Batanes
My first trip to this enigmatic place with my very first DSLR (Olympus E-520) in February 2009. Had to master the camera and its 2 kit lenses in a rush and yes they performed admirably.
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This trip was made possible and pleasurable by my traveling companion and wife - May, who had an on-going project there.
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​First time also to ride on a 30-seater plane where my window was directly beside the propeller. Scary...
​Samples of those fabulous stone houses
​May posing in front of a stone house. Many are still being presently used.
​May and her workmate - Constantine at the cliff side viewing deck.​
​The view from the deck
​The beaches on the island is made up mostly of pebbles and rocks.
​The Songsong town ruins which according to our guide was wiped out by a tsunami a long time ago.
​The abandoned American naval base.
​Breath-taking rock scapes litter the seaside.​
​Daredevil carabao atop a steep hill beside the shore.
​Me and the Mrs.
​A cow atop a hill
​The sunset view just outside our room
​Batanes resort where we stayed
​Morning clouds by the beach
​The neighbouring Sabtang island
​May gathering some souvenir pebbles for my sister
​Blooming bouganvillas at a balcony
​One of the popular sites in Batan island is Racuh A Payaman. This is a communal pasture where cattles are free to roam. You can view the South China Sea on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other side.
​We chanced upon this group doing parasailing and mountain biking.
​A panoramic shot of Racuh A Payaman aka Marlboro Country with Constantine
​Another rockscape with Mt. Iraya in the background covered by clouds. During our stay there, Mt. Iraya didn't reveal her peak to me.
​A local resident by the Mahatao lighthouse
​We also visited these windmills which generate electricity to the island. These windmills can be "folded" in the event of a typhoon.​
​Valugan or Boulder beach.
​Mahatao church
​Tukon church
​The view at the backyard of former Cong. Abad's residence
​Basco lighthouse atop Nadine Hill
​Before going back to Manila, we dropped by a souvenir shop where the owner was very accommodating. It turns out the owner is also the baggage inspector at the local airport. The perks of living in a small community.
​The airport was a classic interior styled one-room affair with the runway just outside on the left side.
​​Batanes remains as one of the premier dream destinations in my country despite the steep travel fare. The place has not been spoiled by commercialism we have witnessed in other places. Heck, the largest restaurant in the place was a school cafeteria. No McDonald's, no Jollibee. Let's keep it that way please.
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Despite just staying in Batan and not visiting Sabtang or Itbaya Islands, it was enough to mark this place as living up to its hype. It's a must to visit this eden. You can't get enough of the rugged and unspoiled beauty of the land as well as the friendly disposition of the people.
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Make sure to include Batanes in your bucket list!
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