Popular Tourist Destinations in Samar Part 2

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TOURIST DESTINATIONS
IN SAMAR

Samar is divided into three parts – Northern Samar, Western Samar and Eastern Samar. For purposes of clarity, Western Samar is simply referred to or called SAMAR.

Samar province is caught between mountain and sea. It is hilly, with mountain peaks and narrow strips of lowlands, which tend to lie in coastal peripheries or in the alluvial plains and deltas accompanying large rivers. It includes almost every kind of topography: mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, plains, coasts, and islands and is blessed with a lush rain forest harboring tropical flora and fauna, crossed by multiple navigable rivers, pocked by mysterious caverns and refreshing waterfalls. A tourist wanting something out of the ordinary may experience all these wonders of nature and still only be a few hours from civilization. – http://www.tourism.gov.ph/SitePages/InteractiveSitesPage.aspx?siteID=47

Pan-as Falls

Samar Pan-as Falls Photo from: calbayogko.tripod.com

Pan-as Falls is located in Barangay Pilar. More than just a natural tourist attraction, this waterfall is located in watershed area of Calbayog. It also serves as the primary source of water for the residents of Pilar. If one is to romanticize it, when viewed from the outskirts of Pilar, the flowing water of Pan-as looks like a maiden’s long hair cascading down the side of a high mountain. Pan-as is so high that at some points water that reaches the pool become a mere mist. Read More: https://www.eventurista.com/49-pan-as-falls

Panhulugan Caves

Samar Panhulugan Caves Photo from: evsukraymarabut.wordpress.com

The Panhulugan Caves are located in Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park which is internationally known for its natural beauty expressed in its caves, subterranean rivers, waterfalls and unique limestone formations. It is an idyllic place for recreation.

Panhulugan Cave I is the largest and most spectacular endogenic cave.

Panhulugan II Cave is a long scar, that cuts into the face of Panhulugan Cliff, a high and deep rock formation.

The whole area has the typical appearance of karst formations with an intriguing variety of deep shafts and sinkholes caves, rock-shelters, underground rivers and bizarre weather-sculpted rock formations. All the caves are situated in towering and very rugged limestone cliffs which line the river, creating a magnificent scenery.

Traces of early habitation dating as far back as the Iron Age and Stone Age have been found in the different caves. These caves are also believed to have been used as burial sites for the natives and mecca for medicine men who hunt and prepare their potions. The caves were also used as hideouts of Filipino Insurrectos during the Spanish-American War.

Adding to its enchanting beauty and geological wonders, the park is endowed with a rich stock of forest vegetation which serves as home to varied forms of endemic, rare and endangered Philippine fauna. Mammals and reptiles abound in the park, freshwater fish, crabs and shrimps.

A magnificent stone bridge, from which the park got its name, connecting two mountain ridges, underneath flows the Sohoton River. An exciting adventure inside caves with unique, exquisite limestone formations. – http://greedypeg.org/news/samar/geo/Panhulugan-Caves.html

Panhulugan Cliff

Samar Panhulugan Cliff Photos from: commons.wikimedia.org

Panhulugan Cliff is a high and steep rock formation directly across Panhulugan Cave I. Down this towering cliff is a narrow curve of the Sohoton River wherein passing bancas are dragged during low tide.

The name Panhulugan is from the waray-waray word “hulug” which means to drop from atop. Filipino rebels had used this cliff as an ambush area during the Filipino-American war.

The cliff is located within the Sohoton National Park. Read More: http://www.localphilippines.com/attractions/panhulugan-cliff