I have been to a lot of places, rode almost every transport available and I’m in no way afraid of island-crossings. I enjoy the thrill of the waves until…
the “hellish” faluwa ride… 
The faluwa as it docks at the Ivana port.
My Kompanerong Leon quipped, “Sabtang is heavenly but the ride was like hell.” Boatmen seemed relaxed and was telling us that the waves are just fine. It was normal (maybe for them).
Passengers being assisted while getting off the boat at the port of Sabtang Island.
Faluwa is a boat they used in transporting people and goods from one island to another. It doesn’t have a “katig” or balance beams as it would only be crashed by the strong waves while at the sea.
Toploading, on the roof of the boat during the Ivana-Sabtang trip. The waves are still “gentle” but wait until the trip back to Batan.
Fellow passengers seemed relax and enjoying the trip, this is the Batan-Sabtang leg, going back was a different story.
We took the ride from Ivana port, in front of Ivana Church. The 30-minute ride going to Sabtang was fine, I even joined others on the roof to have a better view. But going back to Batan Island was a different story. It was unforgettable and Pinay Travel Junkie would always make fun of my reactions on the ride back.
Why?
I was helping others to board the faluwa as we are to return to Batan, giving lifejackets, making sure everyone got one. After fifteen minutes of traveling, the waves begin to show its enormous power. It was as if it was ready to swallow the faluwa anytime the motorboat stop. I was even shouting to let go of fear only to realize that I was not wearing a life vest. I want to be brave and pretend that I wasn’t afraid but looking at the waves, I grabbed Leon’s vest. I was musing that if ever something happens, I will cling on his vest to be safe.
The 45-minute trip was horrible, I will never ever forget it. Thank God, I SURVIVED IT! Props to the boatmen who have mastered the brutal waves. They really know their line of work. Don’t get scared, don’t leave Batanes without experiencing the faluwa ride.
A young boy as he maneuvers the faluwa with a bamboo stick at the Sabtang port.
Will I visit Sabtang Island again? Definitely! I would even go to as far as Itbayat. I will ready myself for the longer hellish trip. 
___ ___ ___
Visit Batanes is a 9-part series that paints the unfading beauty of Batanes, her citizens, churches, culture and cuisine. Posts are filled with photos that will surely convince readers to be thrilled in islands ata northernmost part of the Philippines. Come! Explore Batanes!
Visit Batanes Series: Colorful Churches / Sabong at Diura Fishing Village / Lola Ida and the House of Dakay / Surviving the Faluwa Ride / Quotes & Reflections at the Honesty Café / Chill Time with the Ivatans / Snapshots from Sabtang Island / 10 Must-Try Foods / Accommodations in Batanes
***This happened during the Batanes Bloggers’ Winter Tour last February 11-14, 2011. The trip was made possible by SEAIR. My heartfelt thanks goes to Tita Lydia of Batanes Seaside Lodge & Restaurant and Dir. Bless and the rest of DOT Region 2 staff.
Sayang walang reaction shots nung nasa faluwa tayo kompanyero…unforgettable to say the least
oo nga eh, wala naman sigurong maglalakas ng loob kumuha ng photos sa ganung kalakas na alon. basa ang camera for sure
Katakot naman, walang katig, hehehe!!! pero mukhang masaya, may life vests naman eh… hahaha!!! Sana may video… Hehehe!!! =D
oo nga noh, sana may video.. wala ng panahon para mag vid, haha nakahawak ang lahat sa gilid ng barko. hahaha
james, busy ka kaya bumili ng chichirya para sa trip?! nakaligtaan mo tuloy…
kasi si bless, pinabalik-balik pa ako sa tindahan, ginawa akong alipin at utusan para sa muncher na yan…hahaha
As long as locals aren’t scared yet, I think it’s still fine but when they do, that’s a whole different story
hahahaha..scary nga yun..pero atleast you have already experienced riding a falowa, unlike me, sa blog post palang, nanatiling pangarap pa lang hanggang ngayon and maexperience and BATANES…hahahaha.
malapit na yan darwin.. ipon ka nalng then book agad kapag promo. punta ka ng summer mar-early june para maganda ang panahon. or winter dec-feb para malamig at masarap mag-kape
ayoko sana mag-comment kase bitter ako! hahaha Batanes someday I will conquer you! hmmm!
ok naman ang commenting ahhh…
*kaya siguro ayaw tanggapin kasi bitter ka* hahaha
batanes missed you
Wow. I do want to try the Faluwa ride! I love boat rides and have done the romantic night ride to the butt grinding to the scary knock down the boat. I think this experience beats all of mine! I’m so curious to try this!
Haha. NakakatakOt na masaya!! Lalo na pag nasa harap ka ng faluwa..
Nice blog po about Batanes..
parang dumoble interest ko tuloy sa Batanes after reading this post. as they say, kapag mahirap puntahan, it must be worth it!
yep! then go to itbayat too.. mas mahirap pa daw puntahan yun compared to going to sabtang. or you can even extend to y’ami island- dulong isla ng pinas sa norte
yan ang ewan ko if makakaya ko ba. Ung ngang aligway island trip ko para na akong himatayin sa takot, yan pa kaya. hahaha. Worse, I dunno how to swim so hellish talaga.
hehe.. kaya yan sir. pikit lang kayo. i remember yung tapay-tapay trip natin.
Heheheheh I kept my eyes closed most of the time lest I puke on the other passengers
HAHAHAHA
when im reading your post– i just feel what you’ve felt during your “hellish” ride!
HAHAHAHA
makatawa pa kaya ako kung isa ako sa mga nasa bangka?!
nice, Sir James and company!
Ingat lang po tayo lagi…
I think I saw Jacklord in your photos…
I think mas safer ang faluwa compared to the outriggered boat kasi U haul at mas stable kasi the center of gravity is at the bottom… It was patterned from the chinese junk. After conquering the Batan – Sabtang seas for how many years it is proven that the faluwa is the right boat for them!
the question is, would you ever do that boat ride again? first blog i’ve read that shared the story of the Faluwa. I dont know if I would like to experience this, not after what i just read. The trip to mindoro, already freaks me. What more a boat ride around the waters of Batanes? you really got me laughing when i read you realized you werent wearing that life jacket. haha. Thanks for sharing!:)
i will ride that boat again
You should also try going to Mavulis Island in Itbayat. It’s at least 5 hours away from Itbayat Island. Calayan Island meanwhile is at least 7 hours away from Aparri. Crazy waves as well. But nothing compares to the deadly waters of Sulu Sea off Balabac Islands in Palawan during Amihan season.
you’ve been there? that would be cool noh? hmmmm… if i would get a chance why not.