We have been waking-up early for the past three days that we have been in Batanes, not counting the night we spent in the airport during our ingress to the island province. Doing it for the last time did not really feel so rewarding.

Kuya Bhong fetched us from Batanes Time Travel Lodge at around 06:30 AM, and in less than 5 minutes, we were already in the airport. Upon our arrival, there was a drum and lyre corps playing, sending off visitors leaving the island and in turn welcoming those who were about to arrive.

We thanked Kuya Bhong and bade good bye. He was mainly instrumental to the success of our Batanes adventures, together with all the tourism warriors of Naidi Hills Tour Services. We cannot really thank them enough, though technically, the Ivatan do not really say thank you.

The term they have for expressing gratitude is Dios mamajes, from Dios mamajes nu mapia which literally translates to God reward you with goodness. It is not enough for them to express how thankful they are for the kindness extended to them; they invoke the Divine to reward such goodness. Kindness is engrained even in the language of the Ivatan, no wonder they are considered as one of the warmest and hospitable people one could have a chance of meeting.

It took 30 minutes before our plane arrived, and another half an hour before we started boarding the aircraft.

While we were in line to board the plane, we executed what we have been planning for days already: to take more photos for our PAL Q400 Selfie Challenge entries. Though we already took a bunch of selfies when we arrived in Batanes, we wanted to make sure that we got all grounds covered. That’s another way of saying more entries, more chances of winning.

Before we boarded the plane, we took some moments to appreciate the beauty of Mt. Iraya one last time as we cannot seem to have enough of the awe-striking beauty of Batanes.

It didn’t take long until the propeller of the aircraft started rotating. That was it. It was time to say good bye to Batanes, home of the winds, the magical isles, the crowning jewel of the Philippine Islands.

Dios mamajes, Batanes! Dios mavidin!

When the plane had already gained altitude, we were able to view Batan island from where we were seated. It was nostalgia from the very recent past, seeing where we were just a few days back.

After less than a couple of hours, the foliage-laden skyline that we had been accustomed to for the last four days have been replaced by the urban jungle. We were almost home.

We reached NAIA at around 09:30 AM, but our friends Ajei and Juan who were to pick us up were not yet there, so we took our time to take more keepsake photos in the airport.

Our ever-reliable service friends made it after an hour or so, having been caught by something that Batanes does not have: heavy traffic. We made it to Quezon City at around lunch time, and we treated ourselves with Japanese food before taking the final stretch to Malolos City.

Despite having to leave the island paradise of Batanes, it was more than consoling to be back with friends and family, still a part of the celebration of life that Batanes showed us in more ways than one. Batanes does not only withstand the test of time. It transcends space and physical territories with what it can make people see and realize.

Postscript

Twelve days after our trip to Batanes, we received communications from Philippine Airlines, informing us that we won in the PAL Q400 Selfie Challenge!

Now that’s a lot of miles! Where do you think we would bring Renegade Junctures next?!