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Beautiful Batanes

Beautiful Batanes

Here's a summary/video blog of my first ever solo trip to Batanes. It was fun to "disconnect" from the hustle and bustle of Manila. Some thought it was a crazy idea but this goes to show that I'm an independent woman and that I'm not afraid of doing things alone. Hope you all had an awesome long weekend! :)



P.S. Please try to watch in HD! ;)
Southern Batan Island Tour

Southern Batan Island Tour


Day 3 in Batanes and still blessed with a good weather. :)

When traveling, I religiously check all weather apps to check if it will rain or not. While typhoon Fung-Wong (locally known as Mario) was ready to make landfall in some parts of Luzon, maaraw pa rin sa Batanes. So I got a text from my tour guide Art that my southern Batan island tour will push through. ;)


First Stop: Homoron Lagoon and White Beach

Homoron has calmer waves compared to other beaches in Batan Island. Locals and tourists come here to swim or for picnics, no entrance fee btw. :) I just think the government needs to provide larger trash bins to keep the beach clean. Be careful when you swim though, medyo mabato.


Spotted this migratory bird which I think came from Taiwan.


Pulled over to take this photo before heading to my next destination. Bato lang yan pero nagagandahan na ako. Hahaha. #Photographer


Second Stop: Old Spanish Bridge at the town of Ivana.

A hundred something years ago, Spaniards built bridges around Batan Island. Isa na lang yata ito sa natitira. If you look closer at the lower left part of the photo, may cracks na yung bridge. Sadly, the government hasn't done anything to preserve it. Puwede pa naman siya daanan ngayon, wag lang mga sasakyan. Few meters away from the bridge is the...


Third Stop: House of Dakay

House of Dakay is one of the most visited and oldest surviving stone house in Batanes. Biruin mo nothing has changed since 1887! Wow. Kaya lang no one's home that day. Di ko tuloy nasilip yung loob. Haha.


Fourth Stop: San Jose de Ivana Church

Ivana Church is one of the oldest churches in Batanes built in the 1800's and is the only church that has bell tower. Ryan, if you're reading this please correct me if I'm wrong. I forgot some parts of Art's lecture. #LolaMode


It looked fairly new from the outside but if you go at the back of the church you'll see the ruins from the original altar built using limestones. Across the Ivana Church is...


Fifth Stop: Honesty Coffee Shop

 
Honesty Coffee Shop is owned by Jose and Elena Gabilo and has become one of the most famous tourist spots in Batan Island. The store is unmanned so if you want to buy something, just leave the payment in the boxes provided. You may also list the things you bought, maybe for inventory.


Batanes is a crime-free zone but I couldn't help but wonder if meron na bang hindi nagbayad dito? Lalo na mga tourists. Nako mahiya kayo no! Haha. Magbayad ng tama! :)


I saw Mrs. Elena Gabilo that morning and looked like she wasn't in the mood. I took my chanced and kindly asked for a photo to which she obliged. :)


I once again pulled over and took a photo of the 'BLOW UR HORN' sign in one of the many blind curves around Basco.


Sixth Stop: Song-Song Ruins/Beach

Song-Song is a small town that got wiped out by a tsunami in the 1950's where you'll find ruins of the stone houses that made it look like a ghost village or something. There were no casualties and survivors were sent to Mindanao for resettlement by the Magsaysay government. Ang layo ha!


Seventh Stop: Alapad Hills

Took this one on top of Alapad Hill where Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta shot their "i-Dawn Zulueta mo ako!" scene from their 90's movie Hihintayin Kita sa Langit. This has got to be my most favorite stop during my southern Batan tour. It had an awesome panoramic view plus it was easy to get on top of the hill. Haha. Anyway, on the left most part of the photo you'll see a white building. That's the LORAN (Long-Range Aid to Navigation) Station built the Americans which is now being converted and constructed as a museum.


I spotted goats and literally had to sound like one just to capture this photo of them looking at me. Cute! Hehe.


Eight Stop: Imnajbu Village

In case you're wondering what happened to the corals in the photo above, my tour guide said that locals had to get rid of some of the corals to make way for fishermen in their smaller boats. Moving on... Imnajbu is the last village from Basco. This town is also considered the birthplace of Catholicism in Batanes because this is where the Spaniards held the first mass in the whole island of Basco.


The village chapel was named after San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first canonized Filipino saint.


Ninth Stop: Racuh a Payaman (Marlboro Country)

 
But first I had to have lunch wherein I invited my tour guide Art and driver Dodong to join me so as not to feel alone. The eatery had an awesome view of Mahatao and from here you'll see the Tayid Lighthouse.


I love Batanes.

After lunch, it was time to burn calories by going downhill to get a panoramic view of Marlboro Country. I have no words to describe that place. It was heaven on earth. I had the place all by myself hence the solo photo shot by my awesome tour guide Art. From here you'll see the Pacific Ocean and the very-shy-covered-with-clouds Mt. Iraya. ANG GANDA, PERIOD.


Tenth Stop: Tayid Lighthouse

Tayid Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in Batanes that has a hexagon-shaped tower. From here you'll get another panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and the whole Marlboro Country.


Eleventh Stop: San Carlos Borromeo Church in Mahatao

This church was originally built in 1787 but tumbled down by a typhoon in 1872 and rebuilt once more in 1873. Among all the century-old churches I've been to in Batanes, this has got to be the most beautiful. See the other structure on the left? It's an old and small lighthouse built by the Spaniards. Akalain mong ganyan lang pala kaliliit ang lighthouse before? It probably stands mga 7ft. tall lang.


Just beside the church is a room with a thousand blank books called Batanes Blank Book Archive where tourists are encouraged to pick any book and leave a note for the province of Batanes. I left a note in Book 1 wherein I wrote: "I shall return. ♥ Love TheTravelJunkie.info"


Twelfth Stop: Boat Shelter Port

Back in the days, Batanes used to be the province where typhoons usually make their landfall so the government created shelters for both private and public boat owners. Try to zoom in the photo and you'll see a building in the middle where the local government plans to build a restaurant overlooking the West Philippine Sea.


Thirteenth Stop: Chawa View Deck

This is my last stop for the southern Batan island tour. If you still have the energy like I do (thanks to the Gatorade I drank earlier), you have the option to go down the cliff (approximately 150 steps) to go fishing or just enjoy the view of the sea.


Again I was accompanied by my driver Dodong and tour guide Art. :) I suggest you come here ng sunset para mas maganda ang view. ;)


Waves were a bit rough that afternoon but Art was able to convince me to stand near the ocean just to get this buwis buhay este basang sisiw shot. In fairness, hindi naman ako nabasa. I actually had fun down there. ;)

WHEWWWWW! This has got to be the longest post in my blog. I hope you guys enjoyed this entry and hopefully inspired you to finally plan a trip to Batanes. If interested to go on a tour then contact Ryan Cardona of BISUMI Tours and Services at +63 998 988 5898.
Travel Junkie of the Month: Ryan Cardona

Travel Junkie of the Month: Ryan Cardona

Blogger's Note: Sorry for the delay, original Travel Junkie of the Month for September took forever to reply so I had to change at the very last minute. Moving on...

Traveling solo for the first time made me realize that no man is an island, no one is self-sufficient; everyone relies on others. So when I went to Batanes, I relied on Ryan Cardona and his team.

When you google about Batanes, you'll find local travel blogs posting about Ryan Cardona. I remember we had dinner at Casa Napoli when Ryan told me that he used to work with another travel agency before starting his own.

He now runs BISUMI Tours and Services. BISUMI stands for the 6 municipalities of Batanes namely Basco, Itbayat, Sabtang, Uyugan, Mahatao, and Ivana.

I signed up for a 3-day tour with BISUMI and Ryan's team definitely made me feel at home despite the fact that I traveled alone.

Believe it or not, I think Ivatans are the most resilient, most honest, most friendly people in this country. No wonder I fell in love Batanes, it literally felt like heaven here on earth. ;) Let's move on to our Q&A shall we?
  • In one word, define travel. -- Learn! 
  • Could you describe the importance of travel? -- Just like learning, it goes with you every day, you experience new things, you develop your confidence and make your time manageable...it is your ultimate guide on the ways and hows. 
  • How often do you fly, and on what airline? -- From now? Hehe. Every other month! :) I appreciate PAL, for the seat sales and getting a chance to explore, experience an enjoy my travels. 
  • Do you have a preferred day or time when traveling? -- Early birds! Usually early morning on a weekday. 
  • Who books your plane tickets and lodging? Are they personal or through a travel agency? -- I've my travel agents in Manila who do the bookings. Thanks to fellow travelers who inform me when and how to get seat sales! BIG thanks! 
  • What’s the weirdest question you got from an immigration officer? -- No comment! 
  • Window or Aisle? -- Window. I love taking pictures, I love taking aerial shots but i seldom upload them. Why? They're mine. Get yours! Book a flight! :) 
  • Are you a light or heavy packer? -- I use to carry the whole thing. I'm a heavyweight but not a heavy packer.
  • How do you pass the time on a flight? -- I used to bring my iPod and automatically turn to music mode.

Ryan with daughters Rhean and Yancy
  • In what country or region do you enjoy spending your favorite travel season, and why? -- I enjoyed my family trip when we stayed at Hotel H2O plus had the ultimate adventure at the Manila Ocean Park. 


Ryan with Carlos Celdran
  • Tell us about your most recent journey? -- Few days back, I got the chance to join and experience Manila's Walk This Way tour with the famous guide Carlos Celdran. It's an educational tour of Intramuros area down to the oldest church St. Agustin and others. 
  • Where have you traveled and where do you plan to go next? -- I visited almost all parts of Cagayan Valley back in college. But, I'll try not to visit down south unless I finish my mission of exploring other islands up north.


Here's Ryan showing off the men's version of the vakul. He's wearing the alugong (hat) and the dinung (body gear) that serves as protection from the heat and rain.
  • What is your ultimate travel destination? -- I want to set my foot at Lanyu Island or what they call Orchid Island which is now part of Taiwan. According to research, it used to be part of Batanes Group of Islands.
  • Travel Tip -- Always ask a question. Let your voice be heard! Remember that traveling is learning. So keep moving, keep traveling and keep learning! Dios Mamajes!
If interested to go on a tour then contact Ryan Cardona of BISUMI Tours and Services at +63 998 988 5898.
Sabtang Island Tour

Sabtang Island Tour


Motorized faluwa boats at the San Vicente Port, our mode of transportation going to Sabtang Island.

For second day of my tour, I had to wake up early for a trip to Sabtang Island. Amboy's Hometel packed my breakfast because I didn't want to ride the faluwa with a full stomach. Don't forget to bring meds for motion sickness! The boat ride takes around 30-40 minutes and it will pass in between the Pacific Ocean and West Philippine Sea so expect a bit of a bumpy ride. 


Tricycle yung service namin for the day. Kakaiba tricycle nila dito. :)

Before starting the tour, everyone must go to the Municipal Tourism Information Center to sign up in their logbook. The tourism officers offered us to taste their locally grown tubha tea. Medyo bitter yung lasa but just add sugar and ok na siya. ;) Anyway, first stop of our Sabtang tour is Savidug Village.


There are 3 types of stone houses in Batanes, if I'm not mistaken this is an example of a 'Sinadumparan' stone house.


See the cogon grass roofing? According to my tour guide Art, cogon is very sturdy and gets even sturdier when it rains. Believe it or not, they last for 25-30 years. Bihira lang papalitan unless tangayin na ng bagyo yung roofing.


Say hi to Ryan Cardona. :) He finally had the time to join me on the tour.


To be honest, Sabtang Island feels like a ghost town. I assume most of them are busy working in their farmlands or went out fishing. Si lolo parang bigat na bigat sa tamaraw niya. LOL

 
Our last stop in Savidug is an abandoned stone house for priests called the beaterio. On its right is the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel.


Heading towards our next stop, I can't help but ask our driver to stop so I could take photos of the beautiful landscapes around Sabtang Island. :)


Weather in Sabtang felt hotter compared to Basco, buti na lang I brought my Armada from VMV.
Moving on to our next stop, the Tinyan Viewpoint. They sell souvenir items as well as drinks from here.


From the viewpoint, you need to hike a little to see the Chamantad Cove.
Sarap siguro mag swimming sa baba if only we had time di ba? :)


Say hi to my tour mates! Our next stop is the village of Chavayan where we visited the ladies of Sabtang Weavers Association.


I got to talk with them for a few minutes and asked how long does it take to finish a product, specifically the vakul. The Vakul is a headdress used by women as protection from the heat and rain. One vakul takes probably 3 weeks to make one and costs around ₱400-500 which is cheaper if bought directly in Sabtang compared to Basco.


Chavana Chapel. It's the only remaining chapel in Batanes that has cogon roofing.


Before leaving, a local approached and asked if we wanted to buy freshly caught coconut crabs. They're a very popular delicacy in Batanes. Puwede mo lang siya kainin in Batanes, bawal siya i-export. There's a ban on the capture of mature female eggs in order to save these threatened species. So to those visiting Batanes, make the conscious effort to ask before buying ok?


Also spotted in Sabtang is a 'Jinjin' stone house which is made of woven cogon instead of the usual thick stones and lime mortar walls.


Our last stop for the tour is Morong Beach famous for the Mayahaw Arch.


The Mayahaw arch is a natural rock formation made of coral limestones so I guess this was under the sea thousands of years ago.


We also had lunch at a nearby restaurant which was walking distance away from the beach. ;) Lobster galore!


Ganda! Perks of traveling ng off-peak! :) I love you, Batanes!

If interested to go on a tour then contact Ryan Cardona of BISUMI Tours and Services at +63 998 988 5898.
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