Batanes, The Product Of Envy

Envy is one of the seven deadly sins.

Envy is also a great motivator.

Batanes, one of my dream destinations... but it was not in the "immediate and urgent" list.

  

I was wrong. This should be "urgent".

A friend posted his Batanes pics in Facebook. Just a month before, he has never travelled alone. He asked about my solo travel experiences. Then after a month, he travelled to Batanes alone! 

Pressure. Envy. The next day, I booked by rountrip flight to Batanes at regular rates, seven months in advance. I used my emergency travel fund.

Itinerary

I had five (5) whole days to explore the Batanes. I could’ve done Batan, Sabtang and Itbayat during the entire trip, just to hit them all. Para sulit yung regular fare ko na pamasahe. However, I felt that I was cramming a lot of spots into one trip. I decided to take it easy and just hit Batan and Sabtang islands. To compensate for not doing Itbayat, I decided to do something not to touristy: I hired a boat and visited Ivuhus island, one of the uninhabited island near Sabtang.

After reading Chyng Reyes' experience in her blog, I learned that Batanes can be done without joining a group tour. Pwedeng-pwede pala ang DIY. Got her tour contacts as well.

Since I had time, I did North Batan tour twice, one via trike, and one on foot. Yes, on foot all the way up the rolling hills. I also did South Batan twice, via tricycle, and via motorcycle. 

The table below lists my itinerary and expenses:

DAY	ACTIVITY	COST	NOTES
	Pal Express rountrip non-promo fare	10,565.00
Day 1	Arrive in Batanes. North Batan Tour
4:30	Arrive in NAIA T3
6:00	Arrive in Basco
	Taxi to airport	300.00
	Jollibee meal	76.00
	Cinnabon coffee	110.00
	Bulalo cup noodles in Palangud House	17.00
	Sari-sari store loot	51.00
	North Batan Tour	1,000.00	Contact: Dale - 0929-341-0941
	Batanes viewing deck
	Tukon Church
	Fundacion Pacita
	Japanese Tunnel
	Valugan Boulder Beach
	Lunch at Pension Ivatan	305.00
	Rolling Hills
	North Batan Lighthouse
	Saint Martin de Porres Church
	Accomodations (Php 350 + 175 half rate)	525.00
	Coffee	7.00
	Beer	27.00
Day 2	Explore Sabtang Island
	Trike fare going to Ivana port - Php 220 per trike, per way	70.00	*220/3 pax
	Pandesal	10.00
	Boat fare to Sabtang	75.00
	Savidug Village
	St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel
	Tinyan Viewpoint + Chamantad Cove
	Chavayan Town
	Chavayan souvenirs	200.00
	Morong Beach
	Lunch at Morong	400.00
	Trike tour" *Php 800/3 pax.	300.00	Contact: Michael Hornedo - 09184370551
	Boat to Ivuhus		Please contact Michael Hornedo
	Round trip trike dare to Nakanmuan	500.00	Nakanmuan is the jump-off point to Ivuhus
	Dinner	300.00
	Accomodations - Tourism Office	300.00
Day 3	Back to Basco. North Batan Solo Walk.
	Sabtang to Basco boat fare	75.00
	Trike to Palangud	220.00	*Trike No. 18
	Sarisari store purchase	59.00
	Lunch is free c/o Ate Fe dahil fiesta
	Merienda/Dinner on STIC canteen	65.00	pancit, egg, pineapple juice, mocha slice
Day 4	South Batan Tour (via trike)
	South Batan Tour (via trike)	1,500.00	Contact: Dale - 0929-341-0941
	Chanarian Viewdeck
	Mahatao Lighthouse
	Marlboro Hills
	Imnajbu
	Alapad Rock
	Sitio Song Song
	Honesty Coffee Shop
	Ivana Church
	House of Dakay
	Lunch (paid for the guide’s lunch also)	520.00	Vatang Restaurant
	Piknik	30.00
	Dinner at STIC Canteen	115.00
Day 5	South Batan tour take 2 (via motorcycle)
	South Batan (via motorcycle)	700.00	Contact: Dale - 0929-341-0941
	Fallen turbines
	Diura fishing village
	Long walk in Marlboro Hills
	Alapad Rock take 2
	Ensaymada	20.00
	Lunch	120.00
	Accomodations	1,050.00
	Milo	7.00
	Tshirts	380.00
	Rice	20.00
	2 pcs egg	18.00
	Sizzling Sisig	38.00
	Coke	26.00
Day X	Depart Batanes
	Terminal fee	50.00
	Coffee	9.00
	NAIA to UP taxi	300.00
8:10	Depart Basco
9:50	Arrive Manila
	Taxi to Manila
	TOTAL	20,460.00

I was supposed to bike going to South Batan during Day 5. But after some researching, I realized biking for at least 15 kilometers is not for me. Also, it rained that day. Biking in Batanes is not in the stars.

You can skip some of the places. You don’t have to do everything. Research about the places then pick a couple, and spend your time there. 

Scarf + windbreaker + view

I know that you can do Batanes for half the price of what I spent if you booked a promo-rate fare and if can share your expenses with a travel buddy. But it was not my objective to cut costs. The objective is to enjoy Batanes given a budget (the motto of this blog is “Balancing Life On A Budget”).

Accommodation

Batan Island: Marfel’s lodge is the most famous backpaker’s type of accommodation in Batan. I texted Ate Fe in January to inquire and wag ka, they are fully booked! She offered me a room in Time Travel’s Lodge and Palangud House. Palangud House was cheaper at Php 350/night for a single-bed room, common bathroom. It has its own honesty shop, where you can buy food (instant noodles, coffee, junk food).

Sabtang Island: I stayed at the dorm of Heritage House, located at the Tourism Office for Php 300/night. If you want their private double rooms (which I recommend over the dorm), better book your accommodations once you land in Sabtang.

Tips

Food is costly. A normal carinderia food in Metro Manila will cost you Php 40-50 will cost you Php 80-100 in Batanes. There are eateries and restaurants around. But most of these cook “just enough” for their customers. Given the accessibility of the province, the locals are very good in managing their resources. They are not wasteful. For some restaurants, you'll have to make reservations.

In Sabtang island, a meal of two/three viands, rice, a drink and dessert will cost you Php 300. Whether that’s breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is very good. The thing is, you don’t have to eat like a king all the time. Minsan, ang pagkain, laman lang ng tiyan.

  

Yummy local dinner but really pricey at Php 300.

March is still winter season. It can get very windy. Bring your jacket/windbreaker.

Bring your sunglasses, sunblock, fully charged camera and memory card (bring an extra one). 

There’s a PNB ATM in Batan island. It was working. But to be on the safe side, I suggest you bring enough cash to cover your expenses.

Watch out for the poop. Watch out for fresh poop. Before sitting on the grass, check for poop traces. The continuous existence of the poop in the area serves as the natural fertilizer of the hills. Charing!

 

Cow poop hill

 

Don’t be a snob. Greet the locals. When they say “Good Morning”, smile back and say “good morning” as well.

The souvenirs were quite touristy for my taste. They have the usual shirts, mugs and keychains. A "Blow Ur Horn" shirt would be pretty cool. Too bad I didn't see that one sold, I just saw someone wearing it in the airport.  

Blow Ur Horn signs in blind spots