BATANES: Home of the winds
Batanes… It’s a must-see destination here in the Philippines. It has always been my dream to go to Batanes ever since college. So when I heard about Seair’s seat sale, me and my bestfriend Steph booked our ticket right away.
The plane fare going to Batanes usually costs around 12,000 -14,000php (roundtrip) and we got ours for 6,500php each (roundtrip). Too bad Seair is the only aircraft that has a flight going there. We stayed in Batanes Seaside Lodge for 4 days 3 nights, I must say that they have the best package deal since it’s just 6,000 php all-in, that includes our accommodation, breakfast lunch and dinner, and the tour itself. They have nice rooms as well plus the manager of Batanes Seaside Lodge, Ms.Lydia, is very friendly and accommodating… I fell inlove with Batanes the moment that we arrived. The people are so friendly; they would smile at you and greet you as if you guys know each other already.
They live a simple life, and there was even a time that it made me think to just live there (haha.). So when we started our tour, it seems like as if we’re in another country. And the weather… it’s so cold, it’s windy and even if the sun is up, it really gets cold to the point that I can’t afford to take off my jacket.
When in Batanes, I would really suggest that you try to rent a mountain bike and just explore the place. Like what my bestfriend told me, ‘When in Batanes, do what Ivatans do.’. One thing that I can’t forget during my vacation in Batanes is our ‘boat ride’ going to sabtang island and going back to Basco. It was the craziest, wildest and toughest boat ride ever. The boat was jumping up and down because of the huge waves. Yes, it was scary BUT fun at the same time. I wanted to tell more things about Batanes but the place was so BEAUTIFUL and its better for people to find out and discover for themselves what Batanes is all about.
'House of Dakay' - oldest stone house in Batanes.
With Lola Ida (one of the oldest women on the island)
Makes me want to go back to Batanes... *sigh*
Huge waves in Sabtang island, Batanes
Jump for Joy! (with my new found friends in Batanes.) =)