The Hills Are Alive in Batanes

Day 3
June 2, 2013
Batan Island, Batanes

Our third day in Batanes was reserved for touring the southern part of Batan Island. First stop of the day was Mahatao view deck. We climbed down the concrete steps and found that the water below to be uninviting given the strong currents.

We then made quick stops at House of Dakay, the oldest house in Batanes...

House of Dakay

...San Jose De Ivana church, built in 1814...

San Jose De Ivana church

...and Honesty Coffee Shop, a one-of-a-kind store - there is no storekeeper to assist customers nor to accept payments. Visitors can help themselves to a cup of coffee (among other things) and then just leave the payment on the counter.

Honesty Coffee Shop

We also made brief stops at another picturesque area (I don't think it has a name)...

...and San Lorenzo Ruiz chapel.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel

We had our first taste of Batanes delicacies during lunch (more like a feast actually) which was already arranged for us by the tour guide. We had Amay (mashed kamote and gabi) and Chipuho, among others.

After lunch, we took a short hike downhill to the fountain of youth which was basically a man made mini pool with water coming from the mountain. The pool was not inviting at all (very crowded) and the same can be said of the beach (too stony).

Fountain of Youth

We then went to Marlboro Country where we stayed an hour or two. This, for me, was the best spot in all of Batanes. The hills are just alive here - the sound of music is not necessary. The seascape is just gorgeous.

The last stop of the tour was at San Carlos Borromeo church, built in 1873.

For dinner, we had another feast. We asked the chef in the hotel to cook for us some more of Batanes' delicacies. It was a great way to end the trip.

Estimated expenses:
5000 PHP - Round trip air fare
1950 PHP - Amboy Hometel (2600 PHP/night good for 4 persons)
 1250 PHP - van (2500 PHP/day)
 1000 PHP - tour guide (4000 PHP for the group)
 200 PHP - Environmental fee at Sabtang
 150 PHP - Boat fare to Sabtang, round trip
1800 PHP - food (600 PHP/day)
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11350 PHP

Exploring Sabtang Island

Day 2
June 1, 2013
Sabtang Island, Batanes

Next day, we went to Sabtang Island, some 30-minute boat ride from Batan. A jeepney, which we shared with another group, was already arranged by our tour guide once we got there. The next hours were a bumpy and dusty ride around the island.

Our first stop was at village of Savidug to check out some traditional Ivatan houses which were built with limestone walls and cogon roofs. They look sturdy enough to withstand the frequent typhoons that visit the island.

Ivatan house

Next stop was Chamantad-Tinyan sitio for another picturesque seascape.

We then went to Nakabuang beach to eat the set lunch that was also arranged by our tour guide. The sun was too harsh at that time so we spent most of our time here under the arch by the beach.

Nakabuang beach

We were back in Batan at around 4 PM. Later that night, we decided to eat dinner at Naidi hills, since the lighthouse and sunset were just irresistible to pass (despite some pesky mosquitoes). It was nice way to end the day.

Lighthouse at Naidi hills

Rolling Hills of Batanes

Day 1
May 31, 2013
Batan Island, Batanes

I have heard that only superlatives can be used to describe a trip to Batanes - the most beautiful unspoiled seascapes and the exorbitant price you have to pay to see them. We were lucky to experience the former and skip the latter. With Air Philippines' recent launch of regular flights to Basco, one can already get to Batanes for more or less 5,000 PHP, a far cry from the 12,000 PHP some of the tourists we met had to pay (and they thought that was already cheap since they booked via a travel expo.)

We reached Basco at 7 AM after a 2-hour flight from Manila. We stayed at Amboy Hometel, a homey home/hotel with friendly staff.

Amboy Hometel

To get around Batanes, we booked a van and a tourist guide. For this day, we traveled around the northern part of Batan. Our first stop was at the stoned-wall Mt. Carmel Chapel, a quaint charming chapel modeled after traditional Ivatan houses. With the painted ceilings and the splendid seascape, this is definitely a perfect place for an intimate wedding.

Mt. Carmel Chapel

A few minutes away from the church is the Basco Pagasa station where the view is simply beautiful.

View from Basco Pagasa station

Afterwards, we went to Dipnaysupuan tunnel which was built during the Japanese occupation. We traversed the moderately difficult (needs some level of fitness) tunnel for about 15 minutes. We then went to see the large smooth rocks of boulder beach at Valugan Bay, a perfect spot to just sit, relax, and unwind.

Valugan Bay

Next in the itinerary was Vayang rolling hills where the seascape is just perfect. I would love to just spend a whole day here just reading.

Vayang rolling hills

We decided to eat dinner at Fundacion Pacita, not for the food - which was good (I loved the lemon squares) - but more for the picturesque view. About the food, one thing to note is that choices are limited or, in our case that night, non-existent. We ate what we were served - I guess since there are only a few tourists at a time in Batanes, restaurants cannot afford to stock different variants of meats and vegetables.

Fundacion  Pacita

Mosque, Museum, and a Resort at Brunei

Day 2
May 11, 2013
Bandar Seri Begawan

The next day, we took the hotel's free 45-min tour of the city which included a useless stop at His Majesty the Sultan's Palace (I could not even see the palace from the gate) and a long stop at the grand and picturesque Jami Asr Mosque.

Outside of His Majesty the Sultan's Palace

Jami Asr Mosque

We asked the shuttle driver to drop us off at Royal Regalia museum which houses a collection of royal paraphernalia including gifts from other nations.

Royal Regalia museum 

Later in the afternoon, we went to Empire Hotel which is the grandest hotel in Brunei. This definitely is one of those unexpected treasures - from the hotel interiors with the stately massive columns up to the grandiose lagoon pool. This was also where we decided to eat lunch, at one of the upscale restaurants in the hotel - Pantai.

Lagoon of the Empire hotel

Fettuccine with Pan-seared snapper

Estimated expenses:
1620 PHP - Travel tax
 550 PHP - Terminal fee
2803 PHP - Round trip air fare
4000 PHP - Plaza Garcia (170 BND/night good for 4 persons)
1500 PHP - food (500 PHP/day)
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10473 PHP