Samar is a big island, bigger than the more industrialized Leyte, in fact it is the third largest island in the Philippines. The marked difference in urbanization is evident even in the most developed municipality I've been to. While you may not be able to easily find the usual conveniences, such as internet at almost every corner, you will appreciate how much less spoiled Samar's environment is compared to Leyte's. And that's the main thing I like about Samar.

I've been to Samar several times, and since it is so big with many municipalities, each municipality deserves its own journal entry. This is going to be one long entry because I'm going to add any new town as I go along hmmm... Anywho, I've been to Samar several times since my early childhood. My mom taught in a barrio school in Basey for a few months when I was only a year old, and we lived there the whole time. My mom says I got terrible diarrhea from their drinking water, so that's something I always remember when going to Samar: drink only bottled water.

I would recommend riding the biggest bus you can get on of. Samar is best trodden on a vehicle which will spare you from the bumps and gaping holes on many major roads esp. on the way to Catbalogan, I don't know if they've fixed those roads just yet. I'd also recommend an open vehicle i.e. non-air conditioned, hence lots of fresh air to help ward off carsickness.

BALANGIGA
We were invited to spend a weekend in Balangiga, a town in Eastern Samar. I tagged along on a whim, and after an uncomfortable ride going there, I also decided to spend the night and go back to the city the following day [well-seated in a comfy van, I hoped].
*more*

MARABUT
*under construction*

GUIUAN
*pilgrimage trip*