Flight chronicles of the backpacker Tutubi, with travelogues, pictures/photos/videos, travel guides, independent and honest reviews, affordable, recommended resorts and hotels (including inns, guesthouses, pension houses, lodges, hostels, condotels, bed and breakfast and other cheap accommodations), commuting guides, routes (sometimes street maps and GPS coordinates/waypoints) and driving directions to answer "how to get there" questions, information and tips on tourism, budget travel and living in Philippines, Exotic Asia and beyond!
Backpacking, independent travel, and flashpacking are cheaper than the "cheapest package tours" and promotional offers around but you can also use travel information for family vacations, even romantic honeymoon destinations.
More than the usual tourist spots and "places to see," this blog advocates heritage conservation, environmental protection, and history awareness for Filipinos, foreigners, and ex-pats wishing to explore Paradise Philippines and Exotic Asia!
UPDATE: this Imelda Marcos Olot Mansion in Tolosa Leyte, near Tacloban City was badly damaged by storm surge brought by super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) on November 8, 2013.
While passing by the Leyte town of Tolosa from Tacloban en route to Dulag and Agas-agas Bridge, Tutubi readily noticed the high walls on the long stretch of highway that piqued his interest and prodded him to ask a question to his companion what's inside those walls.
It turned out the property enclosed by the walls is the controversial Olot Beach Club, part of the huge property of the imeldific one -- Imelda Marcos -- sequestered by the government through the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).
On entering the "walled resort" you can only imagine the splendor that once enveloped the place. You'll just notice the decaying clubhouse, no people except a few hanging out on the nearby beach.
this ain't Olot Mansion, the birthplace of Imelda Marcos, that was not visited by Tutubi
Olot Beach Club's clubhouse
The beach is of fine gray sand with a few bahay kubo (native huts) dotting the beach front and said to be off-limits to the locals of Olot, Tolosa back in those days when the Marcoses were in power in these islands (though the Romualdez clan, where Imelda Romualdez Marcos belongs, still calls the shots in Tacloban and Leyte politics up to this day)
the fine gray sand beach of Olot Beach Resort sans the beach bums of the rainy day
There's a nine-hole golf course of San Juanico Golf Club currently leased out (which can give you an idea of the expanse of the property) while Olot Beach Resort rents out swimming pool, bathhouse and beach front.
Tutubi initially planned taking pictures of the swimming pool if it's still well-maintained but the rain, for the nth time, made him leave the resort in a hurry. No time too to visit the Kalipayan or the Olot Mansion, the Presidential Mansion of late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos and called the true Malacañang of the South...perhaps on Tutubi's next trip to Leyte.
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Information on Olot Beach Resort:
Address: National highway of Olot, Tolosa, Leyte
No Contact Number, room rates and rentals for Olot Beach Resort. It's a popular place though for reunions and other events in Tolosa. No entrance fee required to visit the beach facility.
photo cache, it's open to the public, it used to be private resort and playground of the marcoses. it's already in decrepit state. wish to visit the Olot Mansion one of these days. saw pictures of the lavish interiors somewhere. on the ownership, there are reports it's reverted back to the marcoses but at its current state, i doubt it.
this ain't Olot Mansion, the birthplace of Imelda Marcos, that was not visited by Tutubi
Olot Beach Club's clubhouse
the fine gray sand beach of Olot Beach Resort sans the beach bums of the rainy day
Photo Cache said...
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