Robbie in and around Tacloban

Tacloban City Convention Center The Tacloban City Convention Center is one building that stands out in Tacloban. It is also distinct when landing at Tacloban airport especially if you land from the north. The building was opened in 2006 and the cost to build was 200M peso which equates to around $4M US Locally this building is called the Tacloban City Coliseum or the Tacloban Astrodome. It has a seating capacity for around 4500 people. Many events are held here like basketball, concerts and of course regional events. It is the second largest indoor venue in Leyte behind the Superdome in Ormoc TACLOBAN CITY CONVENTION CENTER My experience inside the convention center The only time I have been inside this venue was when my sister in-law graduated in Human Resource Management. This event was very important to me as my sister in-law was the first person in her family to graduate from college. It was also a big moment for the entire family.   Looking at the building from t

Pines Farm Resort in the Mountains of Burauen Leyte Pines Farm Resort is located 5km from Burauen Town Proper in the barangay Abuyogon. Coming from Burauin the turn off to the resort will be on your left hand side. It is a bit of a drive from Tacloban City but well worth it! Link to Pines Farm Resort Location A Beautiful Mountain Setting   This resort is in a very natural and beautiful setting. The water coming off the mountain is rain runoff. There is no industry in this area that is polluting the atmosphere so the water you are swimming in is very clean. If you enjoy the outdoors and like a beautiful rain forest atmosphere then this resort can bring an enjoyable day On the day we visited this resort I only spotted two foreigners. Filipino’s appear to visit these resorts for a celebration of some kind. From what I observed there is no restaurant at the resort so you need to bring your own foods and drink. You will have to bring your foods and drink For Filipinos and f

STO NINO SHRINE AND HERITAGE MUSEUM TACLOBAN CITY I drive past this building which is actually a mansion at least twice a week. I have read about the history and my last visit to this museum was just before Typhoon Yolanda. Friends I know who have made the visit in recent times say it appears a bit run down but the mansion is still very impressive ENTRANCE                              SIDE VIEW This building is one of the mansions of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. The mansion was built for Imelda Marcos, the president’s wife during his time in power. If you don’t know Imelda Marcos is a native of Tacloban   It was erected in the late 70s. I have read this is one of 29 residences that were built across the Philippines during this time. The building has an area of 21,500 square feet so it is one mighty quest house or residence. We are talking about 21 bedrooms. I also took a photograph giving a side angle of the building to give you an idea of the she

                   CAMP KAWAYAN RESORT IN BARANGUY BALORINAY IN THE BURAUEN AREA    ENTRANCE TO RESORT There is another resort but it may be too far for some from Tacoban. The aim is to let readers know what is available. If you are visiting family or just site seeing around the Burauen area then you may have the opportunity to spend a few hours here, relax and cool off in the nice swimming pool   The resort name is Camp Kawayan in Barangay Balorinay Burauen Leyte. The resort is very well laid out with a large swimming pool with water slides. In addition they have a shallow children’s swimming pool. MAIN SWIMMING POOL The reason I sometimes visit this resort is the Dulag barangay I live in is inland from the sea in land from the sea and there is a short cut via dirt roads to get on to the main highway just before town of Julita. If someone was making a day trip to visit say Hill 120 in the Dulag area then it is

SHOPPING LOCATIONS AND INFORMATION WILL BE UPDATED ON A ON GOING BASIS SHOPPING ROBINSONS MALL (4KM FROM DOWN TOWN TACLOBAN) A nice place to go shopping with everything you would need under one roof. A very good Supermarket, Department and Specialty Stores and many good restaurants and other places to eat. An extension to the mall has recently been opened. TIP For foreigners wanting to purchase imported meat such as lamb and steak there is a freezer just across from the fresh meat section in the main supermarket. The selection varies from time to time. Inside Robinsons Place OPENING HOURS 10am to 9pm 7 days Link to location map SM SAVEMORE MARKET (DOWN TOWN TACLOBAN) Opening hours 8am to Midnight 7 days   Link to location map GAISANO MALL (DOWN TOWN TACLOBAN) Link to location map FISH MARKETS TACLOBAN FISHING PORT As well as this area you will see quite a number of fish markets at different barangays around th

Riding a Surf Board   in the Dulag Area 32km from Tacloban At times you see the locals riding surf boards in the Dulag Area but on rare occasions as the conditions must be right. This occurs in the barangay San Jose. This is a different San Jose near the airport in Tacloban and is a barangay of Dulag. The location is approximately 32 kms from Tacoban city on the highway to ‘Bay Bay” I pass this area at least twice a week on my way to Tacloban. SAN JOSE A BARANGAY OF DULAG HAS A SURF FROM TIME TO TIME BUT RARE WAITING FOR THE RIGHT WAVE SKIM BOARDING IS THE MAIN PAST TIME Most of the time the local people are into skim board riding. This also requires skill but in is an enjoyable pastime. The pass time has become so popular they opened a business style report: San Jose Skim Board Park. It seems to becoming more popular. The entrance fee is 20 peso and families can visit and rent a seaside cottage and just relax. Entrance to San Jose Skim Board Park 7 km from Dul

San Juanico Bridge When visiting Tacloban there is one attraction that is highly recommended. The San Juanico Bridge is not very far from down town Tacloban. Travel time to the bridge is around 10 to 15 minutes. You can travel by private vehicle, jeepney or multicab. All public transport costs in this part of the Philippines are quite reasonable The San Juanico Bridge links Leyte and Samar across the San Juanico Straight. The bridge connects Tacloban city on the Leyte side to the township of Santa Rita on the Samar side. If you were planning to travel from Tacloban to Manila by road this is the way you go. The San Juanico Bridge is part of the Pan- Philippine Highway. The views are very picturesque but I would describe as quite stunning. San Juanico Bridge traveling from Samar to Tacloban Travelling from Tacloban to Samar Stunning Views from the San Juanico Bridge Information and history The San Juanico Bridge is 2.16 Km in length or in imperial 1.4miles The br

JANA’S RESORT When Filipinos and foreigners visit Tacloban and they have seen most of the sites they may be looking for a day with a difference. Especially now with the warm weather a nice swimming pool is very tempting. Foreigners and Filipinos may desire to stay in this type of resort if you like a quiet area There is a new resort about 38 km from Tacloban City in the Dulag area. The name is JANA’S RESORT. I visited this resort recently with family and friends. The staff were very friendly and helpful and we had a great day. THE ENTRANCE IS QUITE IMPRESSIVE I live in this area but closer to Tacloban To my best knowledge there is no resort of this type between Tacloban City and Dulag. There are a few pension houses on the way but nothing like this. ADULT AND KIDDIES SWIMMING POOL I did not meet the owner but I made enquiries with an on duty supervisor as I thought some readers of my blog maybe interested. What intrigue me about Jana’s Resort is the accommodat

I have stayed at the Leyte Park Hotel many times before settling in to living the Dulag Area some 35 km from Tacloban City Area. The Hotel was built from my information by the former First Lady Imelda Marcos. In February 1979 construction commenced and the hotel was opened 1980. So there is a bit of history here. The hotel is set on a 6 hectare property which could be described as park like setting. The view from the upper rooms and dining area overlooking San Pedro Bay is magnificent. A PICTURE IS WORTH A 1000 WORDS- VIEW FROM MY ROOM There has been a bit of deterioration over the years and have heard the hotel is up for sale. Still it is a nice place to stay. We stay here from time to time with my wife and daughter if we have business in Tacloban City. The cost of a room is 2700 peso with breakfast for two.   ($54 US) The restaurant is more suited to the Philippines but I have been living here awhile and use to it. The breakfast is basic but fresh fruit and various