Part 3: Just before home bound

I left the resort earlier than their check out time since I pretty much enjoyed almost everything that the resort has to offer.

I rushed to reach the opening where the mini cabs/multicabs pass by going back to the city because I wanted to see MonteCueva Asuncion de la Virgen Shrine before going back to Tacloban and the fear of having difficulty taking a ride back to the city. Luckily just before I reached the road I was able to take a ride at once! Lucky me huh?!lol

Upon reaching the city I decided to go to MonteCueva Asuncion de la Virgen Shrine. It is a small cave with a quaint chapel inside. Basically this is for pilgrims and devotees but this has become one of Maasin’s popular tourist’s destinations too and I just have to see it before going home!

NOTE: MonteCueva Asuncion de la Virgen Shrine is located up in the hills of Brgy. Rizal. One can go there by riding a habal-habal/tricycle fare is Php15.00. Just tell the driver that you are going to Monte Cueva. From the opening one will have to do some walking and climbing to reach the shrine.

After the walking I was able to reach where it’s time to do some climbing. I wasn’t expecting that I have to face a backbreaking climb up the hill on a tortuousness concrete flight of steps on an 11:00AM and without taking a lunch yet but I am so determined to climb and so I did. Just imagine how badly I perspire because of the heat and physical exertion!

Reaching the top was very much fulfilling. The view was rewarding.

Going down was definitely much easier!

I went back to the city to have some lunch since all my stored fats was already burned out from the laborious climb. I took my lunch in Jollibee since I was hungry to death and I don’t have the luxury to tour and look for a local restaurant.  After finishing my lunch I decided to try the coffee shop I spotted over my tour the first day.

Ganda’s Aroma Coffee Shop is the only coffe shop I spotted on the area that offers real quality coffee. The coffee shop is located at Tomas Oppus street, Mantahan, Maasin City. From brewed coffee, coffee with or without milk to iced and frappes is being offered here in this tiny yet very cozy and inviting coffee shop.

I was able to chat with the owner/barista. She said it all started as a hobby, occasionally serving coffee to friends over some chit-chat until it has been push to becoming a business. Why not right? An income generating hobby can be so much fun!

I forgot the name of this coffee I tried but it was one of her specialty. What I just can remember is it tasted so well! The chocolate cake though was just too dense for my taste. I like my cakes to be on the slightly fluffy side.

After satisfying my sweet tooth I decided that it’s time for me to go back to Tacloban and face reality.lol

It was 4:00 when I left Maasin City and reached Tacloban 6hours after. The traffic in Campetic, Palo to Downtown stretches the travel time to almost an hour!

The end=)

see Part 1: How to reach KUTING REEF RESORT and SPA

see Part 2: My stay in KUTING REEF RESORT and SPA

Part 2: My stay in Kuting Reef Resort and Spa

I was so excited to reach the resort already after being on the road for more than 9 hours (including the travel time and the time I spent strolling around the city) not to mention the scorching summer heat was indeed dominating! I just can’t wait to hit the pool already, unwind and be myself for a moment.

Truly! The resort can really give you an all-by-yourself moment. It has a serene ambiance where one can just enjoy away from things. The poor mobile coverage that let you take yourself away from this kind of distraction leaving you with no choice but to savor every moment.

I took one of their Deluxe Cabana for an overnight stay for Php2, 700 good for 2 persons including breakfast. The room is furnished with two queen-size beds, air-condition, hot and cold shower, mini refrigerator, bottled water and coffee. It also has a private veranda that has an imposing view of the ocean where one can enjoy a cup of coffee or simply just to sit back and relax.

See their website for packages and room rates: Kuting Reef Resort and Spa

The room was so worth it! It complements the charming view of the outside. It was so clean, everything smells good and the bed was well-fixed and comfortable! 

After being settled I immediately went to the pool area and ordered a snack to munch while appreciating the view just before I hit the pool. 

That’s just me baking myself in the sun before taking a dip=)

me finally taking a dip;)

I took advantage of the Kayaking.  This is for free for an in-house guest. I was uncertain first to try this since I don’t know how to swim but upon knowing that there’ll be a life guard who’ll watch me over and a life jacket It changed my mind;)

Dinner after a long but enjoyable day. The Sinuglaw which was recommended by a friend is to die for! It’s just so delicious! it is composed of grilled pork belly and fish ceviche in vinegar. 

A typical Filipino breakfast buffet consisted of fried rice, omelet, dried baby squid, longanisa, unlimited coffee, Milo and a fruit for dessert was served as breakfast the following morning along with the other guests. 

Aside from the tranquility that the resort can offer where one can take pleasure in the pool and the beach, menu that can surely delight one’s palate the employees are commendable too. They were very polite from the moment I stepped in and from the moment I stepped out. I really had a super relax and great experience in this resort!

see Part 1: How to reach KUTING REEF RESORTand SPA

see Part 3: Just Before Home bound

PART 1: How to reach KUTING REEF Resort and Spa

I wasn't really planning for this trip to happen, at least not just yet until I got a 10% discount coupon after dining in Warehouse Seafood and Ribs Restaurant located in Palo Leyte. I’m not really sure why but I guess they are giving it to all the customers dining there as my friend got one too during their visit to the restaurant. 

Since it's summer season already so I decided to take advantage of it besides I haven’t been there and I can really use some alone and relax time since work has really been so demanding.  

NOTE: KUTING REEF Resort and Spa is located in Macrohon, Southern Leyte just 15 minutes away from Maasin City and Maasin City is a minimum of 4 hour drive from Tacloban City. A lot of shuttle services ply from Tacloban to Maasin everyday, fare starts at Php220. 

I took Duptours Shuttle Services as my pick since they are more organize and more convenient for commuters compared to other shuttle services where passengers just crowd in their parking area while waiting. There, you just buy your ticket from the cashier, seat and wait for your scheduled trip. Also they don’t tend to overload their shuttle so it’s really fitting for long trips like this.

Visit their website for locations and trip schedules: DUPTOURS SHUTTLE SERVICES WEBSITE

I took the first trip at 6:00AM going there for as a first timer visitor to the area I wanted to wander and see Maasin City before heading to the resort. I went there 4AM to buy a ticket since I haven’t made any prior reservation.

  

Expecting a long journey a head with no stop over one can’t just travel on an empty stomach. So I decided to have an early breakfast in McDonalds after purchasing the ticket.

I had a 2pc pancake meal plus two strips of bacon and a cup of coffee. I didn’t really expect for their Php25.00 bacon to taste so good. 

After a long 4 hour and 40 minutes journey I finally reached Maasin City. 

Maasin isn't really a busy City compared to Tacloban. It’s so laid back that I didn't even feel that I’m in a city. The feeling was more of like I went to a rural area where there’s just a Gaisano Metro Hyper like the ones in Cebu but slightly smaller. 

I initially planned to have my lunch in the city just before going to the resort so I can try at least one restaurant in the area. I found this restaurant named Kinamot sa Abgao while I was touring. At first I was hesitant to have my lunch there since the place is somewhat intimidating and I'm on a budget! but I was surprised to know that not only the place has a good view to dine in but their menu isn't really that expensive.

The restaurant is along the seaside where one can truly enjoy its meal looking at a scenic view while loading an empty stomach.

I ordered a Grilled Seafood Platter and a Kalamansi juice. The platter includes a generous slice of pork, chicken, squid, fish and shrimp that can be shared with 2-3 persons. How it tasted? Well let’s just say one can’t really go wrong with anything grilled, nothing really specially. 

It was still early to check-in after I finished my lunch. It was just 12:30am and check-in time is not until 2pm. I called the resort to inquire if they can allow me to check-in early and they said yes since they weren't packed that day which is really a good thing since I don't know where else to go .

NOTE: From Maasin City one should take a multicab in the terminal just at the back of Gaisano Metro Hyper that goes to Padre Burgus as it’ll pass along the resort opening, fare is at Php25.00. From there one should take a 5-minute walk to reach the resort. 

If you want to be drop off right in the resort itself you can rent any tricycle in the terminal. As per the tricycle driver that took me to Kinamot sa Agbao it’ll cost more or less Php500.00 for a one way. 

see Part 2: My stay in KUTING REEF RESORT and SPA

see Part 3: Just Before Home Bound