Unwinding at Leyte: A five Day Visit

 Hi, creative minds with optimistic hearts! It's me again @mriakyla. Join me as I share my 5 day visit to my father's hometown with my relatives there. Happy reading! Before I started college, I made a quick visit to Leyte, where my father's hometown is. It was just five days, but it was so fun and relaxing.  Early in the morning, my sister, her partner, and I boarded a ship to get to the northern tip of the island, opposite from where we were. Then, we traveled hundreds of kilometers on a motorcycle to get to the southern part. It was funny because I forgot to bring my helmet, and the authorities in one city we passed were very strict. It was something I'd definitely learn from. Then, at sundown, we arrived at my grandfather's house, arranged our things, and had a good rest. ### I don't know why, but when I'm in Leyte, my body clock changes from waking up at 5:00 in the morning to 10:00 in the evening. The foggy and cold air gives chills to my body. But it's fine, because I'm in Leyte. Our vacation was short, so we immediately went to the nearby Agas-agas Bridge, in Kahupian, which is the tallest bridge in the Philippines. I never get tired of this place. It always brings me peace and happiness. Here's the view, by the way.  The bridge was high, so we then went downhill to take a cold dip in the river, or what we call a "suba" there. It flows from the mountains and runs along the edges. We brought rice, salad, and pork to roast beside it. And we also got fresh coconuts from my grandfather's farmland right next to it.  My stomach was very full from what we ate and drank. I then took a cold dip to help in digestion, while having fun. It was me, my sister, her boyfriend, my father's brother and sister with her son, and the neighbor. I missed swimming there. It's been six years since my last dip.  In the afternoon, we went kilometers down to reach the town. Father was already there. We had a quick tour around, then had our dinner at the Night Market. After a long catch-up talk with the family, we then rented a karaoke room. It was my first time in such a place. It was truly fun! ### Day 2 was an adventure day. We went to some places worth traveling to. Traveled hundreds of kilometers back and forth.  First, we went to a farm near a private air runway. It was a farm with an open fine dining restaurant for people passing by, while their companions wander around the designs made from various plants, flowers, and vegetables. It's a place good for a quiet mind, because it's surrounded by open hectares of rice fields.  Then, we went to Aya Hills. It's an amusement park made of nature and modern structures. Vibrant colors of flowers, various characters, a giant slide, and a bird's-eye view of the sea and the hills are what you can see. Though the place was very beautiful, what I enjoyed the most was the long and deep conversation with my father that was engraved in my heart.  In the afternoon, we went hundreds of kilometers back to the town and visited another farm. This was where I had the most fun. It has a pond where you can catch fish, a pond for kayaking, a place for fruit picking, a corner for animal feeding and sightseeing, a place where you can play basketball and volleyball, and a place for photography lovers.  After all the fun, we went back home, had dinner, and slept after the long day. ### Day 3, my sister and her partner went back home, and I was left alone in Leyte. My father booked me a room at GV Hotel. It's not luxurious, but it's safe, clean, comfortable, affordable, and cozy. It was one of my happiest moments there, as I truly value my own company and it's a must-need!  Father and I roamed around the town as he was buying me my birthday gift. This moment was the part I didn't expect. I was so happy and grateful. ### Day 4 was a good one, too. We had a fun and cold plunge at Malipayon Resort. It has a reasonable entrance fee. You can stay all night and rent a room, or rent a cottage outside and swim in the pool or the sea. You can see all the mountains you've passed through from across the island. I had a fun time with my relatives here.  ### Day 5 was the last one. We didn't visit various places for the day, as I only spent the morning going back to my grandfather's house, spending time with him, then playing with my little cousin. In the afternoon, my father's brother and I went to a bridge in the nearby town. My nature-lover heart was very happy. The high mountains, wild forests around, and rainbows between the mountains were truly mesmerizing. This bridge was even featured by the "Kapuso mo, Jessica Soho" segment.  At sundown, we went back to the town, as my ship boarding time was 9 pm, and I needed to travel for an hour and a half to get to the port. I then said a sweet goodbye to my relatives there. At the port, I bought Leyte's delicacies for a bring-home – the Moron. A sweet glutinous rice with chocolate filling inside.  It was a bit frightening, not just because I was traveling at night, but because I was alone. I had to board from Hilongos Port to Cebu Port, then Cebu back to the North. But this experience helped me to strengthen my trust in myself and have better ideas on what to do if I go back there. When I'm in Leyte, I'm away from the hectic academic and organizational duties I'm facing. All I need to think about is relaxing, unwinding, connecting with nature, and bonding with the family. This is why I love to go back to Leyte.  How about you? Do you have a place of comfort, too?