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The large island of Samar , a short hop by ferry from Matnog, on the southern tip of Bicol, has never, for reasons no-one can really explain, become a big tourist destination. Perhaps it's something to do with the weather . Samar has a different climate from the rest of the country, with dry periods only in May and June. Apart from that, rainfall is possible throughout the year, although never for long periods. Most rain falls from the beginning of November until February and from early October to December there can be fierce typhoons. The best and sunniest time to visit is from May to September, although the growing number of surfers who come here to take advantage of the swells that rip in from the Pacific, would probably argue the typhoon season is best. Samar lies between the Bicol and Leyte and is connected to Leyte by the two-kilometre-long San Juanico Bridge, which spans the San Juanico Strait. It is surrounded by about 180 small islands, one of which is Homonhon , where Ferdinand Magellan is reputed to have set foot for the first time on Philippine soil on March 16, 1521, before sailing on to Cebu. One reason not to miss Samar is the marvellous Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park , a prehistoric wilderness full of caves, waterfalls and underground rivers. The park is in the southern part of Samar, so quickest access is through Tacloban on Leyte. For many visitors, Sohoton is scheduled only as a day-trip from Leyte before they loop back to Tacloban and continue through the Visayas. From Tacloban you'll have to catch a jeepney to Basey (1hr), then a pedicab to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (tel 055/276 1151), where you can arrange guides and accommodation. To get to the park from the north involves making the long but spectacular bus journey along Samar's west coast from Catarman through Calbayog (famous for its caves and waterfalls) and on to Basey . There are airports at both Catarman and Calbayog. Ferries from Matnog are four times a day (6am, 7am, 9am, 10am) and take about two hours. They arrive at a port just outside the small town of Allen , on Samar's northern tip. From the port there are jeepneys into Allen, where it is possible to get the southbound bus to Calbayog and on to Tacloban.
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