You are here
Home > batanes > Sleepless In Batanes

Sleepless In Batanes

by Gay Mitra - 49

In some parts of the Philippines, the world barely exists at 4:15 AM. Definitely not in Manila Domestic Airport. Its departure area’s already a frenetic scene of foreign backpackers poring over guide books and business travelers surfing via mobile web.

The air smelt of coffee. I longed for a cup.

I had no sleep at all. The previous night I sang my lungs out with fellow bloggers Monette and Marky (this guy’s more of an audience though) at some cheap karaoke joint. I reassured them, I’d rather be up all night than sleep through my alarm. I’ve never been late for a flight, and I make it a point that it stays that way. Forever.

On the brink of slumber. Exhibit A.

I was bound for Batanes. It was an all expense paid trip by SEAIR, which I won from a blog writing contest (I almost didn’t make the cut, click here to find out why). There were seven lucky winners. All but two of us, who extended their stay at their own expense, already flew the day before.

I scanned faces among the waiting crowd, but didn’t see anyone who came close to how Michael looks like in his photos. I haven’t met him so I uhm, kinda stalked his Multiply account.

Upon boarding, I glimpsed at my fellow passengers (glimpsed too many times, I think I kinda scared some people) but still didn’t spot him. No sign of Michael in the plane either. I actually thought he didn’t make it.

Exhibit B. Laid on this bed in the House of Dakay after photo was taken.

The flight was a comfortable one hour twenty minutes. Pinay Travel Junkie Confession: I was terrified of SEAIR’s small plane at first (but hey, that’s way better than the 8-seater I took from Laoag to Basco years ago). Another confession, I’m scared of flying, period. And I got Nat Geo’s Air Crash Investigation to blame. After reading from the in flight magazine about the awards SEAIR won, I relaxed a bit.

A few minutes past 7, Batan Island came to view. Excitement was obvious on everyone’s faces. It was a thrill to land on a short runway, with a postard-esque view of cows on vibrant green pastures.

Groggily, I stepped out of the plane. I jolted as the cold breeze bit my skin. Then I remembered I didn’t bring my jacket. I rushed to the arrival area to take refuge. I saw a guy holding up a cardboard with my name and Michael’s. I introduced myself to him and he told me to just wait outside and that he’ll just take my luggage.

Exhibit C. Don’t ask, cannot remember where!

And then, I saw James. One of the winners who submitted the funniest entry to the contest. That’s not just my opinion. That is a fact. I hid behind a post and contemplated, is my sleepy self ready to have a chat with his hyper self? He seemed very awake and he looked like he already had a long day.

After taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the post’s shadow and shouted, “James!”. He coolly strode toward me. First thing he mentioned was, he ran from the accommodation to the airport. No “how was your flight?” or “you look younger than 40 something in person (he actually told the group I’m already in my 40s!). He asked about Michael.

That’s when we found Michael, by the arrivals exit. He looked at us when James mentioned his name. We exchanged shy hellos, then walked to the van which took us to Hiro’s Cafe for brekkie.

Met the rest of the group there: Leon, Izah, Bless, and our guide Engr. Joseph Dy. They were all happy, shiny, giddy people at 8:00 AM. Armed with cameras and armored with jackets, they looked so ready to battle a Batanes winter day.

I, on the other hand, was about to crash. Yet contrary to the photos here, I wasn’t able to take a nap, even for just a few minutes. Someone (*cough* James *cough) actually snoozed more that afternoon. Find out how I survived day one as a zombie on the next installment!


A shout out to kompanyero Leon, my paparazzi.

TweetShare


This page was viewed times.

Gay Mitra
When not backpacking, she teaches her daughter sight words and belly dancing (even if she's not good at it). She's currently eating her way around some hippie town in Australia. She loves talking about herself in the third person.

49 thoughts on “Sleepless In Batanes”

  11. no sleep and tired from singing – straight to Batanes, just how each day should be. Ikaw ata una ng post about Batanes nyo? preview pa lng yung kay Izah and James

    Reply

  15. wow! na miss ko na naman ang batanes. ang aga kasi ng flight papunta dun…buti hangin lang ang bumati sayo sa akin malakas na ulan pag dating ko. haha but i’ll charge it to experience…the crazy weather of Batanes

    Reply

  17. Supertikoy, nung first time na pumunta ako ng Batanes years ago… there was heavy rain nung departure namin pabalik ng Laoag. “Drizzle” lang daw yun and on time pa rin yung flight. Scary!

    Reply

  18. The first photo is a winner. I was thinking of doing the same many times already. Can’t find the right place…and the right time.

    I love riding SEAIR, very comfortable (I don’t feel any turbulence)…and they have patience to wait for you if you’re minutes late.

    Can’t wait for more stories.

    Reply

  24. I love the first pic! Ako i rarely sleep before my flights. I was scared din sa first SEAIR flight ko, pero since wala naman silang bad history, naging kampante ako hehe. Can’t wait for the next entries!

    Reply

  30. amusing photos!

    batanes is one of those in my list to explore someday.

    ps : i just found another blog to follow. will link you up. thanks!

    Reply

  36. I like the first picture. hehe.:-) it’s true that busy na talga sa mga airports kahit 4am pa.

    I wish I can go to Batanes balang araw. Thanks for sharing your adventure.:-)

    Reply

  37. amazing Gay that you can actually sleep almost anywhere. i can do the same. i remember sleeping on a waiting shed in marinduque as we arrived dawn and homestays are still closed.

    looking forward to this series. i love the room. rustic. my type.

    Reply

  40. kwelang-kwela yung mga shots, gay! sarap humiga sa kalsada! post mo na yung rest of your series! — pressure pressure? lol 😀

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Top