Basey Travel Guide

The people in Samar or what local people call them 'Waray-waray' enjoy most occasion, no occasion if there is no 'Tuba' ( typical in samar ) the local wine made of coconut palm, it is coloured to be maroon. Most people here like to drink it, but for those foriegners might be risky because it is a natural wine,not sterelized. However,once you try it you could be surprised how it taste, probably you will ask for another glass of tuba.

Have you ever tasted this ' buco ' in the local language, It is a young coconut with juice in it....I love it! you can eat this naturally and drink the sap..... you can also make it a BUCO SALAD made with cream, condensed milk and a few tropic fresh fruit, it has to be refrigerated first for the salad, but for the natural buco....you can eat it right on.

From the town of Tacloban, Leyte. The major transportation to visit this place of Western Samar is jeepneys and some other tricycles if you hire them. Bus are also available as they stop for passengers in Basey, then they will drive through Eastern Samar as thier main route. Tacloban is considered to be the City of this region although CALBAYOG is the capital of the province Samar, it is more nearest than the said capital. The Bridge of SAN JUANICO became the famous in town, it is named from the strait of San Juanico, connecting the two island of Samar and Leyte.

Don't' expect "luxe" when you travel here in 'Western Samar', you cannot find any 5 star hotel or high class restaurant, unless you will go to Tacloban City. Western Samar is still in developing stage...nature are absolutely nice! people are friendly.

Unique Suggestions: Try to consider your trip as an adventure, feel the way of life in the province....don't expect too much.

Fun Alternatives: Tourist here are so special, local people appreciate very much whenever they know that there are visitors....just be friendly, they like talking to you too and maybe some others will call you "JOE" for men...it's really fun!

Luggage and bags: Back pack and belt bags are ideal. the more easy to carry is the best.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Sport shoes and sandals are okey. Wear light clothes like T-shirs and shorts. Dont forget to bring some pants or something long sleeves clothes, it also help when it's getting dark, mosquito comes out and singing around you.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: I suggest to bring as much as possible your toiletries complete...Sometimes it is not easy to find what you are looking in some stores in the small town. O f course you can always buy in this place some other things that you need.

Photo Equipment: dont forget of curse your cameras, it's so special visitng a place like this.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Beaches here have cottages, you can always rent for a day or per hour but you cannot stay overnight.

The SOHOTON CAVE, located at Basey,Samar considered one of the most popular destination in the region. this cave is lined with a giant jungle, rocks formation,river, waterfall and unique limestones formations. Here, you can explore the cave, walk around or simply had a picnic along the subterranean river which we did during our visit. To see this cave, you have to start from the town of Tacloban, an hour trip to Basey with a passenger jeepney. In Basey there are boats available in this little town, you will hire this boat, will bring you to the cave for again an hour in a beautiful river, both sides of this rivers are the giant jungle, in some areas you will notice a few houses in small villages. Going in the cave can only survice with an experience guide with a petrole lamp and flashlight with him to light the way, it is not dangerous although you have to be aware where you walk in, some areas could be wet and slippery.