Finally got a chance to have a summer slash birthday trip getaway. Just a quick 2-day experience in the island is not enough but still thankful for it.
Limasawa Island is one of the island I want to visit for its history and one of the popular go-to-summer-vacation-trip in our region nowaday.
For a brief story, I went to Homonhon Island last 2014 for an emergency response when Typhoon Haiyan devastated some of the Municipalities including my hometown in Region 8, Philippines.
Just like Homonhon Island and Limasawa Island they have rich background when it comes to Philippine History. These islands were Ferdinand Magellan went to. Also these two islands have massive waves. yup! big waves there are certain month/s were in, it is safer to travel going there.
Ferdinand Magellan is a Portuguese-born navigator was one of the great explorers of his era. The first European to cross the Pacific Ocean, he also played a crucial role in the first circumnavigation of the world.
"Ferdinand Magellan and his European crew sailed from San Lucar de Barrameda for an expedition to search for spices, these explorers landed on the Philippines. On March 28, 1521, while at sea, they saw a bonfire which turned out to be Mazaua (believed to be today's Limasawa)."
📍 Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte, Philippines
"March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday, Magellan ordered a mass to be celebrated which was officiated by Father Pedro Valderrama, the Andalusion chaplain of the fleet, the only priest then. Conducted near the shores of the island, the Holy First Mass marked the birth of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines. Colambu and Siaiu were the first natives of the archipelago, which was not yet named "Philippines" until the expedition of Ruy Lopez de Villalobos in 1543, to attend the mass among other native inhabitants."
Magellan instructed his comrades to plant a large wooden cross on the top of the hill overlooking the sea.
Few meters from the cross you will see an overlooking sea.
Conqoured the 450 steps going to the planted cross. woah!
After visiting the historic places it's about time to visit the beautiful beaches of the island. You can charter a habal-habal (common mode of transportation in the island) for 175 Php/person for the whole trip. Kuya driver will be the one to drive you around and be your tour guide. Just trust him you can never go wrong with the locals.
To the beach off we go! Brace yourselves for the magnificent work of God. 😊
📍Talisay Beach
(haven't been developed though but you can already enjoy the ocean.)
📍Island Lagoon
One of the tourists favorite because of its pristine water and cliff diving experience.
note: Always jump pack better be early or you'll be having a difficult time finding a spot.
(entrace fee: 20php/person and toll fee 5php/person)
📍Limasawa Lighthouse
And my favorite! Perfect location for a perfect view.
You can see the Island Lagoon from here.
📍Dakdak Beach Resort
You have to book first for your accommodation. It is always fullybook especially weekends. We stayed in a cottage 700Php/night. (Common Toilet but it is always clean.)
They also have an airconditioned room with own bathroom, 1,200Php/night. Entrance fee 50Php/person.
For inquiries and reservation..
All things bright and beautiful 💙
Beautiful sunset at the resort.
..and sunrise too!
tips in the island:
🌴 Bring drinking water. It's a bit pricey in there, 1 liter will cost 30php.
🌴 Bring own food. You can use the grilling station at the resort. If you didn't bring any just like us. Because I only brought food for breakfast and lunch. You can buy their cooked food, cup noodles, canned goods, pricey too and small serving. But you can survive though. hehe
🌴You can bring tent in Dakdak beach resort. Just pay the entrance fee.
How to get to Limasawa Island:
From Tacloban City:
☀ Ride a passenger van to Maasin City 200Php.
☀ From Maasin to Padre Burgos ride a multicab/bus 30-35Php. (I'm not sure if there is a Tacloban-Padre Burgos trip)
☀ *From Padre Burgos port
option1: You can charter a pumpboat for 1,200-1500 one way good for 10-12 person or you can divide the price from your group)
option2: Ride a passenger boat 50Php/person. But you have to be quick there are lots of passengers who wants to avail of cheaper transportation.
..at about 1 hour you're already in the Limasawa Island you can now charter a habal-habal for your day trip.
From Cebu City: (just like for me)
☀Buy Roble ticket bound for Hilongos Leyte around 265Php/one way trip. I bought roundtrip ticket. 9pm trip. (it also has an 11am trip) Only two trips per day.
☀ From Hilongos Leyte port ride a bus going to Maasin 70Php/person.
☀Then Maasin to Padre Burgos, see * for reference
☀In going back to cebu, you just have to ride again a passenger bus going to Hilongos Leyte port. Buy bus trip ticket a day before or same day as your travel date but in the morning. Tickets are easily soldout. 7pm bus trip. and 10pm Roble trip to Cebu. (it also has an 11am trip) Only two trips per day.
(note: Be early going to the port of Padre Burgos. You should be there before 8am if you want to be in the island early.)
☀🌴☀🌴☀🌴☀🌴☀🌴☀🌴☀🌴
That's it my fellow Steemians! My short but sweet summer escapade. We all work hard for our future but let us also give ourselves reward/s for being a hardworking human being as we are. hehe! I know some of you don't have a hard time having vacation leaves. For some you have to consider many things especially at work or home. But the bottomline is, Let us not forget to take care ourselves. Self care is very important. In my opinion it is the key to avoid burnout in our working place. Break the routine once in a while.
Here is my picture filling up my soul with love and happiness that I get when I'm with mother nature.
