Fundacion Pacita

Our last day in Batanes (and I wish to never leave), we finished a quick souvenir shopping at Tawsen, and decided to walk in one of best hotel in Batanes to Fundacion Pacita. A hotel boutique sitting on top of a hill with sea, sky and mountain view named after the international artist Pacita Abad. 

To the main entrance..

Cafe du Tukon

The hotel's in house restaurant is exclusive for checked in guests, but they also allow walk in guests as long as it's still early, we're lucky we were allowed! Cafe du Tukon offers European dishes with a local touch in fact most ingredients are just plucked out of hotel garden! 

And we were just in luck because the Papal Nuncio is here in Batanes, we're blessed to 

have come acrossed him  in this very place. 

Dios mamajes!

Still not wanting to end this trip, we went to Octagon to enjoy more of Batanes air, and talk how amazing this trip turned out to be. Later on, we stopover to grab some home made Ivatan ice cream to cap the night, oh what could be better than that? 

Time to say goodbye, thank you Batanes for this beautiful experience, 

we will surely come back soon! 

Happiness & love,

itsmelory (^.^)

South Batan Tour

What a great day today! I feel like I'm enjoying the no pressure thingy in Batanes. We had a restful evening after a bottle or two, a filling breakfast before taking another sightseeing tour of the day - to the South of Batan!

Chawa Deck View

Starting our South Batan tour, we stopped over at Chawa Deck View. From this deck, you could simply marvel upon the West Philippine Sea. Adjacent the deck is the stairs if you plan to go down to the cliff for a more close up encounter of the waves. 

slopes of green and blue waves, such a normal view in Batanes!

Channeling my freshness, awra pa more! ganda ka te?

Mahatao Church 

Next we drove to San Borromeo Church also known as Mahatao Church. Named after Saint Charles Borromeo whose feast day is celebrated every 4th of November, Mahatao Church is named a National Cultural Treasure. We can't help but marvel at how the place looks ever serene with its all white paint and a distinct singing in the background since today's a Sunday. We said a quiet prayer and on our way..

Tayid Lighthouse

Driving further, we went to surprise...another lighthouse, Batanes is never short of lighthouses! One of the 3 functional lighthouses on Batan hill, Tayid Lighthouse serves as safe post and later on as tourist spot for seafarers taking the West Philippine sea and or Pacific Ocean since its installation last 2000.

Surrounding  Tayid Lighthouse is also a picturesque of stunning hills, seas and sky! 

I keep falling in love with this view.  

Obviously, I never really ran out of great background for my candid post. 

Racuh a Payaman (The Marlboro Country)

Located within Mahatao is another favorite and famous for its resemblance to the location of Marlboro country - Racuh a Payaman which translates "wide pasture" is indeed a wide pastureland of green, blue skies, hilly terrains complementing in each other It leaves everyone speechless but just breathe in the fresh air, and makes wonder in awe if this is indeed Philippines. A beauty in itself. 

Perfect background, this is Batanes in one picture!

 San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel |  Imnajbu Chapel  

Quick stopover, this small chapel is located in one the smallest baranggay in all Batanes, and  is said to be the birthplace of Christianity in Batanes where the first Holy mass and baptism took place in Ivatan soil! 

LORAN | Long Range Navigation Station 

 

Overlooking from this viewdeck is  LORAN which now being converted into a museum, was the center of "Little America".

Curious about this plant actually, not sure what they call it. Looks pineapple to me.

Alapad Pass

This probably not too obvious but interesting to know this part where a big stone cuts through the National road within Itbud. You'll find it common to see Blow your Horn signages around Batanes, as the roads are becoming narrower, and turns are sharper that you'll need to alert incoming vehicles. 

Honesty Coffee Shop 

We reached Honesty Coffee shop almost by mid day, and just in time for coffee. Famous coffee shop because the shop is unmanned, and everything is DIY. The shop became a tourist  destination on its own, people curious enough how it works, and some just for experience of it! It is refreshing to know that people could be honest (if they want to), Honesty shop is certainly Ivatan's pride, how they proudly show the world that it's not just the best policy, but their way of life!  

Went down to enjoy our coffee overlooking the sea, relaxing is not enough of a word! 

Ivana Church

Just across Honesty Coffee shop is another famous church, San Jose de Obrebo or Ivana Church. Coming from Sabtang, this is the same church that will welcome you as this is fronting the Ivana port. 

House of Dakay

The oldest house in all Batan, considered a national treasure of Batanes. The stone house made up of their traditional lime and stone and cogon roofing has a long history. The only surviving stone house after Batan was hit by an earthquake proving how Ivatan's spirit persist through the difficulties of life . The house is still being occupied by the 3rd generation owner itself, the 80-year old Lola Ida. 

Homoron Blue Lagoon 

Finally our 2nd to the last stop, surprisingly, we were brought to a small stretch of semi white sand beach. Accdg. to Kuya tourguide, swimming is not really encouraged since Batanes waters no matter how calm they may look like could get really rough in a matter of seconds.  Within the high stones, you may take the narrow passage to the Blue Lagoon itself. 

We took this narrow entrance to walk around approximately 150m to the Blue Lagoon. 

This stone barely separating Mahatao and Ivana. 

NOT a fan of dark, tight spaces, so you could imagine my struggle 

walking inside this stone..ahuhu. 

Survived it! Yey. See my happy face right?

Lunch @ Paulvana's

Time to dig in some lunch! Just along the road and quite near Blue Lagoon, we went here for our lunch. Another hefty servings of much needed calories and seafood to cap our day tour! 

Souvenirs from TAWSEN

One shouldn't go without any pasalubong!  So after the tour has ended,  time for shopping, lols. We walked to a nearby souvenir shop to buy something to bring home to our friends and family.  You'll find typical Batanes shirts, trinkets, cases, magnets, bags, delicacies, and even a trike driver to bring you some place! Yes, complete! 

Can't decide which part of Batanes tour I enjoy the most, but for certain, Batanes has earned a special place in my heart, I could only say good things about the people, the place, the no pressure culture. If I needed a breath of fresh air, to reset myself, I know just where the place to go.   Indeed it's so much fun in the Philippines! 

I love Batanes,

itsmelory (^.^)

The Night in Basco

The trip back to Basco was surprisingly a smooth sail. By almost 4PM, we're back to our homestay to nap before another coffee session at Phil's Brew while deciding what to do next before dinner. When the last drop of ice frappe was finished, we finally made up our mind to go cycling! 

Our coffee haven in Basco..

Cycling in Basco 

It's so easy to rent for bike around Basco, in fact just along our homestay, we found a bike rental shop for only Php 100 but since it's almost 6PM, he said to just return next day if the place is closed already. I guess that's the Ivatan's trait - kind, honest and trusty- so they expect tourist to be just like that. 

Actually, I had trouble getting my knack back in cycling, I haven't done this for a long time, kaya sige lang for the love of cycling, gora lang. A little after 8PM and had cycled around the church, the plaza we parked the bikes back and just as expected the rental shop is closed by that time. 

Dining @ Beehan 

We found this place while cycling, and after returning the bikes, we walked here to have dinner. Good thing they allowed us for last order, since place is only until 9PM. 

Beehan is another no-frill-just-food dining place around Basco. We occupied the place outside the main dining place under the coconut tree while we cool off our sweaty selves after the cycling work out. Daryl ordered another seafood galore- grilled fish, sinigang and cold soda to cool down! Price seems fair, but food was just ok though. I think I'd commend them for still allowing us although we came in almost closing time. 

We brought some beers along some open tindahan while looking for some massage shop, massage to be or not to be? Just another night in Basco.

Happiness,

itsmelory (^.^)

Sabtang Island Tour

Day 2  starts very early today!  We were up by 5AM and Ate Crisan didnt want us to go without having breakfast so she was up even earlier! By 6AM, we're driving already to Ivana port to take us to Sabtang which is another island about 30mins from Basco. We had to queue actually since there are  many group tours today who's visiting Sabtang as well. Ah, place must really be touristy!  Not so long, we were guided to walk along  towards the boat.

The boat turns out to be an open type less the balance beams. This design is native to Batanes which they call "faluwa".  My heart skips a beat tbh besh I want to dash for a life jacket  when I was getting inside. Unbelievable they squeezed in about 60 people to balanced both sides of the faluwa plus 2 tricycles! Napa- ha ka di ba?

So yun na nga, after everyone's found  their happy place, (me, not really) finally otw to the next island!   In the beginning I was still cheering up in my mind, this got to be easy, but man! I kept looking into my Fitbit every minute, are we there yet? huhubels. 20 minutes passed and the rough waves are hitting us in both sides, not really for the faint hearted.  I was literally panicking inside but the people are looking mum, so I calmed down a bit, besh this is just another normal sea waves. 

Here a clip of what we had to go through that day..

Finally arrived at the port!  Sigh of relief. 

It's a simple port for docking on and off  just you know what to expect. 

Welcome to Port of Sabtang!

Morong Beach and Nakabuang Arch | Mahayaw Arch

Finally our van arrived and we moved on to our first stop in Sabtang Island - to the beach of course! The gentle ripples, big stones, and the Mahayaw Arch- standing tall and proud best known for its naturally formed geological arch although the heat was too much, the fine white sand is a calming sight after going through Sabtang waves!

Live and alive! Yes naman..

Charming Chavayan Village 

Next we went to a  trip back in time in the charming village of Chavayan,  one of the  6 barangays in Sabtang well known for its well preserved stone houses.  I'm always fascinated with people's culture, and to be here in Chavayan, to learn about how proud they were about farming and fishing as their way of living or weaving in the case of women, can't help but admire and be grateful that I made it here. 

 

Casually chatting with the proud weavers of Chavayan! 

And trying on their products, which we ended up trying the full costume as they suggested-

also known as "vakul".  This weaved head dress is made of dried palm tree keeps the sun out, but also is useful against wind and rain. 

Channeling our "tayo na at magtanim"...  

Admiring their hut houses nestled and protected by the surrounding mountains. 

Traditional Ivatan home made of lime stone and cogon leaves for roofing. 

Here in Chavayan, everyone helps when putting together a home, that's  

Bayanihan culture in existing. 

Feeling so nostalgic, beautiful place and culture! 

Do you wanna go fishing?  singing in the tone Anna from Frozen, 

do you wanna build a snowman..ok waley. 

What a talented tour guide! 

Next we found our way to  Sta. Rosa de Lima Chapel, Saint Rose was patron of indigenous people.  This beautiful chapel is the only one left still with traditional 

cogon roofing. 

Yes, they too have a theater for fiesta mostly used during their fiesta

Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint 

Further down we stopped over one panoramic beauty that's Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint. I thought we're just going to grab some buko juice for refreshments then Kuya tourguide ushered us to walk downhill when I realized what a view there is! I remembered walking fast so I could reach the tophill to take photos that I ended up catching my breath, gosh were 1,900ft ASL, oxygen is thinning on this elevation so remember to take is slow (thank you elementary physics). Anyway, I did not reach the topmost hill because it was almost mid day, and I was too exhausted to walk further, but manage quite some good shots! 

Love the view on this side!

Did you catch the tiny roofs from a distant? That's the highway where we got the buko juice earlier, I walked this far, but my legs are deceiving me... this viewpoint is so huge! 

Savidug Village 

Finally after the magnificent viewpoint, we went to another peaceful village within Sabtang. Savidug Village is one of earliest Ivatan's community. We went to one of the most photographed stone house, surrounding are rows and rows of traditional houses.

Standing beside the traditional house is the beautiful contrast in all white 

facade of St. Thomas chapel

Finally, we went to one of those make shift huts along Sabtang highway to have lunch. Another heap servings of fresh seafoods and a delightful local hospitality. As we were finishing our foods, relaxing while we wait the boat trip back to Basco, can't help but be grateful of everything we've marveled upon with our own eyes! Sabtang, what a jewel you are!  

Happiness and Love,

itsmelory (^.^)