Singapore

Only in Batanes

1. Although non functional, the Mahatao Lighthouse adds beauty to the landscape of Batan Island.

2. Amazing Sunset.

3. The Ten Commandments written in 2 slabs of stone. Although written in Ivatan, it shows how deeply religious the local folks are.

4. You need not worry if your cellphone's battery goes dead, as long as you bring your charger with you.

5. Motorists BEWARE. You can't miss this sign, and the color. Its actually very helpful when youre driving along the sharp curves along the mountain pass. Although there are not too many vehicles around, a simple honk or two can save a life or two.

5. Pilipinas ba to?

6. Ever heard of a Ship Shelter? or Ship Parking, to simplify things.

7. This small structure hanging over a cliff is a waiting shed for students.  Since students go to school by foot, they have this shelter to keep them from the rain.

8. A stone bridge build by the spaniards is still being used today.

9. The Dakay House circa 1887.

10. Make sure you give the exact amount. The Honesty Store doesnt have a storekeeper who would give you back your change. Nor does it have much to sell, for that matter.

11. Boatwrecks

12. A beach with no Sand, but boulders spewed by Mt Iraya.

13. Genuine Smiles that are hard to come by.

14. Horses that roam freely.

15. An art gallery near the edge of a cliff ( Fundacion Pacita ).

16. I saw this farmer ascend this long uphill road carrying his farming tool in midday. And when i took this photo, he still managed to pop a smile as he passed by me.

17. Azure waters

18. Best Seats in the archipelago.

19. Bikes with no locks.

20. Believe it or not, this is a Lighthouse. It stands near San carlos Borromeo Church in Mahatao.

St Joseph the Worker Church in Ivana

There are a couple of old churches in Batan Island. St Dominic Church is right in the middle of Basco. San Carlos Borromeo Church is is Mahatao, about 30minutes drive. Inside,  there is a statue of the Holy Mother adorned with Ivatan Gold. There is no glass encasing nor any metal grill protecting the statue, and there has never been any attempt of theft (thats according to my competent guide, mang Roger Amboy). But the St Joseph the Worker Church in Ivana is quite an exception. It stands on top of a hill (?) overlooking the sea, with Sabtang island just beyond the horizon. It has a history that is uniquely Ivatan.

Mount Iraya

Ive never heard of Mt Iraya until i set foot at the tarmac of Batan airport, when i noticed this huge chunk of rock overshadowing the vast horizon, against the backdrop of a blue cloudless sky. i didnt know either that Mt Iraya is an active volcano, until i looked it up in Wikipedia. It was classified as dormant, since its last eruption was in 1454. Not until Phivolcs detected seismic activity in 1997 when it was re classified as active again. And so, for 3days of getting around Batan Island, Mt Iraya stood by me, wherever I go, she was there. Every snapshot I took, shes in the background. Had you seen her with your own eyes, she would have taken your breath away.

Batan Lighthouse at Sunrise

Boulder Beach