Sabtang, Batanes
-July, 2010-
Still in Basco, we had to catch the boat or falowa (as they called it) heading for Sabtang. We were late. Our van followed its route and fortunately we were able to catch up in one of the small ports. Our driver was really good. We paid P30 for one-way trip to Sabtang. The boat ride only took about 30 minutes. As contrary to my expectation, the boat ride was smooth and I didn't throw up.
Sabtang, like Itbayat, was an equally quiet city but unlike Itbayat it has beaches everywhere. Population is evidently low making the province even more silent but screaming with absolute beauty. We were supposed to stay there for the night but decided against it after registering. We rented a jeep for our day tour and luckily two other tourists decided to join us to cut on costs so instead of paying P1,200 for the tour we only paid P600 for 2. That is already inclusive of lunch besides the tour itself.
Still in Basco, we had to catch the boat or falowa (as they called it) heading for Sabtang. We were late. Our van followed its route and fortunately we were able to catch up in one of the small ports. Our driver was really good. We paid P30 for one-way trip to Sabtang. The boat ride only took about 30 minutes. As contrary to my expectation, the boat ride was smooth and I didn't throw up.
Sabtang, like Itbayat, was an equally quiet city but unlike Itbayat it has beaches everywhere. Population is evidently low making the province even more silent but screaming with absolute beauty. We were supposed to stay there for the night but decided against it after registering. We rented a jeep for our day tour and luckily two other tourists decided to join us to cut on costs so instead of paying P1,200 for the tour we only paid P600 for 2. That is already inclusive of lunch besides the tour itself.
We first visited Barrio Savidug. It's houses are made of limestones and had cogon for roofs, which the Ivatans are famous for. Some stone houses were already destroyed but most are preserved and still functional to this day.
Further on, we came across Savidug Idjang where the ruins of the ancient Ivatan's fortress lie. Idjang is synonymous to a fortress. They use this fortress as a refuge during battles.
We continued to travel and saw magnificent views at Chamtad Tinyan-Sitio.
Near the the Sitio was the Lime Beach where the locals get their lime supply for building.
Next stop was the town of Chavayan. Stone houses there are well preserved. The town is known for their Vakul weaving or the head gear used by the Ivatans to protect themselves from the weather. Unfortunately, the weaving center was closed during our visit.
We went to Nakabuang Beach next. It is also called as the White Beach due to its white sand. I had my period, 2nd day, disabling me to swim. Such a drag! Abrea was able to enjoy the clear, cold water though with its fine white sand. I would have loved a swim myself.
It rained a little so we shielded ourselves from wetness on a small cave-like opening in the middle of the beach. The rock formations there were truly splendid. There was even a natural arc formed by the rock which the beach is famous for.
We had lunch there inclusive in our tour package. We had lobsters, lapu-lapu, adobo, kilawin and rice. It was the best meal I had had the entire travel. As we ate we got to chat with our fellow travelers. It came to our attention that Fundacion Pacita offers plated meals for lunch or dinner at around P600/ head. Abrea and I decided to try that for our last night in Batanes.
After lunch, the sky was threatening to sob and so we headed for our final stop, Sabtang’s lighthouse. It drizzled a little as we headed back to our jeep.
Back at the port we waited for a boat ride back to Basco, which was scheduled around 2pm. On our way back, we viewed the so-called “Sleeping Beauty” of Sabtang, which we failed to view during our stop there at the Idjang.
The ride back was not as smooth, huge views greeted us as we sailed but after Itbayat the ride back to Basco was a breeze.
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Other 2010 Travels:
> Hong Kong
- Disneyland
- Ocean Park
- Peak Tower
- HK Night Life
> Macau, China
> Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao
- CDO
- CDO Night Life
- Bigby's Cafe
> Camiguin, Mindanao
> Bukidnon, Mindanao
> Batanes
- Northern Batan
- Itbayat
- Southern Batan
- Basco
> Bohol
- City Tour
- Island Hop
- Panglao
> Tree Top Adventure, Subic
> Singapore
- SG at Night
- City Tour
- Chijmes
- Singapore Zoo
- Universal Studios Singapore (USS)
- Sentosa
> Bali, Indonesia
- Cultural Visits
- Temples
- Tourist Spot
- Menjangan Island
- Menduk Waterfall
> Tagaytay, South Luzon
> Pueblo Por la Playa, Pagbilao Quezon
- The Wedding
- Morning After
> Hundred Islands
- Islands
- Maxine's Restaurant
> Anawagin Cove, Zambales
> Cebu
- Shangri-La, Mactan
- The City
> Hong Kong
- Disneyland
- Ocean Park
- Peak Tower
- HK Night Life
> Macau, China
> Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao
- CDO
- CDO Night Life
- Bigby's Cafe
> Camiguin, Mindanao
> Bukidnon, Mindanao
> Batanes
- Northern Batan
- Itbayat
- Southern Batan
- Basco
> Bohol
- City Tour
- Island Hop
- Panglao
> Tree Top Adventure, Subic
> Singapore
- SG at Night
- City Tour
- Chijmes
- Singapore Zoo
- Universal Studios Singapore (USS)
- Sentosa
> Bali, Indonesia
- Cultural Visits
- Temples
- Tourist Spot
- Menjangan Island
- Menduk Waterfall
> Tagaytay, South Luzon
> Pueblo Por la Playa, Pagbilao Quezon
- The Wedding
- Morning After
> Hundred Islands
- Islands
- Maxine's Restaurant
> Anawagin Cove, Zambales
> Cebu
- Shangri-La, Mactan
- The City