Batanes: South Batan Island Tour

I've always wanted to go to Batanes, like crazy. 

It's one of my ultimate dreams. 

I've seen and read so many things about it, and it's making me drool big time and every time!

Then on vacation, I was lucky to have my flight included in my hospital ticket! 

Viola! 

Batanes!!!! Here I come!! 

We started with South Batan tour, and it took the whole day! 

It covered the towns of Mahatao, Ivana, and Uyugan.

When we started our tour, it seemed that everything that we passed by is picturesque. 

(Click on the link to know more.. :D ) 

1. Paderes Point and Cliff Road 

Our first stop during our tour.  At first, I didn't understand why we halted here, but when Kuya Toto, our trike guide, explained everything then I learned what was this for.   According to him, if somebody needs medical help, they'll put him here while waiting for the ambulance to pick them up and bring the injured person to the hospital.

Alongside, the cliff road offered a magnificent view of Mt. Iraya and its turquoise sea water.

2.  Famous Road Sign... Blow Your Horn!!

Dinner At Octagon Restaurant

One of the reasons why we went to Batanes 

is to experience some of their local cuisines 

and have a taste of their famous coconut crabs. 

pinakbet 

We opted to have vegetables and salad, along with the yellow rice. 

(to combat the cholesterol that we will be getting from the crabs. haha!)

And because I couldn't get enough of the Pako Salad that my boyfriend's brother-in-law did, 

I asked for it. 

pako! 

Pako Salad is known as fern salad seasoned with fish sauce, 

topped with onion, garlic and yellow ginger garnished with tomatoes on the side. 

It's common in Batanes. 

And it was delectable. 

cocnut crabs 

We dined at Octagon Bed and Dine. 

Took sit at the veranda, 

overlooking the Basco Lighthouse and the sea.

We had to wait, while waiting for our food, for the seat (that we wanted) to be available

since we didn't make any reservations. 

It was a little chilly outside. 

I guess that's one of the things that Batanes is known for. 

Enough of babbling, 

time to dig in and feed our famished tummies. 

Overall, 

the food were really fit for the king. 

*Notes: 

Coconut crabs are called such because they eat coconut meat and are costly. 

Yellow rice has turmeric that's why it's yellow.  It's common in Batanes aside from black and brown rice. 

South Batan: Blue Lagoon

Homoron Blue Lagoon

is also known as the Spanish Lagoon

because during the Spanish era, only the Spaniards are allowed to enter the said area. 

But now, it's open to the locals and tourists to enjoy. 

And so we did! 

We submerged ourselves into the waters after that long sizzling South Batan tour. 

We didn't mind if we didn't have extra clothes with us. 

We need something to soothe us. 

So

we just asked kuya Toto if it's fine with him if we will sit in his trike dripping wet. 

And he said, "yes." 

Woohoo!!! 

you're wearing a cute sando beb!! haha!

And that's how we wrapped up our South Batan Tour. :D 

South Batan: White Beach

Homoron White Beach

is one of the beaches with calmer water. 

One may opt to go for a swim and have a picnic here when your days are not packed. 

But because we got a chock-full of itineraries, 

we didn't manage to test the waters. 

 

It's pretty nice though that one part of the shore is filled with corals... 

and the other part is sandy. 

South Batan: House of Dakay and Old Spanish Bridge

The House of Dakay, built in 1887,  

is a UNESCO World Heritage building and is the oldest surviving stone house in Ivana. 

It withstand the earthquake that shook the area sometime September 1918

while the majority was destroyed. 

Luisa Estrella bestowed the house to his favorite nephew, 

Jose Dakay Estrella, where the name of the house was taken. 

At present, it is Lola Ida' s relatives who's residing in shack.

The house is made of thick walls of stone and lime topped with cogon grass

which is replaced every 25-30 years.

When we went to the house, 

there was no Lola Ida.

I was sooo clueless.  

Though we saw several kids, lying on the mattress, busily watching TV. 

I tried, real hard, to chat with them, but they just looked at me 

for a split second and put their eyes back on the screen. :( 

I guess they didn't understand me. 

Tagalog vs. Ivatan. :) 

Challenging! 

So we just occupied ourselves with taking photos

since this house is one of the most photographed places in Batanes. 

And yes, I left with a sad heart. 

Not seeing Lola Ida.

And not knowing her deep down.  

And I was doing my research (when I was writing this) when I came across one article 

that she passed away January of last year.

Really sad. 

Even so, your story will always be told and will go from one generation to the other. 

Latterly, we halt where the Old Spanish Bridge, also known as Tuhel Bridge, was located. 

It was built by the Spaniards in 1700's using lime stones
and this bridge is still available for use. 

The primitive bridge is parallel to the concrete bridge that we were on. 

Ivana, thank you!! 

South Batan: San Jose de Ivana Church

San Jose de Ivana Church, also known as the Ivana church, 

is a historical landmark (2008)

which was dedicated to Saint Joseph. 

It was established by the Dominicans in 1787 

and it served the people of Ivana, Sabtang and Uyugan. 

The church was partially destroyed by an earthquake that hit the area in 2000

but was renovated the following year. 

And on September 1898, the Katipunero flag was waved in that bell tower. 

I can just imagine the beautiful history that happened in this place. 

With the blazing sun outside, 

standing in this doorstep is just awesome. 

Perfect view of the port and Sabtang. 

Then I caught myself running away from the scorching heat of the sun. 

I was way sun kissed that it hurts already. 

Yeap, I did apply sunscreen but...just but..  :D

In front of the church is the Port of Ivana. 

This is the jump-off point going to Sabtang. 

(which we will explore the next day)

South Batan: Honesty Coffee Shop

The shop where honesty is the BEST POLICY. 

The Honesty Coffee Shop is a store and at the same time a cafe but a small one. 

It is stocked up with goodies, snacks and souvenir items. 

Visitors, after a long and tiring but worth it day of exploration.

 can sit back and relax here 

while sipping their sipping coffee or tea or drinking water / soda. 

Or

in case you're not feeling dried out from the scorching heat, 

you may just check out their stuffs. 

No one will be there to assist you. 

So you need to help yourself with anything. 

Feel free to explore its four corners. 

Once you've collected the things you've wanted, 

make sure to log them in the logbook with their corresponding prices, 

do the math and pay your dues. 

They have a  specific drop box there for payments 

(which I didn't have a photo of, sad)

So just drop them in. 

Change is not available.

So it's either you pay the exact amount or

you let them keep the change. :) 

As the saying goes, 

*Give more and you'll receive more."

The doors are open from 6 am til 6 pm. 

The owner of the shop is a retired teacher named Elena Gabilo who wished to help others, 

We were unlucky to meet her because she was taking a catnap when we arrived. 

Next time, maybe?

Soon after going through the cafe, 

we had to check out our next destination, Simbahan ng Ivana. 

Yes!! I had to play around going to the church.

I know it was just a stone away

but kuya Toto insisted that I ride his tricycle. 

And so this is what I did. 

Haha!! 

South Batan: San Antonio de Florencia Church

Yey! 

Another place to give thanks to PPG! 

And ooohh banderitas!!! 

I can smell some festivity coming.

This is the San Antonio de Florencia Church, built in 1784, is situated

near the municipal hall of Uyugan. 

One thing I noticed from the churches in Batanes is that they have similar exteriors.

the altar 

rear end of the church where's the entrance / exit is

the stairway to the bell tower

it's fiesta in Uyugan 

the Municipal Hall

batanes house miniatures

Can you spot the kids inside the miniature huts? 

They were the ones who invited us to celebrate fiesta with them. 

The fiesta will be in 2 days

and we didn't know if we will be able to join them. 

So we just bid "We will try.." 

Then I went to the huts. 

I got inside. 

And I totally fit in. Haha!! 

There's room for more actually. 

Such a wonderful place, right?