I have many stock photos and some videos from my previous travels that I would like to share here. I do not keep a journal so I cannot present them chronologically unless I go through the file properties to get the date when the photo or video was created. That is too much time consuming so I just thought of doing it geographically starting from the top of our map for my in-country travels. These will be my #comeandvisit series.

Here we go with the first one: Batanes. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, Batanes is definitely one of the best options for a getaway. Time seems to stand still in Batanes so you can live your life at your own pace. Crime rate is very low or almost no crime at all. The locals are called Ivatan which is the same as they call their dialect.

Just in case you did not notice, the background photo is the same as my profile background here on Steemit.

Geography

Batanes is a province and small archipelago at the northern-most part of the Philippines. It is nearer to the country of Taiwan than to the mainland of Luzon which is the biggest island in the Philippines. Our country is blessed to own Batanes because it has so many wonders. One of those wonders is its rich and luscious grassland, especially during or near rainy season that makes others call it New Zealand of the Philippines. I call it Batanes of the Philippines. Batanes is Batanes.

The province consists of 10 islands where three of those are inhabited.
(1) Batan. This is where the provincial capital Basco is located. It is the main island and the second largest
(2) Itbayat, the largest
(3) Sabtang

The rest are Mavudis, Misanga, Ditarem, Siayan, Dinem, Vuhos, Adekey. The northernmost island is Mavudis which is also known as Yami.

How to get there

For visitors, the usual route to Batanes is via flight from Metro Manila to Basco. I gathered that there are also flights from Tuguegarao, Cagayan. That can be another option if you are already near the Cagayan Valley area. Find more details here on how to get to Batanes.

Vacation destinations

Destinations in this archipelago are usually grouped into four - North Batan, South Batan, Sabtang and Itbayat. As I mentioned above, the last two are separate islands where Sabtang is to the south of Batan and Itbayat is on the northern part. Our tour guide said we need to allocate one whole day and overnight if you go to Itbayat because it is farther than Sabtang. This is something I did not consider when I booked our trip. Also, our tour guide said the waves going to Itbayat are stronger and the weather is not so favourable so we no longer went there. Itbayat and other spots we missed are actually worth another trip to Batanes.

I will cover the North Batan destinations in this article.

1. Fundacion Pacita
This is basically a hotel which seems so simple from afar and at first glance. However with the very simple living in Batanes, Fundacion Pacita is already considered a luxury hotel. It is nestled on top of a hill that has grand view of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding hills. Its surroundings are perfectly landscaped. You can visit and wander around the property even if you are not their guest. You can also visit the museum inside where the works of Pacita Abad are displayed.

Wall arts inside the museum.

"May the goodness of God be with you." This is graffiti in Fundacion Pacita garden.

2. PAGASA Radar Station
So what will I do in a radar station? You ask. This used to be a USA weather station. Getting in here will give you a clear panoramic view of the islands.

Welcome!

3. Didawud or Basco Idjang (fortress)
This is one of the four idjangs of Batanes. Ivatans used idjangs as lookout points and fortification to protect themselves during the war. We did not climb this one, we just passed by. I guess that explains why I can not find a photo of this idjang from my stock.

4. Dipnaysuhuan Japanese Tunnel
Go back in time. Get a feeling of the Japanese regime. Test your endurance of the dark and closed spaces. Our tour guide said this has five doors with series of chambers, a bunker that served as a lookout spot and water reservoir during the Japanese occupation.

My niece is having a feeler if we should proceed to the tunnel.

In spite of the darkness, we were visible after all with a faint flashlight.

5. Chanpan or Valugan Boulder Beach
Get those shoes off and feel the earth beneath you. You may know that therapeutic feel when you soak your feet in warm water during spa. This beach can be an alternative with the heat of the stones when the sun is up.

Penny for thoughts, my dear niece?

Locally, the call the place as Chanpan but is also known as Valugan which means east. As the name implies, this beach has boulders and gravels. The locals’ story is that these boulders and gravels are from volcanic eruptions of the nearby Mt. Iraya in the A.D. ages. They consider this area as a sacred fishing port.

The stretch of boulders and gravels were believed to have been smoothed by the waves from West Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

6. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral or the Sto. Domingo Church
For Roman Catholics or Christians, find more solace and peace in this church. It is considered the seat of Roman Catholic Church in the province. It was built in 18th century with only cogon grass as roofing.

7. Vayang Rolling Hills
This is my favorite spot so I am presenting more photos. I cannot get enough of it during our vacation. The hills seem to be an endless wave. It has breathtaking and really refreshing luscious meadows that span to as far as my eyes can see and down to Pacific Ocean. Our tour guide was saying that our timing of going there in August was perfect because the hills are very green. During summer, the view is brown because plants are drying out. Refresh your eyes with this scenery. I actually have more photos of the hills but I won't flood your screen so much. You better schedule that trip soon.

The hills are kissing the beach of Pacific Ocean down below. I feel like I can just roll myself down the hills then run along the beach.

Geeesss.... find my niece on the photo. Do you see her? She's so excited that she went on without me. 😃

My niece is missing by my side again. It looks like she wanna run to that cow below. Do you see the cow?

We may need to add more to the herd.

8. Basco Lighthouse and Naidi Hills
Fell the fresh air and get another great panoramic view of the islands on the lighthouse. It is a very popular landmark in Batanes. It was built in 2003 for navigational purposes and also a tourist attraction.

It stands at a bit taller than 20 meters (66 feet) on Naidi hills.

The tranquil view from the top of the lighthouse. It was worth our climb.

All smiles, my niece...

While I take a selfie. It's airy! 😊

Mt. Carmel Chapel is also a place worth visiting in Batanes. This became popular due to it being the only church built with stones as inspired by the Ivatan stone houses which are more in Sabtang (this will be covered in my next article for Batanes). Its interior is well decorated with stained-glass windows and stunning religious paintings. Our tour guide was also recommending that if we go back, we hike Mt. Irayat. With that, I believe these, plus Itbayat, are worth going back for.

Watch out for the next article covering South Batan and Sabtang.

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