Summer breeze in Merida!

There was a sudden albeit quick downpour in Tacloban City mid-afternoon today which no doubt brought down the temperature by a couple of notches alleviating a lot from the summer’s sweltering heat. I imagined hearing the collective sigh of relief. Whew! And for most of us without airconditioning, beating the summer heat options quickly point to heading for the malls or to the beach.

In the sleepy, living-it-easy, coastal town of Merida, Leyte, heading for the beach is but the quickest and most logical thing to do during summertime.

Located some 20 kms from Ormoc City along the coast of Ormoc Bay, one unaccustomed to the route has to drive slowly lest he misses the small junction which leads to the main town as one motors along the quiet highway leading to Isabel, Leyte.

Nothing beats the cool breeze at your face blowing from the bay, offering a much needed respite from the relentless heat.

Cooling off at Ormoc Bay in Merida, Leyte

Summertime’s living-it-easy pace

Ormoc City in the horizon

Protected mangrove area gives hope to marine life in the bay

Town hall of Merida, Leyte sitting on top of a hill

Supreme Commander of WW II’s Allied Forces Gen. Douglas MacArthur must have been here… he has a statue in front of the Municipal Hall. 🙂

The view from the munisipyo looking out into Ormoc Bay

Merida as viewed from the sea:

  • Last 2 photos above were taken 24 April 2008 from a fastcraft leaving Ormoc for Cebu.

~ by gerryruiz on 10 April 2008.

10 Responses to “Summer breeze in Merida!”

  1. Wow, look at that! I had been living in Leyte for more than 18 years and it’s just now that I came to know there is this wonderful place in Leyte which is Merida. Most probably they are Bisaya ‘cuz it’s located at the southern part? Is it part of Ormoc? Thnx Gerry 🙂

  2. John2x, nope, it’s not part of Ormoc. It’s a town along the coast of Ormoc Bay. You pass by it on your way to Isabel.

  3. Thank you for having this photos of my father’s hometown. He was supposed to be there last week to attend the most-awaited fiesta of Merida – May 15, 2008 – and at the same have a reunion with cousins who came home from abroad. But it was in vain since typhoons Butsoy and Kosme hit Mindanao. Heavy rains with strong winds. We cancelled our trip to Merida. Imagine, we were supposed to take Weena bus from Cotabato City to Kabacan, North Cotabato, then take another Rural Transit bus from Kabacan to Cagayan de Oro city via Bukidnon…. then in the evening we should have taken the vessel, maybe of Sulpicio Lines from Cagayan de Oro to Cebu City, then Supercat from Cebu to Ormoc, and lastly a mini bus or van from Ormoc to Merida Poblacion!

    Merida is the hometown of my father, the Matugas and Mendola, Boholst. etc… He is now 73 years old, lived in Cotabato City all his life along with his family. Merida is now developed as years passed… and I’d like to go back there after 10 years… to visit my cousins…

  4. I was there almost a month ago on May 14th and 15th during the fiesta. It was my first visit in Merida to see my wife’s family and in-laws. We truly enjoyed our stay there and were able to brave the hot weather. The heat is something we’re not used to since we’ve been living in San Francisco for many years now. I regret not seeing Mount Magsanga. That’ll be on my list on my next visit. We’re missing Merida already after only being back to California a few days ago. Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful pictures.

  5. hi, are there beach resorts in merida? those fantastic photos of yours – which resort is it located in merida?

    • Hi Rhea, I’m sorry I cannot recall the name of the place where I took the photos. They are not really “resorts” in the true sense of the word – more of beach areas w/ some picnic huts w/ tables & chairs for rent.

  6. there are nice beaches here in merida located at one of the barangays here at lamanoc, merida, leyte. very nice place to visit.

  7. Thank you very much indeed for posting these photos. I saw my rest house at left side of the last photo and I look forward to visit the place this coming April 2012. Mabuhay ka, Gerry Ruiz.

    From Leonardo Arino, Abu Dhabi

  8. tnx sir for posting the pics of my hometown……

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