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davehodgetts-blog · 5 years

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The Labor Day weekend altered the hushed atmosphere of Inopacan. Travelers and tourists flocked the boulevard to get a slot of the first batch of boat departures, which at that time, ran out really fast. It was still six in the morning, yet the dispatcher’s booth was overwhelmed with the swarm of excited as well as incited individuals. We were fortunate to be the first ones on the queue.

A stunning sunset at Digyo Island

Cuatro Islas: The Four Scenic Islands of Leyte

Immediately after our market quest to shop for our two-day survival provisions, we found ourselves navigating to Mahaba Island, one of the four scenic islands of Cuatro Islas.

Mahaba Island

The surface was almost placid. Only the fine ripples disturbed the clear view of the sea floor. If it wasn’t because of the outriggers approaching, the surrounding waters of Mahaba Island would appear as a vast, well-maintained aquarium.

Mahaba Island of Cuatros Islas

The white beach, the blue sky, the green foliage, and the aquamarine deep worked faultlessly to lure travelers into its dungeon, a gorgeous one. Sentineled with gentle underwater creatures, getting locked in the island seems a beautiful punishment—I would gladly commit a sin.

Apid Island

Apid Island was our next stop. A small fisherman village thrived there without hurting nature. The water around it looks translucent and unadulterated. The beach sand may not be as fine as your expectation, but is uniquely good-looking through any grateful eyes.

Apid Island of Cuatro Islas

Digyo Island

Third stop was Digyo Island. A white sandbar protrudes to its southeastern tip, which is why; it is a common favorite among the sojourners.

Digyo Island is the most popular among the four scenic islands of Cuatro Islas

The good mix of white sand and rocky shorelines added supplementary excitement. It wasn’t all about the white sand after all. The interesting beachrock, which was naturally cemented by the tide, adorns the other side of the island. And then, during good season, you’ll have an exceptional vantage of the stunning sunsets and sunrises. The underwater community around Digyo display extraordinary surprises as well.

The shallows of Mahaba Island with Himokilan Island in the background

Himokilan Island

From afar, Himokilan Island looks promising. It was a big frowner when our boatman said that we could not make a stop there. We can actually navigate closer to the island for an additional fee of ₱500. However, we found it not worth the time and money.

Himokilan is no longer part of Inopacan. Thus, if we want to visit the island, we need to book for a separate boat at Hindang, an adjacent municipality. We also heard that Inopacan enforces the same policy for guests coming from Hindang—that if you book a boat via Hindang, you are not allowed to visit Mahaba, Apid, and Digyo Islands, which are under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Inopacan.

I haven’t verified the truthfulness of the boatman’s story, but it appeared that it was the information communicated to them by the tourism proponents of Inopacan. They were more likely true, since they underwent seminars and accreditation before they can offer their services.

We were hoping that the Provincial government of Leyte will step in to settle the differences of these two municipalities and reach a memorandum of understanding. In the first place, we visited Cuatro Islas to experience, not just one, two, or three, but all the four islands.

The beachrock of Digyo Island provides a remarkable contrast to its powdery, white sand beach

How to Get There

From Manila, take a flight to Tacloban, and then transfer to a van bound for Inopacan. You can also take a Baybay-bound van, and then take another van from Baybay to Inopacan. Travel time is up to 2.5 hours and may cost you ₱250.

From Cebu, hop on a ferry to either Hilongos or Baybay in Leyte, and then take a jeepney to Inopacan. Roble Shipping leaves Cebu’s Pier 3 at 09PM and arrives in Hilongos or Baybay around three in the morning. The regular economy fare is ₱275.

You can also take a fast craft from Cebu City’s Pier 1 to Ormoc or Maasin, and then transfer to a van bound for Inopacan. The earliest trip, however, is 05:30AM for Super Cat or 06:00AM for OceanJet. Travel time is 3 hours and the one-way fare starts at ₱600.

Digyo Island Sandbar

From Kalanggaman Island, return to Palompon town proper, and then board a van to Ormoc. When in Ormoc, transfer to another van bound for Inopacan. Total travel time is up to 3 hours and it will cost you ₱250 for the transportation.

If you are coming from Canigao Island, Karap-Agan Falls, or Hitoog Cave, return to Matalom town proper, and then hop on a jeepney or bus to Inopacan. Note that there are very few public transport that ply this route. As an alternative, take a trike to Bato from Matalom, and then transfer to a Baybay-bound van. Make sure that you alight at Inopacan. Travel time is usually one hour.

Cuatro Islas Fees

Boat Rentals

₱2,500 – up to 10 persons (includes island hopping)

₱3,000 – 11 to 20 persons (includes island hopping)

₱4,000 – 21 to 30 persons (includes island hopping)

₱500 – overnight surcharge

Cottage Rentals

₱500 – closed cottage (day use)

₱300 – open cottage (day use)

₱200 – tent

₱50 – overnight surcharge

Entry Fees

₱50 – maintenance fee (LGU)

₱10 – environmental fee (DENR)

₱10 – maintenance fee (Barangay)

Other Fees

₱30 – Container of fresh water for bathing or cleaning

₱50 – Space for tent

₱50 – Cooking charge (if you hate the hassle of cooking your own food)

Notes, Tips, and Reminders

The fine and powdery white sand of Digyo Island stands out against the big crowd of campers

You can bring your own provisions that would suffice your entire stay. However, if you hate the peskiness associated with carrying too much stuff, you can buy your food and drinking water in the island at prices way higher than recommended.

Some fisher folks sell their fresh catch. They can also cook them for you for an additional fee of ₱50.

Cellular signal for basic services in the island is decent but connecting to the internet is completely sluggish.

If possible, travel on weekdays. Digyo Island, where most travelers spend the night, usually go really crowded on holidays and weekends. Big crowd means long queue on comfort rooms and shower areas and uncontrolled photo bombers.

If you still have time, you may include Canigao Island, Karap-agan Falls, and Hitoog Cave in your itinerary.

Though not an island policy, I suggest you bring your garbage with you back in the mainland for proper disposal.

BE A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER OR TOURIST. Always remember to internalize and follow the “traveler’s creed”: Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, and kill nothing but time.

The post Cuatro Islas Travel Guide: Himokilan, Mahaba, Apid, and Digyo Islands appeared first on Freedom Wall.

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davehodgetts-blog · 5 years

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When I set my eyes on something, I’ll make sure to do everything to achieve it. I will only stop if pursuing is really impossible and life-threatening, especially when it comes to travel goals.

That was why, when I set my course to Matalom, Leyte, I set my expectation pretty clearly—that before I cross to Canigao Island, I should experience Hitoog Cave and Karap-agan Falls first. That was the only viable option then, since we had to return to Hilongos early the following day to catch our ferry back to Cebu.

While I was securing our return ferry tickets, my friends were able to strike a deal with a van driver. For ₱1,200, he could bring the 16 of us to Matalom from Inopacan with a stop at Hitoog Cave, and if possible, Karap-agan falls. By the way, we already spent an awesome night in Digyo Island, one of the four scenic islands of Cuatro Islas, before heading to Matalom.

The squeaky-clean water of Canigao Island

Everything was going smoothly until we passed the unpaved portion of Caridad-Elevado Road. Kuya driver suddenly became distasteful. He asked every person we met along the way about the distance between our location and our destination. The first person answered one kilometer, the second told us two, and the third said it is three.

The last man destroyed everyone’s cool when he said that we need to drive four more kilometers. It was quite shady though since the distance between each person we asked is just less than a hundred meters. Kuya, however, believed the last person. He suddenly abandoned the plan, and then maneuvered the van back to Matalom town proper without asking us. That was completely rude! We were about midway, assuming that the Google Maps direction is correct.

Hitoog Cave

I did not note the driver’s contact number because his services are not worth recommending.

Places to Visit in Matalom, Leyte

While the rest of the group somewhat accepted the driver’s foul gesture, I was uneasy. I parted from the group, which was en-route to Canigao Island, and then looked for a motorbike taxi or habal-habal to bring me to Hitoog Cave. Luckily, I found one. The driver asked ₱100 for the two-way trip.

Hitoog Cave

From the highway, we traveled along a mix of paved and unpaved road. It was more of a rough ride though.

It is true that Hitoog Cave is more than 4 kilometers away, but that distance was from the highway. When we took the van, we were about midway when the last person we asked told us to drive four more kilometers. That means nobody really told us the right information since the beginning.

Hitoog Cave features a cave pool, which water source is a spring. Fronting it is an array of makeshift cottages and a man-made swimming pool. The swimming pool serves as a catch basin of the water overflow from the cave, channeled using PVC pipes. With the natural and man-made pools, guests to Hitoog can enjoy two swimming options.

However, despite being quite hard to reach, the cave goes jam-packed especially on long weekends.

The enchanting Karap-agan Falls

Karap-Agan (Mahayahay) Falls

From Hitoog Cave, my habal-habal driver offered to bring me to Karap-agan Falls in Sitio Mahayahay of Barangay Elevado. Being located in Mahayahay, some people started calling it Mahayahay Falls.

By the way, the falls is closer to the town proper compared to Hitoog Cave.

Karap-agan Falls in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Elevado, Matalom, Leyte

From the road, I crossed Esperanza River twice to get to Karap-agan Falls. Along the way was a stunning amalgamation of greens. The reflection of the foliage on the serene surface of Esperanza created a vision of an enchanting world.

Karap-Agan is a two-tiered waterfall. With safety in mind, I carefully searched my way up to the middle section of the falls. Up there is a deep pool created by the strong pressure of the upper tier. The powerful current and the slippery rocks limited my movements.

Canigao Island

Immediately from Kapag-agan Falls, I headed directly to Matalom port to secure a seat for Canigao Island.

Big outrigger boats transport up to 60 passengers from Matalom to Canigao and vice versa. The tourism office collect ₱105 per person, wherein ₱65 is the two-way fare and the remaining ₱40 is the environmental fee.

Canigao Island Sandbar

After less than 30 minutes of travel time, I rejoined the group, and then spend another awesome day with them.

How to get to Matalom Leyte

From Manila, take a flight to Tacloban, and then hop on a Van to Maasin, Southern Leyte. Tell your driver to drop you off in Matalom town proper.

From Cebu, take a ferry to either Bato or Hilongos, and then transfer to a trike or jeepney to Matalom. You may also opt to take Weesam Express to Maasin, and then transfer to a jeepney bound for Hilongos.

From Kalanggaman Island, return to Palompon town proper, transfer to van bound for Maasin, and then alight at Matalom. Total travel time from Palompon is up to 6 hours and may cost you ₱350.

From Cuatro Islas, return to Inopacan, transfer to a jeepney bound for Hilongos, board a jeepney or van to Maasin, and then alight at Matalom town proper. Total travel time from Inopacan is up to 1 hour.

Depending on how you design your itinerary, you can take a habal-habal to Hitoog Cave and Karap-agan Falls, and then spend a night in Canigao Island.

At the rocky portion of Canigao Island

Matalom Fees

The two-way habal-habal fare to both Hitoog Cave and Karap-agan Falls is usually ₱150, If the driver asks more, make sure to negotiate.

Entrance fee to Hitoog Cave is ₱20 per person while there is no fee for you to experience Karap-agan falls.

The boat fare to Canigao Island is ₱65 per person and the environmental fee is ₱40 each.

During lean season, Canigao Island collects ₱200/tent as tent space rental. Cottage rental starts at ₱500 for day use or ₱700 for overnight use.

Canigao Island

Notes, Tips, and Reminders

You can bring your own food and cook set. However, if you pack light, you can use the common grill area to cook your lunch or dinner. Remember that you will share the area with other guests as well and the island usually goes very crowded on weekends.

Drinking water is sold in 20-liter containers, but I doubt the quality because some taste like it was coming from a deep well source.

Sari-sari stores sell basic stuff, such as soap, shampoo, coffee, fruits, bread, noodles, etc.

The water running on the comfort rooms and showers is brackish. You may find it harder to make your soap bubble.

Cellular signal is available for all networks. Globe offers 4G/LTE reception.

Cuatro Islas in Inopacan is also worth a visit. The jump off area is just an hour away from .

Though not an island policy, I suggest you bring your garbage with you back in the mainland for proper disposal.

BE A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER OR TOURIST. Always remember to internalize and follow the “traveler’s creed”: Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, and kill nothing but time.

Canigao Island, Hitoog Cave, and Karap-agan (Mahayahay) Falls: A Travel Guide to Matalom Leyte appeared first on Freedom Wall.

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