Explore Leyte in Half a Day

Move fast, to visit and see more sights in the province of Leyte. It was the second day of our roadtrip and the spirits are high with energy. Our first stop, Mac Arthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo, Leyte. Along the way we can still see the remnants of destruction of Yolanda. This protected area commemorates the historic landing of General Douglas MacArthur inLeyte Gulf at the start of the campaign to recapture and liberate the Philippines. I made it a point to have as many historical stop for this family trip because of my brother's interest with history and war.



Lunch is the next best thing to do after hours on the road. In the town of Palo, we found a place to eat, failed to remember the name of the place. It is located along the National Highway going to Tacloban City. It was a house converted into a carenderia, they offer native chicken and kambing on their menu. For lunch, we had; kinilaw na kambing, tinolang manok and chicken for Browie.





After lunch, I decided to check-in first before we continue our adventure around Tacloban City. We stayed in Basic Rooms Budget Hotel, it was the first hotel we checked, with its affordable price, I decided to checked-in right way. Located along  Leyte Gulf, the place is undergoing renovation because of it was destroyed during Yolanda. The rooms are all new, which made me decide to get it. Basic Rooms Budget Hotel is in Sagkahan, Brgy. 66-A, Mangga, Tacloban City, Leyte.


Lets moved! That's what we got from Papa after we settled all our things in our rooms. Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum, we've travelled to Ilocos and visited almost all of Ferdinand Marcos' heritage houses and museum, but never did we encountered the kind of characters that this place have. Did I feel sorry for not entering the place, after all the travel we did? No. Entrance fee is important to sustain and maintain the place, but to treat your guests with harshness, as if telling them "you do not need them in your place, and go somewhere free," is too much. The manong painting the fountain, pointed the legislative building next to it, even telling us "daghan lumang gamit, dha sa pikas daghan libre pa." We just laugh it off, but to see that a grandiose legislative building built with the people's money is now a surplus shop and dilapidating. 




Grumbling, we leave and not let the experience get through our andventurous spirit to see more of the Tacloban City. San Juanico Bridge, part of the Pan-Philippine Highway, it stretches from Samar to Leyte across San Juanico Strait. Constructed in 1969 and opened in 1973, this arch-shaped truss bridge is considered in the Philippines. Browie was overly excited with the experience of walking through the bridge, while it was the longest walk I ever did.



It was a day that needs a great end, Ocho Seafood and Grill is the place. Halo-Halo is the star for us, well all their food are delicious, but it was the Halo-Halo that made an impact, haha. Ocho Seafood and Grill is one of Tacloban's finest seafood restaurant, a testament would be the table almost full with customers even at early dinner time. They have a wide array of fresh seafood you can choose from, cook the way you want it "dampa style." Located in Senator Enage St., Downtown, Tacloban City, Ocho Seafood and Grill is a must try when visiting Tacloban City.










Leyte Provincial Capitol, on our way to our hotel, we passed by it and took a few minutes to take pictures around it.


Our second day on the road brings in an experience that would make us better as a family travelling together. 
Travel Date: May 16, 2017
Travel Buddies: Family

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