*Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.* ~Lao Tzu~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Before we had our lunch, we visited yet another Batanes church named ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER. I have learned that there are four 200-year old churches in Batanes and we’re on our third one. It is just amazing how these structures could have given the Ivatans comfort and refuge through the years in the midst of the harshest weather.  
And of course, just a stone’s throw away from the church is the famous HONESTY COFFEE SHOP. The items have their prices on it and all you need to do is take what you need to buy (we had corn) and just put your payment into the box. If you do not have the exact amount, you just list it down and come back for it the next day or whenever the owner is around. Astig! 
There was no one I could borrow the bicycle from but I rode it anyway and returned it after. I guess that’s how the Ivatans live. They go on to their daily tasks leaving their houses unlocked and their bicycles unattended (to my delight). One of the mayors reported to us about the zero crime rate in Batanes. Lynn even observed that the dogs never barked at us as we excitedly and noisily explored the place. Even the dogs here were not trained to be *guarding* all the time. Everywhere we went, we were just greeted by warm Ivatan smiles. And so I roamed around some more riding the bicycle and just whispering my gratitude to the Heavens for keeping some places like this unexploited. I am into sharing wonders like Batanes but I could not help but be scared too of the possibility of losing yet another Eden to modernization and out-of-hand commercialism.  
Imagine how our environment could get better if more people go around with their bicycles. Before we finally left this part of Batanes, Kuya Manny took photographs of us with the big waves crashing behind us. Yep, you will never have to use a tripod for your group shots when you’re with this guy. He loved my Nathan too.  
As if not tired from all the jumping, we still climbed up the church’s bell tower to see the view from above.  
We then had our lunch prepared by a former government official’s wife. This is the beauty of eating probinsya food especially in Batanes—you could somehow meditate on the food presented on the table. It is somehow more automatic to be grateful of the Earth, the Sun, the Rain, and the hardwork of the people in making those meals possible. Before we headed for our next stop, we were not able to resist the spot where a famous feminine wash commercial was shot (the one with Dawn Zulueta). The boys automatically climbed up on the top of the hill and being one of them, I followed them too without realizing how strong the winds were. Had I not planted my feet firmly on the ground, I would have rolled down the hill with my legs all over the place. 
tien's digiPetal: my view from the top 
fresh-freshan 
reporting from batanes 
i am definitely one of them...look at the horsies at the back... 
tien's digiPetal: lean horses...they are vegetarians... A good-hearted passer-by pointed to the rest of the girls an easier route up the hill, so here we are... 
my super laugh 
still laughing... The next stop was the SONGSONG RUINS in Uyugan. It is actually called a ghost place. And as if setting the mood for it, the weather during our visit was gloomy too. It is facing the South China Sea and its shoreline is rocky. History says that in 1956, a tsunami hit this town. And instead of rebuilding, people just relocated leaving the ghosts of the stonehouses. I found these destructions quite lovely. 
tien's digiPetal: one of the abandoned stonehouses 
tien's digiPetal: they look lovely 
tien's digiPetal: ghost town 
tien's digiPetal: the south china sea 
me among the ruins 
tien's digiPetal: sign of new life Then, we had another sidetrip at the OLD LORAN WEATHER STATION where the Richard Gomez-Dawn Zulueta flick was shot. It is called Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit and Batanes is the best place to shoot it. It is definitely Heaven on Earth. 
tien's digiPetal: on our way to the old weather station 
tien's digiPetal: bosley and ron, you were the first team to arrive 
inhaling it all in 
hihintayin kita sa langit spot 
amazing place 
tien's digiPetal: the old weather station Have you seen Marlboro Country? Batanes has its own version of it -- the RACUH APAYAMAN. It is a government-own all-natural pastureland in Mahatao. Now, you don't really need to go to Ireland, New Zealand and Austria to see such a sight. It was starting to drizzle hard and we were all wearing cute yellow raincoats which I brought for everyone. Nathan had to be kept too and thank God for waterproof cameras! 
tien's digiPetal: cattle sign 
tien's digiPetal: balancing act 
tien's digiPetal: with mount iraya at the background 
my cousin and i 
i gave them these yellows 
you don't get tired here 
caterpillar 
celebrating friendships 
jumping for joy We had a yummy dinner at the Pension Ivatan. Elch, Ron and I got lost in going there but we were just laughing our asses off as we find our way. This is when we discovered how good our tour guide is. He reminded us to keep the faith. I believe that is the main sickness of our generation -- nothing to believe in and nothing to belong to. Talking with Kuya Manny is so refreshing. This is how good communities are born -- having good foundations. We drank some more at our lodge with the sound of the warring, howling winds as background. The next day was a Love Day. DAY 2/6 ROMANCING BATANES coming soon.
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