streetsmartgirl: Batanes (Day 1)

I really wanted for long to go to Batanes when I first learned it has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Who would not be enticed by that fact? Besides, Batanes is the northernmost tip of the Philippines and in close proximity to Taiwan. Given these, it's no surprise that flights to remote Batanes is expensive and limited. But thanks to Seair's promo, we booked to Batanes at Php4800 roundtrip. Normal roundtrip fare costs Php12000++. Teehee. What a great deal! Booking the ticket was not a breeze but it was all worth it.

Fast forward to September 2010. After six months of waiting, it was finally Batanes vacay.

Our flight was actually cancelled due to weather conditions in Batanes but we were still hoping that we’d be able to make it. We texted our guide in Batanes and he told us that it was lightly raining in Basco. Who knows if it was a drizzle based on his standards or he meant a downpour. The supposedly 6am flight was moved to 7am. It was fine as long as we’re going. The Seair flight went smoothly which I didn’t expect. After all, it was a 32-seater Dornier plane and we were seated at the last row. Boo.. Nonetheless, it gave the comfort of an airbus but it’s also capable of short distance landing and take-off. We were hoping for a fine weather in Batanes and we were not disappointed.

Batanes-bound

It was an hour plane ride from Manila to Basco, capital of Batanes. As I looked through the window, the first sights of Batanes were just indescribable. We were greeted by green mountains and cliffsides where the waves constantly meet the shoreline. It makes you wonder if you are really in the Philippines. As soon the as the pilot announced that we are landing in Basco shortly, I couldn’t contain my excitement. My dream of going to Batanes is finally happening.

After meeting our friendly tour guide Kuya Roger, we had breakfast at Hiro’s Café. The food was typical Filipino breakfast of tapa and sinangag and coffee. After eating, Kuya Roger dropped us at Batanes Seaside Lodge where we got the family room at Php1500/night good for 4 pax. After settling in, we rested a bit and our tour guide fetched us at around 12nn for lunch. We ate lunch at Hiro’s again and tried a Batanes dish - slugs cooked in coconut milk. Yep. I’m a bit adventurous when it comes to food. I expected it to taste similar to balot, but hell no. It tasted like it was something dug from the soil. So much for our hearty lunch!

Ginataang kuhol, anyone?

Our Batanes adventure starts now!

Chawa View Deck. From where we were standing, we could see how the strong waves hit against the cliffside. It was a windy day and temperature was cool for a Batanes summer. Other Batanes islands can also be seen from our location. We stayed there for around 20 minutes and then we headed to Basco Pag-asa Station.

Exhilarating view from Chawa

Sure, it was a windy day

Basco Pagasa Station. Contrary to the notion that Batanes is frequently visited by typhoons; not all of them pass by Batanes. Pagasa has a station in Basco which serves a reference point for identifying the exit of typhoons. So yes, you got it right. Batanes is not always pounded by typhoons. We went inside the weather station and found out that they have antique-old equipment. I wonder if these instruments give accurate weather forecast.

Basco Pagasa weather station

Fundacion Pacita. It's one of the best boutique hotels in the country. The place looks like an English cottage. How pretty is that. If I had the budget, I would definitely stay here. We were lucky enough to tour around the hotel’s premises which is not allowed for two years already. Kuya Roger repeatedly said that we were so lucky because we got the chance to roam around Fundacion since we were not hotel guests. The owner, a prominent cabinet secretary, was staying there along with other guests. Fundacion boasts the 360-degree view of the other islands of Batanes, Marlboro Country, cliffs, and the surrounding sea. The veranda provides a great morning view of the sea and the mountains. Ah, such a beautiful view to wake up in the morning. Fundacion Pacita is love! I wish I’d never leave this place.

Fundacion Pacita from afar

Corner room

Valugan Boulder Beach. The boulders found in the beach are rocks spewed by Mt Iraya . The boulders were smoothed over time by the tides of the Pacific Ocean. Sitting in one of the boulders and waiting for the waves to smash against the rocks is an experience that you shouldn’t miss while there.

Trying to sit still while the waves hit the rocks

Basco Lighthouse. Batanes has a number of lighthouses and the one found in Basco is the most famous and accessible. The top of the lighthouse provides stunning views of the green mountains and sea.

The Lighthouse

Rolling Hills. The hills reminded me of the movie Sound of Music. It was indeed a view to remember! The view can also pass for New Zealand where cows are sent out to pasture on the green hills.