Round trip tickets costs around 12,000++ each and there is no way I can afford to spend that amount only for a plane ticket. But Batanes never became just an impossible dream. And 'til now, I still can't believe I finally set foot in this unbelievable, surreal island of Basco, Batanes. The best part of it is I traveled and celebrated my birthday in Batanes with my family. 

Upon arriving in Basco Airport, the hotel/ lodge representative is already waiting for us. We just waited for our baggage and proceed to Marfel's Lodge to rest for a while.

I already contacted a tricycle driver/ tour guide I saw/ recommended in the internet to take charge of our tour. And our itinerary for our first day is the North and South Batan Tour. You can do these on two different days but we opted to finish it in 1 day since the guide told us that its possible. And so we did.

North Batan Island

The weather in Batanes is really unpredictable. Its sunny then suddenly its raining and then it will stop again. That's what happened during our tour. But the bipolar weather didn't stop us from enjoying and being awed by this place.

North Batan Tour covers the sites in Basco and here are the places that covers the tour.

1. St. Dominic Cathedral (Simbahan ng Basco)- This church is the first Catholic Church in Basco.

2. Basco Lighthouse in Naidi Hills

Naidi is an Ivatan word, "Nai meaning past and "idi" meaning settlement. Naidi served as an old Ivatan Settlement.

The first time I saw it, I got nothing to say but all beauty to this lighthouse towering over Naidi Hills. It was like I was in some romantic movie during the old times. It was so surreal and I'm in love at first sight.

There is also a souvenir shop inside the lighthouse and items are really cheap. I was able to buy ref magnets for PHP100.00 (3 pcs). Also, you can rent (PHP20.00 each) and have a picture wearing "Vakul", the traditional Ivatan headgear as protection from too much sun and rain.

Naidi Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in Batanes where you are allowed to enter. We were able to reach the top and had a beautiful view of the town on the left and the open sea on the other.

3. Vayang Rolling Hills

The shy Mt. Iraya

Endless Hills

Who would've thought of a place like this in the Philippines? If I hadn't known Batanes, I would really thought this is in New Zealand, maybe? Endless hills with cows, mountain and sea in one place. I really couldn't believe what my eyes are seeing that time. It's unbelievable.


4. Octagon Bed and Dine
This where our tour guide brought us to have our lunch. They have 3 air-conditioned rooms facing the sea with twin size beds, TV, wifi and hot and cold shower.
For lunch, we ordered chopseuy, nilagang baka and Lunes, an ivatan adobo.

Lunch

5. Valugan Boulder Beach
Valugan is an Ivatan word meaning east. The beach is filled with boulders that is said to be from the eruption of Mt. Iraya in 400 AD. No white sand and the waves were strong, just beautiful and unique beach, beach with a shore of rocks of different sizes smoothed over time by the waves of the Pacific Ocean.


6. Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel
The Japanese Tunnel was built during World War II to serve as shelter and look out post for the Japanese Soldiers. The tunnel has 5 entrance and exit points.

7. Basco PAGASA Complex
This spot is located on top of the hills and offers a good view of the rolling hills, Fundacion Pacita and Tukon Chapel. This is the northernmost doppler radar station of the country which is used to track typhoons that enter the Philippines.

8. Mt. Carmel Chapel ( Tukon Church)
Mt. Carmel Chapel situated on top of Tukon Hill is one of my favorite chapels, the other one would be San Jose De Ivana Church in Ivana. Mt. Carmel Chapel is inspired by the traditional Ivatan houses with its stone walls and facade. The church is a project of the Abad Family for the people of Barangay Tukon to have a church nearby instead of going to a much farther town. It was publicly opened in 2008, in time for  the wedding of Julia Abad, Secretary Butch Abad's daughter.

Entrance of Mt. Carmel

Tukon Chapel is the last stop for the North Batan Island Tour but, first day's not yet done because next is the South Batan Island Tour.

xx, Joyce

Pal Express and Sky Jet are the only two airlines that flies from Manila to Basco in Batanes which we all know doesn't come cheap. And one way of cutting your expenses is to find cheap accommodation. Fundacion Pacita is the only hotel in Batanes and costs around PHP8,000.00++ per night. I did a mock booking and found out they require a minimum of two nights stay. I cannot afford a night in that hotel, neither the minimum two nights, good thing that cheap accommodations/ home stays aren't hard to find in Batanes.

From recommendations by friends who've been to Batanes, I finally decided to book two nights in Marfel's Lodge located just near the airport. They offer free transfer to and from the airport, but you can walk because its just too near.

We stayed at the main house which has two floors. The first floor is where the living room with television, kitchen, dining area, a mini honesty store and restrooms are located. The house has two restrooms for each of the two bed rooms. You can also cook your own food in the kitchen and you can use the utensils for free. Just wash it properly after use.

First Floor:

At the second floor is where the two rooms are, there is also a balcony where you can just sit, share stories with your house mate, or take a coffee or have your breakfast.

Second Floor:

Our room has two beds, good for 4 pax. Has air conditioning and electric fan so you can choose, but with a different rate. 

On our second day, our house mate already left for their flight back to Manila, so, we had the whole house to ourselves. At night we watched television while enjoying our snack, we shared stories on how our tour went.  We really felt like we have a vacation house in Batanes. We really felt at home. The house is so clean and the people are so nice. They made sure that we are okay during our stay. Especially during those times that there's no electricity, the generator is not yet fixed on the main house so they put an extension cord from the other house to ours so we could use the electric fan and charge our phones. Simple things which we really appreciate.

Dios Mamajes, Marfel's Lodge

We enjoyed all these amenities, an air-conditioned room for ONLY PHP1,800.00 per night for the three of us.  So, if you're looking for a place to stay in Batanes, I highly recommend Marfel's Lodge. You won't regret it for sure.

xx, Joyce

Enchanted River is located in the town of Hinatuan in Suriago Del Sur. It is one of the popular tourist attractions in Surigao Del Sur, aside from Tinuy-an Falls located in Bislig.

We flew to Surigao Del Sur via Davao since flight to Butuan is fully booked. (Hashtag NonRevenueProblems) At Davao Airport, taxis and vans are readily available outside to take you to your destination. From the airport we went to the bus terminal going to San Francisco in Surigao Del Sur. From Davao to Surigao Del Sur, we traveled for almost 7 hours. Other airports accessible is the Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan De Oro and Surigao Airport in Surigao Del Norte but it will also eat a lot of your time. The nearest airport is the Bancasi Airport in Butuan, travel time is around 1-2 hours only.

Half-way the ride from Davao to Surigao Del Sur, the heavens was never in our favor, the bus had problem so we had to transfer to another bus because it will take toooo looong before they can fix it. So, we waited on the terminal for the first available bus to San Francsico, and lucky us it came just after minutes of waiting. We were too tired but not complaining, and, I always tell myself, "Enchanted River, you should be worth it!" I know you are that's why I'm too excited to see you!

Legends and myths exist that there are fairies that adds the color of sapphire and jade to the river to make its unique shade. One story also tells that there are various fish in the river that can't be caught by any means. According to the locals, the river is called Enchanted River because of the engkantos/ supernatural well beings that dwell there. 

Whatever story the river has, it just makes us wanna see it all the more.

Aaaaand, the time has come for me to finally see you!! But first, we have to pay an entrance fee of PHP30.00 each.

Looook at thaaaaat!!! 50 shades of blue!! I never thought it really looks just like that in person. All the pictures on the internet, it's all real. I never have to use any camera filter to make it look just like that. But since its summer when we went, there were too many locals and tourists in the area so I can't have a decent picture of the river. But nevertheless, it is still enchanting even with a lot of people. All I can say is, "sobrang ganda talaga ng Pilipinas!" Naks!