Hello everyone! Today, I'll be sharing details about my spontaneous trip to Leyte with my grandma!
A Spontaneous Start
I wasn't planning to go to Leyte since I had just been there two months ago. Suddenly, at around 10 pm last night, my grandmother made a surprising invitation as I was focused on writing my blog. She asked me, "Do you want to go with me to Leyte? We'll go back home immediately." I hesitated because the trip might have conflicted with my class schedule. I pondered for a while but ultimately decided to say yes. After posting my blog, I packed my clothes, set them aside, and went to bed. I closed my eyes with apparent excitement for tomorrow.
I thought the trip would be in the evening, but I was woken up to tidy myself up in the morning. While I was getting ready, my grandma's voice echoed in the background to let me hurry up. After two hours, we're finally up and ready to go.
Our first stop was at Gaisano Grand Mall in Liloan, where we rode a modern bus to Robinson's Galleria. The ride was uneventful, with the commonly bustling traffic and the chatter of other passengers filling the vehicle. Then, we arrived at Pier 3 (Tres), where the real mishaps began.
A Ticketing Predicament
We only had one goal, so the plan was simple. My grandma's ticket had already been bought; I only needed mine. We walked towards the ticketing station, but I was told that discounted tickets weren't available at Pier 3. We can only buy the ticket at its original price. A nearby vendor explained our confusion, telling us we needed to go to Pier 1 to ride the Oceanjet.
We rode a taxi to Pier 1 (Uno) with little time. The ticket price was originally Php 1,200, but thanks to my student ID and study load (I presented my Certificate of Registration), I got a significant discount, bringing it down to Php 880. I felt victorious being able to save that much.
Take note: Always bring your student ID and study load for discounts!
The Scheduling Mishap
We finally arrived at Pier 1 despite all that haste and waste. My grandmother then assured me that her schedule for shipboarding was at 12 noon. Feeling relieved, I scheduled my trip for noon. I finally bought my ticket! However, when my aunt arrived, we discovered their tickets were for the 1:00 pm trip instead. Another mishap happened again! The thought of traveling alone made me uneasy. Still, I was reluctant to waste the money, so I comforted myself.
My Grandmother to the Rescue
Fortunately, my grandmother was never a quitter. She approached the ticketing office with an air of distress. She convinced them to adjust my schedule amidst her persuasion and crocodile tears. I was amused, as always, when I was with her.
Inside the Port
The port is quite lively with travelers of all kinds gracing the area - there are couples, solo adventurers, families, and friends. Passengers come inside to pay the terminal fee. Afterwards, the baggage are scanned for a quick security check. Moreover, there is a ticket validation counter and staff provides instructions on the boarding details. As you walk inside, the terminal is a bustling place of diverse people coming from different locations. There's a lot of foreigners too! The large windows inside offers a glimpse of the ships outside the decks.
The waiting area is truly vibrant. It's filled with many kinds of souvenir stores offering Filipino handicrafts like woven bags, sun hats, wallets, jewelries and more. The terminal also offers different Filipino delicacies as souvenirs. Hungry travelers can also indulge on the diverse food stalls inside!
And we finally arrived at Ormoc Port successfully! It was chaotic but I'm glad to have my grandma with me to share the fun!💓
