Batanes: Day 2 Sabtang Island ❤

I woke up early to prepare breakfast as our call time was 5:30am for our Sabtang Island tour.  Good thing, Marfel's Lodge has set-up their own Honesty Mini grocery store in the communal kitchen where you would just basically get anything you need, write it down in their list and put your payment at designated jar. They have basic items like coffee, canned goods, cup noodles, chips, rice and etc so you won't need to go out and buy your commodities especially if your call time was this early. In a span of one hour, I managed to cook rice, scrambled eggs and cornbeef while preparing myself for the tour. I consider it as an accomplishment because normally, I would be in my zombie mode waking up earlier than my 6am body clock.

Sabtang Island is where the famous Ivatan's stoned houses can be commonly found and a lot more beauty of nature anywhere you look. This time, we're a big group of 10. We had different sets of guides and group joiners every tours. Our guide for our Sabtang Island tour named Ian but pronounced as "Ayan". He's a bit reserved compared to Art but I could see he was trying his best to relay important facts about our tour in the Island. They say Ivatans are shy people but nowadays they're learning to comprehend more with tourists [due to high demand of Tourism in Batanes].

We travelled a 20mins van ride going to San Vicente Port of Ivana and another 30mins faluwa (boat) ride to Sabtang Island. The ride was not bumpy as I thought. We're blessed with a perfect weather during our entire trip. Our guide said that the weather has been drizzling the past few days. In fact, the sun only showed up on the exact date of our arrival. One of our housemates even experienced a cancelled flight two days prior to our flight-- they're already in Basco but the plane was not able to land due to zero visibility that's why their pilot decided to return back to Manila. We're very lucky indeed.

From Sabtang port, we went straight to Sabtang Tourism Information Center. I believe that all tourists of Sabtang Island are required to register and pay an environmental fee which was already included in our tour package. The tourists are also encourage to try their native Ivatan tea called Tubho tea for free and I could say that it tastes like taho (soya). 

Brgy Chavayan Stone Houses

Sto. Thomas Chapel

Brgy Savidug Stone Houses

We stopped at a hut selling buko juice and souvenir items.Nanay, as shown in the picture below was bragging us that his father reached 100 years old drinking Tubho tea regularly. I bought one to her for Php 50.00 for pasalubong.

I think that the highlight of our 2nd day tour in Sabtang Island was the Savidug Idjang viewing. The scenery is just so breathtaking.. Lush green rolling hills as far as eyes can see, breathtaking cliffs, big waves hitting the rocks and the beautiful view of Mt. Iraya. Am I really in the Philippines?

Of course, we won't miss the chance to wear Ivatan headgears (vakul and kanayi ) which traditional Ivatans use for protection from the harsh sunlight and rain while farming.

We had a sumptuous lunch at Morong beach which was our final stop in Sabtang Island before heading back to Basco. They served us chopseuy, Ivatan adobo, fish steak and seaweed soup.

We only had a limited time as the last faluwa ride was only until 12:30pm so we only stayed in Morong beach for 10mins for photo ops to the famous Ahaw Arc Formation

And then there goes the scariest boat ride I've ever experienced going back to Basco. As in tumalon puso ko as I see the big waves hitting our faluwa. The boat captain was steering the boat by foot. He must have mastered the flow of big waves of West Philippine Sea. Hehehe. But thank God for a safe trip!

At 2:30pm we were already back at Marfel's. Even though its just a half day tour but we felt so drained. Maybe because we're lack of sleep the past few days. We've agreed to meet Ron and go biking around town proper to see what we can buy in the market for dinner. But myyy, my ever dependable boyfriend didn't set the alarm.  We woke up past 6pm already. The market in Batanes closes early and we don't want another canned goods for dinner. And so we invited Ron  to join us for dinner in Shanedel's Inn restaurant. They're one of the restos in Basco that offers coconut crab. Though the coconut crab is quite expensive (Php100.00 per gram) pikit mata namen inorder out of curiosity just to identify the difference from the regular crab. I think the difference was the alege (crab fat) of coconut crab tastes a bit bitter. Yun lang. Nothing else. Hehe. We also ordered pork steak, venes & ivatan rice. 

Another couple who was with us during our Sabtang tour happens to be staying in ShaneDel's Inn. They just came from dinner date in Fundacion Pacita and so when they saw us dining at the Inn's resto,sinamahan nila kame for an endless chitchat. Ang saya lang!  .I asked them how was their experience with Fundacion Pacita as we also made a dinner reservation with them the next day.. the couple surprisingly discouraged us. They said its overrated from blog reviews. Disappointed from the feedback we've heard, we immediately cancelled our reservation. Perfect timing because Jan's mom knows someone from Basco and he was kind enough to treat us a sumptuous dinner in Octagon restaurant.

Part 1: South Batan, Batanes

Part 2: Sabtang Island, BatanesPart 3: South Batan, Batanes

Rica ♡

Batanes Day 1: North Batan ❤

Hello beautiful people!

Im back after a whole year of not updating my blog. :) I got lazy blogging last year because my laptop already died  :( Though I still havent bought a replacement yet and blogging could be quite difficult using mobile phone, I'd patiently blog in my phone anyway while my memory is still fresh .. And I want to start my first blog entry for 2015 by sharing with you our 2nd anniversary celebration in the beautiful island of Batanes! YAY!

Selfie inside the plane.  hehe

My favorite jet.. Philippine Airlines..

After 1 and 25mins flight, we finally arrived at Basco airport.

As we stepped outside the plane, the cool & strong gust of wind and The beautiful view of Mt. Iraya from the end of runway welcomed us.

Basco Airport.


We stayed in Marfel's Lodge in our 4days and 3 nights stay in Basco and availed their fan room for Php700 per night (good for 2pax). Marfel's Lodge has 3 brances: The main (near the airport), extension and annex (where we stayed). The lodge has a homey ambiance with communal areas, big patio where we usually stay when having coffee and a beautiful garden. It has its own Honesty mini grocery store, hot shower, clean towel provided, free refillable purified drinking water and a kitchen for cooking with basic kitchen utensils.

Marfel's Lodge Annex

Marfel's Lodge Annex Communal Living and Dining Area

Marfel's Lodge common kitchen

Marfel's Lodge Patio

Our fan room in Marfel's Lodge. Because its cold season in Batanes, aircon is not needed, not even a fan. In our first day, we requested for an extra pillow and warm blanket and Ate Fe, the owner, didnt charge us for that. She is so nice and friendly and she would always check on us to make sure that our needs are being met. I love Ate Fe!

Beautiful flowers at Marfel's Lodge garden

We availed our group tour with Bisumi Travel which is one of the well-known travel agencies in Batanes. We only have limited time in this Island so we decided to begin our tour immediately right after we checked-in. Our guide picked us up in Marfel's at exactly 12noon. And when we entered the van.. Surprise.. We only had one joiner. So literally it's just the 3 of us for this [group] tour. Hehe. Ron, our joiner is very easy to get along with and we're glad he's our company for our entire trip in Batanes. We started our tour with a welcome lunch at a private Ivatan house.. They served us pako salad (which  tastes really good, we ate this everyday in Batanes), seaweed soup, fish and squid--all are ivatan's delicacies. Too bad it was already late when I remembered to take a picture.

After lunch we went straight to Mt Carmel church. I could imagine an intimate wedding here with the beautiful view of rolling hills as your backdrop.

 Next stop PAGASA Radar Station which is just a few steps walk from Mt. Carmel Church and WWII Japanese Hideout/Tunnel

For me, the highlight of our tour was the Valugan Boulder Beach.. Instead of sand, the beach was filled with beautiful pebbles and boulders.. Our guide informed us that the boulders came from Mt. Iraya after it erupted hundred years ago. The strong waves polishes the rough rocks through time. Amazing!

Then we headed to the famous Vayang Rolling Hills..

Kuya art is one of the requested guides of Bisumi Travel kasi parang nagkwekwento Lang and would not give you too much info unlike the other guides. He also serves as our photographer.. Suggesting us of nice pose so most of our pictures turned out to be like a prenup shoot. Hehe. Well if you have a picturesque and scenic view like batanes, you can't really help but to take a lot of pictures!

Anong sinabi samen ni Echo at Tintin? hehe

Our 1st day tour in batanes ended in light house of Naidi hills viewing the beautiful sunset

And a jumpshot.

Part 1: South Batan, Batanes
Part 2: Sabtang Island, BatanesPart 3: South Batan, Batanes

Rica ♡

My September ♥

Hello strangers..

So here I am trying to blog again. It's the last Sunday of this month and I can say that September has been a crazy month for me getting adjusted to a new position I was assigned with after my boss resigned & adjusting to our new home.. Yes,we just moved to a new house almost a couple of weeks ago. The entire house was painted with a light apple green color & I never thought that green can be that relaxing to the eyes.. We also have an attic that we're still figuring out what to do since its pretty big. It's half the size of the entire house. Hmmmm.. How I love our new house .. I pray to God that I could have the means to buy this house & give to my parents before I get married.

 with my cute,naughty nephew,Xian :))

the attic :))

Also, September is the birth month of the two important people in my life-- my nephew and boyfriend. Jan and I had a simple dinner at Sentro 1771 at Glorietta and spent the rest of the night with a refreshing cocktails in a bar that I completely forgot the name :)) The place was so romantic with candle lights, relaxing couch & good music.. We totally had a perfect night!~

  This man really knocks me off my feet. I feel secure & incredibly happy whenever I'm with him.~~

I still have so much to share but its already 11:00pm and I need to sleep now..

Till my next post. (^_^)

Goodnight!!~

Always,

Rica ♡

My Mid-year 2013 Resolution Review

Hello everyone.. 

Time is really flying by so quickly! I cant believe that we are half way through 2013-- So I thought this is the good time for me to look back at my New Year's Resolution . I  was pleasantly surprised and really happy  of  the progress I've made so far. Im proud to say that I've already accomplished more than half of my 2013 goals in half a year--18 accomplished goals out of 25, Not bad, right? =D

 Let's start with my goal number 3 which is losing weight and my bellyfats and the rest just follows(because they are somehow connected to each other) hehehe... I'm not literally fat but I was really unhappy with my body. I remember my cousins always tease me with my big, round & bloated tummy that is why losing weight has always been my #1 list in my yearly resolution. But for some reasons, my past attempts of doing it all at once--dieting, exercising, hitting the gym and then some only made me discouraged and hungry. T_T

But this year, I have made a serious commitment of making my resolution of losing weight a reality! For the past months, I religiously exercise during Wednesday and weekends. During Saturday, I jog early in the morning and walk my dogs then during Sundays I do indoor exercise by following some exercise videos in youtube

Work-out time ^_^

With my sweethearts. I walk them after I jog. ( Goal number 6) :)

 I also became aware of my food intakes. I now avoid eating junk or any processed foods and try to eat as many healthy foods as possible such as vegetables and fruits. I also try to reduce the amount of rice I eat because believe it or not, I can consume as much as 3-4 cups of rice per meal.. (I knowwww.. pull my hair now) hahaha. And I'm glad to share that for the past 3 months, I only eat 1/2 cup of rice for lunch and 3 spoonful rice for dinner . Hahaha. I know I'm crazy!

 So now after months of working hard, from 29 waist line ( I know this is such a huge shame), my waist line is now 27! 1 inch to go!! wohhooo. Now the real challenge is keeping my current weight. But Im not going to be discouraged and lazy.. I plan to continue exercising and watch my diet--forever! Not only because I want to maintain being fit but also because I want to be more healthy and stronger as I age :)

Speaking of beautification (goal numbers 21 and 22), I now pay more attention to my skin by exfoliating every other 2 or 3 days, applying lotion after I bath and putting lemons to my knees,elbows & underarm to make them lighter. I also dont miss taking vitamins and supplements such as Vit C, E and Iron and I hot oil my hair weekly :)

Also, I now go to my work early recently (because I was forced to due to the new coastal terminal). I leave our house 5:30 am and I will be at the office at around 6:40 or before 7am. So I still have an hour to take a nap at my desk.. hmmm not bad. So my #7 resolution is accomplished because of Tolentino. :)

 As you may have noticed, most of my resolution for this year are more of a personal goals. Nxt year I want to focus on my Career and Financial goals! Yey! I'm thinking of changing a career and be independent. Hmmm.. Let's see what will happen. But for now I will work first on my unaccomplished goals..

So how are your goals going so far? I'd love for you to share? ^_^

Always,

Rica ♡

Lee Min Ho "My Everything Global Tour" in Manila

Hello! (^_^)

I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend! As for me, I'm still in my fan-girl mood over my super duper ultimate crush Lee Min Ho. :)) I'm so happy that I got to see him again for the second time after 8 months. hehehe~~ So here's the photo collage of the only descent photos I've taken using my old digicam [that I also posted in my facebook account] during his first "My Everything Global Tour" in Manila last night at MOA Arena. I only got to buy an upperbox ticket that I purchased the night before his concert so the photos were pretty far.. But oh well thank goodness my seatmate let me borrowed her binocular so I still got to see him clearly by afar.. :) 

 Lee Min Ho is L.O.V.E.

Hope to see you again oppa! :)

Always,
Rica ♡