Moving from Samar to Leyte
Here is a comical story about moving from Catbalogan, Samar to Ormoc, Leyte by motorbike.
I did 4 round trips of 450 kilometers with my habble-habble Honda TMX loaded down with all sorts of junk ranging from a propane tank and stove to dive gear and a bag of rice.
My girlfriend just laughed and was wondering how she got stuck with a foreigner with no money and a habble-habble.
Overloaded Philippine Jeepney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYkQXxkmUFU
She made three of the trips with me. The second trip was the hardest because I was in a driving rain for about 100 kilometers.
It rained on every trip but we were able to find shelter at this sari sari store (above pic)in Samar on our return trip until the squall blew over.
I was really happy that she stayed behind on the second run, because it was a miserable trip. I got the propane tank, stove and most of our clothes and two carpets on that run.
She joined me on the third run. It was a heavy load but i packed the weight low near the axels so it actually rode well. We left at 3 am so we would not have much traffic to deal with, plus the mid day sun is so intense and is hard on us and the bike.
This was the easiest run because everything just flowed. We neared the San Juanico bridge as the sun was rising and were able to get past Tacloban before the traffic started clogging up the roads.
You have to be a bit careful when traveling heavy because the brakes on the bike just can’t stop your momentum. There was a lot of one lane traffic in Leyte where road repairs were going on but we only had to stop a few times.
We got gas in Jaro where this picture was taken.
Most of the sugar cane haulers on the road were empty as well because it was still early morning, That was one less hazard to deal with - they usually have stalks of cane falling off and bouncing all over the road. One of them could bounce up and stab you or at least gouge your foot.
We didn’t yet have the key to our apartment but fortunately the window was open so I was able to reach in and unlock the door. We were whipped but I unloaded our gear and we slept until 9pm, got up, ate dinner and went back to bed.
In the morning we drove back to Catbalogan. There were a lot of loose ends to tie up so we stayed 3 days.
I didn’t take any pictures of our last trip because my girlfriend thought it would bring bad luck. M. Pacoli, the inn keeper, warned of a typhoon coming in from Mindanao. He recommended that we leave first thing in the morning around 4am. That way we would arrive in Ormoc before the typhoon did.
There was so much junk left to pack, and I just kept tying it onto the back of the bike. Frankly, it was a bit embarassing with a load like that, so we agreed to leave at 2am so we could avoid the ridicule. Also we avoided the traffic and heat again. The motorbike was top heavy and a bit more difficult to control so we did not stop for breaks or anything. I did get gas near Ormoc city and we arrived around 7:30am.I did have a bag of rice on the gas tank which really helped with the balance.
The above picture is not of the “big load” but we are leaving at 3 am to get an early start on it! It is very unusual for locals to drive through the night in Samar citing safety reasons. I do it on a regular basis and have not had any problems - knock on wood!
I tried to get the stuff unloaded at our new apartment before the neighbors woke up, but no such luck! We rain into light rain for the last half hour so that added to the difficulty. I was quite tired by the time we arrived and just operated on auto pilot weaving through traffic.
Most of the others in this apt complex drive cars and kind of look at us like a bunch of Beverly Hilbillies!
The water, gas, and electric were all working so that was a nice home coming!
I had ordered some bamboo furniture earlier, and the boys delivered that by tricycle. 4 chairs, couch and table cost 2,500 pesos. An oversize bed cost me 2,500 pesos as well.
I ordered a smaller one (36in) that cost me 1,500 pesos and a kitchen table was 1000 plus 500 pesos per chair. Here I am hauling the tv table. 300 pesos in Samar 450 pesos in Ormoc.
A 2 bedroom apartment like this rents for around 4,500 pesos per month. 2 months deposit were required and the water and electric are paid by the tenant.
Cable tv runs 450 pesos per month and broadband internet connection runs 900 pesos per month. If you use air conditioning your electric bill will probably double.
A tricycle ride to downtown Ormoc runs 7 pesos per person.
Ferries leave to Cebu from the pier on a regular basis. Super Cat, Delta Fast Ferry, Roble and Lite Shipping all make the trip. Use Roble or Liite Shipping if you are transporting a vehicle.
The highway is in good shape running both north and south from Ormoc.
I think that it’s going to be a good home base for a while!
Let the fun begin!
Hi DP
Love the story, and your riding outfit headgear! My partner Juvee laughed, says you are an unusual foreigner and she salutes you! Mate, you are a brave guy doing that distance in the dark. Bruce and I never travel after dark on the bikes, probably mostly because we tend to open the odd SMB around sunset….
First time we crossed the San Juanico bridge we stopped and watched the local kids leaping off it. Not sure how far it is to the water, but it’s a long way further than I would care to drop. It is possible to go down under the bridge on the Leyte side to take a break in the shade if needed, have a drink of water etc. The guards were pretty laid back when we did it.
In Tacloban we usually stay at Alejandros Hotel (0533217033) It’s a little upmarket but the rooms in the front wing are excellent. On the second floor they have a marvellous photographic record of the time of Japanese occupation, the associated naval engagements with the US Fleet and the subsequent US landings. There are many photos of Tacloban just after liberation from the Japanese. Great historical stuff.
We had a good look at the landing sites, Palo, Red Beach, Hill 522 etc in 2006. Hard to imagine today what it must have been like then.
Cheers
Lindsay
Lindsay,
Thanks heaps for the info.
I have heard about that hotel but haven’t stayed there yet. I wouldn’t mind just stopping in and having a look around!
I am kind of a history buff when it comes to WW2.
One of my friends father was in the Bataan death march.
I just can’t imagine what they went through…
thanks again
dp
DP I salute you…….Amazing what you have achieved with that bike. As Lyn said we could never ever dream of making such a trip let alone in the dark or even with a fraction of your load…. I think many local hubble hubble drivers would be envious…Well done.
Currently I am about to leave Aussie for the trip back to Manila, been a good break (6 weeks) now time to return. Miss the antics and the weather and look forward to our next trip starting in about a month.
Thanks to your input I am sure we will see much more than other trips.
At times we tend to travel more and see less. Great to have your site to assist us in the details. Hope to catch up shortly.
Bought a small lap top as heard one can now buy a smart modem which will allow internet access if in proximity of a cell site. Hope its correct as will cart it along on the bike.
Rest up now, enjoy a few sna migs.. its well deserved.
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for the compliment. It was a job getting that stuff moved down to Ormoc!
Don’t forget a plastic bag to wrap your lap top in in case of heavy rains.
Hope to see you and your brother in Ormoc when you get here.
cheers
dp
Hello, nice to see someone else has done what i want to do. my wife and i are thinking to move to ormoc we will be there in july to look apartment. can you give me any good ideas of places to look. anything you can tell me will help. thank you so much.
Hi michael bruce,
I think that you will be able to find a good two bedroom apartment for 5,000 to 7,000 pesos per month.
Cogon (To-og) might be a good place to start your search.
If you use airconditioning your electric bill will be over 50 dollars a month but will be much less if you don’t.
Cable tv will be around 420 pesos per month with Ormoc Cable.
Propane for your stove will run around 520 pesos(5 gal
Bamboo furniture is inexpensive.
Internet fee 15 to 20 pesos per hour at the internet cafes.
Tricycle rides are 7 pesos or so depending upon destination.
Rides on Lite Shipping ferry that leaves at night and arrives in Cebu the following morning are 350 pesos.
SuperCat runs around 550, I think but this info is out of date. They take about 2 1/2 hours.
Guisanos supermarket is popular with foreigners. here is a decent fish and vegetable market downtown.
I am planning on being in Zamboanga in July but give a call when you arrive and I will try to assist you if I have returned to Ormoc by then. smart 09205553686
dp
Hi DP,
not sure how this works but we have 2-3 empty appartments here in Toog were i am. 6000php per moth. but they are hoping to drop it back to 5000 asap. upstairs with a nice veiw like i have or downstairs. Take you pick. Nice places. 2 bedroom. secure as the gate is locked after around 10-11pm. they give you the number for the lock. very easy going people. i have been here 2 years and have no problems. Hope this is of some help to you. Best wishes DP and see u soon buddy.
Thanks for the info Dave!
Hopefully michael bruce has this page bookmarked and will see your info.
Getting ready to head to Zamboanga tomorrow. Missed the boat from General Santos so I plan to drive my bike.
Things seem to be heating up a bit lately down here with several bombs going off in various cities in Mindanao the past week.
dp
Nice story DP, you and the little Honda are very versatile! Hope you have a good trip to Zamboanga
Paul
Hi Paul,
Thanks, It was a great trip (29 days in all).
dp
Hello guys. My name is Rick and I have recently arrived in Ormoc and am looking for a two bedroom apt. could either of you please post your landlords phone number and your apartment address?
I met a David a few days ago in dunkin donuts who told me about his apartment complex. I am thinking it was probably Dave Longmire.
DP your place seems to be in excellent condition from the pics.
I am also interested in getting some bamboo furniture if anyone has a local contact.
Thanks in advance! Nice website.
I am a local of Ormoc City, very glad to hear and see expats moving in to our city. Hope to bump with you guys one of these days.
To Rick, if you want to buy a better quality and cheaper bamboo furnitures do not buy in the market place. Take a drive towards Isabel and on the way somewhere in Margin you will find them just beside the road. And always ask for a discount or bid for a lower price.
For apartments there are a couple of new apartment in TOOG and Mejia where DP is. I will see if i can give you a contact number since i am also here overseas and wont be back til the end of November.
Hi Rick,
Our apt in To-Og is in a good location and it is inexpensive.
I am not sure of the address and don’t have the owners number either because my girl handles the rent etc.
Dave could help you out a bit - getting settled in, if you choose to stay there.
I prefer to buy the bamboo furniture already made rather than made to order because you won’t know the quality until its finished.
As trex mentions - there are plenty of places to get that type of furniture on the road towards Isabel. I did get mine in town near the market from the guy with a green batman tricycle.
dp
Hello trex,
Thanks for your post and information.
Nice to hear from you!
dp
DP,
thanks, was just surfing the net and came across your website. Interesting read and humorous at times kept me up all night just reading ang looking at the pictures. Cant help but comment and welcome you guys to our hometown.
By the way, anyone tried eating at the FOODSTREET? Its actually kinda nice and the grilled seafoods are excellent especially the yellow fin tuna and squids.
Anyways, enjoy your ride in the countryside hehe!!
Hello DP,
If you don’t mind me asking..how do you earn your money. Are you living off of a pension? I only ask for I want to be able to live in Philippines..but would have to earn money there, I have a few ideas. But I know it is not easy to make a living in the Philippines. What money earned would be a lot different from what I make in USA, this I already understand. My future inlaws make a living wholesaling vegetables from Mindanao to the markets in Southern Leyte.
So I am curious how you “survive” living in Philippines…thanks so much.
Danny H.
Hello Daniel,
It’s pretty tough to earn a living in the Philippines. Most foreigners come with a bankroll and are bankrupt after a few land deals and a relationship or two that did not work out :)
Good luck!
dp