Wow Philippines! * Batan, Batanes Part 3 of 3 (April 2012)

This is part 3 of 3 featuring Batan Island, Batanes. Batan, Batanes Part 1 of 3 features Vayang rolling Hills, Chapidan Boulder Beach and Pension Ivatan for the Ivatan Platter. Batan, Batanes Part 2 of 3 features Diura Fishing Village, Mahatao Lighthouse, Marlboro Country (Racuh A Payaman) and Imnajbu in Alamad.

After lunch, we made a last stop at Chanarian Viewdeck where a steep staircase leads down the cliff to the rocky shore below.  This is also where the famous "Blow UR Horn" signs are.  It was said that the Ivatans already invented text speak even before mobile phones were invented, using "UR" instead of the world "your" :-)

The rest of the afternoon was free, so a couple of us rented a jeep and went to see the famous Fundacion Pacita, the most expensive lodging in Batanes, which is owned by the family of a famous artist.  The theme of the house was inspired by the family themselves.

At the main house

As we headed back, we made a short stop at a small stone chapel, Tukon Church, then finally sunset at the Naidi Lighthouse, which we missed the first day.

Tukon Church

Inside Tukon Church

Naidi Lighthouse

Window on top of the Lighthouse

The final section at the top which houses the light,
it's off limits to the public

To cap off the trip, a dinner at the rooftop of DDD was prepared and we all had a great time reflecting on the trip and sharing our photos.  It was quite nice to make new friends, fellow photography enthusiasts as well as the locals we met along the way.

Oh and before we left, we got to see how the famous Batanes coconut crab looks like alive :-)  This one is a baby one which belongs to one of the staff.

There's just something about Batanes that will always be in my mind and my heart! :-)

You can also read my other trip reports on Batanes
Batan, Batanes: Part 1 of 3
Batan, Batanes: Part 2 of 3
Sabtang Brought Me Back In Time
Itbayat, Batanes: Adventure at Sea
Itbayat, Batanes: Homestay and Beautiful Landscapes

Wow Philippines! * Batan, Batanes Part 2 of 3 (April 2012)

This is part 2 of 3 featuring Batan Island, Batanes.  Batan, Batanes Part 1 of 3 features Vayang rolling Hills, Chapidan Boulder Beach and Pension Ivatan for the Ivatan Platter.

Wow, suddenly, we are almost at the end of our trip, as we spent the last day exploring Basco.  Sunrise this time was spent at the Diura Fishing Village.  Our chef at DDD, Monica, owns a house and some cottages there (Monica's Cottages and Lodging Breakfast) and we were able to have breakfast at her place and chill for a while.

Then off to Mahatao Lighthouse.  This time, we were able to climb up to the top of the lighthouse and experience what it's like to be up there.  Following the chill time at the fishing village, this was another relaxing stop as we lay below the lighthouse for shade, and absorbing the beautiful vast sceneries, blue skies, and the clear air around us.  Oh, and don't forget the cows :-)

From the lighthouse, it was off to Marlboro Country or more officially known as Racuh A Payaman.  As some folks walk down to the lower hills, a couple of us just plopped down the grass and enjoyed the views.  We noticed that the grass was so cleanly cut and maintained, the government must be doing their jobs or so we thought.   Apparently, it was natural clean, probably maintained by the cows grazing the hills.  But what goes in comes out, so where the heck are the things that come out.  Well, doesn't really matter now. I'm just glad it wasn't there :-)

Next stop, Imnajbu in Alapad, where the movie "Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit" was shot.  We sat by the spot where the actors sat in the movie :-)  And once again, it was a lot to take in.  Below us, there was sort of a blowhole created by a large rock that blocks the waves at the shore line.

Wow, it's just lunch time and we've covered so many places already, it's time for a rest.  That's the benefit of getting up early in the morning :-)  Lunch was at Vatang Grill in San Vicente, Ivana.

You can also read my other trip reports on Batanes
Batan, Batanes: Part 1 of 3
Batan, Batanes: Part 3 of 3
Sabtang Brought Me Back In Time
Itbayat, Batanes: Adventure at Sea
Itbayat, Batanes: Homestay and Beautiful Landscapes

Highlight * Adventure to the Northernmost Inhabited Island of the Philippines * Wow Philippines! * Itbayat, Batanes (April 2012)

I can never forget our adventure to the northernmost inhabited island of the Philippines, called Itbayat Island, in Batanes.

The weather is cooler than the rest of the Philippines and the surrounding terrain is just so different, I feel like I'm in another country.

First of the adventure was the 3-hour boat ride across the rough seas in a Noah's Ark-like 30 capacity boat. For a moment there, you will feel the vastness of the world enveloping you, and you can just surrender everything to God and Mother Nature. It's definitely not for the weak at heart.

Upon docking, you'd have to time yourself with the waves as you jump off, so as not to fall off into the water. Then a uphill trek along a very narrow pathway of 14 zigzag sections, up the steep mountain to await the open dump truck that served as our transport in the island.

For the night, we stayed in one of the homestays in the island and was taken care of by the locals, who were very friendly and caring people.

At Itbayat, you can really experience the outdoors as you catch your breath with all the beautiful sceneries around you. We started our 3-hour hike to the cave underneath the Torongan Hills (shown in the left middle area of the photo) and emerged into this beautiful sight as we circle our way to see the traditional boat-shaped burial markers (dark gray rocks at the lower left of photo) which were believed to belong to the ancient settlers here called Austronesians.

You can also read my detailed trip report on this adventure:
Itbayat, Batanes: Adventure at Sea

Itbayat, Batanes: Homestay and Beautiful Landscapes

Note:  This highlight also appears in AFAR Website