Our Batanes Adventure Day 2: Sabtang Island Tour

After surviving the death defying cross from the port of Ivana, we were so glad to set foot on the Island of Sabtang.

We were told to be back by 2PM for our ride back, so we made the most of our stay.

As our other tour companions register at their tourism office, I was busy taking photos of the house across.  The bright green doors and windows against the grey walls was a perfect selfie backdrop.

Tourist are asked to pay 200 pesos to explore the many attractions of the Island.  Afterwards, we made a stop at a small eatery beside the port.  The ever curious me can't wait to see the sights, and went out to admire the Lighthouse at the distance and the houses that lined the street while waiting for our coffee.  Apparently, that's the only item they serve since most of the residents are attending mass that morning.

Lighthouse at Sabtang

Houses Near the Port of Sabtang

The house just a few steps from the eatery where we had coffee.

Before we rode the rented van for our tour, the Town Mayor returned our tourism fee being guests of the former Mayor of Ivana.

The ride to our first stop was so breathtaking.  We were passing through hills that doesn't seem to end.    Its difficult to get a bad shot even from a moving van.

Tinyan Viewpoint

The entrance to the path to the hills and the view of the cove is surrounded by stores selling souvenir items and delicacies.  Having missed breakfast, we got ourselves cones of Sweet Potato Fries coated in Sugar.

From the shops along the road, a trail leads tourist to the cove.  The wind was blowing hard that morning that we can hardly keep our eyes open.  I was only able to reach halfway, and was rewarded with a beautiful view of the cove below.

After the Viewdeck, we boarded the van again to reach the town of Chavayan.  Armed with my smart phone, I took the opportunity get shots of the beach along the road.

Sabtang Weavers Association

The Ivatans are known for their Vakul.  The traditional headress to combat sun and rain made from abaca fiber.  Keeping the tradition alive are the Sabtang Weavers Association.  The elderly ladies can be found right at the entrance of Chavayan, demonstrating how these pieces are made.  You can bring home finished products from their hut.

Chavayan

Chavayan is a Baranggay that showcases the stone houses Batanes is known for.  The main street and side streets showcases how these meter thick walls and cogon roof protected residents against the unpredictable and sometimes unforgiving weather of the island.

My throne is actually the steps to the main door.

Chavayan Chapel at the end of the street.

The interiors of Chavayan Chapel

The rows of houses ends to a narrow road leading to the beach.

This circular hut shaded my new found friends!

The children of Chavayan granting my request for a Groupie!

Sleeping Beauty

Enroute to our lunch destination, our van driver stopped to show us the Sleeping Beauty.  The peaks created a profile of a face with the foreground mountain responsible for giving the gender as a lady.

Sleeping Beuty! Can you make out the body parts?

Morong Beach

Among the Iconic shots of Batanes would have to be the Limestone Arch at Morong Beach.  This is the photo that greeted us at the airport, and were very much grateful of having seen it for ourselves.

The famous Limestone Arch!

I was tempted to take a dip, but the water was just too cold.

Panoramic view of Morong Beach

The beach is ideal for swimming on summer months, but the waves were really strong and water cold during our visit.  A beach hut restaurant served our lunch for the day that included lobsters.  That was actually my first time to try one.  As much as would like to have more, I'm worried of my allergic reaction to shellfish.

Our Lunch!

Unfortunately, the coconut cabs were not available, but who's complaining when we have lobsters!

Tipolo Leaf, widely used in Batanes that functions much like the banana leaf.

After the filling lunch, we drove back to Sabtang Port.  Almost all of the touring passengers who came with us that morning are all waiting for the ride back.  This time, the Coast Guard ha become more protective of not allowing us to cross.

As the Mayor once again negotiated our departure, I took the opportunity to take photos of the  sites I've missed within the vicinity.

Sabtang has their version of the Honesty Cafe named Conscience Cafe.

Concience Cafe, Sabtangs version of the Honesty cafe.  Photo grabbed from Ar. Marc Valencia

Right beside it is Sabtang Church.  From my previous post, I mentioned the irony of locating churches from port to port.  We are once again close to offering prayers for divine intervention granting us the ride back.  It was the Mayor who once again negotiated our return.

Coming out of the breakwater in Sabtang was even more challenging than Ivana.  We are going against the waves this time and our Faluwa was being rocked vigorously from side to side.  I think, God is granting my other wish of making this trip memorable.  The first half of the ride was the worst, but the waves became a bit calmer as we approach Ivana.  As soon we stepped on land, we were once again thankful of the opportunity to visit Sabtang and ofcourse our safety.  It was a huge risk to cross, but the experience was well worth it.

Morong Beach

Our Batanes Adventure Day 2:  The Faluwa Ride to Sabtang
Our Batanes Adventure Day 1 (Batan Island)
Our Batanes Adventure: The Preparation
Our Batanes Adventure: Helpful Tips

Our Batanes Adventure Day 2 : The Faluwa Ride to Sabtang

After exploring the many attractions in Batan Island, we are now hoping to explore Sabtang.

We were up as early as 4:30 AM to catch the boat that's supposed to leave at 6:30.  As the morning breaks, we can see that the sky is clearer compared to yesterday when passengers were allowed to cross.

The Church in Ivana.  God granted our request to visit Sabtang.
Not only that he let us arrive safely, he also made the journey exciting!

Our glimmer of hope, a Faluwa preparing to leave!

We left Villa Bella on foot to Radiwan Port, the Gateway to Sabtang Island. The small road led us to Ivana Church, where from the entrance, we can see a boat loading items in preparation.  We approached one of the crew, and found out that they are actually going to Sabtang.  We wrote our names on the manifesto, and were asked to wait as they secure clearance from the coast guard.  Although the weather improved, the waves were still strong as the docked boat sway from side to side.  Other passengers started arriving in hopes of getting across.

The breakwater of Radiwan.

A few minutes later, the boat crew broke the bad news that all trips are cancelled because of the strong waves.  We were all disappointed because for Ar. Allan, Eileen, Ryan and Me, this is our only opportunity to cross.  Our flight back to Manila is scheduled the next morning.  Ar. Ana and Mark still have 3 extra days to spare.

These looked like giant jack stones!

We stayed at the port a few minutes more hoping for a miracle.  Ar. Joseph, his wife Wendy and their son Jason went back to the house to prepare for our breakfast, since were not having them at Sabtang anymore.  Ar. Ana and Marc took the opportunity to explore the church and surroundings.  Ar. Allan and Ar. Eileen realized that the best place to ask for a miracle is right in front of us, the Church.  They went inside to offer prayers as I walk around the port area looking for cigarettes.  I went inside, what looked like a store not knowing it's the popular Honesty Coffeeshop.  Inside, I found other tourists drowning themselves in coffee to get over the disappointment of the cancelled trip.  They don't sell cigarettes though.  I guess smoking doesn't compliment honesty.

I went out and head towards the direction of the port again looking for small stands and to catch up with our group.  On my way back, I saw the crew who assisted us and I smiled at him.  By this time, I have gotten used to the Ivatan culture of everybody acknowledging everyone with a smile or a greeting.

He asked me the whereabouts of my companions.  I told him that they're still around taking photos of the church.  He told me to ask them to wait a bit more, because the Mayor of Sabtang arrived trying to convince the coast guard to let us cross.  It turned out that he himself is a passenger.  I alerted the group of the news and we found ourselves at the port again.

The other passengers who stayed in the vicinity came back, as the boat crew hands out our life jackets confirming our departure.  I immediately called Ar. Joseph informing him that they allowed us to leave.  They arrived just in time for boarding.

The boat, called locally as Faluwa is large fiber class boat with the bow designed higher than normal for rising waves.  Cargoes and motorbikes are placed in front while passengers occupy the stern and the sides around the steering section where the captain maneuvers the boat.  The boat is roofed, leaving an opening above the captain's seat, so he can stand to see above the bow in cases when the boat tilts upward.

The Faluwa!

As soon as everyone was boarded, the Captain maneuvered our way out of the breakwater.  We know we're in for a rough ride as the boat sways to exit the opening.  I've heard stories on how hellish Faluwa rides can be, and this was a trip originally (and might still be) cancelled.  How can you describe something worst than hellish?

The ride was the longest 30 minutes of our lives.  The waves were huge as we move further away from Ivana.  They even got bigger, (as high as our boat) as we approach Sabtang.    It reminded me of Anchors Away, the theme park ride at that rocks you forward and backwards sending cramps to your stomach.  At this point, we were questioning our decision to push through, but there's no turning back now, and were not leaving Batanes without setting foot on this island.

The passengers including me applauded the boat driver as we enter the breakwater in Sabtang, in gratitude of having reached the destination safely.  I was relieved to finally set foot on stable ground.  We thanked the Captain and the Mayor for making the trip possible and boarded the van waiting for us at the port.

Land! Finally!

What's ironic, is that right across the port is Sabtang's Church just like the one in Ivana.  Those waters are really treacherous, and I think, especially in times like this, you really need divine intervention to guide you safely.  You really need to offer prayers every trip and be thankful for every safe docking.

Once in Sabtang, all tourists are asked to pay a Tourism Fee of 200 pesos that allows you access to the many attractions in the Island.  In front of the tourism office is a beautiful stone house with bright green doors and windows.  We were taking photos when the owner showed up and invited us in so some of us can look out the window for that perfect shot.

The lovely house in front of the Municipal Tourism Office.  While they're busy registering our names, some of us went busy coming up with a perfect FB cover photo!

Also, unique to the island are their Cogon roofed tricycles.  It's their way of adapting tradition with modern transportation.

Before the tour, we went to a locale eatery near the port to have breakfast, but since most of the stores are still closed because people are attending the morning Sunday mass, we settled on what's available, coffee.

To be continued....

This is now the 4th of Our Batanes Adventure Series
Our Batanes Adventure Day 1 (Batan Island)
Our Batanes Adventure: The Preparation
Our Batanes Adventure: Helpful Tips