Batanes: Batan Island Tour

Batanes: Batan Island Tour

Our original flight was canceled, and with Pedring closing in, I was almost sure that our re-scheduled  flight would, again, be canceled. Close enough, our flight was placed on hold. I was already thinking what our co-passengers would be doing with their boxes of Dunkin and Mister doughnuts, which i'm sure would be for their families in Batanes, if our flight would be canceled.  Thankfully though, after only 15 minutes of delay, the crew of our Sea Air flight walked in the waiting area and the bus that would be taking us to our air craft started loading. 

We're off to Batanes.

After 1 hour and 45 minutes, we landed to a sunny, but extremely windy, Batanes.

Basco Airport

Kuya Eyet picked us up at the airport with his tricycle and drove us to DDD Habitat (See Batanes: DDD Habitat for a complete review-Coming Soon). After settling in, we got back on Kuya Eyet's tricycle to start our tour.

Our Batan Island Tour Itinerary

On our way...

Chawa View Deck - located in the municipality of Mahatao, gives you a magnificent view of the West Philippine Sea.

Simbahan ng Mahatao (San Carlos Borromeo Church)Volunteers worked on renovating the Church. Reeds are used for the Church's ceiling. They soak the reeds in sea water to preserve it and stop pests from destroying the wood. A heritage site, it was chosen as the oldest standing church in Batan after most of Basco Cathedral was destroyed by an earthquake.

Racuh A Payaman-a communal pasture land (Marlboro Country -Phase 1 and 2) A gate was placed on the pastureland's entrance to stop free roaming cattles from entering and feeding freely on the area. 

Herdsmen may bring their cattle 10 at a time to feed.

Phase 1

Phase 2

Alapad rock formation-Loran station-Abandoned American base.

Itbud town-Here is where you found most of the remaining traditional stone Houses in Batan.

A lady wearing the Vakul.

Uyugan Church

Songsong Ruins-Ghost town-a tidal wave hit the town making it a ghost town. Only a few chose to go back and reside in the area up to this date. 

Honesty Coffee shop-the famed unmanned coffee shop. You can just take what you want, check the price list, log your purchase, drop your payment and off you go. We ate corned bits and pulpy orange juice in the store together with a number of locals snacking on instant noodles.

 

 

Ivana port and San Jose de Ivana Church-this is one of the ports where you can catch a fallowa going to Sabtang. The first trip is usually early in the  morning, around 6am.

 

 

 

The Fallowa

Almost sunset...

 Another port...

House of Dakay- The oldest standing traditional house in the island of Batan, located in Ivana.Originally built and owned by Luisa Estrella passed on to Jose Dakay Estrella and is now owned by Lola Florestida Estrella (85). It was said that the house was built way back before it was placed on record year 1887. The house is made from lime stone with the Cogon roof changed every 25-30 years. 

 

 With Lola Florestida

We had our lunch at Vatang Grill (See Batanes: Vatang Grill for complete review-Coming soon) in Ivana, a newly opened restaurant owned by former Magnolia basketball player George Peralta.

Our Menu (Good for 3 pax: Party of 2 + your tour guide/driver)
Fish Fillet with Garlic-140 Php
Chicken with Honey-150 Php
Sweet and Sour Eggplant- 120Php
Vatang Rice- 110 Php
-------------------------------------------------
Total: 520 Php

We then passed by the streets of Mahatao to get a flashlight before heading to the Japanese tunnel.

Mt. Carmel Chapel-The traditional Ivatan stone house inspired chapel has 6 of Batanes' patron saints painted on it's ceiling by local artists under the Pacita Abad Center for Arts. Mass is held every second Sunday of the month.

Along the way: Cows, cows and more cows...

Basco Pagasa Station - Previously known as Radar Tukon, it is now turned into a PAGASA weather station. Climbing the tower, you'll have a 360 degrees view of the Pacific Ocean and the West Philippine Sea amidst rolling hills.

360 Degrees View from the station tower.

Store near the weather station...

Fundacion Pacita -we were allowed in the gardens but not inside the main building during our tour. During our quick visit what I noticed was mostly the ongoing construction around the place. We did stay for 3 days and 2 nights though within our 8 days stay in Batanes. (See Batanes: Fundacion Pacita for a complete review-Coming Soon)

Japanese Tunnel- The Ivatans were forced to build the tunnel by the Japanese. The Japanese used the tunnel as hideout and defense against the American Forces.

Valugan Bay-Also known as Boulder beach.The beach is separated into two areas, one area is filled wih big boulders, the other with small pebbles.

Naidi Light House-Batanes' electricity is regulated and since the light house is still operational and must function 24 hours, they use solar power to keep it running at times when power is limited.

 

View from the lighthouse deck.

 The tower's solar panel.

It would have been good to have a snack or dinner while watching the sunset, but because it's off peak season, the lighthouse restaurant was closed, as most of the other restaurants in Batanes.

Sunset at Naidi

Basco Cathedral-Known as the oldest church in Batanes before most of it was destroyed by a 6.7 magnitute earthquake year 2000. 

 

 Additional Facts:

Going around Batanes is literally cruising through hills and mountains, there are blind curves every now and then, hence the Blow UR Horn signs almost at every turn. 

 We also passed by a number of ongoing road construction. 

 

Tour Cost:

Whole a tour by tricycle + tour guide (your driver) =2000 Php (good for 2 pax)

Lunch at Vatang Grill=520Php (good for 3 pax)

Overall tour expenses: 2520 Php

Tour Arrangement by DDD Habitat.

Landmark details courtesy of Kuya Eyet (DDD Habitat) and Kuya Ryan (Fundacion Pacita).