Leyte Landing (and Leaving)

March 12, 2012 Travel

If you’re passing through Leyte on your way to another destination just like we did, here are some must-visit spots, comfy stays, and fun things to do in Tacloban City and nearby Palo!

This list outlines our experiences before and after our journey to Biliran.

1) Leyte Landing Monument

The monument marks the historical site where American liberation forces, under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, landed in 1944. Situated in Red Beach, Palo, it stands as a symbol of significant events during World War II.

For refreshments, there are nearby stalls offering fresh buko juice, providing a delightful view of the beach and the invigorating sea breeze.


2) Seahouse Resort


Our travel companion booked us at a resort just a few minutes away from the airport. The accommodation has the charm of a homestay as it is situated within the compound of the owners.

The resort features a room that comfortably accommodates up to six persons, along with a spacious living room that opens up to a veranda with a sea view. The decorations, although a bit eclectic, contribute to the overall homey ambiance

Adjacent to the resort is a restaurant that serves delicious and reasonably priced meals and drinks. There's also a fantastic acoustic band performing every weekend.


3) San Juanico Bridge

At a total length of 2.16 kilometers, the San Juanico Bridge, connecting Samar and Leyte, holds the distinction of being the country's longest bridge.

For romantics, this bridge is akin to our Taj Mahal, as it was presented as a gift and testimonial of love by then-President Ferdinand Marcos to the First Lady, Imelda, who hails from Leyte.

The best vantage point to appreciate the bridge is accessible from the Samar side. A small trail leads to it just before entering the bridge.


4) Leyte Mansion

This is a must-visit for Sto. Niño devotees like me. Unfortunately, we arrived at lunchtime, just hours before our flight back to Manila, and were unable to enter as the tour guides were on a break. Nonetheless, we took souvenir photos of the facade and offered a brief prayer of thanks to my travel patron, the Sto. Niño.

Kelly is a public relations professional and entrepreneur whose projects have assisted multinational organizations, small and medium enterprises, government officers, international organizations and non-governmental organizations. She is partner-consultant of RubyComm-K.Austria, a public relations management and consultancy company. Kelly is also a former government employee having served at the Department of Tourism for two years. Being mountaineers, Kelly and her friends travel by land, sometimes on rough roads and trek for hours to give a new lease of hope to students. She is co-founder of the group TREK or Trails to Empower Kids.

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