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 (^.^)

Hudzan's Cafe

Day 1 has just begun and we finished off with a nice coffee at Phil's Brew over relaxing music and fun talk about the ways of Ivatan's. We plan to have a late night dinner, but according to Ate Crisan most dinner shops closed by 11PM. So off we go to look for Hudzan's. Funny thing is that we couldn't find it first! We were trying to google Hudson's but well in fact it's supposed to be Hudzan's. After finally going along Abad Street, we found this homey restaurant just few blocks from our place.

For your reference, click map  here.

Please expect the place to be jam pack during dinner time. We had to wait for almost 30 min before we had our table which we didn't mind. We lounged in one of their tables outside while we enjoy our starters- cold beer of course!

Everything is affordable, and looks delish! 

We settled for something healthy, grilled tuna, some buttered shrimp and 

a daily dose of green leafy per doctors recommendation! 

Finally finished our dinner and "drinks" when we realized it's almost closing time! Hudzan's probably one of those cafe to eat and drink based on the hefty servings,  affordable price, great ambiance, although serving takes a bit of time, we came to know that now, Batanes is a place where everybody takes their sweet sweet time, so don't worry no pressure! 

Happiness & love,

itsmelory (^.^) 

Phils Brew: Coffee in Basco

My personal mantra is  that any trip (business or vacation)  shouldn't go without coffee!  It was  just too much that we were served instant coffee, (of course it's not serious problem, it's just a problem).  After we ended our day tour, Kuya suggested this coffee place and we were surprise to find this quaint coffee shop within the neighborhood, in fact barely 5 blocks away from our homestay! The best coffee shop in Basco! 

Who's Phil's Brew

What I like most about this coffee shop is that its pretty straight forward, its  like what most French would call au naturele! The shop itself is in fact just a back yard garden with make shift tables and chair, and the coffee? A special blend by the owner itself. Everything is self service. You could order from the counter then she would ring the bell if order is ready. Desserts are also delectable from her own recipe of  Tres Leches, and ube fusion in coconut milk, local version of suman. Enjoy the cold refreshments over some relaxing music, while inhaling into the fresh air of Batanes. It was definitely a treat! Shop opens 3:00-9:00PM

perfect coffee medly in Basco.

Where to have dinner in Basco? Check out Hudsan's Cafe

Happines & love,

itsmelory (^.^)

Basco, Batanes

Basco is the provincial capital of Batan. Quite a small municipality of about 8,200 inhabitants. Basco itself could easily be toured within the day with using motorbike or tricycle or if you're the old fashioned one, you could walk around Basco to mingle with the Ivatans, that's how they call themselves.

So first stop: The Provincial Capitol. Since we're first time tourist, we asked around the capitol for places to visit, and paid necessary tourist and environmental fees. Remember to keep the receipts as this is required when you travel to tourist spot. Afterwards, obligatory photo at the Capitol. 

Nailed it! 

Just across the Capitol is the pasalubong center, 

but stalls are still closed at 10:30AM, will come back in 2 days yah?

Emoterang turista be like..

Further down, we went to some sort of sports complex where 

most people run or bike, or for the likes of us, observe the people. Lol.

yes all for the gram..

We were trying to find some open cafe for some refreshments to kill time  but we found out that most shops are not open until afternoon. Wow, Batanes. We come acrossed one open karinderia and we asked if at least my lutong ulam na for lunch, and she said, "Ay, maya pa ko mgluto ng lunch." No pressure ang mga Ivatans! Time passed by so slow in Batanes. When we walked farther we come acrossed another open small eatery for some fish stew. Day 1 is simply no pressure, where time seemed to stop, Batanes can't wait to get to know more of you! 

Excited to be exploring soon, 

itsmelory (^.^)

Breathtaking Batanes

I know, I know, my post for this tour has been pushed aside for a loooong time but finally, eto na nga. I could not help but still feel that major major summer vibe in my heart when I think of the Northernmost  island of the Philippines..back in the small, nature ladden island of Batanes. The island  approximately 162 km north of Luzon and 190km South of Taiwan is a greenfield haven that will surely take your breath away! 

We arrived 7AM Basco airport via Skyjet. My God I almost panicked when the plane's about to land when I can't even see the landing strip from atop because it was so cloudy!  Thankfully after what feels like my stomach just had a plummeting drop, we alight the plane safely. Let's get it on Batanes pa rin kahit groggy! Lols.  

Basco Airport doesn't have luggage conveyor. All bags are manually loaded in a room, 

the ticket and bag tag will be inspected upon leaving the airport. 

Homestay @ Crisan Lodge

Time to check in to a nearby inn. Crisan Lodge is merely 5 mins from the airport and a within Basco capital. This homestay is a medium sized 3-storey-building with about 3-4 rooms , shared bathroom per floor, and a convenience store on the ground floor.   Ate Crisan prepared some welcome breakfast for us.  

Ready to explore Basco!

Our living room on the 3rd floor with TV, and a free water refill! 

Dining area, breakfast is served!

OMG, rice na this! 

We do not have anything planned in the morning so after our hefty breakfast and after the coffee has kicked in, we decided to walked around Basco proper.

  

Happiness & love,
itsmelory (^.^)