The Padyak of Leyte

The Padyak of Leyte

The most popular mode of transport while roaming around the city of Baybay is padyak or a three-wheeled bicycle. It takes you to the restaurants, shops, and commercial establishments in the area.

A yellow padyak parked in the street of Baybay City as it waits for passengers.

Hindang by the sea

Hindang by the sea

Hindang is a small town in the eastern seaboards of the Province of Leyte in Eastern Philippines.

It faces the ocean and one famous tourist destination here is the Cuatro Islas. A group of four islands currently getting the fuss among tourists for its white sandy beaches.

One can rent a boat from Hindang town or Inopacan going to any of the islands in Cuatro Islas. The rate would be between Php 2,000 to Php 4,000 depending on the number of passengers.

Getting around

By Boat

Roble Shipping is one of the popular shipping lines from the Province of Cebu going to the Province of Leyte. The boat docks at Hilongos Port. Hindang town is about 15 minutes by van from Hilongos town.

Van

Minivans are parked near the port in Hilongos. One can take the van going to Hindang. The trip takes about 15 minutes. Fare starts at Php 50.00

Roaming around the City of Baybay

Roaming around the City of Baybay

With your tarsier eyes, let's roam around the City of Baybay and check what this city has to offer.

The streets within the city proper. Unlike most big cities in the Philippines where one can experience heavy traffic, In Baybay City, there are not as many vehicles so you can enjoy roaming around without thinking of getting stuck in the middle of the road.

The ways and means in Baybay City are quite simpler. Places and restaurants are easy to find.

In one of the alleys, you can locate this fruit stand. You might drop by to buy fresh fruits and get them fill your juicer or blender at home. That would be a healthy diet for you.

Rice has some varieties and prices vary accordingly. You can choose from commercial rice, bukid rice, or even try the special breed called the black rice. Price per kilo of the rice in Leyte ranges from Php 35.00 to Php 60.00.

If you want to send or receive money from your loved ones, Remittance companies have also established their presence in Baybay City. You can find RD Pawnshop, M Lhuillier, and others.

Getting there and around

By Boat

Roble Shipping is one of the popular shipping lines from the Province of Cebu going to the Province of Leyte. The boat docks at the Port in Baybay City. The boat trip from Pier 3, Cebu to Baybay City Port takes 5-6 hours. Fare starts at about Php 300.

Hindang town is about 15 minutes by van from Hilongos town.

Tricycle / Padyak

The most popular mode of transport while roaming around the city of Baybay is padyak or a three-wheeled bicycle. It takes you to the restaurants, shops, and commercial establishments in the area.

Van

Minivans are parked in the terminal just near the Port in Baybay City which ferries you to the other towns in Leyte.

Vans going South like Hindang, Hilongos, Bato, and Maasin can be found at the terminal. There are also vans headed up north to Ormoc City and going eastward to Tacloban City.

Accomodation

Guest houses and travel lodges are found in the city. One can scout upon arrival for a place to stay.

Dining in Baybay

Jollibee has already opened a branch in Baybay. There is also Mang Inasal food chain on the ground floor of Prince Supermarket.

Van Terminal in Baybay City

Van Terminal in Baybay City

Minivans are parked in the terminal just near the Port in Baybay City which ferries you to the other towns in Leyte.

Vans going South like Hindang, Hilongos, Bato, and Maasin can be found at the terminal. There are also vans headed up north to Ormoc City and going eastward to Tacloban City.

The Port of Baybay City

The Port of Baybay City

For first time visitors in Baybay City, Leyte, you should not worry as the Port of Baybay City is very close to the city proper. The commercial establishments and restaurants can be reached even by walking. In 10 minutes, you are already in the city proper.

However, you can take the padyak in roaming around the city of Baybay.

Minivans are parked in the terminal just near the Port in Baybay City which ferries you to the other towns in Leyte.

Vans going South like Hindang, Hilongos, Bato, and Maasin can be found at the terminal. There are also vans headed up north to Ormoc City and going eastward to Tacloban City.

Getting there and around

By Boat

Roble Shipping is one of the popular shipping lines from the Province of Cebu going to the Province of Leyte. The boat docks at the Port in Baybay City. The boat trip from Pier 3, Cebu to Baybay City Port takes 5-6 hours. Fare starts at about Php 300.

Hindang town is about 15 minutes by van from Hilongos town.

Tricycle / Padyak

The most popular mode of transport while roaming around the city of Baybay is padyak or a three-wheeled bicycle. It takes you to the restaurants, shops, and commercial establishments in the area.

Van

Minivans are parked in the terminal just near the Port in Baybay City which ferries you to the other towns in Leyte.

Vans going South like Hindang, Hilongos, Bato, and Maasin can be found at the terminal. There are also vans headed up north to Ormoc City and going eastward to Tacloban City.

Accomodation

Guest houses and travel lodges are found in the city. One can scout upon arrival for a place to stay.

Dining in Baybay

Jollibee has already opened a branch in Baybay. There is also Mang Inasal food chain on the ground floor of Prince Supermarket.

Diving Board in Hindang

Diving Board in Hindang

Hindang is one of the coastal towns in the western side of the Province of Leyte. 

On holidays and special occasions, locals find this beach area with a diving board as a popular place to relax and enjoy with the family. 

Here, you can also get a boat to take you to the famous Cuatro Islas in Leyte.

Other attractions

Leyte also has caves for the adventurous to explore. Monkeys are also seen in the parks greeting tourists who visit the park. Just be careful with your important belongings as these monkeys might find it interesting to keep. :)

I was taking a selfie with some of the smiling faces here.

Below. Kids and adults alike wait for their turn to dive from the diving board. One great moment.

Above. This kid bravely dives to the water while enjoying his moment as a kid.

Once you get to the waters, you will have to swim back to the platform and climb your way up again to the diving board. The water in this area is quite deep so you should know for yourself that you can swim. 

Arriving Leyte Philippines

Arriving Leyte Philippines

It was dawn when we arrived the Port in Hilongos, Leyte. It is one of the several gateways to Leyte from the Province of Cebu. Some docking points are the Ports of  Ormoc City in the North, Baybay City in the mid-western part of the province, Hilongos and Bato in the South, and Maasin in the Southern-most part of Leyte.

We took one of the Roble Ships, the Joyful Stars. We left the Port of Cebu City at around 10 o'oclock in the evening and arrived at 3am at dawn. The trip was roughly five (5) hours.

The Roble ship was bigger than I thought. Accomodation was good. The canteen was huge and air-conditioned and you can watch tv there while enjoying your meal. You can choose from Economy, Tourist, De Luxe, and even Suite Rooms for your boat accomodation.

You can book tickets from the Pier in Cebu City or from the Roble Office. Ticket outlets in Cebu City can also be found for your advanced bookings.

The boat docked at Hilongos Port.

The passenger terminal at the Port in Hilongos, Leyte.

Getting there and around

By Boat

Roble Shipping is one of the popular shipping lines from the Province of Cebu going to the Province of Leyte. The boat docks at Hilongos Port. Hindang town is about 15 minutes by van from Hilongos town.

Van

Minivans are parked near the port in Hilongos. One can take the van going to Hindang. The trip takes about 15 minutes. Fare starts at Php 50.00