Day 2 - Since we're scheduled to go to all the tourists spots around Batan Island, we started our day early.

Our first activity was attending the Easter Sunday Mass, more popularly know as the 'salubong,' at the San Jose Church in Ivana by 5 am. The church was already more than 200 years old, yet, it still stood majestic fronting the beaches of Ivana. We followed the procession going to the plaza and watched the re-enactment of Christs' resurrection and heard the mass that followed.

On our way back to our house, we passed by the famous House of Dakay. According to Uncle Vice, the House of Dakay was one of the most popular spots in Ivana as it was constructed in 1887. Though its cogon roof has been changed every 30 years, the interiors have never been remodeled or reconstructed.

We first ate breakfast at our house before proceeeding to a long day of travelling. We finally got to leave around 9 am with Auntie Beth, Tita Candy, Joan, Willy (valones!!!) and manong Orland (K ka na ba?!).

First in the agenda was Bo. Sungsung, home of the 'Vanishing Bariiio.' Other locals call it the ghostown as most of the houses here were already destroyed by different storms in the past. According to Manong Orland (K ka na ba?!), around 3 to 5 families were still living within the area.

Next, we went to Itbud, still in Uyugan. Since we were again on top of the jeepney, we saw how the whole barrio looked like. We stooped by at one of the houses and bought several 'pakwan.'

Still on top of the jeepney, we headed to Imnajbu (pronounced as "im-nahh-bu"). When we saw the view, we had to bang the roof of the jeep to signal Manong Orland (K ka na ba?!) to stop so we can take pictures of the place. The view was simply amazing. According to Willy (Valones!!!), this was the very same spot where Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta's movie was shot. Whatever movie was that, we couldn't care less. The view that we had right before our eyes wasn't any movie… This was REAL!!! The view was so breathtaking that even if we all agreed not to take solo pictures, we still did. We just got to have our solo pictures here! And so, I used up another roll of film! He! He! He!

Also from this very same spot, we could see the old US Naval Base used during World War 2. We didn't bother to go down to thi place anymore since we were more interested to see nature than man-made structures.

Still in Uyugan, we went up the hills to go to a place they call the Marlboro Country. Too bad cause we got there almost noontime and there weren't too many horses. There were a lot of cows though, and they were all ready to charge at us! Uh-oh! But they didn't, they probabyly figured that we were harmless. Just as when we were too engrossed with the view atop the hill, a group from ADB came. Since it wouldn't look like we own place anymore in our pictures, we went back to our jeepney, ready for the next stop.

We were told that we would go inside the Crystal Cave in Valugan, Mahatao. So, we hired a local guide to take us there. The trek up the hill was short, but tiring. We passed by the Racuaydi Settlement where the early settlers of Batanes used to live. We were advised by the local guide not to touch any of the stones, called Ijiang, which served as the foundation of the early houses. The site was also being preserved by the National Historical Institute and the local people served as the protectors of the settlement from visitors taking advantage of the artifacts.

Further down the hill, we passed by a Grotto and the 'spring of youth' in Diatay. The spring was so cool that we all took time off from our trek to freshen ourselves up. Visitors can also write their names on stones and place it near the grotto. Locals said that whoever leaves their names will be blessed by the Virgin Mary.

Finally, we reached the beach and headed towards the Crystal Cave. Going inside the cave wasn't that easy. We all had to climb up the steep and sharp rocks leading to the entrace of the cave. Whew! At that very moment, how we all wished that Daiw (of Sagada, Mountain Province) was there to assist in climbing! Sigh! But Daiw wasn't there and so we climbed with utmost care, Alia leading the way.

When we got to the entrace of the cave, our guide pointed to a small hole and told us that we had to go through that hole to see the crystals inside. We asked if she would go with us. There was no need, she said, we can go through the hole with ease anyway. Uh-oh! We're going inside the cave on ourselves! Do we have a choice? So we crawled our way in to the hole, flashlights in between our lips as our hands were busy holding on to the cave wall. When we finally reached the end of the cave, we saw the walls of the cave covered with crystals. It was prohibited to take any crystals, so we just stood there inside the dark cave and appreciatye the crystals.

Going back where we left Manong Orland (K ka na ba?!) was easy. Our guide told us that we could walk through the beach since it was low tide anyway.

We ate our lunch in one of the houses in Diatay. They must have been relatives of Auntie Beth, we're not sure. Anyway, after lunch, we rested for awhile. Laiza and Roselle took a nap. Alia went back to the beach with a young girl in tow to guide her. Nova and Ellen were busy taking shots of the beach with Laiza's video camera. As for me and Os, we were busy with… er… what were we busy of, Os? Of course, Manong Orland (K ka na ba?! And Willy (Valones!!!) were doing their usual pasttime -- drinking liquor.

Around 3 pm, we all gathered together and decided it was time to leave and head back to Basco. We passed by Valugan, Basco and stopped for awhile to admire the waves as they made splashes against the rocks.

We went back to Tukon, Basco, but this time, to see the old telecommunications buildings. Being on top gives a better view of the whole of Basco.

Next, we trekked towards Naidi Hills. We were told that this was the best place where we could view the sunset. And so, after taking several pictures, we looked for our own spaces, lost in our own thoughts (quiet moment, kung baga!) and waited for the sunset. We were so disappointed because it got so cloudy that afternoon and it blocked the sun setting down.

We left Naidi Hills quite sad, but hopeful. According to Auntie Beth, the plaza in Ivana also gives a good view of the sunset. So, we all agreed that after all the scheduled activities for the next day, we will all go to Ivana plaza to watch the sunset.

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