Running Batanes 3

My last installation of this series is not actually a run I did, but rather was planning to and really looking forward to doing, if not for the fickle weather of the islands.

Saturday morning was supposed to be a rest day for us, hence I was really looking forward to getting in a good long run around the South of the Island.

Yet, when I awoke, the sky was overcast, a light rain was falling and gale-force winds were howling. No way, I'd run that. I didn't even bring a jacket! Looked like an indoor day. Oh well, there's always gin. (As an aside, our tour guide tells me that they sell 26 Million Pesos of Rice a year in Batanes, and 22 Million Pesos worth of Gin! Gin is almost a staple product!)

However, I'd like to talk about the route I would have taken, having scoped it out by car the day before.

If I or say you were to do it, first you'd make your way South of Basco to the Municipality ofMahatao.

Pretty soon, you'll find yourself on the paved national road which hugs the coastline and provides beautiful, I mean absolutely stunning views.

Be careful though as there are alot of blind corners and the Ivatans as nice and hospitable as they are, are not the best of drivers. You may also want to pay attention to the fact that the roads are not always in the best condition, although there was a modernization project going on there while I was there. According to the omni present signs, they'll be spending 110 Million to modernize the roads there.

Around 5 to 7 Kms out of Basco, you'll reachthe municipality of Mahatao. The 1st thing you may notice is that the main road takes a right while a smaller road goes straight, following the main road. 

In Mahatao, take time to appreciate some of the history around you. From old Ivatan houses, churches and even Spanish era bridges.

Making your way out of to the edge of town, you'll still be in the still be running on the stunning coastal road. And by now, you'll probably be thirsty, so be sure to drop by the Honesty Store 

If you're lucky, the owner, a retired teacher with a golden heart, maybe around and she can tell you the story of the history of the Honestly Store. 

The next part of the run will be on similar roads to the ones before Mahatao. But with one important exception.

The view...

The rocky cliff faces now becoming gently rolling hills and still rocky beaches. This view is the favorite of the loop for me.

Just check out these views!

Right before you reach the abandoned American outpost on the beach shown above, you will see a fork going up to "Marlboro Country"

This is where the paved roads start to become rough and trail shoes start looking like a really good idea.

A kilometer or so and you'll run into a closed gate. This is the gate for the communal grazing pasture. You may open the gate and pass through, but please for the love of God, close it behind you. Unless you to spend the rest of your vacation looking for a herd of missing cows!

After  you pass these rolling grass covered hills, don't forget to lock the other gate behind you, and soon you'll find yourself on a paved road.

These paved road can have some killer uphills, but if you preservere and finish, you will find yourself in the town of Mahatao again, coming out of the secondary road which you may have noticed earlier.

At this point you'll only be 3 or 4 kms from Basco and you just follow the roads you took earlier. But run quickly, because you don't want to get stuck out here in the dark, remember what I said about Ivatan drivers earlier!

Hope you had fun!

Batanes Running 2

Having an hour or 2 break until the next event for that day, I decided to take a short run. 

Initially, I decided to run a bit around the Basco streets, passing some beautiful old but decrepit houses interspaced with cyber cafes! Ahh, progress, you really can't stop it.

As I was finishing up my run, I passed by the town plaza and sighted this.

Confirming that the lighthouse was in fact just a kilometer or two out of town, I decided to make my way there.

I made my way North of Basco. A few minutes of running on paved roads and after asking directions from a friendly old lady, I found myself here.

Apparently, it was a short cut which would go straight up the mountain, rather than a round about way.

Just a quick run pass the cemetary...

and a short but wild trip up some underbrush; I ended up at the base of the light house.

Of course I couldn't stop here. I didn't come all this way to check out the base of a lighthouse. But before going in, I saw this...

Yes! Solar powered! High tech! And Green!

So, on to the more important things. The base of the lighthouse is apparently always open so any one can make his or her way to the top.

50 Steps later and I encountered this a ladder with a sign.

NO ENTER! Being in the Honesty capital of the Philippines, I decided to heed the request. Even if the inner kid in me screamed to find out what was up there.

Instead, I steped out on the circular balcony the goes around the top of the lighthouse and took in the spectacular view.

That's Mt. Iraya in the background! Seeing its summit perennially covered in clouds during my stay there is one of the top reasons I am going back to Batanes.

From up here, I could see that path I took going up. 

Don't worry, there's a less exotic but longer path if you choose. 

After visiting the lighthouse, I decided to take in some of the sights surrounding it.

Check out the beauty of the rugged Batanes coastline.

And what I think is an abandoned former American something.

Batanes Warning

When ever you see sights like this...

Beware of this...

Running Batanes Part 1

For me, the islands of Batanes is a must visit for every Pinoy Nature Lover. The scenery that you will encounter there is probably like nothing you have ever seen before here in our country. I know this is cliche, but in a away it reminded me of Lord of the Rings!

Being there recently for work, I couldn't help but also getting some running in. 

So what is it like running in Batanes.

Firstly, pack accordingly. In the three days I was there, the 1st two had searing heat and blinding sunlight, only suddenly turn without warning to turn to a light drizzle with gale force winds! Very very Cold! The locals say such tempermental weather is the norm for the area.

What kind of shoes?

If you choose to run the town proper of Basco, all you would encounter is asphalted or concrete roads. So road shoes are ok. But I really urge you to get out of town and experience the beautiful views as you run. 

For this you may need trail shoes as the roads can alternate between paved and unpaved. However I used a highly cushioned road shoe with little trouble, so long as you're careful. 

But I suggested you bring trails shoes like I also did if only to experience the vast single track network that Batanes has to offer.

Which at one point, took me to what I call "my lonely little spot at the edge of the world."