Baring the Beauteous Batan

 "The earth and its fullness belong to the Lord, the world and all that dwell in it."

                                                                                          Ps 24(23):1

Third day in Batanes. Guess where were going? A Batan tour. I was just having fun on my own. BATAN tour in BATANes? How ironic?

Batanes weather is really unpredictable. The other day was gloomy and almost rainy. Today, it was sunny! How I wished to myself that I knew it would be sunny so that I could've waited for sunrise. So anyway, our first destination was at Chawa View Deck.

This is not Chawa View Deck.
When our van turned to a curve on the way to Chawa, I saw this scenery, and so I thought it would be a great photo opportunity.

This is what I saw everyday while driving in and out of Basco.
Today was much more beautiful because of the presence of the sun. Every curve on the road took my breath away.

Chawa View Deck.
I knew it should be from above. But hey, the best thing was down stairs.

Even though my knees would hurt, I still went down for some of these shots.
You guess what happened? Yes! My camera got its first baptism of sea water.

I am sorry.
A friend forgot to lend me his circular polarizer. You know who you are, IDOL?

Marlboro Country.
Come to where the flavor is.

Cliff at Marlboro Country.
The wind would make your heart pound as it felt like it's pushing you.

On the road again.
I just can't get over having scenes like this while driving.

Stairs.
It leads to the view deck where you can see the waves rolled in on the rocky beach.

An Abandoned American Naval Base.
Tita said that the Americans left because one of their divers got lost at sea, and they were afraid that it might happen again. Talk about diving in an island where waves are unpredictably big and strong!

Town of Songsong.
The town folks deserted Songsong when a gigantic tidal wave came during 50's. Until now, the remains of the houses still stand up but no one is living there anymore.

Pink Chapel.
No. This ain't a chapel by the Pink sisters. It was just painted pink and I don't know why.

House of Dakay.
This is the oldest Ivatan house where the oldest Ivatan also lives.

Spanish Bridge.
Funny, they call this Old Spanish Bridge. Then I asked myself, would there be a New Spanish Bridge?

San Carlos Borromeo Church, Mahatao.
One of the big churches in Batanes.

An accidental shot.

Ten Commandsments - Ivatan.
It was a surprise when Tita told me they are the original Jejemons.

Oldest Lighthouse.
This light house is just outside Mahatao Church. This light house used to be lit by a sulu to guide and protect the people of Mahatao.

Nakayama Burial Site.
This was our only destination on our 4th day. We have to hike a very steep ground to reach this place. It was the burial site near the sea of the Ivatan ancestors. 

At the end of my Batanes tour, I was sad.

Not because I was leaving Batanes, but because I don't want to be stuck in Batanes for another day. I had no more budget.

Kidding aside, there was one family who was stuck for a day or two because their flight was cancelled. One of the tourists (a German) was charged by a travelling agency for Php 35,000.00 for his 6D/5N stay at Batanes Seaside Lodge that is just for one person only. An airline would charge you more than you would spend if you buy a package from them.

The Philippines is an exceedingly beautiful country. Majority of Filipinos are very kind and hospitable. You will never see anyone who would take care of you like Filipinos would do. But with this kind of situation I just shared, it's quite disheartening. One would think twice of going back or going to our country.

Luckily, the German tourist was satisfied with what our country has to offer, but I heard he would get back to the agency and complain. The family who was stuck in Batanes for a day or two finally had their flight back to Manila with us.

Me, I went about my routines. This time though, I have another thing to thank for and to pray for.






Dios Mamajes Batanes!

Surviving Sabtang Waves

"By your power the mountains were formed. By your strength the seas were calmed; you lull the roaring waves and the turmoil of the nations"

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                     Ps 65(64):7-8

Today is the day. It finally came.

Were going to Sabtang and although I am excited for it, I am dreading the only way to get reach it. Based on my readings prior to my trip; crossing the part where the Pacific Ocean meets with China Sea has the wildest waves and you got to be ready to get wet.

My initial concern was my camera...NOT! That was actually, the second, the first one is: How will I survive these excruciating waves?!

The answer: Three tablets of Bonamine.

Although this boat looks nice, I prayed that this is not the kind of boat we are waiting for.

Ivana Church.
Lydia told us that we should not be late for the boat ride, we're not. Problem is, we're way too early.

View from the bell tower.
I don't know if they allow people to go up. But it was open so I went ahead.

Honesty Cafe.
Self Service. Pay as you get. Write as you pay.

St. Peter the Fisherman?
We chanced upon 2 fishermen docking their boat on the shore. Their catch for the day: 1 big octopus, 2 1/2  fish. Curiosity got into me, so I asked why is the other fish halved. He said it was bitten by a shark.

Kids waiting for the boat as well.
To take my mind off of waves and sharks. I walked towards the dock and took more pictures.

Faluwa.
Arrival of our boat. I sat down just in front of the boat because Tita told me it is the best seat to avoid seasickness.

Sabtang.
After a very looooooooong time struggling not to feel sick during the trip. We finally arrived at our destination.

Sabtang Lighthouse.
Good thing I was able to take pictures while still on the incontrollable boat.

On our way to Chavayan.
We went on a stop over before proceeding to our first tour destination. 

Ivatan Kids.

Young boy on his way home.

Rays of sunshine.

From left to right:
Chavayan Church; an Old Well, one of the Houses; and the Narrow Street.

Unique street sign.

Chavayan Church.
This chapel uses the original Ivatan roof and is the only one still using it.

An old House near the Chapel of Idjang.

Idjang Houses.

Lobster and Buko.
I was expecting for a coconut crab, but instead I got a coconut juice and just a lobster.

The Arc.

Going Home.
Just Do It.

By 2:00 PM, we were back on Sabtang Port waiting for the same boat that brought us to Sabtang. every one was worried about the weather. It looks like it would rain anytime. The locals said not to worry though. I took my remaining Bonamine.

The boat came. Everybody went in and soon were on our way. The waves were bigger and tormenting. It was higher than Dirk Nowitzki - 4 times!  My soul was left behind every time the boat went up and down. The water was at its angriest. I felt like I was in one of those rides in Disney Land.

Batanes trip would not be complete with out going to Sabtang, but if you ask me if I'll go back to Sabtang, I'd say - HECK NO!

Unless, we go there by airplane.

Storming Basco

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains - from where shall come my help? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth."    

                                                                                                         Ps 121(120):1-2

                                                            

To cap off my travel for 2010, I chose Batanes. It was what they say a photographer's paradise anyway so I made sure that the year will not end with out me checking it out. Yes, I am aware that I am not a photographer, but hey, are they the only ones allowed to capture Batanes?

So I set out to SEAIR bought a ticket to Batanes and off I go. To warn you though, you have to buy your ticket to Batanes way before your planned date of travel, in my case, I bought mine about 4 months before December.

Sunrise view from my window.

Finally cold December month came. When the plane arrived at Basco Airport, we were greeted by the people from Batanes Seaside Lodge and was brought to Hiro Cafe where we had our breakfast. After the meal, we went to our rooms and was instructed that our first tour will be around Basco at 1PM.

I was waken up by the driver knocking on my door, signaling me time for lunch. After having lunch at Hiro Cafe, we were divided into two groups for the tour. Then the fun begins, our group's guide was Tita, first destination was Radar Tukon. On the way, we saw a quaint chapel standing atop of a hill.

Tukon Chapel.
According to Tita, this was made by the Abad's and the ceiling inside were hand painted by the Ivatan artists.

The Hedges.
We were on the vicinity of the Radar Tukon when Tita told us to look on this side and see the hedge like dividers of the locals.

Fundacion Pacita.
On our way down from the Radar Tukon, I asked the driver to pull over because of this view. When I went back to the van, Tita told me it was Fundacion Pacita and it is our next destination.

Walk way leading to the front door of Fundacion Pacita.

One of the many veranda view.

A perfect contradiction to the greens around.

A window view from inside the Fundacion Pacita.
We went inside the lodge. I was so excited to capture what's inside, but as for me, there isn't really none. What was more captivating really was the location of the lodge.

And so i thought, this will be perfect spot for one's solitude while appreciating the beauty.

Semi Circular Bench.

Patriarch of the Abad family.

Unlike in Manila where cars are parked beside the road, in Basco, you will see boats are parked instead.

Valugan Boulder Beach.
'Nuff said. Its just so perfect and being there is priceless.

Vayang Rolling Hills.
It almost made me sing at the top of my lungs "the hills are alive with the sound of music....." The lush green hills are endless.

One of the places in Batanes where it proved to me that it is indeed the "Home of the Winds". The winds' so strong that it feels like your flying.

The Lighthouse.
Our next stop after the Rolling hills is most famous lighthouse in Naidi Hills.

I found my perfect model and she lives just beside the lighthouse.

An old lamp post on the lighthouse.
Our first day tour ended at the lighthouse. We went back to our lodge and called it a day.

Basco Cathedral.
One afternoon, we decided to rent a bike for a stroll around town. We were not able to visit the cathedral during our tour so we decided to look for it.

Tita bade us goodbye and said to be excited for the next day. Tomorrow, were going to Sabtang! But for now, I shall rest and savor the beauty of Batanes that I witnessed for today. It will be another day as a open my eyes tomorrow but I will still be in the "Wuthering Heights" - Batanes.



Dios Mamajes Batanes!