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 | Leyte: One of the Gems of Eastern Visayas Part 2

Part 2.

Inside the Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum

The following day, we headed to the Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum, the fourth stop.

Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum

One of the most prominent families in the country is the Romualdez family of the Eastern Visayas, wherein the roots of the former first lady, Imelda Marcos, is identified. This place was once the residence of the first family. This place is now a museum managed by the Presidential Commission on Good Governance. It has an entrance fee and additional fee to allow visitors to capture some spots in the Shrine, P230.00 for the two of us. The place is not only a residence but also a place where a Sto Nino is placed and its festivity is celebrated every June. It is really among the places to visit in the city and you will understand part of the family’s history and richness. It is like a palace. It is very grand and I can imagine the glory days of the place - a contrary of what it is now, dilapidating in some areas resolved by restoration efforts.

Fifth view, the mass grave of typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).

One of the Mass Grave Sites in Leyte

It is also a very heart-wrenching event in the Eastern Visayas when a super typhoon struck. It left many places in total devastation and death of thousands. This place is only one of the commemorative mass grave in the province and I hope their souls are in peace now.

Sixth spot, the Palo Cathedral.

Palo Cathedral

This cathedral has been erected since 1596 and has gone through a lot. It was also damaged by the typhoon Haiyan. After some efforts of rehabilitation, Pope Francis visited the cathedral briefly in 2015. The cathedral is so vibrant with its color and design.

Then, seventh spot, to Baybay City, Lintaon Peak and 16,000 blossoms.

From Tacloban City to Lintaon Peak, Baybay City, is approximately 2.5 hours ride. There are options like bus or van when doing a commute. For a van ride, we paid P150.00 per pax - Tacloban City to Baybay City. From Baybay City terminal to Lintaon peak, P50.00 per pax by a motorcycle ride. At the top, you will see the overlooking view of the city and the 16,000 blossoms lit at night time. The day of our visit was very windy and rainy. But it was fine, it was an experience to be there. :-)

Eighth spot is back in Tacloban City, the Sto. Nino Church.

Sto. Nino Church Tacloban

After a day in Baybay City, an evening in Tacloban is my closing trip at the Sto. Nino Church. The Sto. Nino in this church is known “El Kapitan”. The structure is iconic with its belfry lit at night. It has beautiful mural designs inside, too; it is a very lovely church and you will feel the holy presence.

You may have noticed, I have few spots visited, not because everything we did is visiting tourist spots, but there are errands my friend attended to, and I accompanied him. :-p

Anyways, I have enjoyed the sites to see in Tacloban City and some nearby municipalities. I hope you guys also enjoyed it too.

Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com. Feel free to share this to your friends and let’s spread the beauty of Leyte!

Food? Will be sharing it to another post. For sure, you will love it! :-)

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 | Visita Iglesia in Metro Manila

Spacious Roads during Lent in Metro Manila

The lenten season in Metro Manila isn't bad at all!

The streets are almost empty that running public utility vehicles can freely own the road and no to less traffic. An hour ride will be cut to 20 minutes! Isn't that amazing?!! Of course, it is! Anyone would want that to be forever, but nothing is forever! Therefore, it is one of the best times to tour around Metro Manila (if transportation is your concern - one of the worst in the world), but most establishments are closed! Still, it is a good time to drive along or even do commute.

Anyways, yes, it is a fine, sunny weather out there. The goal is to visit 7 churches and say some prayers with my friend, Rob, who is a bit excited to experience the holy week in Manila. Brought some water and isotonic drink to fight the heat. Alright, we are then ready for the day, commuting!

The itinerary includes visiting churches like the Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene, San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral Basilica, Binondo Church, Malate Church, Baclaran Church and Sta. Rita Church. We completed those for four (4) hours commuting and walking.

Front of the Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene

First, we went to the Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene. From where my friend is staying, Z hostel, towards Quiapo Church (Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene), it took us a walk and rode jeepney twice. It was insanely a wrong move, I guess, because the place is horrifyingly untidy. But, it is not for the place that we visited, it is for the church visit and prayers. We were not able to get inside the church though because there were a lot of churchgoers. We settled outside the basilica and made some prayers.

San Agustin Church - A World Heritage Site

Next destination is the San Agustin Church.

It is located at the Intramuros or the Walled City of Manila. We walked from Quiapo to San Agustin Church as jeepneys were impossible to pass by Quiapo because of the church activities and jeepneys are rerouted. Almost a kilometer walk, we reached the church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church was established by the Agustinians and the church was erected 446 years ago. The church was well preserved even it had been witness to war and earthquake. We settled for some moments to pray and moved to another church.

We headed next to the Manila Cathedral Basilica or the Immaculate Conception Church walking. For me, as I told Rob, it is the grandest but not the biggest among the churches we will visit. We settlement for some time to pray and then we took our lunch to a fast food nearby.

After finishing our meal, the sun is still high and bright. We still have four churches to visit.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Church - Binondo Church

From Manila Cathedral Basilica to Binondo Church (San Lorenzo Ruiz Church), we again walked. It is still almost a kilometer walk. It is such a humble church. We stopped there for some moment and offered prayers.

Fourth Church then Off to the Next

Malate Church

Then, our next destination is to Malate Church which is located at Malate, along Mabini Street and now not by walking; we rode a jeepney. From Binondo to Malate, it took us around 10 minutes to get there. (I know, it is fast...) We again stopped by and offered some prayers.

Baclaran Church - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

Then, from Malate Church, we proceeded to Baclaran Church. We rode a jeepney and it stopped nearby Baclaran Church. I told Rob that it is the biggest that we visited. It has a long aisle and can accommodate a lot of churchgoers. We again stopped for some moment and offered prayers. We also watched and heard some of the seven (7) last words being enacted.

Sta. Rita Church

Just a half a kilometer is another church, so we just walked. A pretty tiny church named Sta. Rita de Cassia Church is there. I again told Rob that it is the smallest church we visited and there are chapels bigger than it. We stopped for some moment and offered prayers.

Ended the Day at a Cafe

We completed our goal of seven (7) churches in four hours. We also offered our prayers. We then ended our day staying to a nearby hotel with a coffee shop to cool ourselves from a very hot day. Oh yeah! It was a tiring experience, yet I enjoyed it and hope my friend enjoyed it too!

I hope you will share your experience too! Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.