| The raging sea beats the island of Batanes' as if to | | | | group to go down to absorb the scenery. There is |
| say I am King. | | | | nothing more lovely than sitting at edge of a cliff to |
| The waves violently slap the rocks with enviable | | | | stare at the horizon. No skyscraper, no boats, not a |
| freedom. Its stammering power heeds no remorse. | | | | single living person litter my view, just clear blue skies. I |
| The island however doesn't back down, doesn't fold-up | | | | pretend this really is the edge of the world. |
| or disintegrates. It takes a proud beating with a 'Hah', I | | | | 12:30 pm - Honesty Store in the town of Ivana |
| am Batanes. | | | | Lunch takes place in an unmanned small canteen |
| Batanes should indeed be proud of its coffers. It offers | | | | stocked with goodies (mami, chips, sodas, biscuits). |
| an amazing landscape that is as complex as a Roger | | | | Owners put their faith in customers' honesty...hence the |
| Dean art work. The twisting spiraling mountains roll for | | | | store moniker. |
| miles and miles carpeted with green pastures. Atop its | | | | 2:10 pm - Marlboro Country |
| numerous cliffs one can get a front seat view of the | | | | After a belly filling lunch I head Payaman town dubbed |
| feisty merging waters of the China Sea with the | | | | as Marlboro Country. The tour guide boasts 'Makikita |
| Pacific Ocean. | | | | mo parang wala ka sa Pilipinas'. The town does have |
| There is also something incredibly charming about the | | | | a different feel to it. The pasture, from a far, is a |
| island's unique stone houses. Around 3 meters thick, | | | | mixture of deep green and brown hues. The guide |
| these rock abodes crafted by the ancestors have | | | | explained the brown color is actually thin bamboo |
| stood against torturous rain and bullying winds. The | | | | wood that cordons an Ivantan family's land from his |
| roofs are made of cogon providing water proof shade. | | | | neighbor. This village is Batanes' version of Tagaytay |
| From afar the houses create an amazing texture of | | | | Highlands but instead of golf courses it is actually cattle |
| color and form that is bucolic and unlike anything that | | | | pasture. Fantastic! |
| I've ever been in the provinces I've visited. | | | | DAY 3- Sabtang Island |
| In spite the amazing scenery the island's greatest | | | | Sabtang is considered one of the 12 best destinations |
| strength is its people - the Ivatans. Storm warriors by | | | | by the Department of Tourism in 1994. Compared to |
| birth they still posses a gentle demeanor, friendly | | | | Batan, the island is less affluent but is more charming |
| disposition and an unbelievable sense of | | | | (in my opinion). Batan's modern influences has |
| trustworthiness. Crime is said to be non-existent in | | | | converted its precious stone houses to concrete walls |
| Batanes and people find no need to lock their doors. | | | | and thatched roofs. Meanwhile Sabtang still has their |
| There is even a sign posted in the city treasury that | | | | cobble stoned streets and stone houses intact. Albeit |
| reads "LOST AND FOUND - MONEY. Please claim | | | | the Sabtang is also beginning to deteriorate as people |
| inside". | | | | there are starting to modernize their houses. The |
| As most travel junkies know Batanes is the | | | | danger of spoilage of Batanes is an issue the |
| northernmost province of the Philippines and its | | | | government must pay attention but that's another |
| smallest island both in terms of land area and | | | | article altogether. |
| population. Among its ten petite islands only three are | | | | Sabtang's landscape is also more breathtaking than |
| inhabited - Batan, Itbayat and Sabtang. Sandwiched by | | | | Batan's. Steep mountains, deep cannons and a |
| Babuyan Island and Taiwan, the province is closer to | | | | seemingly endless strip of white beach is amazing. |
| Taipei than Manila. In fact an urban legend states that | | | | Sheer limestone cliffs that plunge into cerulean waters |
| on a clear day one can see Taiwan and hear Chinese | | | | below makes it so surreal. I was able to swim in |
| roosters crow. | | | | Batanes waters! |
| Growth in Batanes' tourism has been spurred by | | | | P.S. Oh and by the way I saw an independent movie |
| airlines such as Asian Spirit that conveniently jets | | | | production shooting a scene in the island (these guys |
| weekly flights (for a P10,000 round trip ticket price). | | | | did the indie film called Donsol). I heard Angel Aquino |
| Surprisingly posh, the main airport is located in Basco, | | | | was the star. Interesting... |
| the province's capital (found in Batan island). Albeit the | | | | 8 pm - Dinner Time |
| flight being a bit choppy, I land safely in Batanes and | | | | A birthday party thrown by a fellow adventure seeker |
| seek my adventure. | | | | spiced up the night. A belly popping feast includes fresh |
| DAY 1 - Going around Basco | | | | tuna sashimi, lobsters and lechon. We washed it down |
| A refreshing contrast to other city centers, Basco has | | | | with a Pinoy ubiquitous drink - Tanduay. Yum. |
| neither a mall nor a Starbucks coffee shop - yet. The | | | | Other memorable dishes I had in Batanes were fresh |
| pseudo-commercial center is a small lane filled with tiny | | | | blue marlin tuna steak, green pepper filled lapu-lapu fillet, |
| groceries, supplies stores and ukay-ukay shops. Zero | | | | beef steak (lemme tell you they have lots of cows |
| tricycles explain the quiet streets and only a couple of | | | | here), cuttle fish and pizza. Yes pizza...there is a pizza |
| jeeps and automobiles exist here. | | | | maker in Basco named Ivan, my favorite flavors are |
| 2:00 pm | | | | pepperoni, garlic and cheese and anchovies pizza. You |
| Shanedel's, a family managed inn is a great place to | | | | have to order in advance to be able to enjoy its |
| bunk. The place has a killer view of the Batan Bay and | | | | yumminess. |
| is right beside the busy Basco port. An old lighthouse | | | | DAY 4 - Going Home |
| perched on a hill can also be seen. Languid cows | | | | Flights from Batanes to Manila always take off at |
| graze the pasture. The bovines stood so still I almost | | | | around 10 am. There was a certain melancholic feeling |
| doubted they were real. | | | | that washed over me as I left the quaint island. |
| 5:10 pm | | | | Probably because I'll be going back to the circus I call |
| Conveniently, the lighthouse is just a 20 minute walk | | | | my life. I guess one thing I have in common with |
| from my place. The sky was turning crimson as the | | | | Batanes is that just like its islands I always try to win |
| sun prepared to rest when the moon decided to drop | | | | over life's metaphoric raging waves. |
| by. I can't tell you how amazing it is to see the sun set | | | | THE CHECKLIST |
| and the moon reveal itself simultaneously. | | | | Batanes will definitely see me again. There are also so |
| 8:45 pm | | | | many stuff I wasn't able to do. |
| Fried flying fish, was my first Batanes dinner. The meat | | | | Here is my list: |
| was okay. Nothing fantastic. | | | | 1. Fly to Itbaya which is Batanes third inhabited island. I |
| DAY 2 Exploring Batan Island | | | | was supposed to go but unfortunately the only light |
| Batan, is Batanes' second largest island that serve as | | | | aircraft that flies to the island was broken. For those |
| the center of commerce and houses the seat of the | | | | who wish to go to Batanes I suggest you go explore |
| provincial government. Travelers can arrange tour | | | | Itbaya first before doing the other island as it is much |
| rides that will explore Batan's municipalities which | | | | harder to access. |
| include Basco, Ivana, Uyugan and Mahatao. | | | | 2. Climb Mount Iraya |
| 10 am | | | | 3. Visit Mavudis island which is the northernmost island |
| The 'jeepney topload' is the best seat to take when | | | | of Batanes. Coconut crabs litter the rich marine life |
| viewing Batan's landscape. The ride snakes through | | | | filled island. |
| the island's rolling terrain. Above me are spectacular | | | | 4. Explore Nakabuwang Cave in Sabtang and the |
| mountain formations that resemble stoic hunched-back | | | | Chawa cave which is said to be enchanted. It has a |
| giants. The white sand beach below me boasts pristine | | | | natural salt bed and a mouth that opens to South |
| waters that splash against massive rocks. | | | | China Sea. |
| Occasionally the driver parks his vehicle and allows my | | | | |