On December 25, 2014, Miko and I met up at Shell Daraga, Albay, to kick off our adventure together. He's my riding buddy for this trip. After fueling up, we hit the road towards Matnog, Sorsogon. It took us about two hours to get there, and from Matnog, we hopped on a RORO headed for Allen, Samar. By the time we arrived in Allen, it was already late, so we decided to take a rest at the port.
The accommodation at Allen's port was basic - just 350 pesos for a night. We had an electric fan and twin beds, though the bathroom was in pretty rough shape, which we had a good laugh about. The next morning, we were up at 4:00 AM, eager to make the most of the day. We caught a stunning sunrise as we cruised along Samar's coastal road. After a three-hour ride, we reached Catbalogan, where we stopped for breakfast before checking out the Samar Capitol Building.
Continuing our journey, we stumbled upon a breathtaking scenic view before crossing the iconic San Juanico Bridge and making our way to the McArthur Landing Site. After spending a few hours there, we consulted the map and decided to extend our adventure to Bohol. We rode through Sogod and crossed the Agas Agas Bridge, which is the highest bridge in the Philippines. After a few more hours on the road, we reached Bato, Leyte, where we quickly boarded another RORO bound for Bohol. We arrived in Ubay around midnight and then headed straight to Tagbilaran.
The next day, we explored Panglao Island, visiting the Tarsier Sanctuary to see those adorable creatures. We cruised along the Loboc River, where we playfully waved at people dining by the riverbanks, and stopped at the Loboc Adventure Park for some adrenaline-pumping activities. Our last stop was the Chocolate Hills, where we enjoyed a picturesque dinner.
Heading back to Ubay port to catch our ride back to Bicol, we were taken by surprise when we found out the RORO had departed early due to an approaching storm. The following days were marked by the storm's arrival, which damaged two ROROs and left us stranded.
On Day 6, advised to find another port due to the damaged vessels in Ubay, we traveled to Tubigon and eventually managed to secure passage back to Cebu on a fast craft, thanks to a sympathetic manager who happened to be from Bicol.
We arrived in Cebu late at night and took the opportunity to visit Magellan's Cross and the Lapu-Lapu Shrine on Mactan Island before heading back to the port to secure tickets for Ormoc. We reached Ormoc in the evening, had a hearty dinner, and prepared ourselves for the overnight journey back to Legazpi.
Looking back on our adventure, I remember the camaraderie, the unexpected challenges, and the incredible sights we experienced. One poignant memory was encountering a quiet town in Calbayog, Samar, where despite the devastation from Typhoon Yolanda and the stormy weather, locals welcomed the New Year with candles and pots, embodying resilience and positivity amidst adversity.
#Gopro #dji #visayastouristspots #philppines #philippinemotorcycletourism #bohol #cebu #samar