[DAY 1] BATANES: Arrival and Exploring the charm of North Batan

Touch down Basco, Batanes! (how i love saying that expression, hehe) We arrived in Basco after a one hour and forty-five minutes flight. As advised by the pilot, we are about descend and land in Batanes.

Arrival in Batanes from Baking Byahera on Vimeo.

Upon arrival, guests were welcomed by a quaint airport. The airport is reminiscent to famous stone houses of Batanes. Batanes airport is not well equipped with conveyor belt for luggage yet surprisingly, people kept calm and waited for the airport personnel to get the baggage stub for the checked in baggage.

The staff of Amboys Hometel was there waiting for us to pick us up in the airport. After getting our baggage complete, off we go to Amboys. Passing through the streets of Batanes is like stepping back in time, really. It was not long until we approach Brgy. Chanarian. The highway was situated beside the a long coast line. It was not white sand beach yet still breath-taking.


AMBOY'S HOMETEL and BED & BREAKFAST

Arriving at Amboy's Hometel... It was like a rest house with a garden. We are welcomed with a breakfast in the garden. It was a fine day just perfect for exploring the North Batan. After breakfast, we head to our room and unpacked our things. As per Ate Gladys (Front desk), the tour will start at 1:30 in the afternoon until sunset.

breakfast at the garden

lunch at Amboy's restaurant

The rooms are newly painted and clean. All rooms are air-conditioned as well for the guests' convenience. I have requested for my aunties to stay in the ground floor as they will have difficulty in using the stairs. Since Amboy's do not have a big room to accommodate seven people, we decided to get two rooms.

NORTH BATAN ISLAND TOUR

TUKON CHURCH or MT. CARMEL CHURCH

Our first stop in this tour, was a new church built on the top of a hill. The church is small yet the breeze of fresh Ivatan air easily goes in the church. It feels like inside the Calaruega church of Nasugbu, Batangas.

PAGASA WEATHER STATION

the facility is under renovation, new radar will be in-place

jaw-dropping view from Basco PAGASA Weather Station

Filipinos often mistaken Batanes as the passage way of typhoons that visit the country. As our tour guide mentioned, on the contrary, Basco -- Batanes' capital was always mentioned in typhoon weather reports because PAGASA's last point of reference in tracking weather disturbance is in Basco. It does not necessarily mean that Batanes was always devastated by typhoons. But when they did, Ivatans were always resilient and ready to any harsh weather.

FUNDACION PACITA BATANES NATURE LODGE

I can consider this hotel as the most expensive place to stay in Batanes. An artist house, us converted into a small hotel. Each room has its own character and an amazing view of the ocean and the rolling hills of Basco.
This work of art is dedicated to an eclectic artist Pacita Abad. When we passed by Fundacion Pacita, we are not able to get near the lodge because my aunties are unable to walk on a rough road towards the Fundacion Pacita. Also, as advised by the tour guide, there are guest checked in hence we cannot go and see inside the lodge.

IDIANG (STONE FORTRESS)

There are tribes who inhabited Batanes before the Spaniards arrived. The early tribes have their ways on how to create shelters and protect their territories.

DIPNAYSUPUAN TUNNEL

view from the top of the Japanese tunnel

During the second World War, the strategic position of Batanes was used by the Japanese as an hide out and began to create tunnel for shelter and protection. This tunnel leads to another Idiang or a fortress wherein their guns are position in the top of the hill. In this manner, they can monitor all enemies passing by the West Philippine sea and from Pacific Ocean.


VALUGAN BOULDER BEACH

Mt. Iraya threw up thousands of boulder to this area of Batanes when it erupted long time ago. The waves which constantly hitting against the boulders made it possible to make the boulders' smooth surface.
This beach area is not recommended for swimming though because of the huge wave and uneven surface due to the boulders.
This scenic spot has been the subject of many photographers during sunrise and sunset.

STO. DOMINGO DE BASCO CATHEDRAL

The cathedral was initially built with wood and cogon. Due to this, it was often destroyed by harsh weather and fire. Hence, It was rebuilt using sturdy materials such as sandstone and lime. They imported masons and stone cutters from Cagayan province. It has a long aisle and the inside has been renovated.

VAYANG ROLLING HILLS 

The scenery while on the roads of Batanes was never boring. Everything has a story, which is worth listening into. Cattle is one of the main source of livelihood for the people of Batanes. The tour guide even mentioned that the cost of beef is lower in Batanes than pork! People are dependent on the hills and its products. Ivatan people managed to be contented on what they have and to what they can produce out of the resources around them. :D

cows here knew how to balance and trek

I shall return and conquer Mt. Iraya!

SUNSET AT NAIDI HILLS

This North Batan Island tour will surely save the best for last. Naidi hills is the home of one of the famous Lighthouses of Batanes. The Basco lighthouse is a six-storey structure which serves a guidance to seafarers and fishermen in Batanes coastline.


naidi hills from Baking Byahera on Vimeo.

The Bunker's cafe

from the top of Lighthouse

Cloudy sunset in Naidi Hills

Basco Lighthouse

We had a blast during this 1st day in Batanes and we are feeling great to explore more. In my mind, i am thinking that even if the tiny islands of Batanes has been outcast from mainland Luzon, it was not became a hindrance to develop and keep its identity. In Batanes, skyscrapers and malls is not progress it is the towering cliffs and untouched nature that is worth visiting.

This is just the beginning of our Batanes experice! More to come! :D