Batan Island, Batanes

Batanes Trip
January 3-6, 2009

Our flight to Basco, Batanes was delayed for a day, someone got stuck inside the plane restroom for more than 30 minutes, my butt aches from the whole day bike ride, and our flight back to Manila was delayed 4 hours.

It was great!

A very special thanks to the manager of Batanes Seaside (for following up on when we'll get to Batanes), and to our day guide Mang Roger Amboy, who borrowed the bikes we used (6 bikes), and who also rode with us across the island. Extra effort talaga.

*** Note: pictures below are not shot in order. Napagod na ako mag-arrange sa Multiply eh, hehe. ***

Sabtang, Batanes

Sabtang, Batanes
January 3-4, 2009

Sabtang is an island roughly 30 minutes away by boat from the main island of Batan (where the airport is). Tourists normally take Sabtang as a daytrip from Batan island. We stayed overnight at the Bureau of Fisheries building, where you can spend the night for 150 per person.

Sabtang island has several barangays. We hiked from Centro to Savidug to charming Chavayan. It was already dark (very dark), and cold (very cold), so we humbly begged Chavayan's kapitan to drive his multi-cab and drop us off back to the Centro. Haha. Buti na lang mabait si kapitan!

Cool. Chavayan rocks.

Places to stay:

• Bureau of Fisheries: You can contact Gigi Cielo as your guide (09217154919)


• Chavayan Heritage: I guess most of these towns also have guesthouses. You can also stay overnight in Chavayan for 150 a night. The barangay captain's Mrs. will personally cook you your dinner. :)

There are other places to visit -- there's what they call Little Hongkong in Barangay Sumnanga, Barangay Nakanmuan, and Natao Point. There are 2 more islands viewable from Sumnanga as well.

How to Get There:
There's a daily boat from San Vicente Pier in Ivana, Batan Island. Boat leaves when it's full. Fare is PHP 50 each. Ride is a bit bumpy, if you're seasick, take Bonamine. If you miss the boat (or if there's no boat that will travel that day), you can hire one (depends on the weather of course). This will cost PHP 1500 upwards (depends also on the size of the boat).

Batanes

Sabtang, Batanes