My Bucketlist

Stunning Batanes 2014--Day 1

I used to know Batanes as the place frequently visited by typhoons and from the lyrics of the song of Eat Bulaga. I only learned about the place three years back when I helped my son do his project in Sibika--- I remembered how we molded by clay the island of Basco -> stonehouses and honesty store included. From then on I was fascinated by its culture and the picturesque views. It seems like I had been there before. I decided to add it to my long line of bucketlist.
September 2013, I went to SMX Convention Center Travel Expo to look for flight deals for Boracay but the promo was not for June 2014 yet. I was about to go home when I suddenly saw this at Skyjet's booth.

Not bad one way/pax... So I immediately purchased tickets for me & Maki

I started reading blogs to plan the vacation. I booked 3D2N, I realized that three days are not enough because it is like 2 days only because the 3rd day will be an early morning departure flight. So I have to make the most of the 2 whole days.
Fastforward April 23, 2014----Maki and I woke up at 2am, we ate heavy breakfast. We reached NAIA by 3:45am, our flight schedule is 5:30am via Skyjet. We have been giddy for the past months because of this trip. We have met a group also bound to Batanes while waiting to board. Then an announcement came---flight will be delayed for 2 hours. No worries I would not let anything sadden me, waited patiently. We finally boarded at 8:am.

Maki my daughter and best travel buddy. All smiles even she lacks sleep.

Skyjet's take-off went okay but felt a little bumpy for a while(hehe) when it was way up then it went smoothly until touchdown.
I got a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean on its vastnes then came Basco island :)

view from the plane

We were the first passengers to exit the plane.... Hello Batanes !!!

Ms Leah of DDD Habitat was there to meet us along with our tourguide Jhun Gasilao. We rode a van and settled our things first at DDD Habitat which by the way is less than 15 minutes travel from the airport.

DDD Habitat very accessible because it is within the town proper. Our room (Siayan Room) has 2 queenbeds, A/C and own bathroom.

Our first stop is Basco Town Proper---it is Basco Day! we shortly watched some cultural shows. You can see how a province of small population gather and proudly display their culture through dance.

Valugan Beach, we sat by the boulders at around 11am (sun is up, I know hehe). I was armed by my blue umbrella but i pushed it aside during photo op. Knowing Maki, she insisted on touching the water (the mermaid in her). I did not pack her swimsuit because I read that the waters in Batanes is quite rough for swimming.

This pic was taken as she played the swirling leaves through the wind. She was taught by our tourguide Kuya Jhun how to make simple toys out of leaves.

Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel, surprisingly Maki loved the ambience. The tunnel reminded her much of "The Walking Dead" (remember the episode where Glen walked through before he reunited with Maggie). We were able to see the hole at the ceiling which the Japanese utilized for gazing the area outside. But seriously this was built by slavery(Ivatans) during the Japanese Time.

Idjiang Fortress, this is where the Ivatans go up and hide during the World War. They stayed there because enemies can not climb the steep rocky hill. Ivatans did not starve because they have plants that sustained them while they were hiding in Idjiang. There are actually several Idjiang in Batanes.

Idjiang is the rocky formation at the background.

Then Tukon PAG-ASA station, it was built years back... for a time it was not used until very recently
it was operational.

Mt Carmel Tukon Chapel built recently (2008) by the Abad's. It was patterned after the stonehouses.

We were suppose to have lunch at Vatang's Grill(where Kris A ate) but it was close because it is one of the Food Stall participants at Basco (remember the Basco Day event). So we opted for Octagon---we ordered turmeric rice, shrimp sinigang (Maki's choice), stir fry vegies, lunis (ivatan's version of adobo) and pork bbq. We had lunch with Kuya Jhun and Kuya Leyl (van driver). I paid about 1200php. We both liked the turmeric rice, of course Maki was biased with the Shrimp (always good if it is shrimp hehe), the stir fry vegies was actually good maybe because vegies there were really fresh, lunis also did not dissapoint the only difference was that it was dry compared to our adobo and the vinegar was not that prominent. We were happy with our meal.

Chawa view deck, I cannot let go of my umbrella. It seems like every province has its version of "stairy" sites (Lourdes Grotto, the view deck of Chocolate hills, the view deck in Boracay after an ATV ride).

Mahatao Boat Shelter Port-- where they dock the boats during typhoons.

Egret is a migratory bird in Batanes. It must have found tranquil that they have been there for quite sometime.

Bridges built by the Spaniards so that the Ivatans will not have a reason for skipping church during rainy days.

Mahatao Church (with the Ten Commandments in Ivatan). I remembered that this has a low lighthouse which is use to reflect another lighthouse from a distance (i forgot to take the pic).

Cell signal (Globe & Smart) is strong in this area so a hut was built to at least give shelter to mobile users.

Spaniard's Blue Lagoon where only the Spaniards were allowed to swim.

House of Dakay, the oldest stonehouse which withstood the eartquake in 1918. It was built in the 18th century.

Honesty Coffee Shop, finally reached the popular store. I cannot resist the Vakul so I had a picture with it. I bought Ethan a shirt here. So I wrote my purchases in a logbook and dropped the money in a box.

Random pics---carabao grass has dried because of summer but the view is awesome just the same. We're just savoring the moment.

Song-song Ruins--stonehouses were destroyed during the tsunami in 1954. Some houses were re-built and renovated.

These kids made me smile. Just watch the next pics. The kiddo manuevered the rope then both bowed their heads upon reaching the post. Manuevered the carabao again to the right like a military hehe. Stunts for free :).

Miraculous Medal Church

Alapad Rock Formation (like the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in Pagudpud) but the difference is that this is man-made, to make way for infrastracture. This big rock was torn at the middle to make way for roads.
pics taken under the heat of the sun but the breeze of the wind is surprisingly cold...

Imnajbu American Naval Base

San Lorenzo Ruiz Church In Imnajbu where the first Catholic Mass and first baptism in Batanes took place.

At Rakuh-A-Payaman(Marlboro Country)--- really everywhere is stunning, God must have lingered on this place for a while during creation. He has a reason why He placed Batanes a little far away and separated in the North so that it will not be spoiled... A little piece of heaven on Earth.

Diura Fishing Village-- we saw a fisherman fresh from his sail carrying a fish as tall as Maki. Very endearing Ivatans, Manong fisherman obliged for picture taking.

Flying Fish Daing

We were able to buy a live coconut crab (a beautiful blue when raw) for 300php. It was not in season, this was the only coconut crab available in the village (Maki loves seafood, I made a promise that we will not leave Batanes without eating a coconut crab). Unlike other crabs, coconut crabs when mature lives on coconut trees.

Tayid Lighthouse, we took several nice pictures here.

Mt Iraya (a volcano) at the background.

My Little Farm Girl :)

Vayang Rolling Hills...360 degrees of amazing views
We did not have wasted shots even with a point and shoot camera. Batanes is really stunning...I could grow old here.

Basco Lighthouse, the only lighthouse where everyone is allowed to enter. It was built in 2003. Beside it is the Bunker a restaurant cafe and also very near is where the ruins of American telegraph facilities during World War II.