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Don’t Tell My Daughter I’m In Batanes

by Gay Mitra - 27

If I make the cut, that is. South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) is currently running an awesome contest in which seven uber lucky bloggers will be chosen to join the SEAIR Batanes Winter Bloggers’ Tour from January 28 to 30, 2011.

And this new-mom-slash-backpacker is taking her chances.

My only remaining photo of Batanes. Shot from an ancient mobile phone.

So why should I be given the chance to join the tour? SEAIR, I beg of you, help me get my memories back! You see, I have actually been to Batanes back in 2006. Before digital cameras took over the world, or make that, invaded the Philippines.

To document such monumental event in my life (it was after all, as cliche as it may sound, a dream come true) I brought with me a disposable camera and a borrowed video camera. No, I did not lose them during the trip and I was even able to have the photos printed. Video was never transferred to a disc though.

Unfortunately, the negatives and photos are with the ex – whom I traveled with. Funny, I contacted him before constructing this post, and he responded “Hu dis?”. I answered, “It’s Gay”. Then he never replied back. So gone are the photos. And sadly, my memories too.

If given the opportunity to visit Batanes once more, I would prove to myself (and share with you guys, my readers) that what I’ve seen and experienced long ago is for real. I could then piece together these vague snippets of my life:

  • That I stayed at Sabtang National School of Fisheries’ H.E. room for P100 a night. There were no other accommodations available that time. The last visitors who stayed there according to the guest book were the people who built the Smart Telecommunications Tower (about 2 years before).
  • That there was once a foreigner who drives a public jeep around Batan Island.
  • That locals buy gin (I believe their province is the biggest consumer in the country), together with the usual grocery items from an honesty store as early as eight in the morning.
  • That the traditional Ivatan house is the most charming house I have ever seen!
  • That the dried dibang (flying fish) is perfect with fried rice and egg in the morning. And a great, err, pulutan for some.

Looking at my list, I realize there’s so much more to explore! It was Holy Week when I went there, I am so curious as to how Batanes is in winter season.

And how comfortable it would be to fly with a bigger plane. FYI, I flew with an 8-seater outmoded aircraft from Laoag the first time. Defining it as a ‘horrific ride’ is an understatement.

Oh, why the title? My daughter’s only seven weeks old now and it may seem harsh leaving her for a few days because of some tour, but hopefully she’d understand someday when she’s already been bitten by the travel bug.

Help the backpacker mom take some time off mom duties and revisit breathtaking Batanes!

1. Visit SEAIR’s Fan Page on Facebook then click ‘Like’.
2. Find Gay Mitra-Emami’s entry (here’s the link) then click ‘Like’.
3. Spread the word.

But wait, there’s more! If you don’t intend to join/win the contest, check out their Sweet November Sale to Basco (plus other destinations). Hurry! Selling Period: November 05 – 07, 2010. Travel Period: January 01 – February 28, 2011 Visit http://www.flyseair.com for more details.


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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.

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