It took me almost two hours just to reach Biliran. Normally, it takes only 1 hour and 30 minutes but there were several stopovers that day.
I spent the night in Biliran.
I spent the whole day going from one tourist spot to another.
Agta Beach
Then, Ulan-Ulan Falls and Recoletos Falls.
Then around 2 pm, I went to my next stop - Tacloban, Leyte.
It took me more than two hours before reaching Leyte. Another van ride.
I was able to visit only one tourist spot in Leyte apart from its Cathedral, i.e. the Sto Nino Shrine.
The Santo Niño Shrine is one of the 29 presidential rest houses that the late President Ferdinand Marcos had built. It was built for his wife Imelda Marcos. Now, the place is a museum housing the artifacts of the Marcoses.
From Tacloban, the next stop was Balanggiga, Eastern Samar.
I boarded a van again bound for Borongan and it was past nine pm when I arrived in Balangiga. I had to see the famous Balangiga Church. I spent the night in Balanggiga and paid P130.00 only for my room.
DAY 5
After seeing the Church, I went back to Tacloban, Leyte. This time with another mission.
Another 1 hour and 30 minute ride back to Tacloban.
I alighted at the spot of the most famous bridge in the Philippines -
San Juanico Bridge.
I made another stop that day. At another historical spot in the Philippines.
Basey Church
St. Michael the Archangel Church was constructed in the 17th century. It features murals of biblical characters on the ceiling.
Last stop for the day was the Sohoton National Park and Caves.
I chartered the boat ride for P1,800.
Sohoton National Park and Caves is one of the 32 recognized ecotourism spots in the Philippines.
From Sohoton, I went to my next stop - Catbalogan City.
I spent the night in Catbalogan and I planned for my next journey.
I was excited that finally I will be able to see the famous Calbiga caves!
DAY 6
Calbiga Caves
The largest cave system in the Philippines, reputed to be the second largest in Asia and the world's third largest karst formation, is 7 km. long with an area of 900 square km.
A little bit of bird watching and hours of trekking.
I also went to Lulugayan Falls.
Numerous waterfalls cascade down the rapids from Lake Kalidongan but the most majestic is the Lulugayan Falls at Barangay Literon. Approximately fifty meters wide, Lulugayan Falls has been dubbed by tourists as a Mini Niagara Falls.
I would never forget that day. There was a typhoon signal number 2 in Visayas and there I was touring Calbiga.
After the tour, I went back to Catbalogan and I slept soundly that night.
DAY 7
The next day, from Catbalogan I went to Calbayog City.
Travel time is more or less an hour depending on the pace of your van.
But we reached Calbayog in just 47 minutes.
I stayed in Calbayog for only an hour and roamed the city.
Calbayog Cathedral
Then after an hour, I went to Catarman, Northern Samar.
Here is the inside peek to the interior of the Catarman church.
Again, I roamed the city even though it was slightly raining.
From Catarman, another bus ride to Allen, Northern Samar.
It took me only 45 minutes to reach Allen.
Reaching the port, I boarded a Roro ferry boat and went to Matnog. From Matnog, I took a bus to Batangas.
Concluding my 7-day tour of Eastern Visayas!
It was one week full of thrills and a variety of experience!
Till my next tour in Eastern Visayas! =)
