We have more fun in Inopacan

 



The sea and the mountain of Inopacan



Yes to tourism in Cuatro Islas, but let's not just focus at the sea-level.

Nobody would argue that the Cuatro Islas is a promising place for tourism to boom this part of the region.

But let’s not just focus our interest at the sea-level. We also have to look up high in the mountains where you can find the Little Baguio of Brgys. Cabulisan and Caminto. By putting up tourism in the sea and in the mountain, everything in between these two points will totally enjoy the benefits of tourism. We will soon be progressing our local transportation networks to and from these two points. Local foods, dining, and accommodations will spread out in the areas where tourist would be plying around.

Of course, other progress will come along, such as development of commercial centers, parks, and other facilities. It would create jobs and business opportunities to Inopacnons.

We have more fun in Inopacan - by the sea, the river, the hills, the mountains, and even the skies if you insist.

Have you seen the mini-rice terraces in Hinabay and Caulisihan and the waterfalls in Conalum and the small ones in Caulisihan and along the road to Caminto from Cabulisan.  Not all Inopacnons had been there.  If you go there, it seems a wonderful find.

A waterfall in Caulisihan - photo credit to Marnel Cubian

Have you tried to scale the back of Bubo-buko sa anay and find out why it so called? Does anybody know the meaning of pandong-bato and why there is a place called pandong bato somewhere in the mountain? Have you seen the kasing-kasing (heart) on your way to Cabulisan and had that wonderful view overlooking the landscape and at the horizon across the sea as you set your feet on top the mountainous terrain? Simply go to these places and find the answers the fun way.  A bat cave is just nearby and see for yourself a swarm  of kuwaknits at dusk after watching that scenic sunset on the horizon of Cuatro Islas. Before the sunset paints the sky with flaming colors, you will have that panoramic view that reaches as far as the mainland of Mindanao and the Camotes group of islands.

A patch of mini-rice terraces along the terrain of Brgy Caulisihan in Inopacan, Leyte
photo credit to Eldeross Kirong

Somehow, I once envisioned of gliding through a glider wings or zip line, or of riding a hot air balloon for me to cross the sky between Cabulisan and Marao or Cabulisan and Caminto, and watch over the fields of rice lands, coconut fields,  vegetable plantations, blooming flowers and the come back of abaca greenfield. Someday the hilltops and ridges of Inopacan's little Bagiuo will be dotted with mansions and rest houses of some balikbayans and expats. It could be the future cool city mountain of many summers to come. Just dreaming. Why not. 

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You will love watching or wading through the cascading waters in Caminto river that  is so clear and refreshing that I always dream of shooting the rapids with inflatable rides till I reach the lowlands in Hilongos. That's very far enough for a thrill adventure. It is also an adventure to swim or jump a dive at Pig-ot river. Find this deep narrow river in Brgy. Caminto and have fun swimming in its cold water. Going there is already an adventure because you have to go down through a steep terrain and climb it on your way back.

Habal-habal ride in Inopacan, Leyte

One will get a daily adventure in going up and down the mountains and hills with the ubiquitous habal-habal ride. The name itself is intriguing. The speedy ride is quite an adventure while plying through the uneven terrains and cursive roadways, and in some cases would have to wade through a portion of rivers to cross the other side of  certain places when makeshift bridges are not available.

A sinsoro fishing boat at the fish port in Brgy. Tinago, Inopacan, Leyte

Or just simply enjoy the daily life of binukidnon style. In the morning, have a sip of hot coffee of brewed locally grown coffee beans or have a hot chocolate drink of home made tablea from roasted and finely ground  native cacao beans. A number of delicacies and dishes are abounding, biko, budbud, puto, iraid, nilidgid, bibingka, balikutsa, tiktik pulboron,  galang-galang, kabkab, bukhayo, binignit, kinilaw, butong linamaw, tilaob, mais or saging inanag, pasajan, bulad isda, pinakas, kusahos, tinap-an, sinugba, barbekyu, law-oy, ginamay, inun-onan, inutukan, tinunoan and many many more. Savor a bite of freshly cooked kamote, karnaba, takudo, gabi, ube or istaring, or the sinibakongan, sinaksakan rice or corn meal, or puso with ginamos bolinao, or grilled (or fried) tinabal,  while listening to the cooing of tukmo doves, kulasisi, managing parrots, tamsi, kukok, maya, tikarol and other warbling birds.

One may enjoy back riding the carabaos  on its way to the farm, or while grazing them on grassland. And experience the nightlife of bayle, an evening outdoor disco in the sitios or barrios where lads and ladies would convene, either for a benefit dance or a chance of acquainting with a local beauty.

Otherwise, let's gather around and drink tuba all day. Let the sumsoman and istoryahanay come by in any form. That's a lot of fun, di ba?

There are more inviting reasons for local and foreign tourists to see and experience Inopacan. Their choices vary from sea to the lowland, the hills and up the mountains. Even the skies - if one would insist. We have more fun in Inopacan.

Tourism will surely put a new pin in the map to mark where in the Globe Inopacan is. What used to be a sleepy Caramoan in Bicol has done it successfully, just recently. Why not in Inopacan.

A sinsoro fishing boat at the fish port in Brgy. Tinago, Inopacan, Leyte

The mouth of the legendary bay sa has in  Inopacan, Leyte
photo credit to Eldeross D. Kirong

Inopacan Baywalk
photo credit to Eldeross D. Kirong (photo enhanced by Edgie Polistico)

by EDGIE POLISTICO
                 

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Read this related article from Business World online:

Tourism industry in Leyte planning cheaper packages 

Posted on June 11, 2012 09:30:25 PM

Tourism industry stakeholders in Leyte plan to come up with low-cost tour packages.

This is contained in the Provincial Tourism Marketing Strategy which was crafted for the cities of Ormoc and Baybay, as well as for the municipalities of Palompon, Isabel and Inopacan in northwest Leyte. Read more...