The Marcoses explores Cuatro Islas!

Sweet summer of 2016, the salty smell of the sea, the sound of the waves gently kissing the sand, the gentle itch of sunburn and the hint of tan on my skin and lastly, the fun that comes with it. Oh, I would love to experience all of it, and yes, I did plus the whole of The Marcoses too! We had the satisfaction to ourselves, to have spent our summer to not one but the scenic Cuatro Islas of Inopacan and Hindang Leyte. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuatro_Islas

Getting there:

Before going to the island especially during summer and weekends, it is best to contact a tour guide and book a boat as they don't accept reservations and guests are catered on a first-come, first-served basis. Since my sister in law has been to the island, she managed to get hold of an early booking with the same tour guide they had acquired during their first visit (apparently I did not manage to get the name and contact details of the tour guide).

Private Vehicle: We took a private vehicle from Tacloban City to Inopacan Leyte at approximately 2- hour drive. We parked near the Municipal Hall and went straight to the Tourism department for registration. The baywalk, where the outrigger boats are being docked is just a little opposite from the Tourism department.

By Van: Take the Tacloban-Maasin route and ask the driver to drop you off near Municipal Hall of Inopacan and just a few steps ahead would be the Tourism Department. Traveling time is approximately 2 to 2.5 hours and the fare is around 200php to 250 php per person. Available shuttle services in Tacloban includes but not limited to duptours, van-vans (see options online).

Fees:

• Registration/ Entrance fee: 50 php/pax
• Maintenance fee: 50php/pax

Boat Rates:

• 10 passengers + island hopping and overnight stay: 2500php
• 10 passengers and one island only: 2000php
• 20 passengers + island hopping and overnight stay: 3500php
• 20 passengers and one island only: 3000php
• 30 passengers + island hopping and overnight stay: 4500php
• 30 passengers and one island only: 4000php

Cottage rental:

• Close cottage: 500php
• Open cottage: 300php
• Portable tent: 200php + 50php for space rent
• Camping tent: 150php + 50php for space rent

Others: 

• Table: 50php
• Chairs: 10php per chair
• Water: 20L for 40 php 

*last visit was in May 2016, fees may have changed*

What to bring:

There is no hotel or resort around the area, an awesome island life awaits to those who want to visit Cuatro Islas. That being said, I have bulleted some of the things we bought during our overnight camping on the island.

• Food, water, and utensils:  Canned foods and non-perishable goods. We also brought along plentiful of snacks and gallons of water (water are sold by the locals at a high price). Uncooked rice in an airtight container, soft drinks and beer, disposable utensils, napkins, hand sanitizers and garbage bags.  There are also freshly caught fishes you can buy from the locals. You can either personally grill them or ask the locals to grill them for you at an extra charge. We had a pail of sea urchins, cleaned and prepared with extra sawsawan! 

       

• Portable stove, small cooking pot, charcoal, griller basic condiments like cooking oil, garlic, onions.
• Battery-powered flashlights and solar lamps: There is no electricity on the island, the locals solely relied on solar-powered lamp posts but it is not enough to light up the whole area at night. It is also a good idea to bring a battery-powered fan as some nights are not as windy as the other.
• Tents and camping accessories: We don't have our own tent, we just rented out but we brought summer quilts for a soft bedding (foldable thin mattress will do), thin blankets and few throw pillows ( bags full of soft clothes will do, arte lang ko). 
• Swimming gears and accessories, towels, sunblock, your own basic travel essentials with extra preparation on basic first aid kits. Insect and mosquito repellent too.
• Cameras, battery-pack, dry-bag or extra plastic bags for your wet clothes.

Toilet and hygiene: The locals managed to provide tourists a rudimentary means of toileting. Taking a wash after the swim is extra challenging as you might have to use sea water in doing so. As for comfort room, there is a pour-flush type of toilet at 5php per usage.

The Four Islands:

Cuatro Islas is composed of Apid, Digyo, Mahaba, and Himokilan. Each island boast beauty that closely rivaled one another! From satisfying walk along the white sandbar to a picturesque 360-degree view of the horizon, one can never go wrong to have an itinerary planned on a short overnight camping while having the chance to explore the 4 islands in one day.

Digyo Island:

It was the first island we visited. A short over 30 mins away by motorized outrigger from Inopacan port. It is the smallest island among the four but no less than beautiful. This is where we had lunch and stayed overnight. Digyo showcased the vastness of the seemingly unending stretched of white to a silver sandbar.  There are plenty of cottages laid out in the area, few dwellers and a canteen, the only place in the area that has a generator. Electricity would only be available from 6 pm to 10 pm. A quick gadget power-up is available at 10php.

Mahaba Island:

Mahaba is barely inhabited and just 20 mins away by boat from Digyo. Mahaba was for me offered the great outstretched of clear and turquoise water perfect for a great swim. The islands offered serenity and undisturbed appreciation of nature, great for lounging around and snorkeling. Lots of fishes and coral gardens visible to the eyes due to the stillness and crystalline clear water. Perfect place for selfies and your "blogger-pose" moments.

This child of the sea, just let her be. Salty wind on her head, ivory sand on feet. Dipped in coral blue water while basking under the heat. This made her happy, so I let her free.

Himokilan Island:

Himokilan is the 2nd most populated and the biggest island. Apparently, the island is not part of Inopacan. It is under the municipality of Hindang, there is an additional fee of 500php for those who want to explore the island. Due to time constraint, we haven't had the chance to visit Himokilan as it was getting dark and just decided to head straight to Digyo to prepare for dinner. 

A little navigation around the area suggest white sandbar, beautiful corals and according to our boatmen, Himokilan is home to fishermen as evidenced by few boats docked across the shoreline.

Apid Island:

Apid is the most populated island among the four and the farthest. Regrettably, we were not able to visit the island as well. I was told that local dwellers sell souvenirs for the tourists. Sayang, could have bought a thing or two.

Given the chance to visit the islands once more, I would very much like to spend some time at Himokilan and Apid. It would have been such a good opportunity to observe the locals way of life and their day to day activities on the island. 

Cheers to an awesome summer y'all!

*MarBonGabXCuatroIslas*  *TheTravellingTrio+TheMarcoses*  *2&1/2Gypsies*