The Fountainhead: Guiuan, A Surfer's Paradise and more

My first trip to Guiuan was a year after Yolanda wreak havoc in Eastern Visayas. The devastation was still evident, especially in the municipal building which was under construction at that time (Yolanda tore the whole building down). Even the church, Immaculate Concepcion Church which is one of the oldest in the country, wasn't spared

Another angle where you can see the bell tower evidently destroyed too

Guiuan is a quiet, old town located in Eastern Samar. It is a 3-hour trip from Tacloban City. On my first trip, we stayed there for two days, going around the small town. Unfamiliar, we had our meals at Andok's, the only fastfood place we could see located at the town's center. Although very laid-back, there are places in Guiuan with definitely splendid views. This one is a view of the Pacific Ocean from the top of the hill in Barangay Pagnamitan

Another view of the Pacific Ocean in the same place but from a different angle

This photo was taken at Barangay Sapao, one of Guiuan's 60 barangays. It's another Pacific Ocean shot

A year after, I went back to Guiuan. The construction of their municipal hall was almost finished. The town looked better than the first time I went there though there were road constructions that resulted to slow traffic. Luckily, I was only passing through the town since I would be staying in Calicoan Island. It was my first time in Calicoan Island and arriving there at night time, I wasn't able to see what it had to offer but darkness did not prevent me from spotting an Open-24-Hours Andok's establishment in the middle of nowhere. I assumed there were not much cars passing through that road so I couldn't help but wonder who eats at that joint.

I woke up in Banago Beach Resort, Calicoan Island the next morning and this was what I saw

The island in the distance is Homonhon Island, the place where Ferdinand Magellan landed in March 16, 1521

Calicoan Island is also known for its beautiful, giant waves because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. It is considered as a Surfer's Paradise. Now daytime, while traversing the road connecting Calicoan Island and the main island of Guiuan, I could see a surfer or two trying to catch huge waves. Too bad I never got a photo of it, actually I had but because the car was mobile that time, the photos were not of good quality. Check out the Surf Camp in Calicoan Island and you would know what I am talking about.

Still, here are some photos I took while staying in Calicoan Island.

This photo was taken while I was having my morning coffee in Banago Beach Resort. The structure in the left houses one of the dining areas of Banago Beach Resort.

This is a clearer photo of one of the dining areas in Banago Beach Resort

A photo of the afternoon sun in Barangay Sulangan, another barangay in Guiuan which is at the tip of the Guiuan Peninsula. Here you can buy freshly caught fishes.

This is the church in Barangay Sulangan, San Antonio de Padua Church or The Miraculous Sulangan Church which was one of the buildings left standing after Typhoon Yolanda (the houses surrounding it were destroyed)