Stunning Batanes 2014---Days 2 & 3

We had a good night sleep. We woke up early. This is the view from our room.

We were at Ivana/Radiwan Port few minutes past 6.

This is the Faluwa boat our ride to Sabtang island. Faluwa boat has no "katig", designed to get through the rough waves of the Pacific Ocean. I brought a waterproof bag to protect my camera and cellphone. The waves were not the usual ones I encountered in our other boat rides but were tamer than expected, there were occasional splashes into the boat but not the tall waves that I have been reading in other blogs maybe because it is summer time gone are the windy days.

Hello Sabtang! Our ride is a simple tricycle with cogon roofing.

Most roads are not concrete, a little bumpy but the cold breeze against the sun worked fine.

Dios Mamajes (God Bless You)

After registration, our first stop is Savidug Village. There were more stonehouses here compared to Batan.

Stonehouses compose of three separate parts---the main house, the bathroom and the kitchen.

Some has undergone renovation.

We bumped into our plane seatmates---Lola Tita and Cecil(in black dress) from Baguio, Weng(in pink skirt) and her son Roen.

Ivatan Kids

more kids----the one in blue dress ran all the way just to say hi :)

St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel

Savidug Village has somewhat preserved its culture, it is like going back in time. Life is very laidback and simple.

After Savidug Village we headed to an area where the Ivatans sort of cook the limestone for 7 days to make it sturdy. Limestones are use for making stonehouses.

Goats are quite abundant...remember the Indie Film "Kadin" which is shot in Batanes.

Noticed the mountain that is shaped like a sideview of a lady's face, they call it the "sleeping beauty".

Another Idjiang (Fortress)

Sabtang also boasts sceneries which are breathtaking--Chamantad Viewpoint. A place blessed with so much beauty. Despite the dry grass (summer)...

we're at the cliff!

rock climbing :)

Next we're off to Chavayan Village (another preserved village)

Kissing Rocks at the background

One day old flying fish Daing, not salty and meat is soft (yummy!). I had this for breakfast in Manila.

Morong/Ahaw/Nakabuang Beach---white sand, super blue ocean (Pacific)

swimming at 12noon

She is not prepared (no swimsuit) but so happy. She loves the water too much to let this pass.

Maki with Tita Weng and Kuya Roen

Nakabuang Arch

Natural rock formation

Our sumptuous lunch---

Gatang Kalabasa---really soft (walang strands)

Ivatan's version of adobo (Lunis)

lapu-lapu

bukayo

Remember the coconut crab that we bought in Day 1 at Diura Fishing Village? We have it cooked in Sabtang.

We were press for time because we need to catch the 2pm Faluwa boat so after a few minutes of swimming we headed back to the Sabtang Port.

Sabtang Lighthouse

Sabtang Church (included in the Station ID of ABS CBN featuring Batanes)

Our Day 2 tour should have ended at Ivana Port but Kuya Jhun Gasilao was kind enough to extend it to a closer look at Fundacion Pacita. We also tag along a dear friend Maam Glen Raterta (one of the most competent delivery room nurses in St. Martin de Porres hospital). Maam Glen is an authentic Ivatan(from Mahatao), we have been talking for months now about this vacation.

Fundcion Pacita

with Maam Glen Raterta

Fundacion Pacita is a luxurious lodge in Batanes owned by the Abad's. The painting at the background is made by renowned artist Pacita Abad.

We went to DDD to freshen up then went back to Mahatao where Maam Glen's family prepared dinner.

Uvud ball made by Maam Glen's Mom

Fried flying fish paired with white ube

Thank you for the warm welcome and inviting us again next year :) I am hopeful!

We were given organic garlic, uvud balls and fruit basket made from corn husk.

lovely fruit basket made from corn husk

We are grateful to our tourguide Kuya Jhun Gasilao.

Kuya Jhun striking a pose by the sunset

A fruitful 2nd day in Batanes. At night Maki and I walked from DDD to the Town Proper to enjoy the continuous Basco Day festivities. We got ourselves soft ice creams. We even saw Lola Tita and Family. Their tourguide was very kind to offer a ride back to DDD. 

Day 3, around 6:30am we were fetched by Kuya Jhun. We bid goodbye to Ms Leah, the one in charge in DDD, she has been very accommodating to our needs along with another Kuya who I forgot the name. 

 So long Batanes...We will be back :)