Breathtaking Batanes

I started planning this Batanes trip 25 years ago when I first saw it at the late Susan Calo Medina's travel show. I knew this is a place I must visit with my husband, who was still then my boyfriend. 

Every year since then I'd plan a trip to this northernmost province of the Philippines but so many reasons hindered us from going.

Last February, I booked a ticket at Travel Fair via Airswift for a September Batanes escapade for our 25th year anniversary. Again, for the nth time, our flight was cancelled due to bad weather. 

January weather proved to be more cooperative and so John and I finally landed in Basco Airport last January 6. All the best things that happened in Batanes, from day 1, proved to be the most unexpected moments. 

Day 1. John helped this pretty young lady who's carrying so many food. Inside the plane, we started talking and we learned that she's a local form Batanes. Upon arrival at the airport, we waited for hours for our tour guide to pick us up but to no avail. They have completely forgotten about us. Good thing Leah was still there to assists us. She helped us find an accommodation, brought her to her house to have lunch and dinner. They were celebrating Three Kings at that time so we were lucky to have been served their famouse local dishes like Vunung. Leah even let us tag along to surprise the mother of her boyfriend who's celebrating her 62nd birthday that night.

Day 2 . We spent the second day with a joint tour with Bisumi Tour and Services (P5,500 per head for three days tour. Inclusive of lunch). We went to see Mt. Carmel Church, Pag-Asa Weather Station, Valugan Boulder Beach (where I met Kakai Bautista), Dipnausuhan Japanese Tunnel, Fundacion Pacita, Vayang Rolling Hills, Basco Lighthouse.

Day 3. Sabtang Tour.

Day 4.

Day 5.   On our fifth day, we went on a side trip at Spring of Youth, still under Bisumi Tour, This tour is not part of the usual three day joint tour so make sure you tell your tour guide if you want to see this hidden gem.

The question now is, sulit ba ang gastos sa Batanes? Yes, oo, sulit na sulit. I am the kind of person na masawain sa tanawin pero sa ganda ng kapaligiran at sa kabaitan ng mga mamamayan, siguradong babalik akong muli sa Breathtaking Batanes!