Batanes [Thread 3]

[Mr.Punch]

With all these pork-related anomalies being linked to the Abads, I'm inclined to believe that Fundacion Pacita was constructed using taxpayers' money and now has the gall to be the most expensive lodging house in Batanes.

So I say, boycott Fundacion Pacita!  (Even if I can't really afford to stay there in the first place.)

[ayionick]

may alam ba kayo na nag-DIY tour sa Batanes? sa day 1 kasi 2 palang kame ni hubby ko, ika-2nd day pa dadating yung friends namin.

may nabasa ako sa isang blog na may nakausap syang DIY tour guide, tryke driver daw sya actually. but when i asked the blogger di daw nya ma-recommend sakin kasi di nya naman na-experience magpa-tour dun sa tryke driver.

and what itinerary can you advice kung ganito ang trip dates namin considering may kasal kame aattendan ng Feb.26: Feb.23-27 (2 pax), Feb.24-28 (7 pax). ok kaya yung ganitong itinerary:
Feb.23: Flight to Batanes; South Batan
Feb.24: North Batan
Feb.25: Sabtang Island
Feb.26: Postnup (optional) + Wedding (renewal of vows lang so lunch onwards pa naman ito)
Feb.27: Flight to Manila

[meimei]

question naman, i've been browsing the web on Batanes activities and saw in one website that Marlboro Hills and Naidi Hills were described as "trekking" activities (well syempre kasi you have to go up the hill). pero i just want to ask how it is, like is it really steep? around ilang minutes? have you seen senior citizens go up here?

gusto ko kasing isama parents ko who are 64 and 61 yrs old. ang nanay ko na 61 ay sobrang lakas at bibo pa so i'm sure it's not a problem for her. iniisip ko lang yung dad ko na 64... medyo may arthritis na kasi siya pero he exercises pa rin (nagba-bike pa rin siya regularly, yun yung exercise niya) so active naman siya. pero prolonged walking, medyo nahihirapan siya. so i just wanted to check how long and rough the "trek" is for each hill.

[Mr.Punch]

^I'm sure it won't be a problem for your parents.  The drop-off point is almost the same level as the tops of the hills, so when you get there, they can just choose to stay from a high vantage point. 

In any case, it's not advisable rin naman to go all the way down because when you get to the bottom, there's really nothing to see.

[chinkyann]

Girl , may option ka if you want to trek. pero hinde naman talaga. madali lang sya. di need to trek to enjoy it on both places.

question naman, i've been browsing the web on Batanes activities and saw in one website that Marlboro Hills and Naidi Hills were described as "trekking" activities (well syempre kasi you have to go up the hill). pero i just want to ask how it is, like is it really steep? around ilang minutes? have you seen senior citizens go up here?

gusto ko kasing isama parents ko who are 64 and 61 yrs old. ang nanay ko na 61 ay sobrang lakas at bibo pa so i'm sure it's not a problem for her. iniisip ko lang yung dad ko na 64... medyo may arthritis na kasi siya pero he exercises pa rin (nagba-bike pa rin siya regularly, yun yung exercise niya) so active naman siya. pero prolonged walking, medyo nahihirapan siya. so i just wanted to check how long and rough the "trek" is for each hill.

[engr_neechee]

Hi All,

I was able to book flights for the travel dates April 21-25, 2014.  Looking at the all-in packages (Hotel, Tours and Food), it appears that it would cost more or less PhP15k each for me and my husband.  I always avail packages since I want to spare myself of the burden of worrying about airport transfers, meals, tours etc.  This has been my practice even before.

Is it possible that I could avail of a package lesser than PhP15k?

[missythel]

hi mga sis!!
i was able to booked last October at PAL. My flight will be on Jun 21-24.
Sana may kasabay ako from GT

[msals2007]

This is my dream destination. Kelan kaya ako makakapunta dito. Abang abang lang ng promo fares and will convince friends to visit this place. Hope I can visit this place someday

[Mr.Punch]

Hi All,

I was able to book flights for the travel dates April 21-25, 2014.  Looking at the all-in packages (Hotel, Tours and Food), it appears that it would cost more or less PhP15k each for me and my husband.  I always avail packages since I want to spare myself of the burden of worrying about airport transfers, meals, tours etc.  This has been my practice even before.

Is it possible that I could avail of a package lesser than PhP15k?

Yes, you can get cheaper packages for a 5-day period.  It really depends on the inclusions and itinerary.  If you share the details, maybe I can tell if P15,000 per person is a good rate.

[engr_neechee]

Yes, you can get cheaper packages for a 5-day period.  It really depends on the inclusions and itinerary.  If you share the details, maybe I can tell if P15,000 per person is a good rate.

pm sent.

[engr_neechee]

Hi again!

I was able to get a deal at PhP 12,870 per person.  Which would be better - Shanedel's or Batanes Resort?

I wanted Batanes resort sana because it would only be me and my husband travelling.  We used to prefer beachside accomodations (Entalula in El Nido, Hannah's in Pagudpud, Bohol Beach Club in Panglao).  I am not sure what to expect sa Batanes, honestly.  Should i prefer the serene view of the mountains or the beach? 

I understand that Shanedel's is in town.  Meaning, accessible lahat and more choices of food.  Batanes Resort, on the other hand, offers the stone houses and is far from town - the peace that i probably need.    Is Pension Ivatan also an option?

Enlighten me, please.

Thanks in advance.

[Mr.Punch]

^ Hi, sorry I haven't replied to your PM.

I'm also in the in the process of making arrangements.  I'll be in Batanes from June 8-15.  I've been doing some computations and expense scenarions from 2 guides who gave me different quotations.

In your case, P12,870 for 5 days and 4 nights is really good IF it already includes lodgings.  (If it includes overnight in Sabtang - and not just a day trip - then much, much better.)

But I suspect hindi pa kasama ang lodgings, so if it's a choice between Shanedel's and Batanes Resort, then it depends on your priorities.  I haven't stayed at both, but I've set foot in both so here's what I think:

Batanes Resort - for peace and quiet, a bit more expensive

Shanedel's - centrally-located; more convenient if you want to explore Basco on foot.

[engr_neechee]

Hi Mr. Punch

It already includes the accommodations.  I got the quote from here:

http://www.e-philippines.com.ph/philippines-travel-package/5d4n-explore-batanes-tour-package/

It's a choice between Shanedel's and Batanes Resort.  They also offer Octagon at a higher price nga lang.

I am particular sa ambiance ng accomodations.  I didn't like Hannah's in Pagudpud but if you are familiar with Balay da Blas in Laoag, Coron Village Lodge in Coron, Entalula in El Nido and Balai Inato in Puerto Princesa, mga ganyan po ang trip ko. 

Feeling ko, sulit na po talaga yung PhP 12870 na price.

[Mr.Punch]

Interesting.  Same price na pala ang Shanedel's saka Batanes Resort ngayon.  I'd pick Batanes Resort if I were you.  Medyo malayo ang quality ng Shanedel's sa Batanes Resort.  Then again, it has convenience.  So it's really up to you.

=============

I separately made arrangements with a lodging house and just asked for quotations later on, minus the lodging expenses.

If you've been backreading in this thread, you might have come across Marfel's.  It's more of a homestay-type lodging house.  Mura kasi kaya mabenta sila, and walking distance lang from the airport.  Kailangan magtipid kasi 8 days kami sa Batanes.

[engr_neechee]

As per reviews, the food is really good at Shanedel's and lousy at Batanes Resort.

[Mr.Punch]

I asked for a quotation for an overnight trip to Itbayat.  Ang ni-quote sa akin ay P11,220 for 2 people.  Oh fudge, ang mahal.  :S


ON that point... baka merong gustong mag-Itbayat on June 9-10, 2014.  Baka gusto niyong sumabay para mas mababa ang package.

[ayionick]

^Mr.Punch, can you PM me kung kaninong tour guides ka nagpa-quote? I've been emailing Ryan and Albean pero walang sagot eh.

[_pink12_]

Hello! Just got back from Batanes . From January 1 to 7 kami... originally, Jan. 1 to 6 lang, tapos on the day of our flight back to Manila, kelangan mag-offload ng passengers due to bad weather. Nag-volunteer na kami to be offloaded so extended pa tuloy ng 1 day .

We stayed at Marfel's Lodge, very near the airport. Upon check in nga nung departure namin, nakabalik pa ako sa Marfel's kasi may nakalimutan akong gamit sa loob ng ref. Tapos yung kasama namin, nakapag-breakfast pa sa Marfel's. Ganun naman daw ginagawa usually ng mga guests nila, check in ng gamit sa airport tapos balik na muna sa lodge habang inaantay yung plane. Tapos maririnig naman pag dumating yung plane, tsaka na lang ulit balik sa airport. If you're a group of 6, masosolo nyo na buong house, kasi 2 rooms lang sa taas, 1 queen-size bed and 1 single each room. Sa baba, there's a sala with TV, ref & kitchen, basta bahay talaga sya. 2 bathrooms pa.

Tour guide namin si Ryan, package tour care of A2C Travel.

sis ayionick, kelan ka nag-email? A2C Travel din yan right?

[msals2007]

how much nagastos ninyo including airfare sis

[_pink12_]

^2 adults/1 child, approx. Php 12,500 without airfare sis. 3 year old pa lang kasi daughter ko kaya free na sya sa tour/food. Yung nagawa namin, North Batan, South Batan and Sabtang tour plus nag-overnight kami sa Chavayan village plus may pinuntahan pa kaming Vuhus island in Sabtang. Kasama na accommodation (Marfel Lodge) tsaka set lunch for the tour tsaka yung dinner namin sa Chavayan. Medyo matagal din stay namin, from Jan. 1 to 7 kaya mas mahal. I think Php 1,400 per night sa Marfel, cheaper if fan room lang.

Airfare, nakakuha kami last October ng promo tickets sa PAL Express, Php 1,700 lang RT na.