PERSONAL STORY ABOUT A SIMPLE BUT NICE BEACH SIDE RESORT NOT TOO FAR FROM TACLOBAN

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INTRODUCTION
Having lived around the Dulag area for many years this is a story I want to tell. It is about a simply style but very nice beach side resort called Harapitan. The resort in in the Dulag barangay called Luan and run by a very nice family. I have found over the years there are many beautiful and nice places to relax that are not commercialized or advertised. This is one of them!
LUAN LOCATION MAP

HARAPITAN

I actually found this place by accident. I had a broken bone in my foot and was actually staying in Tacloban in 2010.I wanted to find a place where I could swim in the Ocean. I had just met my future wife and her family suggested we go to Luan near Dulag. I was on crutches and had a brace on my leg.
There were two small resorts side by side. The first one I just wanted to have a look. So I made it to the beach from the entrance and needed a rest so sat down for a minute at one of the cottages on the beach itself. A guy came up to me working there and said “That will cost you 150 peso”. I said “I am only sitting for a minute.” This guy could see I was on crutches and had trouble getting around.” The guy then said “You are a foreigner you can afford to pay”. The cost was to rent the cottage for the day and I was only seated two minutes. I was not happy even though it was only 150 peso but paid and left.
I went next door to Harapitan and the first person I met was the owner. He said “No problem just sit down anywhere if you get tired.” I took my brace off and made to the ocean and had my swim. Later I started to talk again to the owner who explained he had four children and held a government job. The family lived at the resort with other relatives.
So this was the start of a good friendship, I still have to this very day. I was working in Africa and would get four weeks leave every three months and was spending that time with my future wife. Across the road is a pension house which can better be described as motel style accommodation which was quite comfortable. This is where I stayed over the coming years up until we built a house in the area. It was perfect for me as the pension house was good accommodation and the resort Harapitan was just across the road.
BEAUTIFUL VIEW FROM HARAPITAN
At this time Harapitan had karaoke and served beer and food. It was a great place to swim and just relax with a great atmosphere. So I spent quite a bit of money over the years at Harapitan and it was well worth it. The resort next door who charged me 150 peso to have a few minutes rest with a busted leg paid a price as I never went back.
Time goes by and there were two typhoons that did significant damage until one the biggest storms in history completely destroyed Harapitan. That of course was Typhoon Yolanda international name Haiyan. This resort business and the family have done it hard over the years. Harapitan is now rebuilt but they just rent out the beach cottages and do not sell beer or cold drinks. The other resort never reopened after Typhoon Yolanda

HARAPITAN AFTER TYPHOON YOLANDA

HARAPITAN IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
If you are a visitor to Tacoban you may just what a break from the city or visit a nice place on the Pacific Ocean. Or you maybe local Filipinos who are not aware this place exists. For food it is not too difficult to buy take out and for beer or cold drinks all that is needed is a container and some ice.
GETTING TO HARAPITAN FROM TACLOBAN
If you have hire car then it is easy. There are also jeepneys and White Vans that pass by the resort. The Jeppneys travelling this route are going from Tacloban to Dulag or Mayorga. The white vans will be travelling from Tacloban to La Paz
FINAL THOUGHTS
There are many nice small beach resorts between Tacloban and Dulag. This is and has always been my favourite. Am I biased? The answer is ‘a little bit’. A very beautiful, relaxing place to visit and run by a very nice family. Give it a try. Nb more pictures below
Have a nice day from Robbie in and around Tacloan
Follow me on Twitter @robertmva
ENTRANCE TO HARAPITAN

VIEW FROM THE OCEAN TO HARAPITAN

PENSION HOUSE ACROSS THE ROAD WHERE I USE TO STAY

ENTRANCE VIEW FROM THE HIGHWAY




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