My indie World:): BATANES - AT THE END OF FOREVER (PART 2

We were informed that our second day was about visiting the other municipalities in Batanes – Mahatao, Ivana, and Uyugan. Our call time was at 9:00am. We were picked up by Lando our tour guide for that day. Along with other tourists, we have started another memorable day of exploring Batanes – the so called “land of promise”.

Mahatao, Ivana, and Uyugan are situated in the southern part of Batan Island. They are considered as the 6th class municiplities of Batanes.

We first went to Mahatao and according to the research Mahatao was originally named San Carlos de Mahatao. The town is rich in natural tourist attractions.

Mahatao view deck
Actually we have a first glimpsed of the view deck on our first day; it was the last part of our Day 1 itinerary, but our second day started at Mahatao view deck .

The Mahatao Lighthouse

Like I always tell my friends, if how will I describe Batanes? Well, they have plenty of lighthouses there and one is Mahatao lighthouse. This lighthouse has its own beauty. It is octagonal in shape; it has its own style that makes it an emblemic structure in Batan Island. We were able to go inside and climbed up the lighthouse and got a chance to enjoy the mid-air view.

Diura Fishing Village

Our tour guide Lando told us about how sacred the tradition of fishing here in the small village of Diura. It was good that we went here during the Dorado fishing season which will lasts from March to May. According to Lando the ceremony begins every first Sunday of the March, wherein a spiritualist or a shaman will slay a boar that will serve as an offering and all the way through the ceremony the shaman can foretell if the year’s catch will be bountiful. Their catches are not being sold during the entire fishing season; they are being dried and horded until the end of the season. During our visit it was very visible that plenty of fishes already hanging out to dry.

Spring/Fountain of Youth

Straight ahead from the fishing village is the Spring of Youth. We hiked for almost 30 minutes going there. There’s natural spring that was created, a grotto of Virgin Mary, and a swimming pool also. Down straight is the Diura beach.

Marlboro Country (Racuh A Payaman)

Marlbory Country is simply the most breathtaking view in Batanes. The beauty of nature in a picture perfect landscape was illustrated here. The place was very romantic and calm. I can imagine myself staying here the whole day just thinking about nothing, just to take the pleasure of seeing this wonderful landscape and let the day pass is not a big deal with me. Words are really not enough to describe this place.

Another thing that comes to my mind when I was here >>> ♫♫The hills are alive with the sound of music♫♫ >>> being here was like going back to the “Sound of Music” era. I thought that Julie Andrews will come from nowhere singing the OST of the Sound of Music, because the place really reminds me of the film.

This is also the perfect location for Jumpology shots!