20 Nov 2023
We took this tour as a cruise ship excursion from Puerto Princesa in mid-November, 2023. We met our guide Ricky and driver Romell outside the port gate on time. On the way to the Batak village, we stopped at a grocery store, at our request, to purchase groceries for the villagers. Ricky helped us on what to purchase based on phone calls to the Village Coordinator, Rosalfi. who we met after the 1-hr drive north from the port. After meeting Rosalfi, we drove off the main paved road and over a dirt/gravel road until the first river crossing. We had to cross the river 5 times, at about 12”-18” deep. Finally we climbed up a fairly steep dirt trail to the Batak village of about 180 or so people. One or more of the villagers carried our donated supplies on a motorcycle, and then by hand, including a 25kg “half-bag” of premium rice. After reaching the village, we sat to rest for awhile on a porch in the shade with mostly women and children. Eventually we met the village chief and when all the women were ready, we were taken to an open area where they put on a little traditional dance and music demonstration for us. The village coordinator, who was fluent in English and the Batak language, explained what we were about to see, and then the performance began. First, two boys with wooden swords did a traditional fighting dance, then women only danced, then everyone, including us joining in. Afterwards we gave our thanks and said goodbye and walked back down the trail and across the river (four more times) to our waiting, air conditioned car for the 1-hour drive back to the port.