Day 1: North Batan Island Tour
Day 2: Sabtang Island Tour
South Batan Island Tour Itinerary
Chawa Viewdeck
Mahatao Boat Shelter Port
Tayid Lighthouse
San Carlos Church
Homoron Blue Lagoon
Maydangeb White Beach
Ivana Municipality
Old Spanish Bridge
House of Dakay
San Jose De Obrero
Honesty Coffee Shop
Uyugan Municipality
Muchong Viewpoint
Songsong Ruins
Itbud Village
Alapad Natural Rock Formation
Old Naval Station
Imnajbu Village
Racuh A Payaman (Marlboro Country)
I thought that we really need a day to finish the South Batan Island Tour so we started our tour as early as 8:30AM but I was wrong. The list of tourist spots are so long pero hindi naman pala lahat babaan or I guess it depends on the tour guide din. We just passed some of the tourist spots so I only have pictures from afar and we stopped by dun sa mga popular tourist spots. So we were done before 1PM, hindi pa kami nagmadali niyan at 1 hour na nga kami kumain.
So I think, doing compressed North and South Batan Tour is okay. If you have a limited budget or if you have limited time in Batanes, you can do North and South Batan Tour in one day. Based on our experience, we only spent few hours visiting the tourist spots.
For our Day 3, I was worried at first because it started to drizzle on our way to Chawa Viewdeck but we’re thankful because the rain stopped. Yehey! Nakisama naman ang weather up to our last day of tour.
Chawa Viewdeck
On our way to Ivana Port, I already saw Chawa Viewdeck, Mahatao Boat Shelter Port and lighthouse. I find it beautiful so I was really looking forward to our South Batan Tour so I can see these tourist spots, up close and personal.
Ang ganda talaga sa Chawa viewdeck, you can see the West Batan Cliffs and the West Philippine Sea. Looking at the waves was relaxing but scary at the same time because the waves were strong. And because of the drizzle, we did not go down anymore because the staircase is wet and slippery.
Mahatao Boat Shelter Port
I was sad because we just passed the Mahatao Boat Shelter Port, gusto ko pa naman bumaba para magtake ng pictures. This port was constructed so in times of typhoon and strong waves, there is a shelter for the boats. I also saw a lighthouse from afar but I don’t know the name of the lighthouse.
San Carlos Borromeo Church
Next stop is San Carlos Borromeo Church, a church in Mahatao that was built in 1787 and was improved through the years. This is also the place where Katipuneros raised the Katipunan flag on September 19, 1898. It is part of National Cultural Treasure since July 31, 2011.
There is a blank book here where you can write your personal message. Within the area, you can see two old Spanish lamp post that serves as a lighthouse or guide to fishermen.
Homoron Blue Lagoon
We passed the Huhmoron, Homoron Blue Lagoon or Spanish Lagoon, it is famous because of the blue color of the water but during our visit, hindi siya blue. It is also called Spanish Lagoon because during the Spanish era, only priest or Spaniards are allowed to take a dip or swim here. But of course, now it is open to the public.
Maydangeb White Beach
We stopped by at Maydangeb White Beach, looking at the beach parang ang sarap na magswimming. But it was cold and we did not go to Batanes to swim, so we have to continue our sightseeing tour.
Old Spanish Tuhel Bridge
On our way to House of Dakay, we passed by Old Spanish Bridge in Ivana Town, it was built in 1800’s but it is still functional. You can also see other bridges in the area.
House of Dakay
San Jose de Ivana Church
Then we moved to old Ivana Port, in front of the port is San Jose de Ivana Church. Batanes is a small province but I was really surprised that everywhere we go, there is a church for the Ivatans. It was built in 1787 to serve the people of Ivana, Sabtang, and Uyugan but when Sabtang residents moved back to Sabtang, they closed some parts of the church.
Honesty Coffee Shop
From the church, we walked to Honesty Coffee Shop. It the famous coffee shop because the store is unmanned. Yes, there is no staff that will assist you. If you want to buy or eat, feel free to serve yourself but don’t forget to pay. There is logbook where you need to list the stuff that you bought and drop your payment at the dropbox. According to our tour guide, palaki ng palaki nga daw bahay ng may-ari ng Coffee Shop because it is indeed the most visited tourist spot in Batanes.
Maybe, even you don’t have to plan to buy something, mapapabili ka just to experience buying something at the Honesty Coffee Shop. It is good to know na nagwork ang Honesty Coffee Shop in Batanes but sad to know na hindi siya nagwork sa mga ibang gumaya like in Metro Manila. Bilang na lang ba ang honest sa Metro Manila?
Muchong Viewpoint
After exploring Ivana Town, we went to Uyugan Town. Our first stop is Muchong Viewpoint, another rolling hill in Batanes where you can enjoy the seascape.
Ruins of Songsong
We passed by Sitio of Songsong, which is also known as ghost barangay because the area was abandoned after the tsunami hit the town in the year 1954. You can still see the roofless stone houses but some of the ruins are already occupied. People try to restore and maintain the stone house.
Alapad Pass and Natural Rock Formation
We stopped by Alapad Pass and Natural Rock Formation, it is another popular tourist spot because it is where Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta shot their movie “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit”.
You will enjoy the different rock formations here, the two cliffs separated by the road, the Pacific Ocean view. In Batanes, you will always see “Blow UR Horn” sign if you will pass narrow curve cliff, hindi pa uso text lingo may ganung sign na sa Batanes.
Old LORAN (Long Range Naval Station)
From the Madangay Cliff, you can see the OLD Loran or also known at Little America. It will be reopened as the National Museum.
Lunch at Nanay Ching Restaurant
It was only quarter to 11AM, but we’re almost finished with our South Batan Tour. Lighthouse and Marlboro Country na lang ang kulang. We had early lunch at Nanay Ching Restaurant. It is park of our tour package, we had nilagang pork, chicken afritada, pork adobo, chopsuey, rice and camote salad. The serving was huge so we took our time eating at mahaba-haba pa oras namin.
Read: Where to Eat in Batanes
Marlboro Country
After one hour, we continued exploring South Batan and off we went to Racuh A Payaman or also known as Marlboro Country. It is a protected area where you can see cows, carabaos, hills, mountain, fields, sky, and sea. It is indeed a picturesque place and sometimes I wonder if this place is really in the Philippines.
Breathtaking Batanes it is, you can see the Tayid lighthouse at the left, Mount Iraya at the right, and enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean. It was windy so it was hard for me to walk kasi feeling ko liliparin na naman ako. But even though I’m afraid, I try my best to walk so I can enjoy the view too. Kung hindi lang mahangin, we can stay longer here.
Tayid Lighthouse
Our last stop of the tour is Tayid Lighthouse, it is one of the three functional lighthouses in Batanes that was built in the 2000s. It is hexagonal shape lighthouse that guides the seafarers in the West Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The lighthouse was closed so we were not able to check the interiors.
Mahatao Wind Turbines
On our way back to the hotel, we saw the Mahatao Wind Turbines. It is not operational so nakababa lang.
Tawsen Souvenir Shop
Since we are early, our tour guide dropped us at Tawsen Souvenir Shop so we can buy some souvenirs or pasalubong.
Watch the video here
Dinner at Hudzan’s Cafe & Catering
We had dinner at Hudzan’s Cafe & Catering, we ordered Buttered Garlic Shrimp, Burger Steak, Crispy Beef Ribs, Rice and Softdrinks. It is part of our tour package so we did not pay anything.
That’s the end of my Batanes series. It is a hassle-free and memorable experience for us. Going to Batanes is not cheap but I have no regrets in visiting this province. I’m happy that I was able to cross this out on my bucket list and I am proud to say that we have this breathtaking place in the Philippines.
We paid P7200 per person for our 3 Days Tour in Batanes, which includes the tour, lunch, and dinner. If you want to save money, you can check my post here. You can also book your tour at Klook.
Read: Where to Stay in Batanes
3 Days North Batan, South Batan and Sabtang Island Tour P5,500
2 Days North Batan, South Batan and Sabtang Island Tour P4,800
North Batan Half Day Tour P1500
Sabtang Island Day Tour from Batan Island P2500
2 Days North Batan and South Batan Tour P3500
South Batan Tour P2000
No comments:
Post a Comment