Batanes

Batanes is in the northernmost province of the Philippines with more than 16,000 number of the  population, the provincial capitol is Basco in Batan island. PAL express by Philippine Airlines and Skyjet are the airlines that has daily early morning flight from Manila to Basco for about 1hr and half, we took PAL express leave 7.30am in Manila and arrived in Basco around 9am ish . I think most of the hotel, inn or resorts in Batanes has free shuttle van from Basco airport to the hotel where you gonna booked in.  Since we arrived before lunch time in Basco we did the afternoon tour by walkin' since there was a bit hard time on getting a tricycle coz we didnt know that we need to call them first on mobile to get a ride (we didn't book a day tour in advance and had a bit miscommunication with hotels employee so we ended up walking to the town) but after 1 hour walking finally a tricycle stops and driver took us in town canteen as we are looking for a place to have lunch, the canteen was cool inside even it has no aircon also clean and served good food have different cakes too, after our lunch we walk around the plaza and find another trike to take us to the light house that we see a bit away from the town plaza.          

One of the light house in the province of Basco Batanes just nearby the town  

View from the hill of the light house near the town plaza

Basco light house

Basco Town Plaza

after having lunch in the canteen, walk around the plaza and went to the hill to get closer to the light house, we go back in hotel by trike and had a nap. Around 4pm when we decide to go walking again in the other side area of the hotel we stay in, here are some pictures i took just nearby the Dive Resort where we stay in it is  about one and half hour walking back and fort, it is cool to walk around like 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

A stone house up in the hill

A cow up in the hill

In the next day of our 2nd day in Batanes, the 1st day tour was the north of Batan Island where i booked thru Batanes travel and tours i did booking in the late afternoon on the 1st day we arrived thats why we been scheduled for the next day. we get the package tour of north and south of Batan Island for 2 days that cost us around P11,100.00  it is less expensive if you booked in a group. We only stay for 3 nights and 3 days as the 4th day is our early flight return to Manila so we did miss seeing the other island which is Sabtang  that needs to leave in the port at 6am travel time by boat is around 30 to 40mins. 

Mt. Carmel chapel build 2003

Vulugan beach

The most expensive hotel in Batanes that red roof top the Fundacion Pacita located up in the hill with the view of Mt. Iraya

at the Rolling hills 

On our 2nd day tour  the south of Batan Island 

150 steps stairs to go down

Dakay one of the oldest ivatan house

Honesty coffee shop was featured in the local tv program

Some of the ivatan houses near the seashore that has been destroyed by the typhoon no one lives there now 

One of the place where the actress Dawn Zulueta with her actor partner Richard Gomez shoot a movie scene in 1 of their movies 

Nice rock formation

             

Marlboro hills

at Marlboro hills  small canteen 

View from the plane 

Amboy hometel 

At Amboy hometel garden restaurant meals are set in a package for groups

Our table dinner set up at Amboy hometel


Here are some places in Batanes to stay in and also to dine in, we stay at Dive Resort  because of the Diving shop but when we get there diving shop is not open any more, Dive resort has breakfast included too with the room accomadation but have to tell them in advance before your meal time just like other bed and dine inn or resorts in Batanes.  Shandels inn and restaurant located in town near the port has a nice view deck served fresh brewed coffee and tea also has some selected foods in their menu  Octagon inn and restaurant with karaoke also served many choices of foods in their menu it is one of the places that has always many customers in their restaurant also have a nice view deck located near the town.

If you are a pizza lover Bernardo's hotel have  Casa Napoli cafe serves different kinds of pizza, spaghetti bolognese and a bucket of fried chicken those are only foods served on their menu also have fresh brewed coffee And Amboy Hometel just next after Bernardo's hotel has  a nice set up garden dinner also have many foods in their menu but serves in a set package.  Here's a tip make sure you always make a reservation 3 hours before your dinner so make sure to get the mobile no. of the restaurant where you want to dine in, Batanes resort also a few minutes away from the town just before Dive resort  Bernardo's hotel and Amboy Hometel are just nearby,   to get a trike always ask assistance from the reception to get for you Or make sure you get and save the tricycle botda mobile no. incase you want to go around the town.

I think  Batanes is one of the best place in the Philippines to visit, It has the most beautiful scenery, breathtaking views, hillside, country side, cliffs and nice ivatan people that you would wanted to think that would love to go back again, the flight fare is quite bit higher compare to other places in the Philippines but i think it is worth it or may be have early bookings like a few months before  the flight schedules or have sometime  to search for a package tour,  the best month to go in Batanes is around January to summer time like before end of May.

Beautiful sunset just few steps from the resorts


If you have any questions or comments just write down below and i will reply the best on my knowledge during our trip in Batanes, Thank you for taking some time to view my page.