[DAY 2] BATANES: Sabtang Island tour and Batanes' untouched village

Posted by Tere Bernardino October 31, 2014

[DAY 2] BATANES: Sabtang Island tour and Batanes' untouched village

stock pile of concrete barriers in Ivana port

Port of Ivana is the gateway to Sabtang island. People will ride a faluwa, Ivatan's unique boat for 30-45 minutes journey to Sabtang Island. The faluwa is constructed differently compared with the coastal towns we have been. There is no preferential (or Outrigger) to support boat movement. But since Batanes is visited by a number of typhoons all year round, the guide mentioned that faluwa ' s shape and construction dances in the waves and there is less chance of stumbling during a trip. There are 2 boats having 2 trips to Sabtang everyday, one in the morning and another after lunch. The port officer registers all people riding the boat and assigns each a life jacket.

It was a pleasant ride with a few splashes of water, Which made it exciting, hehe. The boat stopped once during the trip Because the boatmen mistakenly thought that there was a catch in the line attached in the boat.

Ivana leaving Port

[Batanes] Way to Sabtang Island from Baking Byahera on Vimeo .

Arriving in Sabtang island, the first thing What caught our eyes was Sabtang Island lighthouse. We are welcomed by the eco-friendly tricycle with cogon-roofed side car.

Sabtang pretty tricy in Port

Registration at the Tourism office

Upon arrival, we jumped into the van that we will be using on this tour. First stop is the registration at the Tourism office. There is a welcome tea that guests can enjoy for free. All guests in the islands are needed to sign up for statistical and security purposes. If you have pre-arranged tour, no need to pay any fees here. Tip: if you need to have a restroom break, better do it here as public restrooms is not available in all attractions of Sabtang.

my sister enjoying Tubho tea

residential houses in front of the tourism office

Tricycle rates for tour around the island

Morong Beach (NAKABUANG ARCH)
Our first stop is the Morong beach with spectacular limestone arch called the Nakabuang arch . The trip was a 15-minute ride from Sabtang port. The weather was dull, but that time it did not stop us exploring the island. Our guide mentioned that the arch was not man-made and became one of the famous tourist destination in Batanes. On a fair weather, the eatery nearby serves lunch to guests.

Sabtang island's road system is not circumferential hence we explored the southern portion of the island then going back to the northern part. We traveled back to the town of Sinakan to go to the Savidug Village

SAVIDUG VILLAGE

A small town showcasing ruins and restored stone houses. Our guide showed us that the houses is built with cogon for roofs, which is three-quarters of a meter thick, can last for about 25 years. And the thick walls of the houses is made from rocks with lime and dead corals hence the composition of Ivatan's shelter is strong enough to battle with strong winds, rain, and typhoon that frequently visits the island.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHAPEL AND OLD BEATERIO

This church is situated at the center of the village and quite hard to find if you don't have a guide with you. Beside it is the old beaterio (priest's house), common place for photo ops when in that area.

bench nearby old beaterio

CHAMANTAD COVE AND TINYAN VIEWPOINT

Similar sloping terrain with that of the Vayang Rolling hills but has a nice view of the waves of turquoise water smashing towering cliffs on the side of the hills. If you are brave enough, a jumpshot would be great! Otherwise, you can wear Ivatan's all-weather gears such as the vakul, kanayi, and talugong and take photos for a fee.

CHAVAYAN VILLAGE AND CHAPEL

Considered as the most remote town in Sabtang island, here you can still see an all-cogon house. This village has been nominated as a UNESCO heritage site for its preserved way of life. The Chavayan chapel is very unique because other old churches found in other parts of the country, the roof of the chapel is still, to this date, made with cogon.

Last stop is lunch by the beach. A sumptuous lunch was served to us with all the goodies Batanes has to offer. I cannot miss trying that famous coconut crab and yellow rice!

turmeric rice

Ivatan version of Adobo

sauteed ampalaya

fish steak

seaweed salad

dessert!

lobster

the star, Coconut crab

they use this leaf in lieu of banana leaf

We have few minutes before the arrival of the boat to bring us back to Ivana port. He head back to the town and the road was closed because of the intramural of the Sinakan Elementary school. So we stopped and watched the kids run for that championship. :)

the ice cream vendor too is waiting for the faluwa to go back to Ivana

More photos while we wait for the arrival of the faluwa...

Tip: for guests staying in Batanes for 5days or more, tour packages offer an overnight stay in Sabtang island. This is a great way to experience simplicity of life which is uniquely Filipino.

Dios Mamajes Sabtang island! 'Til we meet again :)

We are back to Batan island and its almost sunset. Our aunties, strolled to nearby houses and bought some garlic and shallots as pasalubong back home.