March 8, 2014 Saturday, Batanes
My three companions went on a rough boat ride to Sabtang island on our second day in Batanes. Oyen was the one who wanted to go on an adventure. Nyke just went along. And Edmund’s the chaperone.
They didn’t want to risk me joining them because I am notorious in crying, screaming, throwing-up, getting dizzy and having migraine attacks and getting sick for the next three days after taking rough boat rides. Better to just stay put than risk it. It’s not worth it.
I heard them getting ready by 5:00 am. Their breakfast was scheduled at 5:30 am because they would be picked up by the tour guide at 6 am.
It’s a sunny day, but very windy.
I woke up at 8 am and left our room at 9:00 am.
Every morning, my breakfast consisted of Chicken Adobo Flakes. Edmund liked the flying fish. Their version of corned beef was not to be craved for.
The set menu costs P550 per person. Coffee is included but you have to pay P95 extra for hot chocolate Tablea. I ordered hot chocolate 5x during our 3 day stay.
Last call for breakfast was 9 am. Sobrang structured dito sa Fundacion.
Camote fries, terno dito Papa catsup or Mafran.
I sat down at the innermost table beside a window.
)
I brought a couple of new P50 and P20 peso bills purposely for tipping.
They left these tomatoes outside. I asked the hotel staff if these are for sale, hindi daw.
I saw a woman planting peanuts just outside the main building of Fundacion.
)
Food supply in Batanes is limited. Every meal that we had was ordered in advance.
Fundacion Pacita prepares food according to prior order. You cannot just walk-in and order. Even the places the tour guides bring tourists prepare the food according to the number of people who booked the tour. Those were catered and not regular restaurants or eateries.
Fundacion is constructing a separate building for a restaurant so they could accept more walk-ins. Guests from the main building are also complaining of some noise from the main dining hall when there are lots of people.
The hotel has a small reception area. We always go there a few minutes a day to check for our messages. That’s the only place with intermittent wi fi connection.
These two ladies were complaining that loading of photos was very slow.
Lando, the front desk officer, told me that Secretary Butch Abad collects old wood. The beams daw in the ceiling came from an old house.
He also said that the wood used in the hotel’s furniture were old and recycled.
This love seat is an heirloom piece from the Abad’s parents.
