This was an unplanned weekend trip. My college barkada back in Kalai (UP Diliman) is currently in Leyte for a 3-week project with different LGUs. The surfer that she is, I knew when she told me in advance she was coming that she will want to go to the beaches here in Leyte. She told me like a month before and I didn't notice she was here until she messaged me “San tayo sa weekend?”
I had no concrete plans for last weekend. Pintados and Tacloban fiesta was this week so I knew there were events here and there. When Ishy told me she’s in Tactown, my first instinct was to bring her and her friend to Burauen (Yes, the spring capital of Leyte who just won the Pintados Kasadyaan Festival 2017— yesterday #TribuBuraburon Wooohoo!). Leyte is just too hot for June. I was longing for that cold spring swim in Cansiboy since summer but was too busy.
Weekend warriors here we come!
Day 1 Saturday
8 AM - van Tac to Burauen (P50) 9 AM - prep & bfast at Delloro residence who are all so very acommodating I love them to bits! 10:30 AM - habal habal ride to Cansiboy (P50)
Entrance P20 Tables & Chairs P100
11 AM - swim & socials 12 NN - head back to town proper (P50) 1 PM - ginataang native manok and pansit lunch! 2:30 PM - Burauen to Dulag c/o Ate Juna and Kuya Allan who were so kind to come with us to the beach 3 PM - Sabang Surf Camp, Dulag Leyte
Entrance - 20 adult Table & Space Rent- 200 Extra Chairs - 10 Liempo for ihaw @Monterey Burauen - 150
6 PM - pack up and head back to Burauen
Day 2 Sunday
7 AM - Breakfast & Chika 8 AM - Decide where to go and prep for an overnight trip anywhere 9 AM - van Burauen to Tac (P50) 10 AM - pass by SaveMore to buy needs 10:45 AM - tryk to VanVan’s (P8) 11 AM - van Tac to Maasin (told the driver to drop us off at Inopacan since all we could think about was Cuatros Islas) (P170) 2 PM - Inopacan port/jump off point to Cuatros Islas
We were only 4 and the minimum boat rental was 2500 plus 500 overnight for max of 10 passengers. Boatmen urged us to hire a private bangka right then and there but we knew we could wait for some more joiners. Thank you to the rich kids of Cavite who filled the boat together with us! We saved a few hundreds from paying the 3k.
Boat 10pax - P2500 includes island hopping Overnight - plus P500 for the boat Environmental Fee - P60
As soon as the passengers are complete & the manifesto signed, you are good to go. The boat ride duration felt like 30min from jump off point to 1st island– Mahaba.
MAHABA ISLAND
We docked at 4pm so the boatman said we had about 30 min to explore the island. It was pretty like the other beaches in the Philippines. Mahaba had clear waters, fine white sand but lots of corals so you have to wear aqua shoes/slippers.
The ebach had a long stretch of white sand so it was tempting to play frisbee. We didn't have time so we went swimming instead. The other side of the island was a marine sanctuary so naturally, it was off limits. We were happy to see a big school of flying fish somewhere near the island while taking our first dip in Cuatros Islas.
The swim was sweet and short. Before we knew it, we were on our way to the 2nd island– Apid.
APID ISLAND
Apid is a smaller island with a short stretch of white sand. Our boatman told us there was nothing to see on the island as it had only a small community & a school. Since we were with environmental planners, they took the chance to explore the structures up close. They questioned why a community was allowed when the 4 islands were supposed to be protected land and seascapes.
The other group chose not to come down. So after about 10min, we sailed off to the last island where were are supposed to stay for the night– Digyo.
DIGYO ISLAND
Digyo is a peaceful island. The water was so still I missed the sound of the waves crashing as I we went to sleep. I was concerned about food and CR before coming to Inopacan but our friends wanted to try some backpacking adventure. We crossed the seas with only biscuits and 2L of water.
Suprisingly, the island stores did not price the commodities too high. We thought it was just enough for them to earn some living. Like 1 san mig grande was P100. Blue Marlin was P200 per kilo. Rice was 30 per kilo. Cooking services per dish was P50. 1.5L of mineral water was P50. The smaller bottle was P35. One container of fresh water for bathing was P40 – it was enough for soap & shampoo of 2 people.
The local store owner was very kind to offer us tables, chairs & light for the night. He had let us borrow some utensils too though paper plate & plastic spoon & forks are needed to eat. They charged for that as well for a few coins.
Sleeping at 1am the night before and a 3 hour van ride at the back was too tiring we could only finish 1 bottle of Grande. After taking a refreshing bath, we went ready to sleep. The sky was very beautiful with stars we rented a banig (woven mat) for P50. Almost slept outside but I knew it was going to get too cold in the wee hours of the morning so we went inside the tent.
Day 3 Monday
6:00 AM Good morning, Digyo! 6:30 AM Coffee & bfast for some 7:00 AM Walking and photoshoot 7:30 AM Pack up tent and things 8:00 AM Boat back to main island 9 AM van back to Tacloban (P160)
And we were already in Tac before 12nn. Of course it was sleep over lunch so lunch & supper went together at around 8pm in Cafe Lucia for a seaside coffee & beer kinda night.
