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 (^.^)
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