A Short trip to the Visayas -- Tacloban Leyte and Marabut, Samar

It was my first time to go to this part of the Visayas region, hence quite excited for this trip. My goal at first was to cross the San Juanico Bridge which is the longest bridge in the Philippines. We took a PAL flight at 12:55pm and arrived Tacloban Leyte at around 3:30pm and went straight to the hotel. We took a jeepney ride to downtown Tacloban as our hotel is located there -- Ironwood Hotel. As we were passing through the city, I can't help but be amazed that this place was once hit by typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon. I looked at the locals and was telling myself, "how did they survive in that catastrophe?". The people are striving to bring back their own city and I must say after 3 years they have done a pretty good job in bringing back their city--their life. 

How do I describe the people there? They are very simple, very warm and helpful. I can attest to this because we were once lost and don't know the way to Robinson's. We approached and asked one local which jeepney route should we ride to reach to Robinson's and she graciously told us the direction and even hailed the jeepney for us and told the driver to drop us off at the place. While waiting for the jeepney, the lady and I had a short chat and told us that she's on her way to pick up her daughter so they can go home together. That's how nice and helpful they are =). On the first day, we went to the grocery to buy snacks and water and arrange for the car rental that we will be using for our day trip to Marabut. We rented out a self-driven Toyota Innova vehicle from Haven's Tourist Transport. The personnels from Haven are easy to transact with. The vehicle cost PhP 2,500 for 12 hours exclusive of petrol. The personnel brought the vehicle in the hotel, we inspected it, paid PhP 5,000 deposit, signed the contract and handed over the key. You are required to present your government ID as a requirement. The vehicle is new, 2013 model that is and based on my research they're the only ones the allow self-driving.

Leyte Landing monument

San Juanico bridge

The road trip to Marabut took about an hour and went to Caluwayan Palm Island Beach Resort. We spent around PhP 1,250 for 2 pax in Caluwayan Beach resort for our lunch, rental of the umbrella and usage of the swimming pool. We weren't able to swim in the beach as we saw a warning sign that there are lots of jellyfish.

Marabut beach

view from Caluwayan Palm Island Beach Resort

On our way back to Tacloban, we were craving for burger. We can't find any Army Navy there so we decided to google the best burger in Tacloban and we found Pop-Up Kitchen. I had the classic burger and my friend had the Avocado burger. Too bad wasn't able to took a photo of the avocado burger, but it looks exactly the same as the classic, just add avocados =) The burger was soo good and even thought of bringing home some but then again I decided not to as the taste will not be the same as freshly cooked ones.

Pop Up Kitchen restaurant entrance

Pop Up Kitchen interiors

Pop Up Kitchen menn

Pop Up's Classic Burger

Contact Information: 

Ironwood Hotel

Burgos St, Downtown, Tacloban City, 6500 Leyte

0998 857 1857

Haven's car Rental

P. Paterno Street, Tacloban City, 6500 Leyte

(053) 523 0765

Caluwayan Palm Island beach resort

Marabut, Samar

0906 462 6260

Pop Up Kitchen

Burgos St., Tacloban City

0917 623 1889