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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.
Northern Batan Island Tour

Northern Batan Island Tour

Unlike other travelers, I hate researching about my next destination. Parang if I read articles online it automatically lessens the excitement because I already know what to expect. Most of the time I prefer the anything goes type of travel. Lalo pa ngayon na it's my first time to travel solo, I wanted my Batanes trip to be just chill and you know.. go with the flow. :)

Few weeks before my trip, I already sent inquiries to Ryan Cardona, owner of BISUMI Tours and Services. BISUMI stands for the 6 municipalities of Batanes namely Basco, Itbayat, Sabtang, Uyugan, Mahatao,  and Ivana. My 3-day tour costs a total of ₱4,300 inclusive of land/boat transfers and lunch.

For first day of my tour, I was alone and had my own driver and tour guide. Sosyal di ba? LOL. It was kind of awkward at first, donya levels kasi yung drama pero ok lang, masaya naman siya. Haha. Anyway, the tour started with lunch at Octagon Bed and Dine...

Super hebigat ng lunch ko di ba? There's beef soup, a mini lobster, huge serving of roast beef and bukayo for dessert. Day 1 pa lang sira na kaagad ang diet.


I just had to have lunch outside the resto to enjoy the view of Naidi Hills and the Basco Lighthouse.

DAY 1: Northern Batan Island Tour


First Stop: Mt. Carmel Chapel also known as Tukon Church

Mt. Carmel is a pretty little chapel on top of a foothill that will instantly remind you of the traditional Ivatan stone houses. My tour guide Art said that this chapel was built for the community by the Abad family, one of the most prominent families in Batanes. Sadly, the chapel was closed that day but that didn't stop me from offering a prayer of course. :)


Second Stop: DOST-PAGASA's Weather Station where you'll find the northernmost doppler radar in the Philippines.


Across the station is a waiting shed with a view of the Pacific Ocean. See the tiny buildings on the left part of the photo? That's Fundacion Pacita.


Third Stop: Fundacion Pacita

Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge was once the home studio of internationally acclaimed artist Pacita Abad. It's currently the most expensive hotel in Basco with rates ranging from ₱7,500-15,000 per night. There's an ongoing renovation which they usually do during off-peak season (that's why I didn't have photos from the outside) but the staff was kind enough to accommodate me inside the restaurant even if I just ordered a glass of iced cold coke. Bakit ba, gusto ko silipin if ano meron sa loob eh. Haha.


Fundacion Pacita reminds me of the boutique hotels in Tagaytay. The place is filled obviously by artworks of Pacita Abad as well as up-and-coming artists from the Pacita Abad Memorial Foundation, Inc.


Fourth Stop: Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel

Who knew the Japanese made it to Batanes? I didn't. Haha. This tunnel was built as a shelter house for soldiers. There are five doors to the tunnel but the photo you see above is the main the entrance. The tunnel is short and would probably take around only 15-20 mins of your time. Noticed that this tunnel is bigger in terms of diameter compared to North and South Korean tunnels at the Demilitarized Zone.

 
Here's my tour guide Art leading the way inside the tunnel. Are you fit and want a bit of adventure? Ask your tour guide to take the longer route as seen on the right photo above. Medyo steep siya, so dapat naka mountaineering/hiking sandals kayo para mas makapit. Don't worry if you don't have a flashlight, you can rent one for a minimal fee from the tourism personnels outside the tunnel.


Medyo nakakapagod din yung pagpasok at paglabas ng tunnel so I had to rest for a few minutes and enjoy the view of the hills.


Fifth Stop: Valugan Boulder Beach



Valugan is obviously not your typical beach. The humongous pebble-like stones came from Mt. Iraya when it last erupted back in the 15th century. This side of Batan Island is facing the Pacific Ocean and noticed the strong current of big waves so be careful if you do plan to swim. I wonder if may nag attempt nang mag surf dito? Lol.


Sixth Stop: Santo Domingo Church also known as Basco Cathedral


This is the oldest church in Batanes that was established in 1783.


Seventh Stop: Vayang Rolling Hills

 
Afraid of heights? Time to conquer your fear and just enjoy the lush view of the rolling hills. Plus, I can totally imagine getting inside a zorb and just roll down the hills. Great idea to further boost tourism no? Haha.


Eight Stop: Basco Lighthouse

 
The Basco Lighthouse is the last stop of my northern Batan Island Tours. It's five floors high and offers a 360-degree view of Batan Island. The lighthouse is facing the West Philippine Sea so this is a great spot if you're into sunset photography. Notice the the small buildings on the right photo? They used to be the radio and communication center of the Americans during World War II. The white one was converted to a restaurant called Bunker Cafe but is closed during off-peak season.


Anyway, I noticed in Batanes the gazillion number of stars you see at night. Sharing this evening shot of the lighthouse captured by one of the tourists I met at Amboy's Hometel that flew in from South Korea. Photo credit to Chul Park.

Whew! That jampacked tour of northern Batan Island took roughly around 3-4 hours and covered a lot of must-see destinations in Basco alone. Day 1 pa lang busog na busog na yung mata ko sa landscape views. ;)

If interested to go on a tour then contact Ryan Cardona of BISUMI Tours and Services at +63 998 988 5898. Just mention my name or blog and you'll get a discount.. joke, joke, joke! Mura lang naman yung fees nila so afford niyo yun. Tulong niyo na rin yun sa local tourism industry in Batanes. *wink wink*
Marfel's Lodge Batanes

Marfel's Lodge Batanes


If you're looking for an affordable place to stay at while in Basco then checkout Marfel's Lodge.

Marfel's Lodge is owned and managed by Fe Fitero (known to visitors as Ate Fe). They converted their house to a homestay facility that can accommodate the growing number of visitors that visit Batanes. Inside the main house they have two (2) triple sharing rooms, with a dining area, two (2) living rooms and two (2) common comfort rooms.










Love Ate Fe's mini store ala Honesty Coffee Shop inside the house. Very convenient, di mo na kailangan lumabas if you need to buy chips or something.

MARFEL LODGE RATES For Marfel Main and Extension (Fan Rooms): 
1 person- Php. 500.00
2 persons- Php. 800.00
3 persons- Php. 1,100.00
Additional bed – Php. 200.00/head

 For Airconditioned Rooms:
1 person- Php. 1,200.00
2 persons- Php. 1,400.00
3 persons- Php. 1,600.00
Additional bed- Php. 200.00/head

Rates include airport transfers and WiFi access. Bikes are also available for rent. :) If interested to stay here add Marfel's Lodge on Facebook and look for Ms. Jay Ann.
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