7 Things to Do in Leyte

There's more to Leyte than moron and scallops. Here's a list of activities for the first time traveler. 

1. Visit the Leyte Landing Memorial at Red Beach, Candahug, Palo, Leyte. It is said that the largest naval battle in modern history took place in the seas surrounding Leyte island. The landing of the Americans in Leyte was Gen. Douglas MacArthur's fulfillment of his promise to return to the country after the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese in 1942. The end of the Japanese occupation soon followed after the landing. 

2. Score some moron and roscas. You can read more here and here. 

the curiously-named moron

kidney-shaped roscas, perfect with tea or coffee

3. Feeling adventurous? Try skewered chicken skin at Penduko's Barbecue. Among the row of stalls, it was easy to spot since it had the most number of patrons. What makes the barbecue good? The secret is in the sauce, which comes in two variants: regular and spicy. You can also choose from pork and chicken barbecue, chicken liver, as well as chorizo. Cheap and tasty, this one's perfect for the budget traveler. More pictures here. 

4. Get your fill of fresh seafood at Ocho Seafood and Grill. Again, going by Manila prices, dining here is a steal. Read more here.

scallops the way it should be--fresh, and not drowning in butter

For a place more picturesque, try Rafael's Farm.

5. Take the requisite photo at the San Juanico Bridge, connecting Leyte to Samar. It is the longest bridge in the country over a body of seawater 

6. Cross over Basey, Samar and buy woven mats and visit the church. You can read more here and here. 

7. Gaze at the blue Leyte sky. For me it's the most brilliant I've seen of the sky. 

Palo, Leyte's The Oriental Hotel

I travel a lot for work,staying mainly in hotels. I guess I'm lucky, since only a few get the opportunity to travel and experience the myriad beauty of our country like I do. Recently I was more fortunate than usual, since we secured the services of The Oriental Hotel.


The hotel, now on its soft launch, is near the Leyte Landing Memorial and is located along the beach. It was love at first sight--the hotel would not look out-of-place in Boracay. All day you'd hear the crash of the waves.

I appreciate the effort to build around the existing trees.

This row of the rooms face the beach. One participant remarked that she could imagine Zuma rising out of the sea not far away.

This compound is already beautiful, but more so at night with all the lights.

The view from the second floor in the first light of the morning.

Indigenous orchids are everywhere in the grounds. 

a closer view of the orchid

Our welcome drink, with cucumbers, was very refreshing. 

They also served us with a drink made from kamote (sweet potato) tops.

The rooms were roomy and bright, which I prefer.

The early evening sky was a brilliant shade of blue. 

The hotel is indeed, lovely, the service more than adequate. I just wish they do something about their food--it's the usual hotel food. And I may still be persuaded to return on my own account if they beef up the wifi connection in the rooms. It's non-existent in the beachfront rooms.

Leyte Must-Visit: Rafael Farms Garden Restaurant

Before, what I knew of Leyte consisted of the chocolate rice cake hybrid moron, and the San Juanico Bridge, the longest bride in the country, connecting the islands of Leyte and Samar. There was scant online information on Rafael Farms Garden-Restaurant, but it came highly recommended. Friends who have been there raved about it, comparing the restaurant to Tagaytay's Sonia's Garden. After wrapping up work, we went there one late afternoon.

It was about an hour's ride from Tacloban City, tucked away away among rice fields, a perimeter fence cutting the view from the main road. Once inside the compound we were faced with this arc covered with vines, leading to a winding trail.

quite the charming cottage to our left. i suppose this is rented out

this indigenous orchid is all over leyte,
including the oriental hotel

turning right leads to the restaurant and the lake

following the path leads to the fountain

we decided to take our orders first

the place was empty, save for the staff, but it was beautiful

while waiting for our order, we decided to explore the grounds

it was dusk. the staff turned on the lights as well as the fountain

i might consider taking dinner here next time

back at the restaurant. heavy wood and antiques were all around.
i found the pillow cases charming

i love the delicate porcelain base of the chandeliers 

family portrait, after wolfing down dinner

We had one of the best out-of-town dinners in recent memory. It was like dining in a genteel, ancestral home. You can read what we ordered here. The staff were efficient and unobtrusive. And since we were the only group there, we had the place to ourselves.