Introduction to Samar
Here’s a quick look at the island of Samar in the Philippines. This island is less developed than some of the others but that gives it a unique flavor.
This man is paddling the Blanca Aurora River near San Jorge.
Bright blue kingfishers hang around at the waters edge and add a little color to the landscape.
This is the Ulot River (Monkey River) cutting through the Taft National Forest. The forest is pristine and the water pure but illegal logging is going on at a terrific pace.
On both of these rivers it would be a good idea to have a friendly local with you, as a companion to smooth the way, because these areas are politically sensitive.
Catbalogan fish market – interesting video taken at my local fish market
Tarangban Falls is in Western Samar about a 4 kilometer walk from the National Highway near Calbayog. It is a pleasant hike through coconut palm plantations but the trail is not well marked.
Going with someone that knows the area makes it an easy trip.
Samar!
I just love this place!
Refreshing…
Jeepneys, vans and habal-habal motorcycle taxis are the most common forms of road transport in the province.
buying shoes – youtube video of the local shoe store in Catbalogan
…forgot to mention motorbike tricycles
…and manpowered tricycles.
This whole concept of roofed over motorcycles is an indicator about how much it rains in these parts.
Here is the old church in Basey.
The San Juanico Bridge connects the islands of Samar and Leyte.
Leaf being used as an umbrella in Eastern Samar.
This neat house and garden is on the east coast near Taft. The east coast gets hit regularly by typhoons during the stormy season and has some good surfing spots.
Fishermen’s houses on the coast near Catbalogan. One of these fishermen brought us over to Guimit Island about 2 hours distant.
There we did a little research on the python population.
Boats with outriggers for stability are the norm on the fishing grounds.
There are networks of caves running through the limestone of Samar.
Samar has an undeveloped tourist industry but spelunkers from Europe make regular visits to explore and map the area.
This is local caver, Sherwin, having a look at a flawless formation in Jiabong Cave.
Sherwin displays a bat in Guimit Cave. I suggest not handling bats because they are are known to carry rabies in some cases.
Joni in Jiabong cave near Catbalogan. This local cave system gets very few visitors.
You get a feeling like you are passing through the veins of the earth when swimming along in these underground rivers.
I prefer these smaller caves to the Calbiga Cave which is one of the biggest limestone caves in Asia.
Fishing villages spring up where ever there is a river meeting the sea.
Hinabangan Samar – youtube video of a typical town in Samar
Street parades are common through out the Philippines.
This occasion was Charter Day in Catbalogan.
Pineapples are a major crop in Samar. It takes a bit of practice to cut them but you get the knack of it by watching the locals.
They are sold alongside the road – 5 for 100 pesos.
Fish vendor in Borongon.
Imagine fresh caught yellowfin tuna for 120 pesos a kilo! Most of these photos come with a more complete story.
See the Samar section.
Samar
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Hi there, I’m just wondering do you have any idea how much does a motorbike tricycle cost? I have a girlfriend in Catbalogan and I’m planning to buy 1 for her family so she can start earning some income. Cheers
Regards
Joe
Brunei
Joe,
It probably depends on if you buy one new or used. You will also have to get the permit from city hall. 3 wheeled bicycle trikes are the most common in Catbalogan, but if you are getting a motorbike with side car plan on spending around 69,000 pesos for a new Honda TMX 155 and getting a used side car.
I am not sure what a side car can be picked up for but they are available at one of the welding shops in town.
You could probably get a used TMX for around 25,000 pesos. The fare in town for a trike is 4 pesos. Fuel is around 37 pesos a litre. The economics here are a lot different than say, Angeles City where a trike driver can charge a foreigner 100 pesos for a short ride.
The family will apreciate having the wheels, however.
Catbalogan might be an interesting place to visit for you. Why not make a trip out here and see for yourself. Fly to Tacloban in Leyte and then take a mini-van.
dp
dp,
You are very resourceful. Thanks. I will fly to TACLOBAN and then take a mini van to CATBALOGAN as per your advice.
Regards
Joe
Hi Joe,
Sounds like a good plan.
The National Highway has just been paved so the trip should be a breeze. Only a year ago it was a muddy jungle trail.
Have a great trip! Why not hang around for a few weeks if you have the time.
I suggest holding off dropping a bunch of money until you feel you are comfortable with the situation. If you have not been in a relationship with your girl a long time you might be buying a motorbike for her boyfriend. Pardon my cheekiness but it happens quite often.
There some interesting things to do in the area – waterfalls, caves, swimming, disco but few restaurants and few tourist facilities.
There is an ATM at the BDO (Banco De Oro)that goes off line regularly so have a little back up or get some funds in Tacloban before you come.
Edwardos is not a bad place to eat. There is one Jolibees and a few other fast food places. There are a number of street vendors in the evenings.
I usually cook for myself. There is a great fish market at the pier uno until 9am. A big vegetable and meat market and inside fish market are open till 6 or 7 pm
cheers
dp
dp,
I will take your advice. Regarding the boyfriend thing, I doubt it coz she wants me to meet her parents, which I will. Also she knows I will bring her home one day to settle down with me. As you said, I will check it out before venturing further. I will certainly txt u up when I’m there. Cheers
Joe,
Sounds like a good plan!
I hope to go up to Donsol (in Luzon)to swim with the whalesharks this week, but should be back later in the week.
PS We added another page of Waray Waray phrases.
dp
dp, thanks! I have read your Waray Waray phrasebook and save a printout copy to keep it handy during my stay. I would love to see those whalesharks one day and swim with them. It’s every divers dream. I did txt u from my cellphone, just to say hi. Don’t know whether you have received it. Thanks again dp for a very helpful source of information, especially the Waray Waray phrasebook. I did recommend your website to other friends who are interested to visit SAMAR one day. But they let me do the adventuring first…hahaha…thanks again
Hi Joe!
Thanks for the note!
I am out the door now – on the way to Tacloban to pick up my cousin from the airport.
Going to Donsol tomorrow. Mate, it’s an easy run from Catbalogan. Take the bus to Allen and cross to Matnog. Get off at Patiao and take a jeepney to Donsol. (I just drive my bike – figure about 8 hours including the ferry)
Swim with the whalesharks and your girl the next day. If you want, I can give my girl’s phone number to you to give to your girlfriend but I dont want to post it here. She went with me for 8 days last year.
here is the link with info
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/bicol/may-whale-shark-update.html
dp
Hi,
How long is the drive from Catarman to Calbayog and then from Calbayog to Catbalogan and then Catbalogan to Tacloban?
I will need to go to Samar next month and visit each of the towns mentioned above.
THanks,
Karina
Hi Karina,
The roads have been vastly improved over the past 12 months.
My guess is that it will take about 3 hours to go from Catarman to Calbayog.
2 hours from Calbayog to Catbalogan,
and 2 hours from Catbalogan to Tacloban.
Have a great trip!
dp
is there any transportation from calbayog to taft,samar? how much will it cost? thanks
Helo Iian,
I don’t think that you will find direct transport from Calbayog to Taft.
You might have to go to Catbalogan and try to get to Taft from there. The highway over the mountains to Taft gets little traffic.
dp
hi,
can anyone please tell me what to do and see in samar? will be going there from tacloban and it will be my first time.
so need your help.
thanks a lot
lezah
hi,
i need your advise.
i will be travelling to tacloban and after that i dont know exactly which is great to go next, either go ormoc to go back cebu
or tacloban to samar and what are nice place to see and do there and after that which way to go next, i would wanted to go north of cebu if its possible after samar.
so it will be tacloban-samar-sta fe cebu or bantayan island…. is it possible after samar not to dock in cebu city?
pls help.
thank you
lezah
Hello lezah,
The islands off of northwest Samar are quite nice.
Biri Island has some great rock formations and snorkeling.
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/samar/biri-island-samar.html
Dalupiri Island is a nice place to chill for a few days.
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/samar/dalupiri-island-samar.html
Capul Island has a beautiful lighthouse.
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/samar/capul-island.html
…be advised that Samar has very little tourist infrastructure but has some amazing scenery and pristine wilderness!
happy trip
dp
Hi lezah,
I think that there are several ferry connections between northern Leyte and northern Cebu but I know of only connection from Samar Island To Cebu Island and it docks in Cebu City – which probably will not work for you because you don’t want to return to Cebu.
Roble Shipping goes once a week from Catbalogan Samar to Cebu City
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/samar/roble-shipping.html
dp
We took the shuttle bus from Tacloban down to the far Southeast tip of Samar at the city of Guiuan. The journey down Samar is hard because of the huge potholes (probably due to earthquakes). The whole area around Guiuan is nice due to its small size. You have to be careful finding a room at the local lodging establishments for sure. We ended up having a great time and want to explore the Calicuan Island (sp?) area in the future. This can be reached by a road that attaches to the main part of Samar in Guiuan.