Last June 2017, Baybay City proudly launched a new attraction, a new reason to visit the place and a new addition to travelers’ bucket list.
Ladies and gentleman, I present to you.. the “16,000 Blossoms” of the 2nd largest city in Leyte.
Its composed of 16,000 white and red led roses located at the city’s highest point, the Lintaon Peak.
You can get here through public and private transport:
If you’re a backpacker on a budget travel, here’s my suggestion. From Tacloban City, you can go to Baybay via public transportation which will cost you around ₱130-₱170. Its a more than 2hours ride, the roads are good but you will pass through a zigzag route, so brace yourself if you have byahilo problems. From Baybay City’s Terminal you need to find habal habal that will take you to the 16,000 Blossoms. Its a special trip so you should have an agreement with the driver for the roundtrip fare, which will depend on how long are you going to stay and your haggling skills. 😁
If you’re travelling with a group and is willing to spend a little more to avoid the hassles of commuting via public transport, I suggest you rent a car. From Tacloban City, you will be travelling directly to the 16,000 Blossoms. Thus, saving a little bit of travel time. Car rental is also available in Tacloban. We wanted to rent a Toyoto Wigo at ₱2,500 (+₱500 for driver) but the owner would only allow 4 passengers, so we took the Montero Sport for ₱3,000 (+₱500 for the driver). We consumed around ₱700 for the gas. So for our travelling expenses, it was a total of ₱4,200. Its better if you’re travelling with a larger group so that the expenses will be lesser. The owner was very accommodating and negotiation wasn’t really a problem. I think the price is just fair. The driver picked us up on time. I didn’t encounter any problem with Thom’s Car Rental. No need for meet ups. You may arranged the deal via text or call, and you can give the payment to the driver after the trip. If you want to avail their services you may contact them at +63 977 849 4428 or +63 920 508 0417.
We left Tacloban at past 1PM, had our late lunch at Palo, then leave for Baybay at 3PM, we arrived at around 4:30PM. I think, it was a perfect schedule since we wanted to see the led roses lighted.
Our goal was to see the 16,000 Blossoms, but we were surprised with the beautiful view from Lintaon Peak.
Its a perfect combination of the sea, the mountains, the city, the greens, and the breath taking sunset.
You will be momentarily lost as you witness how magical is the setting sun and how it gracefully ended our trip to Baybay. Its like an astounding finale of a theater play that deserves a standing ovation from the crowd. A passing moment you wish you can pause, so you can stare at it longer. For a moment there, it was so peaceful that you forgot the hustles and hurry world. Almost everyone was still, savoring the scene, witnessing how this world was fabulously created. It was nature proudly showcasing its magnifecence and wonders.
This is what fuels me to travel more. This is what keeps me from buying clothes, expensive shoes, jewelries, or other fancy things because I’m saving for my plane tickets and travelling expenses, so I get to experience more moments like this.
I may not have properties, but these are my assets. An investment that gave me more than 100% return of happines and fulfillment, and that my friend, is so priceless.
I believe, when you wanted to do something, you’ll do everything to get it. But if you’re not willing to do everything maybe you don’t really want it that much. Maybe, you wanted something else.
Find your passion, then do whatever it takes to get it. Even if it means lots of sacrifice, sleepless nights, more practice, patience and time. You have to find that thing that makes you invincible, something that fuels your soul and activates the super powers, and unleashes the superhero within you. Its not whether you have time or not, its about making time for it because that’s what you wanted to do. No buts, no what ifs, no excuses. Do it like you are an unstoppable beast, so nobody would dare block your way or stop you. Its about believing that you can. Remember what they say, faith can move mountains. I’m sure you can do it, you just have to create courage and genuinely have faith in yourself. 💚
!steemitworldmap 10.603920 lat 124.798508 long Lintaon Peak d3scr
(All photos are mine unless otherwise stated)