Two Days in Samar
Most travelers give Samar a pass, but I have developed a special fondness for this province that grew during the year that I lived here.
My girl and I were based out of Catbalogan, Samar but now live in Ormoc, Leyte. We left early in the morning so we would arrive before noon. The run takes about 5 1/2 hours on my beat up Honda TMX motorcycle.
These red bananas are exceptionally tasty! (50 pesos for the bunch) marasa!
We had the good fortune to meet up with frequent posters Bruce and Lindsay in Catbalogan. They were touring the countryside and we shared tips about favorite places to stay, motorbike maintenance etc.
These guys have a real zest for life and are always on the lookout for out of the way gems to discover. The Philippines is a motorcycler’s paradise.
They were driving these sweet Yamahas. Lindsay let me take his for a spin and they are so superior to my old rattling TMX that I felt like riding it all the way back to Ormoc. I am convinced that this is going to be my next bike!
My Honda has been modified to a habal-habal, or 5 seater motorbike. I am pretty comfortable with 4, but 5 is one too many for me, because the front end gets too light and tends to lift up when going up hill.
A 10 to 20 kilo bag of rice or hog starter on the fuel tank helps with control-ability. These local guys will ride with 7 people on theirs but I am not that good and likely never will be. They rarely make the long runs that I do however.
Bruce and Lindsay opted to stay at the Rolet Hotel – a favorite of westerners but were surprised at how homey the Summers Garden Pension was too. The Maqueda Bay Hotel is another good call, but they are remodeling the place right now and their hot water wasn’t hooked up.
Here we are having lunch with the Pacoli’s of the Summers Garden. I picked up 4 lapu-lapu fish that morning at the pier. I miss that seafood market!
We had a good feed the prior night at “Edwardos Restaurant” . This place is a favorite of westerners. It’s often difficult to find good food when you are on the road.
The Tower Grill in the alley by Trexplore is another favorite.
Here we are at the San Juanico Bridge on the 11th of June – Independence Day is the 12th (hence the flags).
Note the reflective tape added for safety for night driving.
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
Wood Boat to Manila Philippines
Hi DP and thanks so much for the mention and photos. We enjoyed so much to catch up with you and really was great to hear your stories and advice about Samar. Also to meet Joni the caver was fabulous, what a guy, never met anybody with such knowledge about caving and interior Samar.Thats one adventurous guy.
My next trip here will be to explore some dive sites that have not been dived, hope your able to join me. Seems one could spend a life time on the island…..
OK until next time
Thanks Bruce,
Did you get a chance to meet up with Bill Andrews? Looks like he has a good thing started on nearby Cagnipa Island.
I would love to make a trip up there and check it out!
It was great meeting up with you and Lindsay in Catbalogan as well.
cheers
dp
i just love reading your adventures in samar & leyte, places that i am familiar. keep on writing your travelogue. there are people who enjoy adventures & i am one
Hi Carlo,
Thanks for the comment! I will keep trying to come up with new stuff!
dp
Hi DP
I enjoy your stories, keep it up! Just curious, why do you prefer the Yamaha’s
to your Honda? What’s the attraction? I’m a Honda man myself!
Paul
Hi Paul,
Comparing a Honda TMX to Bruce and Lindsays true off road bikes is like comparing apples and oranges.
I would have to compare a Honda 200XR to their bikes. The Yamahas seem to have better gear ratios and a smoother ride.
My TMX is more of a caribao, and drives like a gravel truck when it’s empty (with it’s overload springs on the back). Some locals will load a half ton on these work horses.
check the logging with motorbike story
http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/mindanao/logging-with-motorcycles.html
I use mine to haul rice and passengers up to my girl’s sari sari store up in the mountains.
That bike has been to Zamboanga a few times even up to Manila once, but had the most fun is traveling in the backcountry of Samar.
I will probably stick with Honda for my main rig. It is just too easy to service while on the road.
cheers
dp
i love reading ur adventure in samar. I realized samar is not a boring place all you need is to discover the hidden beauty of samar island. i wish someday i can visit this place too.
Hi Dutchpickle,
I envy you. I was born in Borongan, but grew up in Negros Oriental. But I love Samar just as I love Negros. I have been there a few times and long to live there one of these days. You are obviously from some other country, but you live there. I’m green with envy. But I do love your articles about Samar…please keep them coming. I just discovered your site, but it has become my favorite quickly. God bless.
I’m very much interested in doing a similar trip from Manila, is it a good idea to buy a motorcycle in Manila and travel to Samar from there? I have a friend in Samar who I can leave my bike with.
Hello James,
Malina is not a good place for first time motorcycle experiences in the Philippines. Samar is perfect.
I have driven 4 times through Manila on a motorbike and frankly it is not very much fun.
dp