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Faith Goals Know Her Pia & Ryan

August 2020 Goals + What Happened in July ’20

July 2020 has been a very, very long month for me.

So much happened. So much didn’t happen as well.

Okay, just an update and reminder for myself, I am trying to blog here monthly about my goals, what happened with my previous months, and what didn’t. And here’s what happened for my July 2020 goals.

Will be adding my August 2020 goals as well.

JULY 2020 GOALS — What happened?

In general, even though this month was full of ups and downs, I am still thankful that my family and friends are COVID-19 free (or Covid negative already). Praying for the vaccine to be available soon here in the Philippines and the rest of the world. I think if it will come to the Philippines already, we need to celebrate — at home! Hehe.

Personal Goals

  1. Buy Innova (2nd hand) – Last July 4, 2020, Ryan and I bought our very first family SUV! Meet our newest secondhand Innova — we call him Merlin! Hehe! Ryan and I have been praying for this and we are so glad it happened! We thought we’ll acquire this next year but we are happy that this pushed through earlier than expected. Bought this in cash with a lot of sacrifices.
  2. Buy more stocks after Innova – Bought stocks for our provincial resellers and added some stocks for our winning items. Wish us luck!
  3. Write 4x on Piathought – I have written 1 blog only.
  4. Double the sales for Alltreats (Check us out HERE) – We haven’t even gotten to 50% sales if compared to our goal! 😞 Just got 75% of our sales last June 2020.
  5. Learn how to cook (Currently, I know how to cook Sinigang, Adobo, Tinola, Prito Prito haha) – I have tried how to make monggo, lumpiang shanghai, lumpiang togue. First time!
  6. Marketing and Expansion plan for Alltreats – This is what saddened me most. Haven’t done this that’s why sales went down as well. But we finally have a Masbate Distributor!
  7. Plant more in the vegetable garden with Ryan – This is one of our biggest YEY! Ryan and I have been so into planting veggies! We are now trying hydroponics and we added some new veggies: ampalaya, sitaw, onions, luya, garlic, and we are planning to add talong in the next days! Ryan made our veggie plot bigger and he also made a latayan ng mga gumagapang na veggies!

Family Goals

  1. Play more with Evond (my pamangkin) – Not sure if I can say that I fully made this happen because we are always in the other house. But I bought him an aquarium and he’s so happy!
  2. More kwentuhan with Mama – Can’t say as well if I made more kwentuhan with Mama but we visit our house from time to time. And made sure to have some coffee time. Parying for more kwentuhan and slow time with her.

As mentioned above I really felt that July has been so long for us. So much happened! Aside from the goals mentioned earlier, these are the significant things that happened in July 2020.

Other Significant Things that Happened in July 2020

  1. Ryan and I learned how to drive. And park!? — Thanks Kuya Obet! Proud to say that he only taught us for two days, 1st day 2 hours, 2nd day
  2. We bought an aquarium for our house. But two fishes died the next day.
  3. Bought Mama and Kuya Evond an aquarium too! The nephew is so happy!
  4. Ryan is always trying to renew his license — but fails each time. Frustrating but okay lang!
  5. First time to be invited to a webinar for ALLTREATS – We are so happy, thank you, Millennial Start-Ups and Vien!
  6. The Savings Pinay messaged us for a FREE Feature for our ALLTREATS – Yey! Thank you, Izza!
  7. Mr. Google messaged me for their Western Remittance — yey!

AUGUST 2020 GOALS

I feel like I always get overwhelmed whenever I have a big project to finish or start. So this month, I promised to list the three main things I need to get done which will impact my life. Saying hello to minimalism as well. LOL!

So yes, I will be limiting my goals to top 3 and will put everything on my bucket list this month. Keeping it simple for my mental health. Hehe!

AUGUST 2020 TOP 3 GOALS

  1. Double sales from last month for Alltreats
  2. Complete papers for our CamNorte tasks
  3. Apply for online lecture so that I can get my student driver license

August 2020 Bucket List

  1. Visit a beach – been craving for some vitamin sea lately
  2. Dye my hair
  3. Focus on my daily day and night skincare routine
  4. Try out the daily 5-minute journal
  5. More self-care this month
  6. 1 blog per week
  7. Send gifts to closest family and friends
  8. Start minimalism
  9. Plant more veggies

Pia’s Thoughts

July 2020 has been a relief and somewhat a struggle for me. Literally ups and downs! Changes have been everywhere this month and I sometimes feel overwhelmed but happy. Glad Ryan has been so patient and true to his word each and every time I get sad or what. Thanking him really for helping me to be the best version of myself.

Thank You Lord too for our keeping our family and friends COVID-19 Free!

Praying that August will be good to us all and that COVID-19 will not harm our families and friends. I hope that the vaccine will be all over the world soon.

Categories
Basco Batanes Chasing Wonders Pia & Ryan Travel Travel Guides

Batanes North Batan Tour + 11 Spots You Need to See

Wondering what are the places that you’ll get to see for your North Batan Tour in Batanes? While we equally love North and South Batan, there are some several spots here in North Batan that we will never forget.

In our last visit to the breathtaking province of Batanes, our first tour was the North Batan as this can be completed half a day only, unlike the Sabtang, which we opted to stay a little longer than usual, and South Batan tour, which requires a day to visit all places.

Although you can finish the tour for just half a day only, we promise that you will not go home wanting for more. And yes, this will be your very first jaw-dropping sunset.

Imagine being on top of a hill with lighthouse waiting for the sunset — while holding your love’s hands whispering sweet-nothings? Charot!

While this second visit of mine is with Ryan already, I experienced waiting for the sunset alone. And it’s magical still. But of course, I prefer my last experience, the one with my baby, of course. Hahahaharot!

Okay, so enough with the kaartehan. Here are the places you can visit on your North Batan Tour in Batanes! Sobrang saya!

Top 11 Places to Visit on your Batanes North Batan tour!

  1. Welcome to Basco Arch
  2. Tukon Church (Mt. Carmel Chapel)
  3. PAGASA Weather Station – Basco
  4. Valugan Boulder Beach
  5. Nakamaya Burial Grounds
  6. Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel
  7. Fundacion Pacita
  8. Vayang Rolling Hills
  9. Chadpidan Boulder Beach
  10. Basco Town Proper
  11. Naidi Hills (Basco Lighthouse)

1. Welcome to Basco Arch

This is the usual first stop on every North Batan Tour. This is situated near Basco along the mountainside. Imagine looking at the vast ocean with your loved ones here?

This one should not be missed when in Batanes! Although… I know you will never miss this because if you do, you will miss half of your Batanes tour! Coz you know, the Batanes Arch. Charot! Seriously though, this is just beside near Basco Town and can be reached when you start to explore Basco with a bicycle.

Hellleeeer! Welcome to Basco, guys!

2. Tukon Church | Mt. Carmel Church

Tukon Church or Mt. Carmel Church is usually the second destination in the North Batan Tour. Medyo pataas ‘to so alalayan mo si Kuya Tricycle Driver lalo na kung medyo heavy tayo.

This church was devastated by a storm before and it has still ongoing repairs. Perched on top of a hill, this church is perfect for weddings — I actually thought for a second, “Magppropose na kaya siya?” Harots! Haha!

3. PAGASA RADAR Station

One of the attractions on top of a hill that can be found near Tukon Church is the PAGASA RADAR Station.

On my first travel here, we were caught by a typhoon like rain here! And guess what, same happened during my second visit. Isn’t it amazing?

4. Valugan Boulder Beach

This unique beach is not filled with sand, but with boulders instead.

We’re so cute here right? We looked photoshopped in pebbles. Haha! It was a good time when we visited here as it was not too hot. Perfect for photoshoots!

While planning for our Batanes tour Ryan is insisting to hire a photographer for our prenup shoot… Even though he hasn’t proposed yet. LOL!

Para kaming dinikit sa picture! Hahaha!

5. Nakamaya Burial Grounds

We didn’t get the chance to take a picture of the burial grounds but according to the locals, there was a belief that early Ivatans believed that when they die, their final rest would be the sea.

This belief is evident in the boat-shaped markers on their grave, which point towards their destination: the sea.  – Explorra

6. Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel

This 5-door Japanese tunnel is the shelter and hideout of the Japanese soldiers when they arrived in Batanes in 1914.

From 1941 to 1945, the soldiers ordered the Ivatans to dig the tunnel, creating five exit points, chambers, bunkers, and water reservoir. The bunker served as their lookout spot while in battle with the Americans.

The tunnel, meanwhile, is 250-meter long and has a lower deck chamber. – Primer

I told Ryan that I will just wait for them outside as my first visit here was not that pleasant… Goosebumps till now as I remember it. But, baka art ko lang, I still went inside — of course, brisk walking tayo girl. Haha!

7. Fundacion Pacita Batanes

Fundacion Pacita Batanes is one of the grandest hotels in Batanes. If you want a view of the ocean and rolling hills in your room, Fundacion Pacita is for you.

Room rates start with P12,800 but with a room perched on top of a hill, with a scenic oceanview and Mountainview, why not spend if you have the capacity, right?

Don’t forget to visit their arty restaurant and museum too! Yup! Just so we can visit the place, we tried their restaurant with golden rates, but! But never thought that its super duper delicious. I miss this place so much.

8. Vayang Rolling Hills

Vayang Rolling Hills is a sea of rolling hills in the north of Batanes. Definitely our favorite! I don’t know but I can still remember I was so happy because it was so windy and drizzling that time. Imagine being in Tagaytay or Baguio, so cold with all the greens surrounding you. Perfect!

Here you can also get a scenic view of Mt. Iraya, a dormant volcano residing in the island of Batan.

My first sunset! Sana pala nag picture kami ni Ryan ng ganto. Haha!

9. Chadpidan Boulder Beach

If you think there’s only one boulder beach in Batanes, unsurprisingly, it’s not.

The second boulder beach on the island of Batan is the Chadpidan Boulder Beach. Located at the west side of Batan, Chappidan Boulder Beach was formed because of the materials spewed by Mt. Iraya centuries ago.

10. Basco Town Proper

The usual last stop for the North Batan tour is the Basco Town Proper. Tour includes visiting Basco Church and a short trip to town’s park near the municipal hall, and airport road, among others.

This is our favorite past time when we were in Batanes. This spot near Basco park and Basco Municipality Hall is our go-to place as well whenever we feel like going out.

11. Basco Lighthouse at Naidi Hills

Naidi Hills is the most popular spot in Batanes because it is where the iconic Basco Lighthouse resides.

This spot is perfect for people who loves watching the sunset. Better view though is at the top of the lighthouse but be there early as the crowd at the top gets thick in the afternoon.

You will also get to have a nice panoramic view of the Basco town while watching the glorious sunset.

You may also visit the place in the morning if you want a lesser crowd. Many people jog to get here and some hail a tricycle or rent a bike.

North Batan and South Batan for me are equally beautiful. Both tours are rich in scenics views, picturesque mountainsides, rolling hills, and beaches.

Batanes Travel Guide Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Where to Stay in Batanes?
  2. What are the usual tours in Batanes?
  3. What and where to eat in Batanes?
  4. Best Batanes Tour Providers
  5. What to do in Batanes?

Where to Book North Batan Tour?

We highly suggest you book your North Batan tour with a well-organized, hassle-free tour provider. Tried Batanes DIY before — it was adventures, yes but would like to suggest to have a team who’ll help you maximize your Batanes trip.

Got ours from the Amazing Batanes Tours! From the name itself, this tour provider is actually amazing! They’ve got cool tour guides — whom I think knows everything! All our questions where answered and we were brought to many awesome places. Check them out!

Check this blog about them as well at Amazing Batanes Tour Provider Review.