I'm afraid the pictures below does not justify the actual beauty of Batanes. Its surreal for me and my friends to have a taste of heaven on earth.
Planning for a trip to Batanes was never easy, the most challenging part was finding a cheap airfare from Manila - Batanes. We book the ticket 6 months prior to our trip. The price of the ticket can actually buy you an international flight. But hey! the amount we spent for Batanes did not exceed the happiness it brought us.
This is the list of my Batanes experience:
1. Bringing back the old days
For the 90's and below kids, you come back to the feeling where gadgets are still non-existent for the common people. The time when you still climb a tree and eat its fruit right away, the time when you can still feel the fresh breeze from the unexploited sea, the time when you could freely roll over the green meadows.
2. It gives you that secret garden feels
I always love the secret garden movie because it gives us a glimpse of a serene life, a life one with nature. And you can experience that in Batanes, the place is still untouched by Industrial activities and I hope will never be.
3. It's 0 crime rate
I lived in the city, so its normal for me not to leave my valuables anywhere. But I never expected that there would be a place in the Philippines that you can actually leave your stuff without worrying. Yes, its in Batanes. Our tour includes the transportation all throughout the trip. And there were times when we're tired of bringing our valuables with us, we left it in the open pickup truck and nothing was missing. Since then, we no longer worry about leaving our things inside the car while in Batanes.
4. It's 0 poverty rate
In Batanes you can observe that the people live within their means. To them, pretentious luxurious life is not a necessity. Inside the house was simple, entertained by a single boob tube.
5. People know each other
While at the airport arrival area, heard this conversation from tour guides who were waiting for their designated tourists
Random Kuya: Uie Ivatan pala to (While reading the name from the whiteboard)
Random Ate: Oo nga kapamilya to nila Andres
Me to our tour guide: Paano po nila nalaman na Ivatan?
Tour Guide: Kasi dun sa apelyido
Me: Amazing!
Yes, its seems that they know everyone living in Batanes. I also noticed that while on the road, they never missed waving hello to their fellow Ivatans especially the fellow tour guides. When I ask our guide if they know everyone living in Batanes, she said yes. Maybe that's one factor why Batanes is 0 crime rate.
6. The Ivatans are hospitable, cheerful people
We Filipinos are known being hospitable, but the Ivatans got the highest point for that. They are not shy to talk to tourist. I noticed when there's still time for small talk, they grab the chance to chat with you. They make you feel welcome and comfortable. They never fail to give you the sincerest smile.
7. Just like in Japan, bike is one of their major transportation
Oil price is expensive in Batanes since they import that from Luzon, thats why you can see many people using bike as their mode of transportation. No traffic, no smoke.
8. In Batanes you can see the sincerest kind of people
In a place still unspoiled and fairly unexploited lives people that see the goodness of each other. There's less greed and pride. People are in their humblest form, getting only what they need, the basics.
I think that makes Batanes different from other places I've been. They instill values in us, the basics, the one we learn from nature. Batanes, Im surely coming back.
Planning for a trip to Batanes was never easy, the most challenging part was finding a cheap airfare from Manila - Batanes. We book the ticket 6 months prior to our trip. The price of the ticket can actually buy you an international flight. But hey! the amount we spent for Batanes did not exceed the happiness it brought us.
This is the list of my Batanes experience:
1. Bringing back the old days
For the 90's and below kids, you come back to the feeling where gadgets are still non-existent for the common people. The time when you still climb a tree and eat its fruit right away, the time when you can still feel the fresh breeze from the unexploited sea, the time when you could freely roll over the green meadows.
2. It gives you that secret garden feels
I always love the secret garden movie because it gives us a glimpse of a serene life, a life one with nature. And you can experience that in Batanes, the place is still untouched by Industrial activities and I hope will never be.
3. It's 0 crime rate
I lived in the city, so its normal for me not to leave my valuables anywhere. But I never expected that there would be a place in the Philippines that you can actually leave your stuff without worrying. Yes, its in Batanes. Our tour includes the transportation all throughout the trip. And there were times when we're tired of bringing our valuables with us, we left it in the open pickup truck and nothing was missing. Since then, we no longer worry about leaving our things inside the car while in Batanes.
4. It's 0 poverty rate
In Batanes you can observe that the people live within their means. To them, pretentious luxurious life is not a necessity. Inside the house was simple, entertained by a single boob tube.
5. People know each other
While at the airport arrival area, heard this conversation from tour guides who were waiting for their designated tourists
Random Kuya: Uie Ivatan pala to (While reading the name from the whiteboard)
Random Ate: Oo nga kapamilya to nila Andres
Me to our tour guide: Paano po nila nalaman na Ivatan?
Tour Guide: Kasi dun sa apelyido
Me: Amazing!
Yes, its seems that they know everyone living in Batanes. I also noticed that while on the road, they never missed waving hello to their fellow Ivatans especially the fellow tour guides. When I ask our guide if they know everyone living in Batanes, she said yes. Maybe that's one factor why Batanes is 0 crime rate.
6. The Ivatans are hospitable, cheerful people
We Filipinos are known being hospitable, but the Ivatans got the highest point for that. They are not shy to talk to tourist. I noticed when there's still time for small talk, they grab the chance to chat with you. They make you feel welcome and comfortable. They never fail to give you the sincerest smile.
7. Just like in Japan, bike is one of their major transportation
Oil price is expensive in Batanes since they import that from Luzon, thats why you can see many people using bike as their mode of transportation. No traffic, no smoke.
8. In Batanes you can see the sincerest kind of people
In a place still unspoiled and fairly unexploited lives people that see the goodness of each other. There's less greed and pride. People are in their humblest form, getting only what they need, the basics.
I think that makes Batanes different from other places I've been. They instill values in us, the basics, the one we learn from nature. Batanes, Im surely coming back.
The expenses are written at the end of this article. Meanwhile, enjoy the photos.
BATAN ISLAND NORTHERN TOUR
1. Tukon Radar Station
2. Tukon Chapel
3. Fundacion Pacita
4. Japanese Tunnel
5. Valugan Boulder Beach
6. Basco town proper – capitol and church
7. Vayang Rolling Hills
8. Naidi Hills and Basco lighthouse
SABTANG ISLAND TOUR
9. Heritage Hall/ Savidug Vernacular Houses
10. Chamantad- Tinian Viewpoint
11. Chavayan Community Tour (UNESCO Nominated Site)
12. Nakabuang Beach and Arc
BATAN ISLAND SOUTHERN TOUR
13. Chawa View Deck
14. Mahatao Old Church – San Carlos Borromeo Church
15. Shelter Port
16. House of Dakay
17. San Jose de Obrero Church
18. Honesty Coffee Shop
19. Mahatao Lighthouse
20. Marlboro Country
21. Muching viewpoint
Here's the list of our expenses during the trip:
- Airfare(Davao - Manila - Davao) : P1,604/person
- Airfare(Manila - Batanes - Manila) : P8,000/person
- E-Philippines Tour: P4,000 (4D/3N)/person
Please refer here for their rates (http://www.e-philippines.com.ph/philippine-tourist-destinations/batanes-travel-and-tour-packages/)
- Accommodation (Novita House good for 8 people): (1800/night x 3nights) P5,400
Since there's just 6 of us, 5400/6 = 900
-Food budget: P180 per meal per person
If you get a tour from ephilippines, there are two free lunches.
So our overall expense(without the souvenirs) : P16,484
- Airfare(Davao - Manila - Davao) : P1,604/person
- Airfare(Manila - Batanes - Manila) : P8,000/person
- E-Philippines Tour: P4,000 (4D/3N)/person
Please refer here for their rates (http://www.e-philippines.com.ph/philippine-tourist-destinations/batanes-travel-and-tour-packages/)
- Accommodation (Novita House good for 8 people): (1800/night x 3nights) P5,400
Since there's just 6 of us, 5400/6 = 900
-Food budget: P180 per meal per person
If you get a tour from ephilippines, there are two free lunches.
So our overall expense(without the souvenirs) : P16,484
THANKS TO OUR CARING, EXPERT, LOVING TOUR GUIDE ATE REMY!