Leaving Cebu
sharing a porthole
My Angel at rest
Arriving at leyte at dusk was a terrific feeling the streets were alive with street stalls and people the human traffic was quite something. We accepted a ride on a trike from a fellow who makes his living taking fares from the jetty to the main street which is a fair sort of ride. I don't envy him in his chosen profession as it looked like extremely hard work from where i was sitting. But the locals were so friendly and this is the one thing that i have found all the way through the Philippines they were so helpful as when we got off the trike the rider motioned to another fellow who was standing on the side of the road and arranged that he help us get on the bus to Maasin. Which he did so readily after strapping ourselves in for the ride to Maasin we settled in for what was going to be a fair drive in the mini bus. Not long into the trip my angel was asleep on my shoulder i am telling you here is a woman who could sleep on a barb wire fence in the middle of a thunder storm, totally unbelievable. Onward through the night the bus made its way along what appeared to me to be some dangerous mountain roads at speeds that would make the boldest hold there breath all the while obeying the number 1 rule of Philippine roads ( use horn liberally and often). Yet my angel slept, go figure. Without a word off a lie this bus had the suspension of a Sherman tank and after watching the driver for a while i would say that it handled like one to.
After reaching maasin we caught another trike and asked the driver to take us to a pension as hotels in this part of the world are as scarce as teeth on hens. We got a room for the night and swiftly made our way out in search of food stopping into see the grand parents of my loveliness. The following morning determined to show me the town where she grew up my gorgeousness led me around and with the promise of another feed i followed willingly. there are many wonder full things to see in leyte and i would say that not allot of visitors to the Philippines get to see these as most dare not venture out of the tourist hotels but for those of us that do the memories last a life time. As we ventured out of the pension i knew immediately that it was Sunday as the sound of hymns and songs of praise filled the air as we followed the main street past the full gospel church. I felt many memories from what seems now to be another life time come flooding back as if it was yesterday when i played guitar in a gospel rock band.
The full gospel church
Contemplation of a feed
My Muse
After 2 breakfasts and a class of tang we went for a walk through maasin city and took in all the local landmarks and places of interest, i really enjoyed the markets as they were so different to what i am used to business over there seems so unfettered unlike here where there is so much red tape and so many rules and regulations. The buildings are such a contrast the old with the new side by side although there is by far more old than new at this stage but there are signs of development everywhere. The grandeur of the catholic churches in the Philippines is really something to behold and is a tribute to the way the Philippine people have taken to the catholic faith, it is inspirational the way they have embraced there belief system and made it an everyday part of there life and the signs are not only in the ornate buildings but in the people that you meet everyday in the Philippines. 
Town square monument Maasin
Meat and fish markets 
Town hall Maasin
Just love the transport solutions and the colour of the Philippines.
The contrast of old and new
After our walk we decided to purchase our contribution to the lunch and head off to see Nesa's grandparents Knowing that many relations would call bye Nesa suggested we get a little extra which to me seemed like a good idea. With this in mind we walked to the stall selling roast meats and promptly bought some roast pork and chicken to take as our contribution toward lunch, once again onto the motorcycle cab and off we go.
Nanay preparing a home style chicken broth which was very nice i must say.
Lunch with Nanay and Tatay
Nessa was right many relatives came bye during the course of the afternoon and ate and talked and i met quite a few people as i sat on the front porch and relaxed. Nesa arranged a lift to a nearby church which was a must see if you are on leyte as it is at the top of a hill. The point of difference is that when you reach the top of the hill there is a large cave which serves as the church at one end it has large stained glass windows and a natural skylight in the roof, as you walk over the top of the cave there are several large statues which look out over the bay in the distance, to the rear of this you have a natural amphitheatre.Truly worth the long walk to the top of the hill. 
Cathedral entrance
Cathedral in a cave
Top of the hill
After leaving the cathedral to rest up awhile we decided to go back to Cebu early and booked a bus and boat for later in the evening after a quick dinner at jolly bee we boarded the Bus for what turned out another white knuckle ride through the mountains only this time in a bigger bus. I turned briefly and surprise, surprise Nesa was asleep again i have never seen anything like it i wish that i could have slept through the bus trip as it would have been better than going through it with my eyes open. My angel slept so soundly this time that i had to wake her when we got to the boat. Its four in the morning and our boat pulls into Cebu and we look for a place to shower and rest before heading for our next destination Davao. 
posted by Chefie
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