Leyte...

Leyte is an island in the Visayas region of the Philippines. The island measures about 180km (110mi) north-south and about 65km (40mi) at its widest point.  In the north it nearly joins Samar, separated by the San Juanico Strait, which becomes as narrow as 2km in some places.  To the southern part it is separated from Mindanao by the Surigao Strait.  To the east it is somewhat "set back" from the Philippine Sea of the Pacific Ocean, Samar to the Northeast and Dinagat to the Southeast forming the Leyte Gulf. To the west are Cebu and Bohol.

Leyte is mostly heavily forested and mountainous, but the Leyte Valley in the northeast has much agriculture.  Politically, the island is divided into two provinces: (Northern) Leyte and Southern Leyte. The chief cities of Leyte are Tacloban City, on the eastern shore at the northwest corner of Leyte Gulf, and Ormoc City, on the west coast.  

Today the island is notable for the geothermal electric power plants near Ormoc.  Furthermore, Leyte is most famous for its role in the reconquest of the Philippines in World War II.  On the 20th of October 1944, General Douglas MacArthur waded ashore on Leyte, saying "I have returned".  However, the Japanese did not give up so easily, as the ensuing Battle of Leyte proved, and convergence of naval forces resulted in the four-day Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history.
Areas of interest

The Leyte Provincial Capitol is the seat of the provincial government where a historic mural depicting the First Mass of Limasawa in the Orient and the landing of Gen. Douglas MacArthur could be seen.
Lake Danao is a violin-shaped lake hemmed by cloud-capped mountain ranges.  It is  a hunter's paradise where wild animals roam the surrounding forests.  It is also said to be the home of a giant eel.
Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte is a virgin island with pure white side.  It has two long sandbars.  The ecological atmosphere of the island had been preserved by the municipality.

The Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Musuem boasts the painting of the 14 station of the cross done by Filipino artists and a bas-relief of the legend of the first Filipino man and woman (Malakas and Maganda).

The San Juanico Bridge is the Longest and the most beautifully designed bridge in the Philippines.  It features the picturesque San Juanico Strait with a thousand whirlpools, lovely islets and view.


Festivals

(Lingganay Festival of Alangalang, Leyte - Grand Champion of Pintados Kasadyaan 2011)

Pintados & Kasadyaan Festivals are held every last week of June at Tacloban City. 

How to get here:
By Air - Philippine Airlines as well as Cebu Pacific has three flights daily, flying from Manila to Tacloban, City. The total travel of time is 1 hour and 10 minutes. Air Philippines likewise has four weekly flights from Cebu - Tacloban, vice versa.
By Land - there are a lot of bus company rendering services on daily basis from the central part of the Philippines to any part of the country. Travel time from Manila-Leyte is 24hours.
By Sea - Trips by Sulpicio Lines going to Tacloban takes about 36 hours. The ship leaves Manila three times a week. The departure day should be arranged one week prior to the trip.


The best time to visit Leyte is during the month of June, especially on its last week, where a lot of festivals are annually celebrated. 

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