Travel | Batanes: South Batan Tour

Sunrise at the Valugan Boulder Beach

A visit in Batanes will not be complete if I will not see the sunrise. Yes, I have seen the sunset twice, so I will also check out the sunrise in this beautiful paradise. Upon asking where the best sunrise spot will be, they say it is at the boulders of Valugan Beach. So, I have set myself of waking very early in the morning and bike towards the boulders. It is a 40 minutes of biking from my homestay with an up and down terrain of well-paved road. All alone, I have braved the road towards there, it has well-lit and some dark areas, but with the commitment of seeing the sunrise, I shall conquer! It is not a failure, it is indeed magical! Playing with the camera setting will create more mystical misty boulders brought by the waves of the ocean and, oh my, the sunrise, very beautiful! That is not yet part of the tour by the way... :-p

So, the third day is set for the South Batan tour. At first, I have thought that one day will be enough for the whole island of Batan with a very quick stop and go scheme, but to savor the beauty of the island, the set tour for north and south is just right. I am not in a hurry by the way... :-p

First stop, Chawa Viewing Deck!

Chawa Viewing Deck

It may not be the usual scene in many islands in the Philippines of seeing tidal waves smashing huge rocks, Chawa Viewing Deck is a perfect spot to appreciate nature's beauty. The strength of each wave smashing the rocks create a white bluish after wave bubbles and usually creates misty effects nearby. There's also a stair going down and have those pose with this beauty.

Then, we proceed to the Mahatao Boat Shelter Port.

Mahatao Boat Shelter Port

As huge waves really are all-year round in Batanes, the Mahatao Boat Shelter port serves as the refuge of the boats against those waves. It is protected by another island as seen in the photo. Again, another site not frequently seen in many places in the country. There's also another lighthouse being constructed nearby.

Then, the Blank Book Archive and the San Carlos Borromeo Church.

My Story in Batanes at Blank Book Archive

San Carlos Borromeo Church

San Carlos Borromeo Church is one of the churches in Batanes and home of the blank book archive. The blank book archive is a place where you'll write your story in the blank pages of the book. It is an unusual activity but a good thing to experience. It is also a simple gesture of a guestbook. Nearby the church is a Spanish lamp post that is manually lit with fire that will serve as guide for the fishermen used during the Spanish Collonial period.

Then, we proceed to the Municipality of Ivana.

Ivana is home of many tourist spots such as the House of Dakay. It is one of the oldest preserved, authentic Ivatan house. It is also known as the Estrella House.

Then, another church, San Jose de Ivana Church and the most famous honesty store!

San Jose de Ivana Church

The honesty shop is at times not a supervised store. Your honesty is tested in the store. However, as many guests flock and not all the time that they are honest, the safe for the payment is being locked and what you have dropped will not be changed with smaller bills or coins. Better to bring much of smaller bills and experience to shop here. Then, from time to time, somebody will check on the inventory of goods and replenish it.

Then, moving forward, you'll see the "Blow Ur Horn" signs and the Alapad Hills and Rock Formation.

"Blow Ur Horn" Sign

The sign "Blow Ur Horn" reminds the drivers to blow the horn as it is a blind curve. It will help the drivers caution to a coming vehicle.

Jump Shot at the Alapad Hills and Rock Formation

The Alapad Hills and Rock Formation is one of the most tourist friendly spot in Batanes. You can have your jump shot in the middle of the road and the rock formation as your background. That is really one fun shot.

Lo-Ran Old Naval Base

Then, the Lo-Ran Old Naval Base. This is said to become a National Museum in the future. :-p

Before proceeding to Racuh a Payaman for lunch, we passby San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel. A cute chapel in the small community of Imnajbu.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel

Marlboro Hills or the Racuh a Payaman

The Marlboro Hills is a place of many cattles. Well, one of the industries in Batanes is cattling.

Then, our final destination is just nearby the Mahatao Tayid lighthouse. It is a lighthouse built in a private space. There's also a lot of cattles near wherein the liveng serves as the boundary for the cattles.

Mahatao Tayid Lighthouse from Afar

It is very windy in the area and the heat of the sun is really pressing inside. So, our final photos are very playful; we are against the odds and jump shot in the middle of the tall grasses!

Play with the Wind

Jump Shot in the Grasses

Actually, there are many more places we have passed by such as the Ruins of Songsong and the Old Spanish Bridge.

Indeed, Batanes is such a treasure of the country. It is like a group of islands of living museum. So much more to experience. In the three days of exploring Batanes, it is such a joy! However, the second largest island which is Itbayat is also an island worth exploring! Perhaps, next time... It is also a very lucky trip to Batanes; it is supposedly a very rainy weather because there are two typhoons visiting the country that time, however the typhoons have gone to opposite directions making Batanes a clear spot! Thank God!

I am really thankful that even in my joiner escapade, I have met the cool family lead by Tita Ness with Chie, Anne, and Grace. Thank you!!! Then, Juliet, who is our guide, photographer and director in one, is really superb in her craft, thank you! BISUMI Tours, you are really worth to be contacted when in Batanes. Many thank you!!! The following day is a departure from Basco to Manila,

I hope you guys also enjoyed the three-part Batanes tour.
Check the first part HERE and the second part HERE!

Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com and share this post to your friends! :-p

Travel | Batanes: Sabtang Tour

The first day has been a very long and tiring day BUT very FUN! That is why I have all the reason to be excited for the second day in Batanes - A VISIT AT SABTANG! So, here it is...

The Faluwa at Port of Mahatao

It has been an early call-time, around 6 in the morning, to proceed to Mahatao and catch the faluwa (bigger boat) going to Sabtang island. It is a 30-minute rough sail of the faluwa towards the next island and one can name all the saints for protection and guidance crossing the strait. But don't be afraid, the faluwa sways to waves and the captain is an expert! :-p

San Vicente Ferrer Parish

From the port of Sabtang, San Vicente Ferrer Parish will greet the visitors after the rough faluwa ride. It is such a relief seeing the church after a rough sail...naaahhh, just overeacting here, I am very thankful for seeing the beauty of Sabtang! It is such a great experience on the faluwa and then, Sabtang tour is on!

L-R: Tita Ness, Anne, Chie, Grace and me

BISUMI Tour and Services has a good tourist vehicle in the island wherein it is airy, comfortable and you can view the scenery well. Our first stop is among the stone houses in Brgy. Savidug, together with my newly found family. :-p

Since I am a joiner, their group is my companion since day one. Being a joiner is fun! Doing it in Batanes is even more fun! See, I have a new gang... :-p

Anyways, Brgy. Savidug stone houses is our first stop and have much learning about the stone houses. The designs of the houses signify something or has a specific function like as the main house, cooking house, toilet and bath house. The roof is always a thick bundle of a raw material covered with or without a net that can last 25-30 years. This structure can withstand earthquake and strong typhoon. The stone houses are commonly known as the Ivatan house.

The barangay is just a small community wherein tourists can walk along towards a nearby chapel, the Sto. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and some more stone houses with others being reconstructed. It is such a beautiful and serene place to be at. At this area, Juliet has been so creative and she has become our guide, photographer and director! Yes, she is all in one! She has taken a very good panorama of our group in 3 poses in 1 view... Photo below. :-p

Panorama by Juliet; Photo Credit c/o Tita Ness

Me, Wearing Kanayi

From the Brgy. Savidug, we then proceed to Brgy. Chavayan. There are more stone houses and it is where we can rent out an Ivatan protective handicraft: kanayi (for men) and vakul (for women). These are often used during farming or worn to provide warmth during cold rainy season.

Pose at Brgy. Chavayan

Wearing the traditional Ivatan protective handicraft (headgear) is such a cool thing to experience in Batanes. Only that you'll feel some itchiness with the material used, but it isn't an allergen, so no worries.

Ivatan Headgear On

Photo credit: Tita Ness

Brgy. Chavayan is also a small community that tourists can walk along and have those Instagram pose and shot. From here, it is where we have had our so-called, "Runway Sabtang". We have walked like in a fashion runway wearing the Ivatan handicraft. Isn't that amazing?!! Of course, it is!

Way up to the Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint

After such a modeling experience, we proceed to the Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint. The place is hilly which you need to trek a bit and see the beauty after a short while.

Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint

Group Photo at Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint

The place is really gorgeous and photogenic. I am really thankful to our guide, Juliet, for being my photographer and director during this tour. As an amateur photographer, usually, I have photos of beautiful sceneries but without me. During this tour, I have lots of faces. LOL

After the photo opportunity at the viewpoint, back to the nearby cottages. That day of the tour is very hot and thus we need some refreshments. Guess what? Our refreshment is something different. Yeah, only in Batanes. They have free taste of "palek", an indigenous wine. The taste is surprisingly sweet for a fermented wine, I like it actually. You can buy a bottle of in the cottage and aside from the wine is the tubho tea, which I also like, also an indigenous tea.

That is already half of the day trip in Sabtang. We will be back to the northern side of the island where we shall eat our lunch, just nearby our next destination. Great with this tour that we have our lunch every day. You'll have fresh seafoods and other dishes.

Morong Beach

Ahaw (Natural Limestone Arc Formation)

Natural Limestone Arc Formation without anybody

Upon reaching our destination, our food is to be prepared. We are hearing huge waves touching the shore, and oh, the Morong Beach! The beach has white sand and nice waters, actually guests can swim here. But, as for us, we have much poses to do! There is also a natural limestone arc formation at the area. Indeed, such a beauty and natural elegance.

Until then Sabtang, Malakdang Lighthouse in Sight

That is such an experience in Sabtang. Very hot and tiring yet we have so much fun! After lunch, we proceed again to Sabtang Port going back to Mahatao and one of the lighthouses in Batanes that is in our view, the Malakdang Lighthouse.

Sunset on the Second Day

Back in Batan, it is already our free time to spend in our each accommodation. For me, a time to rest the whole afternoon and another chance to return at the view deck where I want to witness another sunset. It is indeed a fun-filled day in Batanes.

Another day to spend the following day!

If you want to read the first part of this adventure, click HERE.

More of travel guide, click HERE.

I hope you enjoy this post, there's one day more! Stay tune with the update and feel free to share this to your friends. Enjoy your visit in my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com!

Travel | Batanes: North Batan Tour

There's a number of sights to visit in Batanes. A 3-day joiner tour will be enough to tour around this beautiful northernmost territory of the Philippines and I believe that joining a tour is one of those convenient ways to tour around. It is because the budget will be cheaper, then I am comfortable in a van with the other guests, there's a tour guide (who happens to be a good photographer, too), and there's some water refreshment!

On the first day, we shall explore the North Batan and the first stop, Vayang Rolling Hills!

Vayang Rolling Hills

Can you remember those landscapes of green, hilly, countryside views that you always want to take a memorable photo with? Some may think it is in Scotland or New Zealand, but hey, it is just in Batanes: the Vayang Rolling Hills! It is facing the West Philippine Sea with a very stunning view: the hills, the colors, the beach, the waves, and the feel of wind...everything! It is a photogenic and an eye-refreshing view. One will surely love this place, though a bit hot during our visit, a good sun exposure in this very amazing place is just fine!

Basco Light House

Naidi Hills

Next stop, to the Naidi Hills!

Naidi Hills serve as the base of American-era wireless telegraph facilities. The facilities are bombed during the World War II and to preserve a part of that history, the facilities are reconstructed but I guess not as telegraph facility anymore.

Just within the hills, it is where the famous Basco Light House is standing. Guests are welcomed with the greeting, "Ichaddaw ku Batanes" or I LOVE BATANES! The sixty-six (66) feet light house is in a government property where guests can get a breathtaking 360-degree view of the town and other islands of the province. It is indeed one of the must visit attractions!

I Love Batanes Marker at Basco Light House

Then, from the hills, next stop is towards the town proper wherein you'll see the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Actually, you will see a lot of Catholic churches and chapels in the islands because many Ivatan people are Roman Catholic. Many of these churches are also centuries old.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Chapel (Tukon Chapel)

Then, from the town proper, we proceed to another hill at Tukon. It is where you will see this only Ivatan house-like structure chapel - the Mt. Carmel Chapel. It is made up of stones like the usual Ivatan house and for me, it is a very charming chapel on top of a hill. It is undergoing some rehabilitation due to some damages brought by a typhoon.

Then, just nearby is where the PAG-ASA Complex is situated. The doppler radar of this complex has been destroyed because of the typhoon and it is not functional to-date. Hoping for a fast procurement of the equipment to serve its purpose in forecasting weather conditions in the country. The place is also a vantage point where you can see from afar the Fundacion Pacita Nature Lodge, where high profile personalities usually stay when in Batanes; the hedgerows in many hills that help to prevent soil erosion and serve as property line; and Mt. Iraya (a dormant volcano), which is a rain forest and you can observe clouds cover the tip of the mountain. 

Basco PAG-ASA Complex Doppler Radar

Liveng/Hedgerows

Mt. Iraya

Then, we proceed to another hill wherein a Japanese Tunnel is seen.

Japanese Tunnel

Then, last stop of the tour is at the Valugan Boulder Beach. It is facing the Pacific Ocean, thus, you will observe huge waves knocking off those massive rocks. This is a perfect site for sunrise!

Valugan Boulder Beach

Big Waves at Valugan Boulder Beach

The tour may have ended but my quest to see a beautiful sunset in Batanes urged me to take some walk towards one of Basco's viewing decks. It is a cloudy day, thus, making me see less sunset rays but good indigo skies to witness. Also, since the light house is seen from afar, I am just happy to see it blinking at that darkening hours.

Sunset in Batanes

Basco Light House at Dusk

That is just the first day of the tour. There are two more days!

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Travel | Enjoy Batanes on a Shoestring Budget

It is in the bucketlist of many Filipinos to visit and spend a vacation in the northernmost part of the country, Batanes group of islands. It is because the place is very clean, green and arguably one of the best places to be in the Philippines! Indeed, as experienced, it is really what I expected!

Now, I will share to you how I manage to bring only two thousand pesos (P2000) pocket money for the trip. I will also share to you how I am able to afford cheaper airfare for this trip. I will also share how I survived the 4 days and 3 nights vacation in the island. :-)

First things first, find the cheapest fare and if not the cheapest, at least the cheaper rates. In the market, Skyjet Air and Philippine Airlines fly to this northernmost territory. As of my observation, one-way ticket on both airlines will not go much less five thousand pesos (P5000) on a regular fare with other fees and taxes. The best thing to do to get a chance of their promo fare is to take chances on travel exposition. I got my roundtrip ticket for six thousand one hundred ninety-one pesos (P6191) during a travel expo. It may not be the cheapest but at least cheaper with 2 months before departure date. It is not a peak season visit and it is a risk booking dates during wet season, however, just pray for the best! ;-)

Next, try to search for tours in Batanes. There are blogs which are readily available for your guide to Batanes. I tried to compare a tour package for 3 days and a contact in the island for a tour, a tour package will cost you less. I got mine for four thousand nine hundred ninety-nine pesos (P4999) under BISUMI Tours. It is a promo rate for 3 days that include North Batan, Sabtang Island and South Batan. Aside from that, there is a complimentary lunch (Ivatan food) during the tour, refreshments, van transit and boat fees, other tour fees, a tour guide who can also take beautiful photos, tour bag, airport transfers and souvenir items! Where can you find anything as such? Well, thanks to Sir Ryan of BISUMI Tours you can contact him at these numbers 09989885898 or find their page - BISUMI Tours. Good thing also that they have an attached contact for cheap, humble and decent fan accommodation that amounts to five hundred pesos (P500) each night and for 3 nights, I paid one thousand five hundred pesos (P1500). By the way, BISUMI stands for Basco, Itbayat, Sabtang, Uyugan, Mahatao and Ivana which represents the municipalities of Batanes.

Alright, what other fees that you need to prepare? Upon arrival at Basco Airport, each guest has to pay an environmental fee of three hundred fifty pesos (P350) which is intended for the island's preservation and building of restrooms similar to stone houses near to prime tourist destinations. Prepare a your budget of one thousand five hundred pesos (P1500) for food (breakfast, dinner and snacks) and for more souvenir. Then, prepare one hundred fifty pesos (P150) for bike and Ivatan weather protection attire (vakul for ladies and kaayo for the gents) rental.

Total costs:
P6191 - roundtrip airfare (via SkyJet)
P6499 - 3 days tour c/o BISUMI Tours and 3 nights accommodation
P450 - 3 days breakfast
P965 - 3 nights dinner
P20 - Kanayi rental
P40 - Bike rental (P20/hr)
P350 - Environmental fee
P500 - Souvenir and food items
Total of P14665, not bad for a 4 days 3 nights Batanes Tour!

Next posts about Batanes will be the Tours and Food!

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