Hi all I'm off to Tacloban in a few weeks to meet my better half's family is there any thing or some where I should do when I'm out there as I'm thinking about spending the whole 4 weeks just chilling on a beach somewhere.
Hi Wayne Its been a little while since I've been to Tacloban (late 2014 I think) as my wife is originally from western Samar. Tacloban is a pretty quiet place to be honest and in my mind hasn't really been the same since Yolanda. There are a couple of guys on here who's wives come from there and have family there and I'm sure they'll be along at some point to give some pointers. To be honest we used to fly in from manila, get picked up, do a load of food shopping and go to the province straight away. Until one of the more knowledgeable guys comes along google is your friend https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=things+to+do+in+tacloban
I visited Tacloban only a few months after Typhoon Yolanda hit. the ship that the Typhoon had 'blown' into one of the villages that was seen all over the news. I visited MacArthurs statue where he returned to the Philippines after promising the Philippine people that he would return after making a hasty retreat when the Japanese invaded. (worth a visit). I also visited the San Juanico Bridge the longest bridge in the Philippines. It joins Samar to Leyte. again worth a visit if your there anyway, but it's difficult to take pics as your not allowed to stop on the bridge!
Also worth a visit is Sohoton caves just across the infamous San Juanico bridge to Samar. Book a boat ride and tour guide to show you around. Theres a World War 2 exhibition and photo gallery at the Alejandro Hotel. Basey Church in Samar is also worth a visit, although it is an hour from Tacloban. St Nino Shrine & Church. The shrine was a house built for Imelda, and you can guess that inside is a palace with riches from all over the world. You'll see Imeldas bedroom, the ballroom and the guest rooms. Madonna of Japan overlooking Cancabato bay, nice peaceful park.
Thanks for the info we will have a great time there I know mona's got a lot planed for us family BBQ and all that will post a few pic when or if I come back
not from Tacloban, you can't. There is no passenger ferry to Cebu and there hasn't been for years. I think that there used to be a night ferry years and years ago between the two, but not any more. If you want to get in between Tacloban and Cebu city quickly, the best way is to fly. The plane is in the air for about 15 minutes. Othwerise it's two hours on a bus to Ormoc and then another two and a half on the fastest ferry to Cebu city although most ferries from Ormoc to Cebu city take five or six hours. As far as I know the only places on Leyte where you can get ferries to Cebu are : Ormoc, Hilongos and Naval, Biliran to Cebu city ; and the ferries from Palompon, Villaba and San Isidro to Bogo, Bogo and Maya respectively. The Villaba and San Isidro 'ferries' are just small bankas. The Palompon-Bogo boat is a proper ro-ro.
Not been there for almost four years, but the following places were my favourites. Just checked them out on the internet and all still seem to be going strong. Stephanie Smoke House, a fixed price buffet on Avenida Veteranos is a great place for an evening meal out with a big group of extended family and friends. Safest to book a table in advance. Sunzibar a crowded little restaurant on Burgos street does nice "rum ribs", so nice I don't think I ever ate anything other than the ribs there. Giuseppes Italian restaurant on Avenida Veteranos serves excellent Italian food. Mr Donut on Rizal avenue was the best place for breakfast, the brewed coffee was always good, nice staff and decent donuts. A few other places I remember, Kyles, Innsbruck bar, Shakeys Pizza.
Guiseppes, I had forgotten about them. Had the best Pasta alla Carbonara there many years ago. Recommended.
