This is Lovelee: VISAYAS

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27 October 2014

Leyte 2014: Tacloban City After Typhoon Yolanda

The anniversary of the day that typhoon Yolanda (international name, Haiyan) devastated the province of Leyte is coming near, and we can't help but think back of what it has done to the country and how it united the Filipinos to help out our fellow "kababayans' who were stricken victims of the great typhoon.

Per Wikipedia, Typhoon Yolanda, was one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, which devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, on November 8, 2013. It is the deadliest Philippine typhoon on record, killing at least 6,300 people in that country alone. Yolanda is also the strongest storm recorded at landfall, and unofficially the strongest typhoon ever recorded in terms of wind speed.

I got the opportunity to visit the province of Tacloban 2 months ago and for me, I can say that the people are definitely back in their feet, though they say that a lot are slow in doing so. Why? Because they are not properly being assisted by our government in their rehabilitation. Lots of donations from all over the world came in but why is it not being felt by the victims. Who is to be really held accountable for this? The answer is a given. I don't want to say it anymore.

Through my recent journey there, I would like to share what I have seen:

THE TACLOBAN AIRPORT

Upon going down the plane, you will be greeted with a plain sight. Plain meaning I don't see trees or structures that were previously there. I have been here in the province twice already in the past back in 2007. Sadness is the feeling that will immediately welcome you. But there is hope because the airport is being fixed, both inside and outside. Inside was a bigger mess.

SANTO NINO SHRINE AND HERITAGE MUSEUM

It looks very rustic from this point of view but when up close, you will see the damages that it has sustained because of Yolanda

LEYTE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL

It seems untouched by the natural disaster and hope it stays that way for a long time.

Tourist-y shot!

The view in front of the provincial capitol

THE DOWNTOWN

Hard to imagine that high flood water and very strong winds was experienced by this place

SHIPS WASHED ASHORE

SHIP #1
I just had to take a picture. Hard to imagine that the storm surge washed these big debris far ashore. That's how powerful it was!

SHIP #2
Now, they are part of the "attraction" to tourists.

SAN JUANICO BRIDGE

Now this is a very welcome sight! Last time I walked here was way back 2007 or 2008. The bridge was color grey back then, now it's red.

Hello Samar! Hello Leyte!

Still was not able to walk the entire length of the bridge. But at least it was more than my last time. The bridge is a bit shaky when vehicles pass by but that's just it. No fear!

MCARTHUR LANDING

So nice to see them still standing up despite being in the waterfront when the typhoon hit.

The calm after the "storm".

We stayed in Go Hotels and we enjoyed it. It was right beside Robinsons Place so it was very convenient.

We all bounce back from trials and hardships and that's what matters most. It's how you go on after that experience that will define you for what you truly are. So for Tacloban, or any other place that was devastated by typhoon Yolanda, just keep on living and soon this will just be a memory that you will reminisce that made you stronger. =)

~Lovelee~

CHECK OUT MY OTHER LEYTE 2014 POSTS:

Tacloban Foodtrip - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2014/09/leyte-2014-tacloban-city-food-trip.html

Kalanggaman Island - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2014/11/leyte-2014-beautiful-kalanggaman-island.html

26 July 2011

My Sunset Photo Collection

I love the sunset..or sundown..whatever we prefer to call it. Whenever that event happens, I just look at that vast horizon and for a short moment, I feel peaceful and so much relaxed. Aaahhh, sweet, sweet life.

With every chance that I have, especially when I am in a place that has an amazing view of that sunset, I take advantage of that.

I still have a small collection but I made a vow to make this grow, eventually. Let me share what I have so far..

19 July 2011

I ♥ BOHOL: Virgin Island

The second island that we visited when we did the island hopping series is the Virgin Island. Most certainly 'virgin' because no signs of civilization there. There are the occasional vendors that offers merchandises from fresh sea urchins to cultured pearl accessories and even fresh buko juice for that beat-the-heat feeling. Very diverse choices, I say.

From Balicasag Island, I think, it took the boat around 20-30 minutes to get to this pristine island. Very small only but it gives you the best of all things possible in this natural environment. Clear water, a good snorkeling spot when you go beyond the clear waters invisible 'line' and a magnificent sand bar. Though at that time, it was a bit high tide already so we did not get to experience the sand bar when dry nor walk to the far edge of it, but, who says that we did not enjoy it! :)

Immediately after setting foot on the glittering, hot and white sandy beach, we took in the environment and right away loitered around to choose a perfect spot. The sun was at its highest so looking for a shade was essential, so we can leave our things but at the same time, be able to see them while we are at the water. After settling in, we jumped in the crystal clear and cool beach like small children. Cannot get enough of it, not minding at all that we are fully exposed to the harsh rays of the sun and that our sunblock was helpless in protecting us. FYI, this is where we got burned to a crisp. Really! :)

Check these out!

There it is..Virgin Island!

Oh-so-clear waters!

I forgot that the sun was scorching hot. I did this position for more than 20 minutes, I think, not realizing that I was getting baked! Haha!

Inner child in us..feeling free in the waters

Have some of that white sand

There's our special spot and our fresh buko. For only Php10!

And here is our tindero, the name is Raymond. Nice kid. He helped his dad sell their buko.

Loving the moment!

We got a starfish! Yehey! But this one is crawling, haha, I placed it on my shoulder and he was crawling slowly.Creepy feeling but okay :)

Up til now, we would still remember how this exact scenario played out everytime we reminisce about this particular vacation... We just wanted it to rewind and rewind. :)

There's the tail of their famous sand bar that we did not get to walk on because its high tide, but we did some quality time on the other side of the sand bar just by sitting and talking while my friend's trusty umbrella was trying to provide us some shade

Back at Panglao... 4 sun-baked individuals, who, during this picture-taking session, was badly feeling the effects of a nasty sunburn

You can really see the difference. Sigh.

For people who loves the sun and sand and some solitude, do not miss this spot. You will regret it if you do. :)

Check out my Bohol 2010 Trip:

Sagbayan Peak - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-sagbayan-peak.html

Bilar Man-Made Forest - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-bilar-man-made-forest.html

Hanging Bridge - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-steppin-it-up-at-hanging-bridge.html

Loboc Church - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-loboc-church.html

Tarsier Sanctuary - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-tarsier-sanctuary-cute-little.html

Prony the Big Python - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-prony-gluttonous-python.html

Baclayon Church - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-baclayon-church.html

Sandugo Site - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-sandugo-blood-compact-site.html

Albuquerque Church - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-albuquerque-church-in-town.html

Calape Church - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-calape-church.html

Rio Verde River Cruise - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-rio-verde-river-cruise.html

Dauis Church - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-dauis-church.html

Hinagdanan Cave - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-bohol-hinagdanan-cave.html

Balicasag Island - http://thisislovelee.blogspot.com/2011/07/i-bohol-balicasag-island.html

18 July 2011

I ♥ BOHOL: Balicasag Island

Island hopping! Yes! Finally going to see those beeeeautiful islands that Bohol is surrounded in. Your travel itinerary must not forget this activity for it's one of the main highlights.

First stop is Balicasag Island and from what I've gathered prior to our trip, one can do snorkeling, diving, basically, anything that can be done in the water. We were excited..I was giddy even if I don't know how to swim. Yup, that is correct, swimming is not my forte but I can float on my back. I guess that still counts, sort of. But that did not stop me from taking a peek at the wonders of the ocean.

At the start of our day, we woke up at 6am, we had our generous breakfast, compliments of our resort, and we had it at our simple table but our view was beachfront. Haha! What a great way to start the day. Just feeling the soft breeze and the sound of the soft waves lapping at the sand. As if beckoning us to go to the beach and enjoy ourselves right away.

We were supposed to leave at 6am bound to Balicasag Island but since we overslept a little, that very short time difference made an impact on our trip because we nearly missed the dolphin watching. Well, we sort of missed it because we just saw their fins from afar. 7am was already too late. So my advice to travellers who plans to go here in the very near future, stick to the original time that was advised because they are not lying, it is indeed true. ;p

Moving on, we just enjoyed our bangka ride going to the island. Our size of the bangka was just right, not too small yet not too big. We had a lot of space to stretch and be alone with our thoughts. It was so relaxing! The waves are tempting you to fall asleep as they swing from one side to the other. I love this feeling! As we near the island, we were all excited and the water is so clear that you can see the bottom. And this was a deep part. Scary! :)

We docked at a rocky side of the beach with lots of sea plants floating, it gives an icky feeling when your skin touches it but keep in mind that these are plants so it's alright. Anyway, check out the photos below of what happened to us at the island...

The start of our day..around 6:30am

This is what we have seen of those magnificent dolphins..just the tails and fins. People, do not be late. Do not be like us! :)

There it is! Balicasag Island!

Look at that! very clear water even from a deep end

Welcome to Balicasag Island!

A few snaps here and there..and here and there again..haha!

Weird name for a boat :)

Peaceful island life..Tranquility at its finest

Time to go snorkeling. Our little boat, the Sea Turtle, if I remember correctly, costs at around P250-P300 for all 4 of us already

Hanging on to dear life. For me, that was the scenario, manong bangkero did not give us any life vests.When I peeked underwater at one side of the ocean, I saw a deep end that promised bottomless depths (exaggerating!) but really, it was so deep already. I got scared. :)

But that did not stop me from enjoying it. Forget your fears! I even saw Nemo, by the way, and this big blue starfish. :)

I got this for remembrance. When I jumped in the ocean, I hit a coral and it hurts so bad but it became numb eventually that's why I was able to enjoy the experience