LEYTE – When the city noise gets to be too much and all you want is a few quiet days on a remote beach, this is the destination worth the trip.
Off-the-grid getaways always sound like a great idea, yet we rarely find the courage to actually go. With the Cuatros Islas of Inopacan in this province, there’s no excuse left not to.
Literally meaning “four islands,” the Cuatros Islas is a group of islets in the bay spanning the rural towns of Inopacan and Hindang in Leyte. The four islands are Apid, Digyo, Himokilan and Mahaba.
Cuatros Islas is a gem of the Visayas that remains unknown to many travelers to this day, which makes it a wonderful place to find quiet, peaceful moments.
Imagine walking through a sand bar all the way to an islet surrounded by white-sand beach. If that’s not reason enough to visit Cuatros Islas in Leyte, we don’t know what is.
Beaches, trees, and clear waters to swim in. Take this aerial view of the Cuatros Islas as a formal invitation.
It’s a great place to get lost in your own thoughts while taking in a panoramic view of the beach and islands. The untouched scenery is enough to ease the mind and help you forget work stress and city drama alike.
For anyone whose sleep is precious, a nap under the shade of a thick tree is a luxury no amount of money could buy. At Cuatros Islas, you can do just that without limit — lulled by the sea breeze into whatever kind of dream you’d like.
When hunger strikes, enjoy a sumptuous lunch under the shade of the coconut trees. It’s not something you get to do every day, so make the most of it.
Feel free to mingle with the locals, too. You’ll find nuggets of wisdom in stories exclusive to their rural way of life, and if you’re lucky, they might even offer you coconuts to enjoy — though buying one wouldn’t cost much either.
Nap under the shades of trees by the beach at Cuatros Islas.
Bring your own food and have a picnic under the coconut trees here.
As the day ends, take in the awe-inspiring, nostalgic view of the sunset from one of the four islands. The sun’s colors — a mix of yellow, orange and red — are simply lovely, and they have a way of leaving memories that stay with you.
Enjoy one of the most lovely sunsets ever after a day by the beach in this beautiful island.
To get to Cuatros Islas, cross the “bridge of love,” or San Juanico Bridge, if you’re coming from Samar. From Manila, fly to Tacloban first, take a van to Inopacan, then ride a boat out to the islands. Enjoy!
The city could be reached through San Juanico bridge if you are from Samar.
Photos courtesy of Michael Ayaso of behance.net and strictly35.wordpress.com.