Savoring the Best of South Batan is the third installment of Because Beautiful Batanes series.

I got a good night sleep. I only got a room ventilated by a fan but the breeze of Batanes makes the night comfortable still. There’s no networking signal in my room so I was totally disconnected to the world but I was enjoying the detachment.

We started our South Batan trip around 9 in the morning. I was excited what more Batanes would offer that day. I haven’t checked any blogs on the full itinerary of the South Batan. Surprise me, I thought.

Chawa View Deck

On our way to Chawa View Deck, I felt the hazard of the blind curves of the road around the island. So I noticed the unique “Blow UR Horn” yellow markers at the roadside. They are everywhere in Batan along with the humps.

A good morning greeting from Batanes

Chawa View Deck is what I imagined of Batanes. Picturesque cliffs and proud sound of the sea waves hitting the stone walls. These awaken my senses even in an early morning. We decided to get down from the view deck, to reach the bottom of the cliff and to witness more.

And a way to make things more exciting.

Splash!

Mahatao Church

The drizzle started to pour when we got in Mahatao Church. And since we’re already in a church, why not pray for the weather to be cooperative? The Spanish coat of arms in the facade defines the Mahatao Church or the San Carlos de Borromeo Church. One of the few churches in the Philippines with that feature.

What’s the meaning of this? It’s already May.

Oh well, the couples in the group enjoyed this installation.

We’re asked to find the lighthouse around the front yard of Mahatao Church. We didn’t recognized it immediately.

Interesting to think how this centuries old lighthouse became a guide to the local fishermen during those times. This stands only few meters taller than human at the present.

Tayid Spanish-Style Lighthouse

And then ten minutes after, we came to this, the real deal.

The Flying House just landed in Mahatao

The misconception of Spanish lighthouses in Batanes is that Spanish (in the context of the Philippines) means something dated centuries ago when the Spaniards occupied the country. The Mahatao Lighthouse in San Carlos de Borromeo Church is the old lighthouse. Tayid Lighthouse was just built recently in 2000. Spanish-style lighthouse refers to the exterior design of the lighthouse.

And when they say savor the moment, just smell the flowers, haha. I did. Literally.

Diura Fishing Village

We then headed to a fishing village in Duria. The dock in the port of this village is visible from Tayid Lighthouse.

One of the residential houses in the village

The locals dry their catch of dorados (also known as mahi-mahi) and the flying fish for living and for daily sustenance.

Fountain of Youth

We were then intrigued by our tour guide’s introduction to the Diura’s Fountain of Youth. But it was a long walk from the Tourism Office in Diura to the Fountain of Youth. It was like eternal. Oh yeah, Fountain of Youth must be worth the sweat.

We’re just halfway through. A nice view while taking the break

So after 30 minutes, we finally got to see the Fountain of Youth.

It is actually a sacred place for the Catholics in Diura. Apart from the grotto installed in the cold spring, a seemingly what appears to be an infinity pool is also enjoyed by the visitors. And yes, cold spring, because the water the runs from the so-called Fountain of Youth is really cold! It was a nice refreshing way to end a thirty-minute walk under the sun. The beach is also open to the public with rock formations scattered at the side perfect for photo opportunities.

Lunch

After another half-an-hour walk from the fountain to the village, we headed to the Marlboro Country for our lunch break! We really need those energy booster now. Guess what? Local food! Yey!

Clockwise: Flying fish dish, a Ivatan version of Tagalog’s liempo, sweet yellow watermelon, and my favorite dish, Venus

Oh yeah, we debated on that dish on how to spell it right because the Ivatans pronounce it as ve-nes.

Racuh-a-Payaman

In Marlboro Country, only Smart subscribers receive data signal with at least EDGE connection. So while they were busy uploading the mandatory food porn shots online, I hurriedly finished my lunch and went to the Windows XP-ish landscape of Racuh-a-Payaman.

embracing and appreciating the beauty of Batanes

We’re just there hours ago

Europe? Nope. Just Batanes.

Some minutes before we proceeded to our next destination, I just sat alone owning a nice spot of the view. Ate Remy, my contact, then asked me if I was okay. Opo, naman. Ang ganda po talaga dito. And I continued feeling the moment. Thank God, I took that flash sale.

Imnajbu Rock Formation

Timely, i-Dawn Zulueta Mo Ako had trended in social media. Thanks to Vice Ganda. And we’re now here where it all started.

i-Dawn Zulueta Mo Ako, Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit

Honesty Store

One of the members of the group can hardly wait to visit the Honesty Store in our South Batan day trip. The store has been featured in many local magazine TV shows. Why? Because there’s no cashier or someone who looks over the store. You just buy things and pay for them with all honesty (and true money of course).

San Jose de Ivana Church

It is one of the oldest church in the Batanes standing in an elevated land in front of the Ivana seaport facing Sabtang Island. This commanding church could be mistakenly identified as a strategic war installation for its fortress like belltower. It is located few walks from the Honesty Store.

House of Dakay

Vahay ni Dakay is the oldest surviving house in the town of San Jose de Ivana. It is also declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Building. It is designed and built to survive typhoons.

One last photo opportunity before the trip ended

Tuhel Bridge

And before we headed back to Basco, 14 kilometers away they say, we made a quick stop to this Spanish Bridge in Tuhel. I was the only one who alight from the van because everyone else’s tired.

Oldest Spanish Bridge in Batanes

So there. That completes the day trip in South Batan. It indeed surprised me.

To be continued…