Batanes - A Road Less Travelled
November 23, 2008 by villalobos
Filed under Batanes
“Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less travelled by.” - Robert Frost
Off the northern tip of the Philippines lies Batanes Islands. Here where the Pacific ocean meets the South China sea, Batanes promises its visitors a magical experience like no other. For people who simply want to get away from it all, this is the destination.
Ask a Filipino if he had been to Batanes. More often than not, his answer will be no. Due to the remoteness of Batanes from the capital city of Manila, not too many Filipinos have had the chance to visit this enchanting islands. Batanes is about 860 kilometers from Manila but is only about 190 kilometers from Taiwan.
Being in Batanes is like being in another country. The landscape and even the weather is very distinct from the rest of the country. A leisurely trek on the grassy hills rewards hikers a grand view of Basco Bay. Take a dip in the turquoise water, or walk along narrow streets lined with stone houses with grass-thatched roofs. Batanes is the place to commune with nature, to soak a few moments of solitude, and to get away from the deafening karaoke music in the usual crowded tourist resorts.
Batanes is composed of ten islands but only 3 are inhabited - Itbayat, Batan, and Sabtang . Basco is the capital. The people are called Ivatans. Languages spoken are Ivatan, Ichbayaten, and Tagalog. Batanes will sweep you off your feet and here’s why. Watch this video of tomym1029 from youtube.
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The best time to travel is April to June when the temperature is pleasant. SEAIR & Zest Air have regular flights to Batanes.
“LIfe is Good”
Photos by wtb472 at http://flickr.com/photos/darkofthemoon/
hey I’ll be going to Batanes on February, any advice to give me (food, accomodation, palces to go)?
Book your flight and hotel early. Flights may be cancelled due to bad weather so make ample allowances on your schedule. And bring enough cash. Bring a jacket. Nights could be cold. Lastly, don’t forget your camera. Batanes is one of the most picturesque places in the Philippines.
Flights:
SEAIR
http://www.flyseair.com – online booking
Tel - 849-0100
ZESTAIR
http://www.asianspirit.com – online booking
Tel - 888-2003
Accommodation:
Batanes Resort
Tel – 922-9621 loc 327/332
Batanes Seaside Lodge
Tel – 921-229-0102 or 917-882-5609
Pension Ivatan
Email - innkeeper@pensionivatan.com
website – http://www.pensionivatan.com
Places to go/Interesting places:
Marlboro Hills and Naidi Hills (for trekking)
Sabtang Island
Itbayat Island
Lime and Stone Houses
Old churches
Lighthouse at Sabtang Island
White beach
Old churches
Mount Iraya – if you’re adventurous
Di-Atay Beach
Songsong
Share your Batanes experience with butikilyo when you get back. Have a safe trip.
Keep on travelling!