SABTANG ISLAND (Batanes)

Unfortunately, I only had 2 day trip for this Majestic Town of Batanes, so i had to maximize everything! I took a tour on South Batan on my 2nd day after visiting Sabtang Island. My original plan is to do a "top load" ride on a jeepney ,however, I failed to catch the first trip , they weren't there @7am , or maybe they're late! Instead, I texted the TODA's mobile number and arrange my destination. hehe. No more Top Load experience.

I was told that I should be there on the Ivana Port @7am, but still the first trip wasn't there. Late sila pramis and the weather is not good during morning so I took a trycycle ride to Ivana.

My first selfie for that day. I really admire the effect of the dawn , I wasn't even used a flash from my camera.

IVANA PORT

One of the Oldest church in Batanes since 1700's

I arrived before 7am so I was there, talking to locals and visiting Ivana church and Honesty store. The latter is only few meters away from the port. So while waiting , you can go there and check some goodies and Batanes products.

While Kuya Bangkero was also waiting for their passengers from Fundacion Pacita, he taught me on putting Malunggay leaves on instant noodles , for a healthy breakfast. :)

One of my fear is to rode on a boat without "katig" , and now im facing it alone. Achieve na achieve!! hhehehe .So what to do during a 20 minute boat ride to Sabtang? A nonstop selfie with my monopod! (Actually I was the one who only own a monopod on that Faluwa boat and I noticed that they kept on looking at me. Hehe.) They didn't even know that I was trying to divert my attention from big waves. ( Mga Dukha! galing Fundacion Pacita . walang monopod?!! ) LOL Actually, para sa mga maharlika, mukha ata akong jologs! LOL

At the Sabtang port area , you will be able to see another lighthouse at the right side of the island . Upon going there and arriving at the port, rain drizzles so I have thought that I may not be able to enjoy touring around and may not be able to see what I have anticipated. There are still road constructions, tourists are roaming around looking for their guide.

I have stayed there in a few minutes and waited for kuya rudy ( my tour guide ) ,apparently while waiting , since weather here in Batanes is indeed unpredictable, the rain unexpectedly stopped and hail to the sun for it shines! So I am happy again!:)

I supposed to be alone on the trycycle I have rode on, but there was a retired bank teller who was also travelling alone asking kuya rudy to allow him to join on our tour. (So this time, am not alone. We just divide the expenses and I think that's the only advantage of touring with others.)

While on the road, we passed on this field where we found this tree . They called it "guyagoy or guyaboy", its from a family of Palm trees but according to kuya Rudy , this is endemic in batanes. He let us get some of its fruits and eat those while on the road .

Wearing "VAKUL" , Ivatans' traditional clothing.

Going to Chavayan Village, a remote and old village in Sabtang Island. Actually going there gives me creeps as if im on a different world or civilization. hehehe *cricket sound*

Seeing these kids looking at my camera pacified my creepy imagination over this little barrio. I've requested them to sit and took a few shots as a simple keepsake.

Actually, we're the first batch of tourist arrived on this village. We get there at close to noontime so...there was silence everywhere! I am only hearing birds chirping and rustling leaves. Everything is nature! Anywhere I looked .. I can see nature! I can see peace and calmness.So spiritual. I just really wanted to sit there and hear the nature. Meditate.

However, I only have few hours to feel this village and take pictures. And I was here to capture authentic beautiful stone houses. Capturing every window color and style!

Simplicity

Given a chance to see a local on actual weaving of their traditional head dress "vakul"

Seeing local Ivatan walking along the roadside , made me realized the civilization they've been into and been used to do. I've wanted to ask her if she want to ride with us, but it looks like she will prefer walking than riding on a trycycle. It's a long and tiring walk 'tho!

Morong Beach located in Sabtang Island is one of the recommended and usual place for beach bummer, I guess. The water is shallow, when I get there. The sand wasn't powdery but the coarse sand adds beauty on the beach side.

I walked barefooted 'tho and I've enjoyed it . It was noontime too, and didn't have my extra clothing so I just waded on the shore and washed my face. How can I resist these waves calling me at noontime ha?! "Kung pwede nga lang maghubad agad agad at maglublob. haha"

Seeing those cows above, was amazing! Haha

The 2 islands on my background are not included on the Philippine map but included on the Batanes Group of Islands. The two islands according to Kuya Rudy was already private but some tourist were able to camp and spent overnight. It wasn't a residential area and majority of living creature that was there are cows and goats. Cute!

My Sabtang Tour was ended here and then I had my lunch to Kuya Rudy's humble abode, seeing his wife and kids. Anyway I still have another tour in Southern Batan , so I have to go back right away.

SATANISM ( written sometime in year 2010 )

Yes i myseLf, i admit, is stiLL an individuaL on acquiring and adapting strictly a Christian way of Life, however, i could say that it isnt just,going-with-a-fLow thing but rather something that is felt within. It shouLd be an innate need and not just something you’ve earned for fame and sociaL need. It’s something that urges you to have and when achieved, makes you feeL a better person. Am not perfect as i really have to confess,sometimes the faith that am talking to, falters! Sometimes, there’s a need to feed myself of Spirituality. The need of thinking and meditating about it makes it stay everyday over mymind, unless i am pre - occupied, it wont penetrate! Yet,i stiLL have a feeling of being a Failure on this need after all. I’m stiLL striving… It’s been considered a battLe on mypart that is occuring inside of me. It shifts constantly and there’s no way out but to help yourself.

Oh yeah..ive stumbled on this site a year ago and it keeps me wonder what’ is indeed Up with these people. The last time ive heard about AntonLevy is that, he was featured on one of those people in SgtPepper'sLonelyHardClubBand packaging album of THeBeatles. Just by looking and reading on their Objective(s) makes me think that it might be committed unconciously by those religious people ,too!

What is an Evil for you, anyway? :)

weLL, then again,mymind keeps on wandering…you’LL never know mydear!

The Nine Satanic Statements from The Satanic Bible, ©1969 by Anton Szandor LaVey

1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!

2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams!

3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit!

4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!

5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!

6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires!

7. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all!

8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!

9. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years!

No harm..just wanna share . If it makes you feel a bit of annoyance within then i apologize. It’s mybLog and its all about my passing thoughts! :)

North Batan (Batanes)

My solo travelling escapade went 2N/3D , I know it wasn't satiable enough for a place like Batanes, but I have tried to compressed those days and maximized every single minute . There were places that I have missed to explore, if only I could have more time..

It will only proved that even though Batanes is a small island , it will contradicts the stuffs that needs to do. You will appreciate the town more if you stayed there for a week I guess, and live like locals.

Actually , I bet , not anyone can admire the beauty of Batanes. If you were the type of person who appreciate noise and nightlife, then don't go to Batanes! Huwag makisabay agad agad, basa basa muna , hehehe

I cannot share my itinerary but you can approach me and I tell you right away. Mahina ako sa details e .. LOL. I can only share pictures , and will tell my story :)

MARFEL LODGE . My nest in Batanes. Highly recommended for Backpackers. Very homey. They have their version of Honesty Store inside , pede den magluto!

Glimpse of my room. It's a fan room worth 700-800/night. Ive heard, they also offer aircon rooms on other location, just tell Ate Marfel upon inquiry. Mababaet sila, very accomodating. Just type MARFEL LODGE on facebook and check their amenities.

Siya si Mira. Businesswoman and traveler at the same time. She's the 2nd stranger that I've met, 'yung una si Lovely, I met her at the airport. Pareho ko sila ka-Facebook :)

STOPOVER. My view while biking

You'will see a lot of these signs while touring in Batanes. This became their trademark also.

...and this! :)

I saw these kids walking under the sun and just a thought of taking a shot of them.

After a few hours pedaling my rented bike. I saw this another sign...uuLan!

My first destination after checking in. Right after arrival and leaving my bags on the lodge, I've rented a bike and went on biking around the town proper.

You will never notice this easily , I've thought the place was a huge gallery of artworks. Apparently, it's just like a house-size museum for Ivatan artists .

Well, I just hope local government will take some consideration on allotting budget for their local artist. Its been actually considered as a tourist spot however, it doesn't look like unless you are into arts and notice this while biking .

Since I am on Batanes, yo should consider the weather too so it wont spoil your planned activity for that day. It rained while biking so I decided to go back and just rest , eat and have a cup of coffee. Rain lasted for about 3hours.

I remember it was almost 4pm when the rain stopped. So I just decided to rent a trycycle and bring my bike since I'm running out of time biking from the town proper to Boulder beach, then my planned of having a sunset on Naidi Hills / Rolling hills.

I enjoyed the sound created every time the waves hits the huge rocks. The waves wasn't big that time , it was really serene and almost sunset. Masarap magmunimuni kase ako lang talaga ang tao . Actually, I was thinking of cancelling my Naidi hills sunset activity and spend it on this beach but Manong trycycle driver recommended that viewing sunset is perfect on the hills .

If you are into biking , I think, you can spent the entire day biking around Northern Batan, except Fundacion Pacita. Ive told myself that I can explore Northern Batan thru biking , pero bumalik ako , diko kinaya ang daan. Buti na lang may trycycle to the rescue! hehehe.

Seeing this makes me wanna sing ♪♫ the hills are alive with the sounds of musiiiiic..with songs they have sung for a thousand years ♫♪

I wasn't able to get a perfect shot of this Lighthouse on Naidi hills due to a wedding ceremony and reception scheduled for that day. So my perfect sunset idea was already spoiled pero nag enjoy naman kame ni Mira manuod ng kasal. hehe. She texted me that she wanted to joined on going to Naidi hills. Pitsur, Pitsur lang!

Isn't Forever ? Maghihiwalay din kayo! *bitter* hehehe

My rented Bike! Thanks Mira for this shot!

So there she was .. smile!

Wedding Entourage *sniff* *Sob*

This was my last stop, I have visited FUNDACION PACITA 3hours before my flight going back to Cavite. Actually ,this wasn't included on my list. Im still lucky 'tho, I still have few time and fortunately that Ive woke up early :)

Beautiful dawn, waiting for a perfect sunrise on a wonderful morning!This is my view from afar. Hope I could stay for more hours.. * sigh *

Artwork of Pacita Abad.

The chair itself is "maganda na" , it compliments the dawning feeling.

Mural outside

RADAR STATION

Just in front of the Radar station. Picture perfect isn't it ?! Standing here will show you the entire northern Batan according to Manong trycycle driver.

Dios Mamajes Batanes! I really got a lot of pictures to share. I just shared a few of my pictures on exploring Northern Batan. Next stop... Southern Batan>