Exploring Batanes: A Travelogue
Batanes has always been my ultimate dream destination in our country. For one, the round trip plane fare going there is almost the same as that in going to Hong Kong. Second, the trip must be scheduled only during summer, because it is situated where typhoons enter and exit the archipelago. But mostly, it is rich in natural and cultural destinations that are distinctly found in Batanes.
If it were not for Bing, my dear friend, who persistently chided me to join the tour, I would have still been dreaming of Batanes today. But how could I say no when Air Philippines offered a 50% off discount to their usual 12,000++ round trip fare? Sad to say though that when we were all set to go, Bing has to forego the trip over her new found career.
Just few days before we were to depart for Batanes, typhoon Frankie unleashed its inconsolable fury all over the country. We were too anxious our trip will be cancelled. I myself just can’t easily rebook my trip because of work. But God is good indeed. He heard our desperate pleas and prayers. He blest our three day tour with a sunny weather and a relatively calm sea. Because of God’s goodness, the whole Batanes experience was worth every penny that we spent; not to mention the good, sweet nature of the Ivatan folks.
The travelling troupe aside from me, were Buboy, Don, our tour guide Kuya Romie, Buboy’s wife and our van driver whose names I fail to recall, am I bad?
DAY 1
Rolling Hills at Sitio Chadpidan. Chadpidan is an Ivatan word that means Northwest. The place is a vast area of pasture land facing the north of Taiwan and a part of the South China Sea.
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Our next stop was at Naidi Hills. This is where the Basco lighthouse and some pre-war buildings that were bombed during the Japanese era are situated. Atop the lighthouse you can actually see how small the Basco town is.
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We then proceeded to the rocky beach of Valugan. This is the fishing ground of the Baranggay San Joaquin residents. Valugan is the Ivatan word for east.
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On our way to Fundacion Pacita, we passed by an Idjang. It is a massive rock fortress that has interconnecting complex tunnels inside. Idjangs served as safety havens for Ivatans during the Japanese occupation. Too bad, I wasn’t able to get a picture of this. Fundacion Pacita is currently undergoing a major renovation, which will serve as resort for toursits.
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We headed to one of the oldest Catholic church in Batanes. This is Santo Domingo de Basco. The church is dedicated to the patroness of Batanes, the Immaculate Concepcion.
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We had our lunch at Saint Dominic College Canteen. They serve a variety of yummy lutong bahay dishes at very reasonable prices. This is located at the heart of Basco. Fancy restaurants are yet non-existent in Batanes, although I noticed a lone Italian diner named Napoli along the palengke strip that really didn’t pique our interest.
Our first stop in the afternoon was at Radar Tukon, a US weather station at a hilltop. Near to it is the Wind Turbine of Mahatao.
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After, we headed to the hexagonal shaped lighthouse of Mahatao on a hilltop overlooking the Diura fishing village below.
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We moved further up to the towering slopes of Mahatao popularly known as the Marlboro Country. This is a communal pasture land that the government manages. According to our guide, every household in the community is allowed to graze not more than 6 heads of cows or goats to avoid over stacking. This is one of the income generating activities in Batanes aside from fishing. This is perhaps one of the must to go places in Batanes for its breathtaking 360 degrees panoramic view and strong gushing winds. When you’re there you would think that you are in Ireland or in some country in Europe.
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We went to the interior road that leads towards down the National Road where the American Navigational Facility is located. This also where the Old Loran Station and Alapad Beach are. The latter is compared to the beaches in Hawaii.
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We dropped by the unusually charming and almost ghostly town of Songsong. The village was vastly damaged by the two typhoons during the 50’s. This prompted the villagers to abandon the place. Most of them left for Mindanao. The town had been uninhabited for almost 3 decades. But these days, locals are gradually populating the area again. Some old houses were renovated for shelter. Still, the village has a ghostly mystical feel to it. ===========================================
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Then off we went to the municipality of Ivana where the reknowned Honesty Coffee Shop is situated. We had some snacks and drinks to fill up our churning stomachs and dried up throat. After, we took pictures of the Ivana seaport that was mercilessly beaten by huge sea waves; and the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Batanes - Saint Joseph The Worker.
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Our last stops were at the long stretch of Chatapuyan and the Chawa (means rocky in Ivatan) view deck to witness the dusk. Too bad it was cloudy that day that we weren’t able to witness the distinct hues of the Batanes sunset skies.
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Next entries are from the second day tour in Sabtang Island and to the rest of the destinations in Batan Island…
