Batanes | Vuhus Island: Snorkelling and Life in a Cattle Ranch

An island of cows. I’ve imagined Vuhus Island to be a vast open plain where cows freely graze aimlessly in dense numbers, left alone by their owners to wander until the time they are ready to be butchered. The island, prominently seen at the western coast of Sabtang Island have always lured me from afar. It is one of the islands that welcomes travellers from the plane window while flying into Batanes. In my last visit to Sabtang Island, I finally got to step on Vuhus Island. Briefly explored its ocean channel and learned that life in a cattle ranch on the island. So the population of cows here seem to have an order too.

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Batanes: Sabtang Island Backpack Photography Workshop June 2010 Day 2

There were rain showers early morning before the sunrise, just as I was told. But I caught a glimpse of the full moon and the early morning light rays off the slopes of Mount Iraya through my room window. It is gonna be another great day I say. The group woke up early so we could catch the boat to Sabtang. Half an hour past 5, we dragged our sleepy heads to our jeep and rolled of to the port of San Vicente.

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Video: Sabtang on the Road

Road View to Chavayan

I just can’t get enough of Batanes so I’m making another post on Sabtang. If I really have enough time, I would spend months just exploring all the corners of the islands of Batanes. Here’s a video of what is like traversing the road to Chavayan, the southern town in the charming little island of Sabtang. That coastal road scene just sticks in your mind. Also included is a short drive to Nakanmuan natural arc at the white beach. Video after the jump.

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Batanes: Surviving Sabtang

Roat to Chavayan

Ooops! I just realized I still have a lot of back log from my travels. So in Between the China posts, I’ll be posting entries from those recent local travels as well. I thought it would add variety and hope not to cause confusion on continuity. This entry is another one of my favorite places in our country, Batanes. Same trip brought to you by the cool guys at Geiser Maclang and Epson Philippines. And probably one of the most memorable series as well.

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Batanes Revisited 2008

It’s been 4 years since I have been here and since then I’ve always wanted to go back. My first trip to Batanes has been one of my most memorable travels since then. And when the chance to go back there came knocking in, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Batanes has this long lasting charm that holds you once you have stepped up on its land. And now thanks to Epson Philippines, Geiser Maclang and fellow bloggers Juned as well for the referral, the dream of going back has been fulfilled. And the charm of Batanes is still there.

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Sabtang Island: The Good People

Batanes’ famous natural arc, found at white beach, Sabtang

Marooned four. That is what we have become. We didn’t plan on staying on this island since our flight is the day after tomorrow. But that is the reality of traveling, expect the unexpected. You could either react badly when something goes wrong or simply accept what have become. Still, we thought we were fortunate enough to be stranded here in Sabtang as the people of Batanes are known for their kindness and pride themselves for having virtually no crime. Though there were isolated crimes of passion, I doubt it if those who committed these crimes are natives of the region. Other than that, their jail cells have become a stock house since there’s no one inside. It seems hard to believe though that place such as this still exist.

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