Short trip around Tacloban City

When i was a kid my mom told me about the Tacloban City in Leyte, especially the San Juanico Bridge that connect the Leyte and Samar provinces.  Out of curiosity September i booked my ticket to visit my father in Samar.  Since i wanted to have an adventure trip and new experience i chose to land in Tacloban instead of Calbayog Samar.
 Around 11:30 in the morning when i arrived in Daniel Romualdez Airport before my trip i already read some info on where to go around the city of Tacloban.  I rode a jeep bound to downtown fare is P13.00  from the Airport to downtown, but if you want an air condition  vehicle you can ride a Van or Taxi Cab there are lots of van's, taxi and Jeepneys waiting outside the airport.

Outside of Daniel Romualdez Airport

I did not follow my itinerary due to my delayed flight so i made Plan B!.  Before i left Manila i already printed out the Tacloban City map as my guide in exploring the city.

First stop! Sto. Nino Shrine

From the outside of Sto. Nino Shrine (Romualdez Museum) Tacloban City

I didn't got the chance to go inside the shrine due to time constrain. After here i walked along Calle Real until i reached my second stop over and that is Sto. Nino Church!

Sto. Nino Church Tacloban City

Bell Tower of Sto. Nino Church

This church is consider as the main church of Tacloban City, there are lots of people attended the mass during my visit here.

This are the multicabs going to downtown and to Tacloban Land Transport Terminal.
Since it was already past 12:00 i decided to go to the Duptours Terminal, those are the vans  going to Calbayog City, Catbalogan, Catarman Samar and Some part of Samar. I really wanted to stop in one of the longest bridge in the Philippines but i rather not to because it was already late and i have no idea how long it will take to reach Calbayog City.

at Duptours Terminal

The van left at 1:45 pm i did not ate lunch that time so i ate some snacks and cookies that i brought just in case i get hungry.
And last but the most exciting happened to me during my Tacloban trip was witnessing the longest Bridge in the Philippines!!

SAN JUANICO BRIDGE 

My Tacloban adventure was really great! though it was a short trip it's still a great experienced for me. I'm so amazed on the places I've seen as a solo backpacker! Its more fun in the Philippines!!:)

Traveling Solo

I read a lot of article about traveling solo, some says its fun, some says its boring, some says its lonely, and some says they will never do it again.  But for me I would way its amazing!  Some are afraid to try traveling solo their reason is because they are not familiar in the place or they don't know someone on that place, etc.  But how could you prove to yourself those complains, reactions, and hesitation if you don't give it a try? 

When I was kid I used to travel often, and as I remember the farthest place I've been was Samar, this is where my father came and grew up, I enjoyed the long trip at the same time I enjoyed looking at  the view while inside the bus..

Maybe that is the reason why until now I always looking forward to visit the beautiful places here in the Philippines.

I started solo traveling when I graduated from college, my mom gave me a signal that I am free to do so as long as I will ask permission first to them because during my high school year they didn’t allowed me to go anywhere unless it was school related.

     December 2011 was my first experienced to travel solo(as in solo), I planned it for a couple of months I saved money for it as my budget.  I searched about the place on how to get there, where to drop off, what transportation I need to reach the place, all of it.  And when the exact date arrived I woke up early to prepare my stuffs.  I left the house with mixed emotions, I am nervous at the same time excited.  Unfortunately that time the weather in the Metro was not good at first I tried not to push  my plan but on the other side I ask myself why and  Why not?

Aside from that I always look forward for adventure that’s why I tried solo backpacking and I found it fun and exciting. 

Traveling is fun, this is the time to relax, enjoy and find what exactly you want for yourself.

Soul searching for others, for me this is my way to release my stress or if am sad, or just wanted to forget and mend a broken heart.  What ever reasons you may have it doesn’t matter, don’t mind other people as long as you are happy with what you are doing go for it.

Remember traveling makes you realize how blessed you are, not everyone given the chance to travel so enjoy every journey make it memorable and share it… :)

Soloista Backpacker (Birthday Edition)

It was Sunday and a not so good weather in Manila during that day but still i pulled thru my plan to celebrate my special day outside Metro Manila,  i decided to celebrate it alone and try to be a soloist backpacker for one day. But before that a month before my special day came i kept on thinking on what best place to celebrate it, to think that i have no enough time to search on the net because holiday seasons is coming over and people were too busy buying their gifts for their love ones and aside from that i am on a tight budget.  But when my mom told me that Manaoag Church was nice place and one of the best place to visit i did not think twice to make Manaoag Church as one of my first travel destination as a "Soloista backpacker". I started to save some money for my plan.

and when the day came i am very much excited to think that i woke up as early as 4am which is not usual for me and prepared my stuff.  5:15 am i reached Victory Terminal in Caloocan and the rest is history..

i enjoyed my solo trip going to Pangasinan and the boredom didn't strike because i am busy reading birthday messages coming from a great friends of mine ^_^

and during my trip going to Pangasinan i saw this famous resto along Mc. Arthur in Gerona Tarlac

Isdaan the famous resto in Gerona Tarlac "Taksiapo!"

How to get to Manaoag Church?

Go to the Nearest Victory Liner or if you want there are other Bus Lines going directly to Manaoag Church 

such as Dagupan Bus Lines. 

If you ride Victory liner ask them to drop you off to Urdaneta the trip takes about 4 hours then if you reach Urdaneta ride a tricycle or tribike going to Magic Mall from there there were lots of tricycle waiting going to Manaoag Church.

Bus Fare from Caloocan to Pangasinan

Victory Liner Caloocan to Urdaneta Pangasinan P280

Urdaneta going Magic Mall (tribike) P10

MagicMall going to Manaoag Church P30 a 15 to 20 mins. travel going to church.

Town Hall of Manaoag Pangasinan

you will also see their Town Hall in front of the church

Tupig!!My favorite! :)

and here is one of the best delicacy you'll find in Pangasinan

after i attend mass i walked behind the church where candles and garden located

during my trip i met a not so old woman while i was eating in one of the fastfood chain located in front of the church, i approached her and started to ask if she's a visitor or one of the people lived in the town, i had a good conversation with her but i forgot to ask for her name but still i will never forget her because she's the only person i chatted with during my stay in the town.

Some say "don't talk to strangers" but who cares! if you're foreign in one place and you're not familiar don't be afraid to ask somebody for a help but always make sure to be attentive. :)

Again another fruitful year has been added and there are lot's of things to be grateful.

It was a really tiring trip but still i really had fun! every destination is a memories, every people you met is a blessing and every step you take is a lesson learned.

Ciao! ^_^