2 Days Samar Escape 2015

April 2015 (1/3): Biliran Island Destinations

(2/3): Samar Escape: Falls, Spring, and Cave

Lulugayan Falls

After doing our 2-day itinerary, we decided to firstly visit the famous Lulugayan Falls of Brgy. Literon, Calbiga, Samar. Calbiga is actually an hour and a half drive from the city of Tacloban traversing the famous San Juanico Bridge that connects the islands of Leyte and Samar.

This tourist destination was actually located of still an hour of roller coaster drive from the proper town of Calbiga. We passed safely along sharp curves and steep hills on our way there, and asked some locals of its exact location but this just made us confused as they were giving us different answers. We actually thought we’ve been lost and gone astray at its forest-like locale while passing laterally on large trees and underbrush almost covering the road to the destination. 

Starved and displeased while searching for its accurate location, we stopped to eat the lunch we brought and rest for awhile. As we opened up the car doors and windows, the noon breeze and gentle wind made us relax under a shade tree.

We then got back on track after fulfilling our stomach and just right after few minutes, we saw the famous Lulugayan Falls from the top. Woah! We can actually hear the sound of the water flowing and dropping off on its surface.

We followed the only path down to Brgy. Literon. There the barangay captain welcomed us and we’ve been assisted by local guides. We readily head up to a twenty (20) minute-walk down to the falls’ location.

Very spectacular! 

I thought it was just an ordinary falls like I used to see in other places but Lulugayan was a curtain falls; a big and wide cascade. The water was exceptionally icy cold, no wonder many local travellers visit the falls. There we literally enjoyed the serene surroundings and its peaceful setting.

We then climbed up to reach the top of the falls and it looks like a plain natural stream.

View from top

We brought a tent to stay overnight but the local attendants advised us to otherwise spend the night on their barangay hall for it is not safe and the water may tide up high while we are asleep.

My friends savoured the time jumping off from the falls and adored the cold waters which relaxes us (mentally and) physically after the long agitation on the road. Well the long hours were very worth it after seeing the spectacular Lulugayan Falls!

Notes:

1. First: Please visit or inquire at the municipality’s tourism office before your scheduled trip. There are local fees and permits, of course. 
2. There are only certain areas which are safe for jumping and swimming. 

The next day...

Villa Escober Cold Spring Resort 

We planned to visit other falls in Calbayog and eager to try the torpedo boat ride located in Ulot River, Paranas, Samar but it was far from we thought it was. So we just decided to search for another destination and found the Villa Escober Cold Spring Resort in Paranas located along the road going to Ulot.

It wasn’t an ordinary spring resort. It has a fancy and elegant setting but has cheaply discounted fees.

The cold spring water was so clear you can almost see fish tilapias swimming under. There are cottages of different prices according to its size.

The water came from this little manmade cave-like and we forgot to ask the in-charge of its source.

Sohoton Cave

Our last destination was visiting the famous cave in Visayas, the Sohoton Cave situated in Basey, Samar. We rode a boat going to this popular destination and we then arrived after twenty (20) minutes from the port.

Before we went inside the cave, certain guidelines and precautions must be observed like the importance of wearing helmets, which serve as protective head coverings from spiky stalactites.

While we were exploring around the cave, we have learned a lot of things from our local guide – the cave’s history: became a place of refuge and concealment during the war and natural disasters; its discovery; and the do’s and dont’s inside the cave.

We weren’t allowed to touch the white, crystal-like particles since these were the only thing that make the cave exist, according to our guide. By the time you touch it, moist from skin will react to the minerals present, will turn brown dead and will make the cave lifeless; a dead cave then becomes a den of wild bats.

You will be mesmerized by the stalactites lying down from its roof and stalagmites formed from dripping water. Spikes and inverted stalactites make up a column standing straight and hard. All of these things naturally form random, imaginative, and creative sculpture made of carbonated minerals.

You can also kayak on its calm, greeny waters outside the cave. Unfortunately for us, we did not have the chance since we need to get back home for it was late afternoon already.

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It was indeed a very tiring yet an enjoyable part of my summer 2015. Our two-day trip in Samar was very worth it knowing that we did visit the famous Lulugayan Falls, the cold spring resort of Villa Escober and the popular Sohoton Cave.

Previous: (1/3 of Summer 2015) Biliran Island Destinations

Next: (3/3 of Summer 2015) Cuatro Islas: Southern Leyte’s Island Destinations

TRAVEL GUIDE

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban. The flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal/Terminal for GrandTours or DupTours via taxicab or transfer service. 

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• Air Asia
• Philippine Airlines

Tacloban City

Ride a van at the terminal bound for Calbiga, Samar. Travel takes more than two (2) hours from the city. 

IF YOU ARE FROM CEBU

There are actually daily flights from Cebu to Calbayog. The flight takes at least an hour. You can find buses and vans bound for Calbiga, Samar at the local terminal. 

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Calbayog: (4+ flights per week)

• CebGo

CEBU CITY VIA CATBALOGAN

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Samar via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Catbalogan route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via Roble Shipping Lines, Inc., etc.). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships. Look for vans at the terminal bound for Calbiga, Samar.

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