Leyte and Southern Leyte

On our third day, we had our tour to two FITS centers: Inopacan and Bontoc, Southern Leyte. We ate our packed lunch at the farm of a Magsasaka Siyentista in Sogod, Southern Leyte whose focus commodity is freshwater prawns. Our group was delighted to eat the sinigang na bangus, bangus kinilaw, and fried tilapia prepared by the host for us. Each one found a favorite nook on the farm, which has been developed for ecotourism, for a short rest after the sumptuous meal. Before leaving the farm, we saw a native waling-waling or black orchid being offered for sale. The next stop was at a jackfruit farm in Mahaplag, Southern Leyte. The slices of sweet and crunchy jackfruit that welcomed us were gone in a few minutes. On our way back, we dropped by the Agas-agas Bridge, the tallest bridge in the country. We were all surprised to know that there was a zip line crossing the bridge. We took the stairs up to the starting point but only a few of us took the challenge. I've tried a longer zip line before but this one is really steep and it was so windy up in the tower. We then proceeded to Visayas State University for a brief campus tour and visited the TechnoMart of ViCARP. Many of us bought pasalubong from the store.

Before going to the airport for our return flight to Manila, we dropped by MacArthur Park in Palo, Leyte. The monument depicts the actual landing in Leyte of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and company.

Bye, Leyte. I want to see more of your beauty next time.