Smart Backpacker

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Rapang Cliff Trek, Itbayat Island, Batanes

I waited four years for this trek and finally, I was able to do it!

the last gate

It was not a planned or scheduled tour. Red Chuca, Kareen Pamela, Carole Carl and I met in Basco, Batanes after I learned that they were also in town.

I immediately contacted Red and to make the story short, we ended up going as a group in Itbayat Island. We toured almost all the known tourist spots in Itbayat and the following morning, we decided to explore the Rapang Cliff.

siesta time

We hired Jayson (0999-932-7744) to be our guide for the trek. But there was some of change of the plans and we ended up with Mang Pepe (0949-6200-184).

We agreed to be awake by 3 am but Red set the alarm at 2:30 am. By 3:30, our guide arrived and we started the nearly 2 hours trek towards our destination.

After passing the last gate, we took a brief respite before continuing our ascend towards the cliff. It was already 5:30 am and the light was starting to illuminate in the horizon.

After the respite, we ascended and after a couple of minutes, we were already in the cliff.

It was very difficult to take pictures since I did not have my tripod and it was between 5:30 - 6:00 am in the morning. But the landscape and rock formations in Rapang Cliff was really one of a kind! Amazing!

This natural park is comprised of forest, natural cliffs and rocky hills where natural bonsai trees abound along the grazing area for goats. Amidst its natural splendour, there is a natural bell which is a flat stone that lies naturally upon another stone.

We were hoping to get a glimpse of the sunset but it was cloudy that day and it was a futile effort on our part. But we still enjoyed the scenery.

There was this rock which was used to call goats or sound a warning to the nearby villagers. It really sounded like a bell. We played different tunes using the rock and took turns posing on it.

Not only was there no clear sunrise but it was also cloudy for an hour and we decided to roam around the hill and looked at the horizon.

The place reminded me of the movie Lord of the Rings trilogy less the orks of course.

The group decided to climb the highest peak. Everybody was already at the peak and I was still hesitant to climb fearing that I might have cramps.But I turned my fear into confidence and I forced my way up.

We stayed at the Rapang Cliff for 45 minutes and afterwards, we decided to go back since our boat back to Basco was slated to depart 9:00 am.

Along the way back, we passed by another tourist spot - Kahubcan Beach.

It was really difficult for a person to go to the beach. You have to go down using the steep cliff and hold on to the trees and roots protruding in the cliff.

One last view of the beach and the landslide.

It took us 2 hours to go back to our lodging area and another 30 minutes to fix ourselves and catch the boat in the port.

Thank you Jayson (left) and Mang Pepe (right), our tour guides in Itbayat.

Place to Stay

1. Cano’s Lodging House – Lodging and Services owned by Faustina Cano (0919-300-4787) Agan St., Brgy. Sta. Rosa, Itbayat, Batanes (P250/pax)

2. SM Lodge - P300/pax

Food - P200/pax (or you can cook)

Tour guides - Jayson and Mang Pepe

How to get there -

Book a plane going to Basco, Batanes either from PAL or Sky Jet. Arriving in Basco, go to the port (near NFA) and board the boat going to Itbayat. Boat leaves between 5 am - 6 am. Fare in the boat is P400/pax. There are times when the weather is not good that Coast Guard will not allow the boat to depart. Travel time to Itbayat is 2-3 hours depending on the weather.

NorthSky Air

Basco – 0949-155-0100

Itbayat – 0920-965-1495

Tuguegarao – 0929-570-1350 / 0908-275-6188

Sky Pasada

Office Hours in Batanes – Monday, Wednesday, Friday (9:00 am – 5:00 pm)

Tuesday, Friday, Saturday – 9:00 – 11:30 (Airport) / 12:00 NN – 4:30 pm (Ticketing)

Flights – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (starting March 9, 2015)

Basco – 0919-893-1079 / 0947-653-6096

Tugeugarao – 0999-992-9378 / 0927-496-2894

In Basco
Accommodation

I highly recommend staying at Ysabelle Homestay.

It is home away from home.It is owned by Ms. Elma S. Batallones. She is one of the kindest, hospitable, and accommodating persons I have ever met in my tour in the Philippines.

Address: corner Santana St., Brgy. Kaychanarian, Basco, Batanes (near LandBank)

contact number: 0928-234-2542 ; 09281539479

e-mail: elmasbatallones@gmail.com

Room rates

Aircon - P1,000-P1,500/day

Non-aircon - P500

Twin sharing - P350/pax

2 pax room

2-4 pax room

P1,500 fully airconditiioned

Among the things that I enjoyed while I was billeted in the homestay was the following:

a. cable TV facility

b. "paluto" or do your own cooking

c. motorbike rental / bike rental

d. shower

e. WIFI

You will definitely enjoy her various tapsilog, tocilog, bangsilog, longsilog and other specialties. But my personal favorite is her noodles consisting of bihon, miki bihon, pancit canton and the pancit kabagan .

On my last day of stay, I even requested to her cook "dorado" and I really enjoyed the sumptuous meal!

They now offer restaurant services. You can dine or order your "paluto" but please call ahead of time.

They also offer travel and tour services in Batanes. You can also rent their motorbike.

In my three nights of staying, I fully enjoyed the comfort of my sleep.

Tour guide in Basco - Albert Antonio (0919 287 3457) Fee - P1,000 for the whole day

Enjoy Batanes!

Motorbike Tour in Basco, Batanes

from Two2Travel.com

It was my third day in Batanes and my second time to visit the province. Just came from my tour in Itbayat and I arrived past 1 pm. I went to Itbayat with Red Chuca, Kareen Pamela and Carole Carl. Met them on my first day in Batan Island.

I rested for just one hour and I wanted more from Batanes and I decided to explore the Southern and the Northern part of Batan using the motorbike that I rented form Ms. Elma Batallones, the very hospitable and kindhearted owner of the homestay where I stayed in Basco.

Before embarking on your tour, it is better to have a map of the place to guide you. And thank you to Two2Travel.com.

Normally, the rate of the motorbike rent is P100/hour but Ms. Elma gave me a fair discount of the fee and I rented it for more than 3 hours. From the town, I went to the road leading to Taytay or Fundacion and after a couple of minutes, I arrived at my first destination - The Japanese Tunnel.

After taking some pictures, I went to me next destination - The Idjang Fortress.

I had to hurry a bit because part of the motorbike tour was the sunset viewing and it was already 4 pm. After a couple of minutes, I arrived at another spot - the PAGASA Weather Station.

Just a stone's throw away is the Mt. Carmel Church. The town of Basco can be seen from this spot and this is the second church in Basco.

Along the way, I passed by the windmills at the top of Basco. Unfortunately, the windmills are undergoing repairs for the meantime.

One of the highlights of this tour is the view of the Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge. This lodging establishment is said to offer the most expensive and best accommodation in Batanes.

After almost an hour of touring, I arrived at the Tayid or Mahatao Lighthouse. The second of the four lighthouses in Batanes. The fourth one is still being built.

Among the four lighthouses, Mahatao Lighthouse is my personal favorite and the best spot in Batan Island to watch the sunrise.

I stayed and enjoyed the scenery for a couple of minutes and afterwards, I zoomed to my next destination - Marlboro Country. Personally, it is the best place to stay and relax in the afternoon.

And just 3 kilometers away is the Alapad Rock Formation in Uyugan. I had to go back as fast as I could for my sunset viewing and I went back to the town.

It took me 30 minutes of motorbike driving before I arrived back in town. I was very careful of the steep and winding curves of the hills along the way and I arrived safely back in town. I stopped for a minute to pray at the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The first Spanish Catholic church built in Batanes in the early part of the 18^th century.

From the town, I went to the Vayang Rolling Hills. These are seemingly endless waves of hills and one of the best spots in Basco.

It is the best spot to enjoy the seascape and landscape of Batanes. It is best explored and enjoyed on foot.

From the rolling hills, you can see the Naidi Hills and that was my last stop for the day.

I have seen the Basco Lighthouse at Naidi Hills but it never ceased to amaze me. One of the best lighthouses in the Philippines.

If Mahatao Lighthouse is the best spot to watch the sunrise. Basco lighthouse is the best spot to watch and enjoy the sunset.

I stayed after the sunset and watched the changing colors of the horizon. Luckily, it was full moon that day and I likewise stayed and enjoyed stargazing!

Batanes is best enjoyed if you have the most comfortable, affordable, convenient, and best accommodation.

I highly recommend staying at Ysabelle Homestay.

It is home away from home.It is owned by Ms. Elma S. Batallones. She is one of the kindest, hospitable, and accommodating persons I have ever met in my tour in the Philippines.

Address: corner Santana St., Brgy. Kaychanarian, Basco, Batanes (near LandBank)

contact number: 0928-234-2542 ; 09281539479

e-mail: elmasbatallones@gmail.com

Room rates

Aircon - P1,000-P1,500/day

Non-aircon - P500

Twin sharing - P350/pax

Among the things I enjoyed while I was billeted in the homestay was the following:

a. cable TV facility

b. "paluto" or do your own cooking

c. motorbike rental / bike rental

d. shower

e. WIFI

P1,500 room good for 2-4 pax

On my last day of stay, I even requested to her cook "dorado" and I really enjoyed the sumptuous meal!

In my three nights of staying, I fully enjoyed the comfort of my sleep.

Resting Area

Resting and Viewing Area

They also have a restaurant. You can dine or order your food. Make your order or "paluto" but you have call ahead of time.

They also offer tour and travel services in Batanes.

Your stay in Batanes will surely be complete and comfortable at Ysabelle Homestay.

Tour guide - Albert Antonio (0919 287 3457) Fee -P1,000 for the whole day

Best Restaurants and tour package -

1.Hiro’s Café – 0920217-9031 / 0999-9954-211 / 0927-387-8172 / www.amzingbatanes.com / hirostravelandtour@yahoo.com

2. Pension Ivatan – 0999-562-4395 / 0906-275-7148 – 078-373-0587 / pensionivatan@yahoo.com.ph / www.pensionivatanbatanes.com

How to get there

From Manila (by air)

Book a flight either from PAL or Skyjet

From Tuguegarao (by air)

Book a flight either from SkyPasada or NorthSky

NorthSky Air

Basco – 0949-155-0100

Itbayat – 0920-965-1495

Tuguegarao – 0929-570-1350 / 0908-275-6188

Sky Pasada

Office Hours in Batanes – Monday, Wednesday, Friday (9:00 am – 5:00 pm)

Tuesday, Friday, Saturday – 9:00 – 11:30 (Airport) / 12:00 NN – 4:30 pm (Ticketing)

Flights – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (starting March 9, 2015)

Basco – 0919-893-1079 / 0947-653-6096

Tugeugarao – 0999-992-9378 / 0927-496-2894

From Tuguegarao (by sea)

Only possible during summer

Island Tours

Basco to Sabtang - by boat (6 am departure) Fare - P75/pax (45 minutes) 4 boats available

Basco to Itbayat - by boat (5-6 am departure) Fare - P400/pax (2.5 - 3 hours) 3 boats available

Basco to Itbayat - by sea (NorthSky) temporarily not available

Best time to go to the Island - March - May (summer)

Rental fees

Motorbike rent - P100/hour

Bike rent - P20/hour

Van rent - 1,500 (back and forth from Basco to Ivana port)

Van rent South tour - P3,000

Van rent North tour - P2,000

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Naambon Falls, Laiya, San Juan, Batangas

Naambon Beach Resort

I bought two (2) new motorbikes and I had to conduct my break-in of the first 500 kilometers for both bikes. The choices were Lemery, Batangas; San Pablo, Laguna; Los Banos, Laguna; Tagaytay, Cavite; or Laiya, Batangas. We were supposed to be three in this adventure. Unfortunately, my nephew, Dale, had a last minute task to accomplish and so only Edison Molina was able to join the joyride.

And I chose to go to Laiya, San Juan, Batangas.

From Tanauan City, we sped off towards San Juan, Batangas, passing Lipa and then Padre Garcia and cruising at the speed only of 50-60 kilometers per hour. Originally, the plan was to leave 11:00 am but we had to change the plan and we left past 9:00 am.

We arrived at Laiya, San Juan past 11:00 am and though it was not part of the plan. I asked Edison if he was interested in seeing Naambon Falls in Laiya and without hesitation, Edison nodded.

the barangay shed where I parked my ride (Sitio Biga, Brgy. Hugom, Laiya, San Juan, Batangas)

We arrived the jump-off point (the barangay waiting shed) at made the necessary inquiry.

How to get there

Ride the bus going to Batangas City or Lemery. Bus terminals are either at Cubao or Buendia, Pasay-Taft. The bus companies servicing the route are Alps, Ceres, Jam, DLTB, and Batangas Express (Starex). Alight at Lipa City, fare is around P150. Travel time is more or less 2 hours. Then, take the van or jeepney ride to San Juan, Batangas, fare in the van is P70. Travel time is more than an hour. Alight at Barangay Hugom. Then, take the tricycle ride to Sitio Biga for P100. Alight at the barangay waiting shed.

Going back to our inquiry, we found at that the spot is also the jump-off point to Mt. Daguldol. But we went to Laiya not for hiking but for its water falls. Hike to Mt. Daguldol is 4-5 hours depending on your pace. Professional hikers can take the trek in 3 hours.

Entrance fee - P35/pax

Guide fee - P400 (overnight at the mountain is P800)

Again, we went to Laiya for its falls and we were able to get a discount of only P200 for the guide after asking many times for a discount. According to our guide, the hike is good for 30 minutes.

And it was 12:15 pm when we left the barangay shed and started our trek towards the falls. It was really hot that day and the sky was painted blue.

My companion, Edison, was not in a habit of climbing mountains but he was able to get use to it in a couple of minutes.

Along the trek, we encountered several groups of mountaineers who spent the night at the top of Mt. Daguldol.

NAAMBON FALLS

After 25 minutes, we reached our destination. Good thing we went on the month of February because according to our guide, during summer season, there is hardly any water flowing from the top. Best time to go here and see the might of the falls is during rainy season.

Though the water of the falls was not strong enough, I still enjoyed the adventure! I've been planning so many times to go to this falls and finally, it happened.

Going back was more difficult! I did not even have any hat to protect myself from the heat of the sun. We took our lunch at the barangay shed and then went to Candelaria, Quezon to continue our break-in.

It was past 3 pm when we reached Tanauan City. Another adventure in Batangas, Quezon and Laguna. Joyride! =)