate to cool the loaded bus.  But being seated as compared to those that were standing or squatting at hallway shove off my complaints.

Finally after 3 hours of zigzagged ride in a sauna-like bus we reached Ormoc.  We hurried to Sugarland Suites, our host hotel, for lunch and to freshen up.  Then the rest of the afternoon was spent attending to business matters.

Day 2

On our second day, we walked around the City and visited the nearby Sabin Resort Hotel. The establishments and buildings around Ormoc are within walking distance and in close proximity -- from the market to the shopping mall, to the church, to the government offices, to the hotels and to the parks.  Ormoc City Tourism Office is situated at the entrance of the port where brochures and maps are available for free...

For our lunch, we had lechon.. hmmm... and the city wander helped us dissolve the negative aspects that comes with it.  Ormoc’s lechon sauce is presented differently from Manila's lechon.  Theirs is a thick clear sauce made of different herbs.  I thought oddly at first but it was delicious.

For more of Ormoc City, visit www.ormoc.gov.ph.

 

Day 3

We left Ormoc for Cebu at 8:20am and arrived at exactly 11:15am.  Then at Cebu City, we headed straight to CNT lechon [lechon again] for our lunch.  Afterwards, we proceeded to Sto. Niño Basilica to offer prayers.  For our takehomes, we went to Taboan for danggit and dried mangoes.  Then we spoiled the rest of our time at SM Cebu while waiting for our flight.

Tacloban - Ormoc Leyte - Cebu Map
courtesy of www.blancsablon.com

Travel Date: September 2011