ORMOC PORT: GATEWAY TO THE EXOTIC ISLANDS AND WHITE BEACHES IN THE VISAYAS

ORMOC CITY PORT: YOUR GATEWAY TO THE MAJESTIC ISLANDS IN THE VISAYAS

By Henry Libo-on 

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Introduction 

Through the years that I had been traveling the islands of Cebu and Negros, I discovered that there are several ports that serve as "gateway" of the islands to the several provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.  One of these "gateways" is the port of the City of Ormoc in the island province of Leyte. 

How to get there?

Let's agree that you are in Cebu City and you want to visit the islands and tourist spots in Leyte and Samar.  So, your jump-off point is the port of Cebu City. From there, there are fast crafts and RoRo vessels that service the Cebu-Ormoc City routes. Travel time for Roro vessels is longer than the fast craft which is about 2 hours from Cebu City port to Ormoc City port. 

  The port of Ormoc City where the Fast Crafts that service the Cebu-Ormoc routes dock. After disembarking, the passenger will pass under the covered walk to the terminal building. Outside of that terminal are Tricycles and "Habal-Habal" or single motorcycles that will take the passengers to their destinations such as the terminal for air-conditioned vans that service the islands of Leyte, Biliran, and Samar. 

If you are hungry at this time and you want to see experience Ormoc City even for a short time, the Tricycles can take you to Robinson's or the Market. You can also hire the Tricycle to tour you around the city visiting other places like the City Hall, the Church, Puente de la Reina, Ruins of Tan Residence, and others. This picture (above) shows the passengers from Ormoc City as they board the Fast Craft for Cebu. Photo by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre. 

If you wish to visit Biliran Island, just tell the tricycle driver to take you to the Bus and Van For Hire Terminal. Air-conditioned Vans service the Ormoc City to Biliran Island route for less than P200 per person. In 2018, I think I paid around P500 for two persons in the front seat. That included "tips" for the driver. I told him that I do not want a seatmate in the front seat. Why? because I sometimes fall asleep and I do not want to lean on the shoulder of a stranger...haha...

Upon arrival at the port, the view of the city of Ormoc can be seen from the distance. The building in the background is one of the famous hotels in Ormoc.

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My tips. 

I enjoyed the road trip and stop at the town where the best beaches or islands can be found. So, this is what I do when I travel to the provinces.

Please carry enough cash since there are tourist spots where you may find it hard to pay with a credit card. Before going to these places, I already prepare my budget for that day and put my money in different pockets. 

Since I love going to islands that are not very popular among travelers, these islands I listed hereunder, can also be your choice of islands to visit in the future. 

Beautiful islands and beaches in Leyte includes: Biliran Island, Sambawan Island, Maripipi, Limasawa, Canigao Island, San Pablo Island, Digyo Island, Kalanggaman Island, Mahaba Island, Puting Buhangin Island, among others. 

In Samar, the following Islands with beautiful beaches include Biri Island, Calicoan Island, Mando Island, Manicani Island, Tubabao Island (where the White Russians sought refuge when the Communists were moving towards Shanghai and Harbin where Russian Refugees lived after the fall of Tsar Nicholas. Tubabao Island was used by the White Russians from 1949-1950. The President of the Philippines was Elpidio Quirino. After a few years, the White Russians were accepted as immigrants to Australia, South America, and Canada, among others. Wikipedia.), Divinubo Island, Monbon Island, Apiton Island, Catican Island, Almagro Island (Pearl Island), Daraga Island, Bagatao Island, Caohagan Island, Laoang Island and its white beach, and Homonhon Island among others. 

A view of the port on my way to the Fast Craft that will take us, passengers, to Cebu City. 

A popular breakfast item is sold by itinerant vendors in the port. I forgot its name. If you know the name please comment below. I, later on, ate some of this with hot coffee that I bought in the Fast Craft. 

Bye. See you next time. 

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I hope you like this very brief blog on the port of Ormoc City. If you do, please LIKE my Facebook Page and SHARE this blog with your friends. Xie Xie. Grazie. Arigato, Muchas Gracias. Merci', Shukraan lika, Diolch, Spasibo, Terima kasih, Mahalo, Vielen Dank, Salamat. 

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Touristang Pobre Henry Libo-on

at Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda Island, U.K.

May 13, 2021. 

New Jersey, U.S.A 

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Reviewed on October 3, 2022.

jj