From Sea Breeze to Sacred Ceilings: A Day in Palompon, Leyte
The perfect road trips are those where you do not check off every item on your list; instead, the adventures come to life just like a story does. This was the experience that my friends and I had when we left the comfort of our city to spend the day in Palompon, Leyte.
Whereas most would start their visit in the historical town square and finish their day playing in the waves, we chose to reverse the order. We desired the day to progress from the wild energy to the calm and peaceful atmosphere and keep the sanctuary as a climax.
Let me take you through a journey of one perfect day that stole my heart in Palompon.
Where the Salt Air Meets the Soul: Morning Magic at San Juan
We started off at the place where the land and salted air meet. Once we set foot on San Juan Island, it was as though we had left the rest of the world behind. San Juan Island and its beach landscape can be considered one of the most stunning and untainted pieces of land, far from the hustle and bustle of modern tourist traps.
Walking along the shore with fences of rustic wood and thriving green vegetation in sight, we breathed deeply from the clear oceanic breeze and washed away all of our stresses. With the vast expanse of sea before us, we laughed and made silly peace signs as we took our first picture there.
The fresh sea air had finally got to us, and our stomachs were calling for something substantial. All it took was one moment’s searching. The next thing we knew, we had gone from the sand to the welcoming shade of an open bamboo hut (kubo) at the edge of the beach.
There is something enchanting about a traditional Filipino meal. The experience of sitting down and enjoying the delicious array of grilled meat and locally grown bananas served up at a bamboo-slat table cannot be beat. For some extra refreshment in the hot climate of the middle of the day, we had cold bottles of Coke to enjoy. It felt like the best part about the whole experience was just being there in the native hut with our new friends.
Golden Hour & Silent Pillars: Shifting Gears at the Parish
With the slow descent of the sun, we started packing our stuff and left the coast behind as we made our way to Palompon town proper. Our next stop? The old and well-loved St. Francis Xavier Parish, which locals fondly call St. Javier.
After spending such an exciting day at the beach, entering the peaceful grounds of the church was an experience in itself. The change was simply magnificent. We took a stand underneath the high pillars and in front of the majestic monument before the entrance, holding our hands up in the air while smiling for a group shot.
San Juan offered contrasts that were spectacular; from the freedom of its coastline to the spiritual peace of St. Javier. This reversal of our itinerary made our daytrip truly memorable. We got the chance to rest, think about the things that we saw during the day, and return home filled with the satisfaction of a good day’s work.
