Batanes Province, Philippines is a group of ten islands in the northernmost part of the Philippines. It is reached by a 40 min plane from Manila or shorter from Laoag, Ilocos Norte. It is already near the southernmost tip of Taiwan. Wide bodies of water circle these islands, the North is Bashi Channel and Balintang Channel, where the Pacific Ocean merges with China Sea. It is also famous for frequent typhoon visits, that its old famous stone houses have meter-thick walls to withstand gusty winds. One of the most beautiful characteristics of Batanes is its zero rate of crime, the people are helpful and old traditions are still intact. Moreover, the climate is subtropical unlike the hotter temperatures in mainland Luzon.
Not many Filipinos have reached Batanes because only one airline goes there, making expenses a bit costly. Only determined tourists, travelers and nature photographers really take time to visit these islands, as it really is a haven for photographers. Being in the typhoon belt, visitors must be prepared to stay longer when an unexpected typhoon arrived. The main island is Batan, where the airport and commercial district is located. Going to other inhabited islands like Sabtang or Itbayat takes 40 min to 4 hours, respectively. Due to climate change, they say typhoons are not anymore that frequent in Batanes.
West side of Basco, the capital of Batanes
Valugan Beach facing Pacific Ocean
View from Fundacion Pacita and Abad residence
grazing grounds for cattle
The House of Dakay, UNESCO heritage building, in Ivana town is the oldest stone house being built of lime and stones in 1887. It survived an earthquake in 1918 which leveled off most structures in the area.
Fundacion Pacita at the promontory overlooking the Pacific Ocean
Some information links:
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Oh, what a gorgeous place, Andrea! It is as much like Paradise as any of the islands frequented by tourists that are more well-known. Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteAndrea, such a gorgeous place, beautifully photographed. On top of this, zero crime rate, so refreshing when one sees what's going on in many parts of the world.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful photos, Andrea. I love the rolling hills and would bet the earthquakes are responsible for this beauty. Love those cow pictures and am sure One does too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful landscape ! I never thought it was so green over there !
ReplyDeleteWhat a spectacular paradise you get to see. So beautiful there.
ReplyDeletethis region of the philippines doesn't look like philippines at all. the rolling green hills remind me of ireland photos i see on calendars before.
ReplyDeleteWhat a paradise you are showing us here! It's so lush and green and uncrowded. I hope it stays that way! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a beautiful place. I love the stone photos which is the second photo and the house made of rocks.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of a lovely place., Andrea. You seem to visit Batanes a lot. Is it an annual sojourn for you? How lucky you are. I would love to bring the children someday soon.
ReplyDeleteLast month, my wife came to me telling me to intervene because the children were arguing. I asked why she didn't intervene herself and she said she didn't know the answer to resolve the issue so I should handle it instead. What were the children fighting about? My 7-year old was insisting that Bashi channel is in the south and my 10-year old was insisting that it is in the north. I should share your post with them. LOL!
These are actually old photos from a previous visit to Batanes. I normally only put all the photos in one post, but Batanes is so unique to merit more posts to show the world.
ReplyDeleteMarie - the beauty of the place mostly rests in its isolation, yes hopefully not much tourists will come to preserve its beauty. It doesn't mean the tourists will change it, but commercialism will change a lot of things for a place.
Alistair - do you know that we sometimes call Batanes as the Scotland of the Philippines. Somehow it assuaged our feeling not to have seen Scotland or maybe Ireland.
Donna - yes Batanes is made by volcanoes. In fact, a big volcano is looming nearby, Mt Iraya. I posted it in last year's post.
Gattina - even most of us Filipinos are not aware of the beauty of these islands, so whenever some finances allow, most come here for curiosity.
robin andrea - yes we have something like this to show the world, it really is paradise with zero crime rate.
Photo Cache - we sometimes call it the Scotland of the Philippines or maybe Ireland we see in photos. Let's hope commercialism due to tourism will not adulterate much the values in the place, and it must remain zero crime rate. It is an oasis of values and traditions for our country!
ReplyDeleteLinnea - that really is our wish too, thanks for coming.
One - it is better experienced personally than in photos. This is a place i don't get tired of visiting, and the food is cheap and delicious too.
Bom - as i said on top, Batanes photos need to be shown more, it is a beautiful oasis of culture and traditions for our country, imagine it has zero crime rate! Thanks for the use of this post as a reliable review of literature, but actually i just also searched it. I think your daughters are fully familiar on searching and concluding which articles are more reliable. Maybe they just want to get your attention.
I think my youngest just misunderstood. They were both quoting their teachers.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the stories are true that there is only one prisoner there and that he goes out to clean around the jail during the day then locks himself in again at night. Urban legend?
What a wonderful place!!! If only I could still fly in commercial aircraft I would be there like a shot. Absolutely beautiful land and seascapes.
ReplyDeleteHi there - what a great set of pictures. I would have never guessed that the 5th picture was in the Philippines!
ReplyDeleteAnother place to add to the "lets visit" list.
Cheers - Stewart M - Australia
Andrea, I've so been wanting to go to Batanes! It looks like such an idyllic place and you confirm what I've read about the hospitality. Did you go by plane or boat? What a cool site that last photo must have been... seeing the rain with the rainbow over the water.
ReplyDelete[Now you will laugh, but the link to the meme goes up at 4 am our time! I just happened to wake to go the CR and decided to post what I had already prepared for it. :-D]
a gorgeous place. I really love those two last photos. Of the building and the rainbow. So interesting. :)
ReplyDeleteYour part of the world is so beautiful. Love the countryside scenery.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful world. such lovely landscapes. the calm and peaceful setting is so pleasing to the eye. i enjoy these very much.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful photos of a beautiful place. I'm glad you made the effort to get there and shared your visit with us. That stone house is very impressive, and I like the hint of the rainbow in your last photo.
ReplyDeleteAhh! Batanes... one of my favorite places. Been there twice since '97 and another trip in the offing. I'll never tire of this last frontier.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness..how beautiful that is. I would like to get on a plane for that right now...Michelle
ReplyDeleteOne reason it's still so beautiful is because it's remote///so that could be a good thing. It's photogenic! Lovely.
ReplyDeleteWonderful scenery shots!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. And thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment;o)
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Happy day****
What a paradise this feels to be. Thank you very much for this wonderful journey !
ReplyDeletePlease have a good Wednesday.
daily athens photo
Andrea, that is a very, very, beautiful place! How lucky you are to live near there.
ReplyDeleteArija - you can do it, i will guide you. Thanks for the visit here.
ReplyDeleteStewart M - thanks for the appreciation for this post and a part of our country. And of course, thank you for visiting my site, I seem to see your comments everywhere now, unlike before that I just look up to you as our Blotanical benefactor.
Francisca - of course i took the plane, I've been going there 2 consecutive years. I am not sure if boats going there are reliable, i think it will be scary because typhoons might strike when your aboard. {and yes i laughed at the events which got you posting at 4am, most unbelievable hours. I want to believe that blogging is really deeply embedded in your consciousness, haha!}
Nature Footstep - yes i love them too. thanks for the stop-over!
alicesg - you are welcome to come, you are just near us! thanks for the visit and comment.
LifeRamblings - you have been travelling everywhere, you might want to drop by here sometime, LOL.
George - thanks for visiting even if there are no waterfalls, lol. If you opened my links, more stonehouses are posted there, in my post of the other islands.
ReplyDeleteJenn- I've been there 2x too consecutively in 2 yrs, and i still want to go there again. I saw lagalog and ironwulf in your sidebar, i was with them the 2nd time.
Michelle of Rambling Woods - haha, thanks for your kind words. I am glad you like it.
EGWow - yes i hope commercialism will not quickly change its remoteness, so that culture, tradition and zero crime rate will be maintained.
Island Rambles Blog - you are so kind and i surely appreciate your comments. I hope you come back soon.
Cildemer - thank you so much for coming over too, I surely appreciate it.
Robert Geiss - we really feel we are very very far from home whenever we are in Batanes, we forget our realities for awhile. Thanks for coming.
Msrobin - yes we feel lucky to be near and be able to reach it. Even most Filipinos cannot go there even if they wish, so I guess I am lucky in that sense too! thanks for the kind words.
Looks like heaven to me. Who would have guessed no crime rate.
ReplyDeleteJoyce M
From the mountains to the valleys, to the sea this place is a wonderland of beauty. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos and info with us, Andrea.
ReplyDelete... and i like to see your world :) wonderful pics!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many places in the world which remain unknown and unheard of unless we take the time to look or happen upon a beautiful blog where pictures and words tell the tale. I may never get to this place but at least I can say I have heard of its natural beauty and peaceful people.
ReplyDeleteCalling by as another Outdoor Wednesday participant, what lovely landscapes, I would like to visit.
ReplyDeleteWow! It looks like paradise! I love your photographs. Thanks so much for sharing and for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteCindy
i've been dreaming of visiting Batanes for years! it is expensive...need to save more for the trip.:p
ReplyDeletebreathtaking photos!
Oh you already know that I love this place Andrea - the scenery is stunning.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics. My OW is up too.
ReplyDeleteI love those old buildings. I've been in several of them and it's pretty incredible. In some countries, people still live in these ancient relics that have endured the sea and her angry waves.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful countryside. I noticed how large the crotons are! How wonderful to grow them year round.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible, beautiful world you have, Andrea!! I would love to visit there! Your captures are superb, breathtaking! Thank you so much for sharing the beauty! Have a beautiful week -- what's left of it!
ReplyDeleteSylvia