A luck I never Imagined

Batanes x Bruno Mars Concert in MOA Arena x Lapu-lapu, Olango, Bohol Island hopping

I was supposed to visit Boracay last April To May 2018, until the President approved its closure.

Since Cebu Pacific allowed us to re-book to any domestic destination. I opt in rerouting my flight to Batanes, since it is the best domestic destination I long to visit and it has one of the most expensive flight fares.

As Cebu Pacific has no direct flight from Cebu to Batanes, They booked me a connecting flight via Manila without any additional charges. 

Note: I only payed Php1,498.00 back and forth for my Cebu-Caticlan-Cebu flight which was later rerouted to Cebu-Manila-Batanes-Manila-Cebu. I then only added Php313.60 x 2 = Php617.20 for the 15kilo baggage.

A day before my flight to Batanes. I received a call from Smart Communications, Inc. At first I was a bit rough at the customer service representative, as I thought it was again a call offering promos etc. A few minutes later of chitchats with the CSR. I was informed that I won a ticket for two at the Bruno Mars 24k Magic World Tour. My voice tone dramatically changed from rough to a very happy voice. The CSR then informed me the details on how to claim the tickets. After the call, I was a bit skeptical, as I thought of that call might be bogus, but still my feeling of happiness was heavenly. A few minutes later, I called Smart Communication, Inc. to confirm if I really won a ticket at the Bruno Mars concert. Smart CSR then confirmed me that I really won and I can claim the tickets until May 2, 2018, as the concert is on May 3 and 4, 2018. After that, I dropped the call. I then thought, I forgot to ask the details of the tickets seating if it's on a upper box, lower box, VIP or just a General admission and date of concert if the ticket I won was for May 3 or May 4 concert date. For the 3rd time, I again called the CSR and asked the details that I forgot to ask. The CSR whom I talked too for the 3rd time informed me that I will only know the details after I claim the tickets at the Smart Communication Tower in Makati. With that, I booked a new plane ticket from Manila to Cebu for May 05, 2018 and decided to forfeit my May 2, 2018 Manila to Cebu, as I cannot rebook it, since it was a Batanes-Manila-Cebu connecting flight.

Philippine Airlines May 5, 2018 ticket price was at Php2,931.91 - 10% = Php2638.72 as I booked it through Traveloka mobile app with a 10% discount voucher code.

Batanes Vacation Day!

I Booked my Van-join tour Package at Click2Travel

Basco Airport

Basco Airport

At 1st, was a bit doubtful. I only saw this page in facebook and nobody recommended them to me. I only based my booking with them at reviews, and even booking transactions with them were only done at facebook messenger. Since all reviews were ok. I pushed through. I immediately booked a tour package with them for 4 days and 3 nights including accommodations at Kenadrian's Homestay, for only Php9,300.00. Good thing I pushed for this booking and all tours went smooth and very enjoyable.

Kenadrian's Homestay at Basco Highway

PS: Click2travel is a tour partner of Bisumi Tours & Services, a local tour organizer in Batanes.

Day 1: NORTH BATAN TOUR

8:30 - 9:30 Expected time of arrival of the guests

REST/FREE TIME

11:45: Pick up time from the lodge/hotel

An authentic Ivatan food.
The Turmeric rice, Uved and Lunies

12:00nn: LUNCH at Vunong Dinette or other recommended local restaurant
1:30:Start of the tour.

Mt. Carmel Chapel

• Mt. Carmel Chapel
• PAGASA "Tukun" Weather station
• Fundacion Pacita Nature Lodge (Ask permission before entry)
• Basco Idjang Didawud
• Dipnaysuhuan Japanese Tunnel & Hideout

Valugan Boulder Bay

• Valugan Boulder Bay

• Casa Real (Provincial Capitol) & the Kilometer "0"
• Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral

Rolling Hills with Mt. Iraya

• Vayang Rolling Hills
4:00PM: Walking Tour, Abad Street(Commercial Street in Basco)

The Famous Basco Lighthouse - Mostly used for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

5:30PM: Basco Lighthouse and Bunker Complex Sunset Viewing at Naidi Hills

**back to Hotel/homestay.

Dinner is excluded in tour, so I went to Beehan and ordered some food for dinner.

1. Longsilog at Php100.00 per serving
2. Igado at Php70.00 per serving
3. Extra rice at Php10.00 per serving

Day 2: SABTANG ISLAND TOUR

5AM - 5:30 Wake up call
6:00am: Pick up time from the lodge
6:00 to 6:30 am : Travel to Ivana port

20 to 30 minute boat ride to Sabtang Island

6:30am: 7:00am: 30mins. Boat travel to Sabtang Island
Visit tourism office for registration,

• Sabtang Lighthouse
• Sinakan Stone Houses
• Brgy.Savidug Stone Houses
• Lime Kiln & Savidug Idjang
• Sto. Thomas de Aquinas Chapel
• Chamantad-Tiñan Viewing Point
• Sabtang Weavers Association

• Brgy. Chavayan Stone Houses
• Sta. Rosa de Lima Chapel

• Morong Beach
• Ahaw Arch Formation

12:00NN: Lunch at Wakii Caterings in Lukoy Beach or other recommended local restaurant

Conscience Store Right Besid Ivana Port

1:30:Boat travel back to Ivana port

2:30: Arrival at Basco town
3:00 : Souvenir Shopping

During our souvenir shopping, we found out that 1 of our tour mate Brelyn Quilantang Jalbuena's birthday is on that same day, so we ended up having dinner at sidewalk restobar. Actually, it was Bisumi's owners' idea to eat out for dinner. We were even very happy to hear that the owner of Bisumi told us that they will treat us as a treat for the birthday celebrant.

Sunset at Basco Plaza

After the tour, I borrowed a Japanese bike at bisumi for Php25.00/30 minutes for little sight seeing around Basco, Batanes and went back to homestay immediately after biking for the birthday celebrant birthday dinner.

We then arrived at the Sidewalk Restobar, ordered a lot of foods, to our desmay. Nobody from the Bisumi arrived nor pay the reserved birthday dinner. So the celebrant ended up paying the orders and canceling other orders as we might not consume all foods. After what happened, we still managed to be very happy that night.

**Back to Hotel/homestay

Day 3: SOUTH BATAN TOUR

7:00AM: Pick up time from Hotel/Homestay

• Paderes View Point

• Chawa View Deck

• Mahatao Shelter Port

• Mahatahataw Idjang

• Busbusan Lighthouse

• Tayid Lighthouse

• San Carlos Borromeo Church

• Spanish Lighthouse & blank book archive

12:00nn: Lunch at Racuh a Payaman (Marlboro Country) by Marconines Catering or other recommended local restaurant

Continuation of tour 

• San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel
• Alapad Hills & Rock Formation

• LORAN (Naval Base)
• Our Lady of Miraculous Medal in Itbud

• Song Song Ruins

• Motchong Viewpoint

• San Antonino De Florencia in Uyugan

• Honesty Coffee Shop

• San Jose el Obrero in Ivana in Ivana

• Church Ruins

• House of Dakay

• Tuhel Spanish Bridge

• White Beach and Hohmoron Blue lagoon

Before going back to the homestay, we requested for additional tour at the Fountain of youth, an additional Php1,000.00 which is divided to every body. since we are 7. Php1,000.00 divided by 7 = Php143.00 per person.

After an hour of swimming at the fountain of youth.

**back to Hotel/homestay

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A homestay with a Stone House design

After a very satisfying 3rd day/last day. I again went on a bike around Batanes for an hour and a half and still payed for only Php25.00 to sight see some areas. Specially at the plaza were everybody is very busy preparing for the Basco day the next day. I also ate some typical street foods (kikiam, fish balls, kwek-kwek, etc.) as I felt hungry biking.

**back to Hotel/homestay

Day 4, DEPARTURE :)

Back to manila. I immediately went to smart communication Tower in Makati after I dropped my baggage at my friend’s house where I will be staying that day. At the Smart Tower, I then received my tickets. At night of day 4, I decided to go to my uncle's house in Bulacan for us to go to Aqua Planet. I went to Cubao, Baliwag Bus Station. It took me 3 hours before I arrived in the bus station as I was stuck in traffic riding a grab car. It was again too late to decide that the best option would be riding the MRT as I was staying near Taft Avenue. After I arrived at the bus station. At my dismay, the bus was full and the next bus will leave in 2 hours or less. I decided to go back to my friend’s house and decided to cancel my Aqua Planet swimming getaway.

Day 5, METRO MANILA

I just go to SM Mall of Asia, went shopping and go back home.

Day 6, CONCERT DAY

Seated at Lower Box B - 216 Coral - N12

I then called a friend to accompany me to share my luck as I have 2 tickets and my friend where I am staying does not want to go as her girlfriend also wanted to go and I only have 1 spare ticket.

As the concert started, I thought I was a child again to see Bruno Mars in person. I shouted, screamed my lungs out, sing songs he sang. I even ignored local artist like the Kramer Family, Camille Prats, etc. at the concert night, as my focus was only at Bruno Mars.

Concert then ended with a bang, with my voice cracking due to endless shouting and singing during the concert. I even not bothered singing even I am already out of tune, Haha. At the exit, I ended speechless and pointing finger only at the members of the Jabbawockeez walking beside me. Other guest luckily took selfies with them and I left in shock pointing only my fingers, saying “hala”.

We then went home with a smile in our face seeing the international singer in person for free.

Thank you Smart Communication, inc. for that wonderful experience of a lifetime.

Day 7, REST DAY

Boarding gate at NAIA Teminal 2

Got LBM and light fever due to that pineapple juice I bought from Jollibee, took medicines while preparing and packing things going back to Cebu for my Philippine Airlines flight that night. I thought I will never be joining our company outing the next day due to that LBM and fever.

Day 8, CEBU

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Pandanon Island

Arrived at Cebu around 2AM, went home, slept and woke up at 6am feeling better, prepared things for our company island hopping at Lapu-lapu city x Olango Island x Bohol (pandanon Island). We swam, snorkel and island hopped. It was a very happy day. Even though after a few hours of swimming I felt a bit hot again from that fever I mentioned. I took medicine again and enjoyed the day. Luckily, fever did not push through and we ended the day very satisfied.

Snorkeling at Olango Island

Thank you! and that was my 8 day vacation from a supposed to be a Boracay getaway. Changed to Batanes x Bruno Mars Concert in MOA Arena x Lapu-lapu, Olango, Bohol Island hopping.

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