I was giggly when the plane cruised over Batanes! I could see the rolling hills and cows
quietly grazing below me and I thought to myself “WOW! I AM FINALLY HERE!” You see, I fell in love with Batanes when I
was still 7 years old. My mom (or maybe
my dad) brought home a Philippine Airlines magazine and it featured the sparkly
blue waters of Batanes! I couldn’t stop
looking at the pictures of the beaches, scenery and the Ivatan kids happily
staring back at me. At a young age, I
promised to myself that I’ll go to Batanes when I grow up and just like the
kids in the magazine, I will enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the islands!
Smiling ear to ear I leaned forward to see more of the island’s
beauty and as the plane smoothly landed I had to stop myself from clapping.
Naku! Baka akalain ng mga tao may baliw sa
eroplano! Hahah! If you plan to go here book with PAL Express. Their landing was superbly good
and you’ll feel safe all throughout the ride.
I was napping for most of the trip…no turbulence bothered my light
sleepy head.
The charming airport is made of boulder stones just like the
local houses of Batanes and unlike other local airports you can see the staff
genuinely smiling at the new arrivals.
You can feel that they’re really happy to see you!
I headed out and my tour guide, Tita Remy, was beaming
holding up a white board with my name on it!
Wow! I have a welcoming
party!
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I love tita Remy!!! She was my mommy for 6 six days!
Her contact numbers: 0927.412.1031 or 0928.239.7629
...but be ready to do a lot of trekking with her! |
She was wondering why I was alone, so I explained to her that my sister booked the ticket for me as a surprise birthday gift! I had no choice but to go alone because I loved my sister aaaand…she chose Batanes because she knew that it's my DREAM destination!
If you plan to go on a solo trip, there are a lot of hometels,
lodging houses, and hotels to choose from but I chose Troy Lodge. Simply because I was on a budget and I knew
I’d spend a lot on tours and food!
Yeeeep! Bawal magutom! The daily rate at Troy Lodge is only P300.00, so
it’s perfect for backpackers and practical travelers like me! To help you plan for your trip, please feel free to click on to Batanes Directory.
Here’s my day 1
itinerary (North Region) - October 4, 2013:
- Welcome View Deck
- Mt. Carmel Chapel
- DOST Tower
- Fundacion Pacita
- Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel
- Valugan Boulder Beach
- Vayang Rolling Hills
- Basco Lighthouse
- Pension Ivatan
Welcome View Deck
It was a sight! I thought it was breathtaking not knowing
that Batanes had more to offer…kumbaga sa cake, icing pa lang ang nakikita ko!
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| There's a cave! |
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| The Basco Lighthouse! |
Mt. Carmel Chapel
Perfect for destination weddings! I’d definitely go back here for any couple
who’s fantastic enough to hold their wedding here! (If you need a wedding organizer just let me
know! To view my portfolio please click
on to this link: Zacate Events)
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| Mt. Carmel Chapel |
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| Details of the door |
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| Mt. Carmel Chapel |
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| View from the Mt. Carmel Chapel |
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| my ring for this adventure! |
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| Staicase from the road going up to the chapel |
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| Rocky facade and stained glass windows |
DOST Tower
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| Mt. Carmel Chapel as seen from the DOST Office |
Fundacion Pacita
There were no guests when we came here so we were allowed to
go inside and take pictures!!! It’s
really nice and dainty with a great view of the mountains, sea and waves
crashing on the hillsides. It’s perfect
for an intimate wedding reception! DREAM!
DREAM! DREAM!
Dipnaysupuan Japanese
Tunnel
Ivatans dug these tunnels during the Japanese occupation and
it served as a shelter house for soldiers. It has 5 entryways and because of that the
ventilation is good. It’s windy and cool
inside...smart Ivatans!
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| We just had to stop so I could take a shot of this pretty Valayvayan Tree! |
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| They said "Hi!" so I said "SMILE!" |
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| South Entrance |
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| This leads to the main road |
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...and this one leads to the lookout spot.
It was slippery so thank heavens I didn't have to explore this part *whew!* |
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| We're back on the main road...and look! It's a herd on a picnic! ^_^ |
Valugan Boulder Beach
I got tired of the trekking but it went away when I saw this
beach! The waves are so high and roaring
so loudly when they crash on the shore. The
long stretch of boulders along the shore came from Mount Iraya in 400 AD.
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| She was walking on the road and gamely smiled for us! |
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| PEACE YO! |
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| Enjoying the view with Tita Remy (Tour Guide) and Kuya Jun (Tour Ride!) |
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| Roaring waves behind me! |
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| It looks peaceful but the waves are actually wild! |
Vayang Rolling Hills
I’m pretty sure I’m not the first one to do this but with both
hands in the air I sang ♪ ♫. “The hills are
alive with the sound of musiiiic! Aaaaaaha” ♪ ♫.when I saw the hills!
Hahaha!
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| Rain catcher so the cows can have water to drink |
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| The view at the edge of the cliff |
Basco Lighthouse
Nakita ko si Puti!
For those born in the 80’s c’mon sing with me! 1, 2, 3… ♪ ♫.“Alagang
alaga namin si Puti! Bakang mataba bakang maputi! Hila hila hila” ♪ ♫.
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| "Alagang alaga namin si Putiiiii...." |
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| Let's go over there Puti! |
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| Puti: "valiw ka ba hija?!" |
Planning to book a trip to Batanes?
Here's a directory to help you get started BATANES DIRECTORY
FUN FACT!
Ivatan's use a lot of "V"s in their language: "Ang ganda ng vahay na vato may mga vayo pang vanga at vakul!"
- Vahay - Bahay
- Vanga - Banga
- Vato - Bato
- Vayo - Bago
- Vuhan - Buwan (month)
- Vuto - Boto (vote)
- Vakul - head dress
- Vutoj - Buto (seeds)
Contact Numbers:
- Troy Lodge – Tita Erlinda 0920.447.0726/ 0923.630.8798 Argonza St., Brgy. Kayvaluganan
- Tour Guide – Tita Remy 0927.412.1031 or 0928.239.7629/ remyviola@yahoo.com
- Tour Ride – Kuya Jun…Tita
Remy can contact him for you
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