Tangkaan Beach in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte

After we checked-out from Kuting Reef Resort at around 2pm, we decided to roam around the town of Macrohon.  We heard that there's a white sand beach in Padre Burgos, the Tangkaan Beach.  From Kuting Reef, we just turned right.  And because we were clueless of the exact location, we asked many people along the way.  They told us that it's located in  the end of the road after turning right from the town proper of Padre Burgos where there's a small port (jump-off point of Limasawa).  We passed-by on an uphill narrow cemented road.  Beware that some of the cemented road there is made for motorcycles only!  So, if you're driving a 4-wheeled vehicle, give way to them.  Luckily, without any sweat finding it, we arrived smoothly in Tangkaan Beach.:)

We spotted a private hotel beside the Tangkaan Beach, it's the Padre Burgos White Castle.  We decided to go first in Tangkaan Beach which is a public beach.  There's a steep, high stairway going down the beach.  There was a man standing in the stairway asked us for an entrance fee of 5pesos each.   

As we go down from the stairs... We were amazed with the huge rock formation everywhere.  The sand is kinda' white but not pure white as Boracay.  It's kinda' dirty white and you can't get enough sand because most of the seashore are already rocks.  So, definitely, what we are stepping into are rocks.  Just see my photos and you;ll know what i mean.  Limasawa Island can be clearly seen from there too. 
The beach is public so, expect a major need for clean sanitation around. 
 

Padre Burgos is a 5th class municipality in the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 8,926 people in 1,672 households.
Padre Burgos is named after the priest Padre Jose Burgos of the GOMBURZA priest martyrs. The town being surrounded by Sogod Bay in the East, Padre Burgos was once called "Tamulayag", a vernacular slang which means "Let's go fishing". Thus, the town's main livelihood is fishing.
The town is famous for its white sand beaches like the Tangkaan Beach, from where you can see the island of Limasawa; the Likay-Likay Beach, where you can go fishing and snorkeling; the Bukana which is like a small swam of water and serve as a home of many fishes in Buenavista, the floating Balsa of Bas. And the beaches in Brgy. Lungsodaan. Padre Burgos is also famous to diving enthusiasts, the underwater beauty boasts of many colorful clusters of corals. With the Local Government's cooperation, Coral Cay, a foreign non-profit organization established its offices in Brgy. Tangkaan whose main purpose is to provide help among local people to maintain fish sanctuaries, awareness programs on ocean-life preservation, and clean-up activities on the shorelines of Padre Burgos.
Padre Burgos is also known for its "budbod" (suman), a sticky rice which is very sweet. (Wikipedia)

Kuting Reef Resort in Southern Leyte

April 2, 2011 from Ormoc City SATURDAY

It's a 2 hours drive going to Macrohon, Southern Leyte from Ormoc City. We took off at around 2pm and arrived at Kuting Reef by 4pm.  We passed towns of Albuera, Baybay and Maasin.  This was our first time going there so, we were a bit of clueless where its' exact location.  We asked many folks along the road if we were tracking the right way.  Luckily, we were.

If your way's from Ormoc City, it's at the right side of the road.  There's a big sign board of Kuting Reef so, you'll never get lost.  We entered a long narrowed road going inside of Kuting Reef Resort.  Then, when you'll see a security guard post, that's the entrance of the resort.  :)

Inside, there's a big parking lot space for guests.  My brother and his wife were the one who negotiated at the front desk for our room.  At that time there were many guests due to a government conference and a family reunion.  So, the best way to be sure you'll have a cabana/casa/casita for the night to sleep, better call them first for reservation ahead.  We've got a Deluxe Cabana with two double beds, 1ref, electric hot water thermos and an A/C.  They also have a complimentary of 2 bottles distilled water and 2 sachets of coffee with sugar and tea. They said NO TV coz' they want their guests to have tranquil stay for mind relaxation in the resort.  By the way, dogs are allowed (maybe only the toy dog type).  I brought my 11 month-old shih-tzu "Mhacky" and he loves running around there.  Just be a responsible pet owner. :)

Had our dinner in their restaurant for the celebration of my brother and his wife's wedding anniversary. They also serve dinner buffet for the guests who avail of their promos.  Try checking their site first for the information of this (www.kuting-reef.com).  We supposedly go swimming in the pool that night but we were already tired of walking around the resort so, we opted to sleep early that night at past 9pm.  Actually that was my earliest sleep ever. (No mobile signal, No TV, No wifi.  What more could I do to make myself awake?!... hmmm...

On our last day. April 3, 2011 SUNDAY

We woke up at around 5am. We went swimming first in the infinity pool then went to the beach afterwards and went kayaking.

Had our complimentary breakfast by 9am and then we roamed around taking pictures everywhere. We saw a man carrying those fresh caught fishes. We told the chef of the resort that we will get one kilo of the fish "Lente" (bisayan term). The head part was cooked sweet and sour while the tail part was grilled.

We had a sumptuous lunch. ;) By around 2pm we check-out then we decided to go to Padre Burgos where there's a white beach resort.



x'ss:  Click any photo and zoom it for a larger view..
Padre Burgos Public Beach Resort will be on my next post.  Stay tune! :)

Zipline in Agas-agas Bridge, Southern Leyte

Do you want to experience flying like “Superman”?  If you’ll answer YES, come and experience the breathtaking zip line in the tallest bridge of the Philippines which is the Agas-agas Bridge in Sogod, Southern Leyte which they called "Zip Southern Leyte".  This is the country’s longest, highest, steepest and most exciting zip line ever.

Agas-agas Bridge was inaugurated last August 9, 2009.  This bridge link motorists traveling from Luzon to Mindanao or v/v.   Since it was introduced to the public, it became a tourist spot because of its height of 292 feet above ground.   According to DPWH, it’s the tallest pier or column of a bridge they had constructed.  So,  by far, this is the tallest bridge in the whole Philippines.

Zip Southern Leyte is the longest zip line in the country for almost one kilometer and a total of 30seconds of zip lining duration.  The take-off pad of the zip line is 377 meters, it's like a 30 storey building and making it for a speed of  mostly110kph (depending on the body weight).

A zip-line (also known as a flying fox, foefie slide, zip wire, aerial runway, aerial ropeslide, death slide or tyrolean crossing) consists of a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an incline. It is designed to enable a user propelled by gravity to travel from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable, usually made of stainless steel, by holding on or attaching to the freely moving pulley. Zip-lines come in many forms, most often used as a means of entertainment. They may be short and low, intended for child's play and found on some playgrounds. Longer and higher rides are often used as a means of accessing remote areas, such as a rainforest canopy. Zip-line tours are becoming popular vacation activities, found at outdoor adventure camps or upscale resorts, where they may be an element on a larger challenge or ropes course. (Wikipedia)

I went there with my brother's family last May 1 of this year, 2011.  We traveled from Ormoc City, where we live.  And it took us, for 2 hours of drive.  We passed the towns of Albuera, Baybay, and Mahaplag.  Agas-agas bridge is located in the town of Sogod next to Mahaplag.   Along the way, scenery of mountains, rivers, sea, and zig-zag roads in Mahaplag will be experienced.

                                                             (click and zoom for larger view)

If felt hungry along the way, better buy foods first in the city proper of Baybay where there are lots of fast food stores because the foods (junk foods) from the Agas-agas bridge is a bit of pricey.   As of now, zip line in Agas-agas bridge is very popular to all the Eastern Visayan people.  So, be prepared if there are long lines just to have your turn to zip especially on weekends.  Wear comfortable clothes because you will be wrapped by straps.  Better wear rubber shoes for the safety of your footwear but it’s OK to wear any because they will strap it at your back.  Keep all your jewelries, accessories,  pennies  and/or anything that might fall down while you are zip lining.  I even saw a guy zip lining with his DSLR camera just strapped on his neck.   Then he was taking snap shots while on it.  Damn! He is so confident with it, huh!

The most important thing you need while zip lining is being able to fight your fear of heights.  If you are a fear factor guy/gal.  Go for it!  Seek adventure on zip lining.  It’s  gotta be lotsa’ fun!

PRICE: (as of) May 1, 2011 = 280 PHP on the first ride and on the 2nd to another... 150PHP only per ride > applicable on the same day.

Blogger is Unavailable

When I was about to post another entry here.  Suddenly, i can't access here.  And, it says, Blogger is unavailable due to maintenance.... and soooo on...   So, I've waited for many hours for it to post another entry but when it was back, minutes ago, I visited this site and my post of Kuting Reef is gone.  I am hoping it will be back.  Good thing, I've searched Blogger facebook fan page and saw many comments of other blogger' users of what did they feel about it.  Some posted links of news about this.

Here's the link of the news: http://www.pupuweb.com/blog/blogger-unavailable-restore-posts-comments/

Please blogger make it possible for my recent post will be back soon.  Thank you! :)

UPDATE: 5/14/11 My recent post of Kuting Reef is back! Thank's blogger! :)

My first entry...

This will be my first post for this travel blog I just made a while ago.  It is due to my eagerness of traveling, if budget permits. (hehehe).  I got an idea of having this even though I already have my personal blog. Because it will make this blog more concise if it will be dedicated only for all of my travels. 

I will start my travelogue by my recent trip in Southern Leyte last April 2-3, 2011, specifically in the town of Macrohon where Kuting Reef Resort and Padre Burgos Beach Resort can be found.

Stay tune and I will post it asap. hehehe. :)