#I was also eating a lot of markers in my dream j had like three

[aurorabeatriz]

BATANES: North Batan Tour

Who would not want Batanes in their bucket list? The northernmost province of the country is known to be the hardest and most expensive trip every traveler had to encounter, unless of course if you take advantage of the airlines’ seat sale like I did. This is because of the notion of harsh and unpredictable weather condition, expensive cost of ticket, food and other expenses and and a long distance travel. But every cent you spend in this beautiful place is worth it.

BUT I DID NOT CARE! Batanes is my dream destination that I’ve never dared book an out of the country trip unless I visit this breath taking place. Last year, I promised myself to spend my birthday in Batanes, no matter how expensive the plane ticket is, no matter what the circumstances are, including the three-day work in research and my family’s disapproval of travelling during birthday occasions because birthdays are a family affair.

I’ve been searching for this place since last year. According to bloggers, the best time to visit Batanes is during the so called winter season on December to March. Many said that during summer, the hills are brown and the weather is very hot that you would rather stay in the shade than to visit the places. I would figure out that tourists cannot sing “the hills are alive.” Luckily, my birthday in on the third week of January. And mind you, the network signal in Batanes is very strong. I got an LTE connection for globe even in Sabtang.

Why Batanes? Why not! With its unspoiled postcard perfect hills, picturesque beaches, mouth-watering Ivatan foods and delicacies, traditions and rich historical and cultural treasures, it is definitely a dream destination for photographers and travelers. Or maybe because as a double major in Political Science-History, it fascinates me to visit a place with rich historical and cultural background. Batanes is the country’s smallest province in terms of population (home to 17,000 Ivatans) and land area. It is dubbed as the Land of the Winds and Paradise of the North. Three of the islands are inhabited namely Batan where the capital of the province, Basco, is located, Sabtang and Itbayat.

I endured a very exhausting connecting flight from Iloilo to Batanes because of the cold Amihan wind affecting the whole country (I’m not used to cold) and the delay in the runway. But I am still grateful for the experience.

As the plane descended in Basco airport at ten in the morning, tourists and travellers were welcomed by the majestic view of Mount Iraya, an active volcano that erupted in the 1400s. We also had a glimpse of the well-known stone structure of the airport’s departure and arrival area. I also enjoyed the free airport service of Marfel Lodge.

I stayed in the most recommended accommodation in Batanes, the Marfel Lodge’s main building. I was greeted by Ate Emy and Ate Kris who tended to me for my five day-four night stay. They are so very friendly and accommodating. The lodge has its own version of the well-known honesty store, an unmanned store where tourists buy the products and leave their payment. What to do in Batanes? Just be honest, pati sa imo feelings J. My room is very clean and comfy too! Everything in the lodge screams of simplicity and cleanliness.

I decided to take a bath after the exhausting trip. The weather is so cold I forgot to use the hot shower. I spent a lot of time in the bathroom because I enjoyed seeing my breath J. Then I slept for an hour then started the North Batan Tour. It was a joiner trip offered by Marfel Lodge and Chanpan Tours where I got to know other tourists. On the first day, we were eight including our tour guide, Kuya Art and his apprentice, Krista. During my last day in Batanes, Krista told me that their afternoon class is spent for fieldwork, which means they get to join tours as part of their curriculum given that Batanes is known to be a tourist destination. We first ate our lunch and Kuya Art gave an orientation about the tour then proceeded to Batanes Provincial Hall to pay for the Batanes Environmental Fee worth P350.00 and Protected Area Entrance Fee worth P50.00.

North Batan Tour (January 25, 2019)

Mount Carmel Church (Tukon Church)

Our first stop in the Mount Carmel Church also known as the Tukon Church, which is under construction during our visit. The church’s walls are made up of boulders, the door is wooden, and the windows are stained glass with images of church’s icons. Inside are the images painted in the altar and the ceilings. At the back of the church is the view of Mount Iraya, on the left side is an ocean and on the right side is the green hills. I spent few minutes appreciating the scenery while waiting for the front church to be vacated by other tourists.

Pag-asa Weather Station

Then we proceeded to the Pag-asa Weather Station of Basco located in a hill, just a few meters away from Tukon Chapel. It was formerly looked like a ball atop a building, however, according to Kuya Art, it was destroyed by a recent typhoon. It also offers a good view of Basco’s landscape and seascape. We had a nice view of the hills and winding road at three in the afternoon.

Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel

This Japanese tunnel was built during World War II by local Ivatans and served as the Japanese military’s hideout. It is located strategically in Tukon hills with a view of Basco’s town proper. We had to do a duck walk to safely exit the tunnel. Above the exit is a hill offering a good view of Mount Iraya, Basco airport runway and the Pacific Ocean.

Fundacion Pacita

Fundacion Pacita is not part of the itinerary, however we tried our luck to visit the place but luck is not in our favour because it was closed for an event. It was decorated mby a well-trimmed and managed garden with a restaurant known as Café Tukon for those who fancy eating Batanes’ popular foods. Then we had a glimpse of the place from afar.

Valugan Boulder Beach

Valugan Beach, locally known as Chanpan (according to its marker where Chanpan Tours derived its name), “is a sacred fishing port of the fishermen, most especially those from Barangay San Joaquin.” The boulders “are said to be evidences of geological forces from the volcanic eruptions of Mt. Iraya around 325 BC and two others around 286 AD and 505 AD. This stretch of boulders and gravel, smooth over time by the strong waves of the West Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean, is a habitat to a variety of marine crustaceans and molluscs.” It is also a favourite destination of photographers and tourists who want to enjoy the sunrise and the sunset.

Vayang Rolling Hills

Vayang Rolling Hills is one of the most popular attractions in North Batan. It is made up of different hues of green hills, with grazing goats and cows, and chickens and a magnificent view of the sky and ocean. Itbayat can be seen from this place. It also offers a view of the Basco lighthouse.

I was mesmerized by the place that I forgot to take a lot of photos and instead spent time sitting and watching the greenery view and the contrasting afternoon sun light in front of me. Thank God for letting me meet Krista, I had somebody to talk to while admiring the view. There were countless times that I exclaimed “Shet! Ang ganda” the entire tour, most of which when I was in this place. I told her that may be this place is a cure for a depressed person because I felt like my problems vanished like a bubble by just inhaling the fresh air and looking at the beautiful creation in front of me.

Naidi Hills and Basco Lighthouse

This is the last stop of the first day tour in Batanes where we got to spend the sunset as the temperature got colder. The Basco lighthouse can be seen from the airplane’s A window seat as I approached Batanes. It is made of stones or rubbles and the only lighthouse in Batanes where tourists can climb the top and get to see the view of Basco. Not too far from the lighthouse are two renovated structures of the World War II ruins that once were old telegraph facilities of the Americans. The far end is the dark structure, evident from the ruins of the bombing.

The Basco lighthouse is also the favourite destinations of photographers who love to do astrophotography. Kuya Art even invited me to a photoshoot for my birthday (see my South Batan Tour blog post). Thank you Kuya Art!

After the spectacular glimpse of Batanes North Batan Tour, I dined with Patricia, also one of those who availed the Chanpan tour, in the Pension Ivatan, a restaurant offering a reasonable price for a sumptuous meal. We tried the uved/uvud balls popularly known in Batanes and it did not disappoint. It was a tasty treat for us.

I was so excited for the next day tour that I slept early (plus factor the no rest-tour agad). We had to wake up early the next day for the Sabtang tour. ###

#batanes #neverstopexploring #tumblr #travel #choosephilippines #itsmorefuninthephilippines #philippines #wanderlust

[brokenlinesacrossme]

unfinished business.

Friday

Slept pretty damn well for the first time in long, even though I had this crazy dream that right now I can’t remember. It’s funny how unconcious works - it creates a vivid image of something and then you wake up it’s all gone.

Anyways, just woke up to the fact that my uncle had bought the groceries and that I was supposed to clean them up. I always thought that  when I was finaly free and living alone I definitely would clean all the packages before storing it up on my house but tbh it’s just so tiring I don’t think I could.

I spent the next three hours on it, in between little argues with my grandma. She loves to get in the  middle of everything I do and it drives me crazy. I don’t try to tell her how she should do things and I think she should not do it to me as well.

When I finaly ended the cleaning, I went to take a shower. I was supposed to study after this, but I felt tired af then went to bed so I could relax some time. It didn’t take too long for me to realize I had an opportunity to call c. and we spent some crazy hours talking over the phone. When we were finaly done then it was time for me to have lunch. Btw I eat lots of crap today -had nuggets for breakfast, nuggets with pasta for lunch and tons of candy. I’m pretty sure I’m prediabetic by now and I should really start doing something about it.

After lunch I was supposed to study but once again I postponed it so I could call J. We started the conversation in a fine manner, but when realized that we’ve already had completed 3 years together, I started to talk about how I freak out thinking about time. And I decided that was also a fine moment to talk about the future - especially my future. Since I’m as next as possible from graduating, I’m starting to consider all my options for next year(s) and being me it includes the possibility of moving out. I was damn sure that this year I’d graduate in early June and would spend all year working to get money so 2021 I’d move from here. But that’s not how it went and now I’m thinking about leaving here to RJ/EC/SP and where the fuck I have contacts so I can spend 30 days and see if I can get a job. This decision is up to me but it depends on so much things: if I’m really ready to leave my friends and family, if I’m ready to leave j., how pandemics is going to be next year…

Anyway, I tried to talk and all I got back was unsentimental responses like “you should do what you gotta do” and I felt again tired. During our relation it has been always like that:he hides his feelings so I won’t have to deal with them. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love if it worked. But it only lasts some weeks/months and then when he blows out, it’s always exaggerated and in the worst timing ever. And I could predict that this was going on again. I decided to end that call for the day and tried to concentrate my efforts on studying.

Of course he could tell something was wrong by the way that I hang up and sent me some texts saying he knows he was a little insensitive. I let it go by and called c. again and we talked for another couple hours.

It wasn’t much long since I really get to study. I ended up reading 10 pages of a marvelous book that definitely going to help me out on my last paper. I wanted so bad to continue reading but I ran out of markers and there were no point of not highlighting things I’d quote, then I called him again. He counseled me to go to the 24h market next to my house so I could bought one but my grandma was already asleep and I was afraid that if I’d go out she would miss me. It’s terrifying how I lost all my liberty in this context of live but ok, I’ll talk to her tomorrow to let her now that I’m still going out sometimes at night.

He chatted a little bit and I decided it was time to reply what he had told me about being insensitive. I exposed all my feeling about how I was trying to make this hard decision something about us as well. Even though it’s up to me, I want to hear what he has to say about me moving and how he feels and sees all this. I’m trying to give him some power over my life and include him as a factor in the decision, but I was afraid that I’d give him too much power. He ended up understanding that he has to claim his spot as well as a factor it’s not only up to me to do it.

I finished the day arranging the ingredients to make meat loaf tomorrow. I only have to go out and get some mint to put on it.

I was thinking about reading a literature book before going to bed but I can already feel my eyes closing. Guess it’s time to go.

[crazymothertrucker2-blog]

"We gotta roll"

Well we finally did it! It was going to be just Audrey on a two - three week vacation but Christain REALLY wanted to go too so off we went. We took off Sat, July 7th, early afternoon. I balked about leaving because Steph and Henry were still there until Wednesday. Keith kept reminding me of just HOW FAR Chicago was and that we HAD to get going!! I knew he was right but hard to pull myself away. 

The kids were beyond excited and ready to get spoiled. The first stop of course was to get our "Eat n drink on". So chips and soda in hand, we were off! 

We drove 438 miles the first day. Audrey challenged me again to a Hubba Hubba bubble blowing contest, so we made sure to get some gum at our first stop. 

Our stop for the night was Lime Oregon, population 5. The man that bought Keiths property a few years ago lets us stay at the house when we come through. He only uses it for an office. He leased some property above and is putting windmills up there. Pretty smart guy selling energy!! 

When we got there, Keith had already told the story of the old school house that's still standing a few hundred feet away. "Years ago this old school house was only open for one year. It's told that the principal went crazy and killed himself and everyone in the school one morning. Nobody ever knew why"!! Of course, I hate scaring kids in any way other than coming around the corner and spooking them but wouldn't ya know pappa Keith thrives on the spooky story stuff!! It might have been fun to go along with but I just couldn't do that to my babies. So before we even entered the house, we had to go in and see the "haunted" school house. Audrey and I kept our safe distance not wanting any of what Christian was SURE to get. They opened doors very slowly, neitherone knowing what to expect. Poor Christain didn't have a chance when pappa Keith shouted "watch out!" in his booming voice. Audrey is so brave, she wanted in on opening the doors to see. I mostly wanted out because of knowing their MUST be snakes!!! It was fun and the kids were laughing until on the way into the house, pappa told them this was where the principal lived! They stayed close to grandma as we looked the house over..;)

I reminded them AGAIN that none of it was true. It was about 9pm, we found some baked beans in the pantry and bread in the freezer and ate like the cowboys did on the cattle drives. We played a game of Trouble. Audrey kicked our butts and was over joyed.We talked of another game but I knew how early "The Driver" would be rounding us up to hit the road, so I sent them off to shower and we bedded down for our first night. 

We left about 6:30am Sunday morning. The kids were awake and happy to be on to the next adventure. When we past Farewell Bend, I googled the history which is something Keith and I do a lot. It's fun to learn what life must have been like people hundreds of years ago... I hoped that on this trip the kids would learn an appreciation for our history and our ancestors who never let fear keep them from experiencing life and going forward to make their dreams come true. We talked a bit about how the pioneers were sad to say goodbye to the Snake River that they had followed for so long, thankful for all it had to offer in keeping them alive. I'm sure they all were fearful of what lay ahead by leaving the security of that river.

We passed the Van Orum historical marker, I Googled it and we learned "The Utter-Van Ornum party left Wisconsin in May 1860, most heading for Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The wagon train—which consisted of eighteen men, five women, twenty-one children, twelve wagons, and one hundred head of livestock—arrived at the abandoned Fort Hall on August 21, 1860, encountering no major difficulties along the way. A company of U.S. Army dragoons had been stationed near the fort earlier that year to escort wagon trains through the Snake River country, but they escorted the Utter-Van Ornum party for only six days, purportedly because the commanding officer was upset with members of the train. About ten days after parting from the dragoon escort, the Utter-Van Ornum train was attacked by approximately one hundred Indians, probably a mixed group of Shoshone and Bannock, perhaps accompanied by several white men." The attack and its aftermath are described in detail in the accompanying newspaper article. Eleven emigrants were killed during the first two days, after which the survivors abandoned their wagons and fled, splitting into several groups. The Van Ornums and three other emigrants were later killed in mid-October near present-day Huntington, (which is only 5 miles from where we stayed our first night) Another group stayed along the Owyhee River. They were finally rescued by the U.S. Army forty-five days after the initial attack. Of the original forty-four members of the Utter-Van Ornum party, only sixteen survived, including one of the Van Ornum children who was rescued from the Shoshone two years later. 

We stopped a few miles down the road to grab Arbyes breakfast. The kids watched Clifford then read a bit. They also spent hours playing with little man too. I'm glad we have such a great dog for my grandkids. 

The time seemed to go fast on our drive through Idaho. When in Utah, we watched maybe a hundred rafters lazily floating down a river. We stopped to take pictures at the Devils Slide, a really unusual rock formation that always amazes me every time we pass it. It consist of two parallel limestone strata that tilt and come hundreds of feet down the Mountain. The rock formation protrudes 40 feet out from the mountain, erosion happened more quickly in the middle so about 25 feet across all the way down, there is hardly any rock. The kids thought that was very cool. Audrey thought it would be fun to slide down. She's definitely the adventurous one!! 

We got down the road and just knew it was ice cream time, so the Flying J was a welcome site for weary travelers....

We hit Wyoming and things started winding down, not much to look at so we put a western on to watch. Well, not really a western, "Centennial" is more about pioneer history. Before the cowboys and civilization in the west when trappers were trading with theIndians. Can't say at first they were thrilled, but you put two kids in a truck, take away the "Game Devices" and they find a whole new appreciation for the simpler things in life. 

We passed historical markers and would talk about some of them. Pappa Keith went off the beaten path so we could see one of the original, "Overland Stations" where people rode a stagecoach for days in unbearable heat, bouncing around on wood seats, covered in dirt by the time they arrived. After a meal and fresh horses, they would get back on the trail for hours, sometimes days, enduring until the next station. 

The kids explored some of the ruins asking questions. We walked around it looking in the windows. Audrey decided it would be more fun to climb in and see how it looked from "the inside out". I wasn't to excited, it looked creepy with the dirt floor and who knows what crawling around!!! But if my girl is brave enough and i don't really see danger, I gotta let her experience life...:) We walked up the hill a ways to where there were the graves of six nameless travelers that were killed by outlaws, One was supposedly the infamous. "Jack Slade"!! Amazing how far we've come, I think it's good to remember those that endured hardships to pave the way. I guess the "knowing" makes us appreciate what we have!

That second day we drove a long one, 778miles. When finally stopped at around 11:30 I knew this night was not really going to be all about sleep, really more about survival. I tried to imagine all day HOW we (dog included) were all going to "sleep" in this truck!! I knew I would have the coveted spot ("The Bed") for the night but knowing how much I toss and turn I just couldn't see a child fitting into the picture. By the time we stopped, I really didn't care I just wanted a bed. Pappa Keith pulled to theback of a Flying J where it seemed perfect. Dark, no trucks (yet) and quiet. Once we pulled in, got the towels over the windows, (don't laugh, you do what you have to do as a trucker) Audrey announced that she had to poo poo! Soooo, we took the towels down and drove over to the station so Audrey could go.  

We settled in for our long night in Laramie, Wy. thankful to have a truck to call "Home". I crawled in the back and we put Little Man outside on the tank (for the first time in his life). I wasn't really sure how that would go!? First we put Audrey with me but that just didn't seem like it would work. We decided that she was just the right size to stretch out across the middle console in between the seats, her pillow on the closed computer. Her feet stretched into the back onto my belly. It all seemedperfect. How this little girl would not wake up in total pain was beyond my imagination. It could only be attributed to her young, healthy body. Although, I think even that would have its limits sleeping on that hard surface. Christian, seemed excited about sleeping in the passenger seat tilted back. He might have had second thoughts when he realized his seat was not going to lean back as far as pappa Keith's! Not only wouldn't, it couldn't because Grandma's head needed some room! I really do "Trucker Up " as much as I can, but with Keith's seat practically laying on my feet, and me mentally having to remind myself "This is not a sardine can", I cringed at the thought of Christian coming back one more inch.

They stretched one sleeping bag over all three of them with no worries, it's Wyoming in the summer. We laughed at how we looked, towels stretched across the windows, dog outside on a blanket, us all sprawled "Every Which Way, But Loose". And the night wasofficially started! I woke up about 10 times. I'm not really sure if any of the four hours counted as "a night's sleep". I wanted to keep checking to make sure the kids were covered up and not to cockeyed so as to have a neck ache in the morning. The first time I looked, Audrey was turned kind of in a backwards "L" shape and was using pappa Keith's belly for a pillow. NICE!! I knew then she was set for the rest of the night with sweet dreams. I found Christian a few times with his head on the middle console where Audrey might have been if she hadn't found a softer landing. In the middle of the night, Little Man decided to come sleep with me. I woke up feeling something tugging on the sheet. His whole bottom half, slid down between the passenger seat and my mattress. I pulled him up and he never even woke up. I think he was extra tired from playing with the kids. We all survived it and chalked it up for "A Memory"! I keep telling the kids, "It's fun to experience new things". 

We woke up the next morning and there were some low lying clouds making everything look spooky. The sun wasn't up yet and it was a little chilly. Christian said, "Grandma LOOK, that motel looks like a ghost house!". It really did too. The fog wrapped itself around the Marriott Motel, coming up half way. It stood there looking like a mystic castle against the empty background of Wyoming. So our day began and we stopped for breakfast. When pappa Keith pulled into Micky Ds, I knew I wouldn't be the ONLY one cringing. Audrey had already explained back in Walla Walla how they "used the whole chicken for the nuggets" not only that "but all the sick ones too"! Needless to say, hunger and pappa Keith at our heels made for a speedy "Pit Stop" without complaining. We did what needed done at the time but I knew when we got to our destination, I WOULD get to a Walmart for some healthier food!! Sorry, Mom and Dad, we gotta "Trucker Up" at times.

We had another "Pit Stop" in Gothenburg, Nebraska. Keith and I stop here all the time. It has a Museum with an old Sod house in the back. It happened to be opened that day which was neat other than we were still in a BIG hurry. I took the kids back to see the inside of the house. They excitedly rushed around saying, "Grandma, look at this!". We read the little sign that told about how the pioners had to build their houses out of whatever was available on the land. For the lack of timber or other building supplies like daddy uses, they used mud and straw, white washing the inside with several layers to keep the insects out. It was all one room with a dirt floor, bed to one side and wood stove and eating table on the other. Very primitive. Life had to have been so hard for them but don't ya just wonder if they may have been happier than a lot of people today? We went into the museum and the lady told us that back in the 1860s the government was giving away 160 acres to whoever got there first. One of the things that had to be done right away was to build a structure of some kind. The government still owned it for five years of "proofing " before they could legally call it their own. Fun stuff we were learning out here!

Our next day was a little shorter. Pappa got us a motel with a pool in Avoca, Iowa. We had so much fun!! First we stopped and got some dinner (Mexican) then headed to the Motel 6. The kids chowed down and we headed to the pool. I didn't have a suit so I watched which totally works for me because I really don't care for swimming. Pappa Keith came in and totally shocked us by jumping in fully dressed! There were five teen age kids down at the other end that were as surprised as we were...haha. We all laughed and squealed with surprise cheering him on! 

I was laughing so hard at them playing, Keith was throwing them high up and then they started pretending to be WWF wrestlers. I was snapping pictures not wanting to miss a great shot. Later I thought, "WOW, he just burned a memory onto this page of their lives!! How awesome is that?!" I definitely wont pass up one of "those" moments again! It really was a great time. 

Back at the room, they showered and we watched some "Redneck" TV. Some reality show where this redneck family in the deep south became rich on making duck caller gadgets. It was pretty funny. The CMA awards were on too so we introduced them to some good ol country music! Hate to tell ya, cause I know some reading this might revolt at the idea but they LIKED it, they REALLY LIKED it! When TV was off, Pappa and Christian proceeded to entertain us again with their nightly WWF wrestling competition. Audrey always ends up getting in on it too, silly girl... I know better after 5 years being "wrestled" with. As for kids, someone always seemed to get hurt in the end...guess who that was??!! I keep my distance now.

We got to sleep after some tossing and squirming, but for some reason it never seems like enough sleep. Funny, but theses kids have even been taking naps which I'm sure they hate to take at home. We'd been rolling pretty hard. But it was all worth it. Our fun stop this day was the biggest truck stop in America in Walcott, Iowa. They were AMAZED walking through this huge building that seemed to go on forever. They were allowed to climb up into the big 18 wheeler show trucks displayed, pretending to be truckers. Our plan was to come back through on Thursday, depending on where our loads might take us. They'd be having their annual Trucker Jambererie! That might be one of those events you just GOTTA see to believe...haha.

We grabbed some ice cream and headed East, getting closer to our destination. We hit Illinois. When we went through Chicago, (well the outskirts, we always try to avoid getting too close as the traffic here is a mess most the time) the kids were playing ontheir games so I made it a point to look at the city out in the distance pointing out the tallest building in the USA, The Sears Tower. 

We got to the Horizon yard early afternoon in Wakarusa, Indiana. Keith had to go into the office to hand in our paper work so we went fishing in the pond way in the back lot. I had bought a good amount of food at Walmart, so we fixed some sandwiches quickly and got to what was important...fishing! Audrey ran to the other side first to feed the geese. Christian and I fished. I knew it was not the right time of day but as a line in this new song by Toby Keith goes, "She thinks we're just fishin". In this case "they" meaning, they just think its fishing, but really what it is, is creating a whole lot of great memories! My heart was exploding with all this love and with the great memories thatI'm hoping my babies can have forever. If i could have a wish, I think it would be to somehow be present in "spirit" when they share the stories with their own kids. "The summer vacation of 2012", traveling from the west coast to east then down south having the time of their lives with Grandma and Pappa Keith, living like gypsies (ok "Truckers"). Gypsy just sounds better for some reason. Having fun, not really planning too far ahead for the next Adventure - just being able to say, "Hey, that would be fun! Yeah let's DO THAT"!! Oh how I wish I could be that "little fly on the wall" when the stories are retold. I can only wish.