Batanes - Batan South Adventure!

Time flew so fast! We’re on our third day in Batanes already.

After a very relaxing bath and a quick yet sumptuous breakfast, we hurried ourselves to the waiting boat that will get us back to Batan Island. Our tour at Sabtang Island was one exciting journey I will always remember. Here goes our third day itinerary at Batan Island.

Day 3 Itinerary – San Jose de Ivana Church, Biking time (for me!), Chawa View Deck in Mahatao, San Carlos Borromeo Church, Maywang A Libro Du Vatan, Tayid Lighthouse, Rakuh A Payaman, Alapad Pass Rock Formation, Honesty Coffee Shop and House of Dakay.

Our first stop was the San Jose de Ivana Church which is right across the Port of Ivana. Originally, it was a chapel built in 1787 and was made a stone church by Father Francisco de Paula Esteban in 1795.

San Jose de Ivana Church

Five minutes after our visit at San Jose de Ivana church, we arrived at our hotel and eat another set of breakfast (of course! I’m a growing up kid!). The time flashing on my watch says 8:15.....I still have at least 45 minutes to prepare my day stuff and rest a bit but I dismissed it eventually. I’m thinking of something....bike! Bike!

I hurried at the front desk and asked Charis ([front desk officer) where I can arrange a bike rental for less than an hour. She said it can be done but it would eat up my remaining minutes to roam around the city proper. Luckily, she had her bike with her every time she goes to work. She graciously offered it to me and I just said ‘yes!’  Who can refuse such sweet gesture!? I know I can’t. J

the free bike and the blogger

It felt free roaming the quiet road of Batan. In less than 10 minutes of pedalling, I arrived at the airport. Took another selfie (forgive me!) and hit the road back to our hotel. The bike ride was so much fun and not a penny spent! By the way, bike rental would cost you P25 per hour.

By 9:15am, we arrived at Chawa View Deck in Mahatao. The view was magnificent but the stairs below leading to the sea far better! There’s this unique hole filled with pebble-like rocks and turquoise water. The water was just too clear and deep (probably 7 feet or more). There’s also a cave-like rock formation nearby. The hiker in me hops the remaining steps to that mini cave and had my picture taken by our guide.

chillaxing view of the unique turquoise pool

the cave-like rock formation beside Chawa View deck

Next stop, San Carlos Borromeo Church. Also known as Mahatao Church, it was built in 1787. It was rebuilt by Father Crecencio Polo in 1873 just a year after it got destroyed by a typhoon. It was declared by National Commission for Culture and Arts as National Cultural Heritage Treasure due to its excellent state of preservation and unique structure showcasing baroque style and galvanized iron roof.

San Carlos Borromeo Church

Beside the church is a cool place called ‘Maywang A Libro Du Vatan’ which translates as Batanes Blank Book Archive. Hard-bound books with blank pages adorned the place wherein you can write down anything you want! Here is mine!

Batanes Blank Book Archive

Find it!

Our next stop was Tayid Lighthouse. The hexagonal shaped lighthouse stands proudly looking at the majestic view of Mt. Iraya on the left. Too bad that it was closed due to renovation being made inside the ‘farola’. We just satisfied ourselves with taking pictures as the view was just beautiful.

Tayid Lighthouse with the view of Mt. Iraya

It was nearing lunchtime when we arrived at our next destination, ‘Rakuh A Payaman’. This literally translates as Big Ranch which is known to tourists as Marlboro Country. Our lunch at Rakuh A Payaman consists of ‘Venes’ (main ingredient was gabi stalk), sweet and sour fish and flying fish-stuffed fried roll. The fried roll, by the way, is a must try!

Lunch at Rakuh A Payaman

After our lunch, we spent the rest of the afternoon taking pictures of the scenic hills of Rakuh A Payaman. The hedgerows are evident anywhere you look. It’s like we were transported once again to ‘teletubbyland’ and we just had the most wonderful afternoon!

group picture at Rakuh A Payaman aka Marlboro Country

By 2pm, we hopped in our service van and travel at Uyugan to see the gigantic rock formation of Alapad. Its location is situated in 2 barangays; Imnajbu and Itbud. Looking at the enormous chunk of rock can literally belittle you. When viewed closely, you will see layers of different textures of the rocks as well as its composition. We had our photo opt at the hill across Alapad and tried tasting the ‘Uhangu’ which is tagged as a wild pineapple. It made my throat itch after biting a piece of it! L

that is one hell of a big chunk of rock!

Alapad rock formation

Next on our agenda for that day is the famous Honesty Coffee Shop in Radiwan, Ivana. This place is actually beside the Ivana Port. It’s like a little general merchandise store which sells from 3 in 1 coffee to souvenir shirts and delicacies. We we’re lucky that day because the owner was there. We immediately asked her to join us on our group picture and she politely agreed.

groupie with the owner of Honesty Coffee Shop

Last stop was the House of Estrella. Known to tourists as House of Dakay, the house was built in 1877 for Luisa Estrella thru ‘bayanihan’ (voluntarism) system. As our guide told us, the House of Dakay was considered the oldest vernacular house in Batan in its original form (except for the roof part). I didn’t go inside as I was too giddy playing with the Bermuda grass surrounding the house.

the blogger in front of House of Dakay

the oldest Spanish bridge in Batanes

Before heading back to our hotel, our guide showed us the oldest Spanish bridge in Batanes. I just took a picture of it and hopped back to our van as we are super tired....but happy.

Till then!