Saturday, December 27, 2014

Explore and Discover the Island of Sabtang

DAY02: Island Hopping to Sabtang

On our second day, we were told that we shall be taking a boat to another Island called Sabtang.

Unfortunately, Kinuy had to attend to a more important assignment so Art took over and guided us all through our activities for the day.
At six in the morning, we headed to Radiwan Port in Ivana to board the Faluwa going to Sabtang Island. Art told us that the boat ride will be a little rough and would take forty five minutes.
At seven, we boarded the vessel and sailed towards the island of Sabtang.

It was a bumpy boat ride and we sailed on a rough sea with waves taller than our boat. I admired the boat master’s talent of getting our boat through in between big waves. It was the most bumpy boat ride that I had ever experienced.
Upon arrival at Sabtang Port, we registered at the nearby Tourism Office and then we took a jeepney ride to see the Stone Houses at Brgy. Savidug.

§  Brgy. Savidug Stone Houses
I was completely amazed at the view of the stone houses lining up the street at Brgy. Savidug upon our arrival. Art is a very good guide and also an excellent photographer so I just left my tripod inside the jeepney as he took over my camera.
As we walked through the street, Art carefully explained how the stone houses were built. Just like the old churches in Ilocos, these stone houses were built out of coral stones glued together using lime.
The roof of the stone houses were made of thick thatch that according to Art can last for fifteen years before requiring replacement. This kind of roofing can also withstand powerful storms.

I was a little sad though to see few of the stone houses in ruins and was never rebuilt. There were also few of the old stone houses that were replaced with modern structure already.
I was talking to Art while we moved into the town and suggested that a strict building code should have been implemented to preserve the old stone houses and prevent any new structure from rising inside the village to preserve the authenticity of the place.

Nevertheless, it was totally a very exciting moment for me to be able to walk along the street with stones houses lining up at both sides of the road.

§  St. Thomas Chapel
At the end of the road, we visited the Sto. Thomas Chapel. It was whitewashed at that time. 
The facade resembles a portion of a huge stairway. Beside the chapel is an old abandoned two story stone house. The façade is still intact and provided a good background for photo ops.

§  Lime Kiln
From Brgy. Savidug we travelled to the Lime Kiln. Along the way, we passed by another “Idjang” called the Savidug Idjang. 
Photo source: https://od4travelnm.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/img_6523-lime-kiln.jpg
Art showed us the holes where their ancestors used to “cook” coral stones for building the old stones houses long time ago. I had a chance of making some few photos of the impressive shoreline from the Lime Kiln. Only few holes of the original Lime Kiln still exist.

§  Refreshments at Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint
From the Lime Kiln we drove to Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint. This is one of the best viewpoints that captured my attention in Batanes. 
From the road, we had to go down and walked along the slopes of the hill towards the viewpoint. It was windy at that day and the view was astounding.

We had quick refreshment at the viewpoint and bought few souvenir items.

§  Brgy. Chavayan Stone Houses, Sabtang Weavers Association, Picture taking (Ivatan headgears)
From the Chamantad-Tonyan Viewpoint we travelled to Brgy. 
Chavayan to see old stone houses and at the same time to visit the Sabtang Weavers Association. 
We had photo ops with Ivatan headgears and walked along the street filled with old stone houses on both sides once more.

§  Sta. Rosa De Lima Chapel
The small chapel with Thatch roof is located at the end of the road lined up with the stone houses at Brgy. Chavayan in Sabtang Island.

§  Ahaw (Natural Limestone Arc Formation)
We left Brgy. Chavayan few minutes before lunch and proceeded to Ahaw to see the Morong Beach and the Natural Limestone Arc. 
I find the natural arc amazing. It must have been carved by the combined power of wind, water, heat and cold for millions of years.

At two o’clock in the afternoon, we boarded the Faluwa and sailed back to the Island of Batan. We anchored at Radiwan Port in Batan few minutes before three in the afternoon and then shuttled back to our accommodations in Basco.

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