BATANES SOLO BACKPACKING TRIP 2015 - Part 5

DAY 5 - BITTER-SWEET FAREWELL

December 16, 2016, Wednesday, my last day in the beautiful and captivating province of Batanes. It was cloudy and it drizzled a little that morning (I guess the heavens sensed the sadness in the hearts of tourists, like yours truly #Emo #Drama). My flight back to Manila was at 8:10 am. That meant I had to wake up early for my flight, which thankfully, I was able to do despite the bed-weather.

I was about to go down from the second floor of Berlen Lodge when I saw this Batan Island map (or was it posted on the first floor? darn it!):

Map of Batan Island (I shoud've seen this the previous day #argh)

Before I left, I paid Nanay Elena P700 for my two nights stay at their lodge and thanked her and her husband for their hospitality. Her husband offered to drive me on his motorcycle to the airport which I willingly accepted (I intended to walk from the lodge to the airport that morning if I failed to hail a tricycle, but thank God for blessing the hearts of these good people).

At the airport, I saw the newly weds and Drs. Jet and Leo queuing in line for check-in and pre-departure of Sky Jet airlines (their flight was supposedly ahead of mine). I also checked-in my baggage at PAL's counter, just beside Sky Jet's, and waited for my name to be called for my boarding pass.

Terminal Fee, Boarding Pass and Plane Ticket

They were already in the pre-departure area, so I waited at the arrival area.

My NetSuite Backpack (queue-in Dora the Explorer's Backpack Song...)

Did a quick google search of the lines in this poem(?), and this was probably taken from one of Dr. Florentino Hornedo's books: Taming the wind (ethno-cultural history on the Ivatan of the Batanes isles)

An airport speaker announcement broke the silence of the sleepy tourists, notifying Sky Jet Airlines passengers' flight to Manila was delayed for a couple of hours. 

The gang of PhDs decided to have breakfast at a nearby canteen just outside the airport and they invited me to join them (sakto, #tomjones na rin ako).

Control Tower

DENR Sign

We had a short chitchat, exchanged numbers, and they even teased me that my flight would be delayed too, or worse, cancelled!

As it turns out, PAL's flight was right on schedule! #ThankYouLord We said our goodbyes and I hurriedly went to the pre-departure area.

There's our plane! #Yey

A couple of minutes past lift-off, I looked outside the window to take a glimpse (hopefully not my last!) and snapped a photo of Batanes.

Ba-bye Batanes! I'll visit you again someday!

I always have mixed feelings after a trip to a new place or foreign land. Happy because of the wonderful memories made and awesome people I met on the trip. Sad because of the "back to reality" moment. Excited because I haven't told anyone (family or close friend) about this trip, and I'm curious how they would react if they learn about it (na-sermonan ako ni mama #boom hahaha hindi tuloy ako sinama sa Davao trip last January). And hopeful because someday, one day, I'll be able to go back to that place with my friends and loved ones.

I was already drifting to daydream land when the flight attendant gave me this:

Cheese Bread (na may kasamang isang basong tubig)

We safely landed back in Manila at NAIA Terminal 3 several minutes past nine in the morning. I went up at the departure area (dun kasi yung pila ng mga puting taxi) and rode straight home to Makati. I went to office the next day as if nothing happened. #boom

I'd like to thank Philippine Airlines for sponsoring my flight to Batanes (#feeling). To the wonderful people of Batanes, fellow tourists and all the people I met on the trip for being hospitable, warm, generous and genuinely kind. Without them, my Batanes trip won't be as memorable and special as it was. And I am truly grateful to Lord God for all his provisions and blessings, for making all of these possible, and for keeping me safe and healthy all-throughout my journey.

(Tama na... Masyado ng emo...)

Well, I can't wait for my next trip! Where would that be? I dunno. Hahaha. #baliw

To my virtual/imaginary readers, thanks for reading this post series. I hope to write more of my future adventures (be it travel, food, anything under the sun, moon and stars! #exaj). Please feel free to leave a message or comment on my posts.

#OnToTheNextAdventure


Batanes Solo Backpacking Trip 2015 Post Series:

Batanes Solo Backpacking Trip 2015 - Part 1
Batanes Solo Backpacking Trip 2015 - Part 2
Batanes Solo Backpacking Trip 2015 - Part 3
Batanes Solo Backpacking Trip 2015 - Part 4
Batanes Solo Backpacking Trip 2015 - Part 5