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
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 (^.^)
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