Round trip tickets costs around 12,000++ each and there is no way I can afford to spend that amount only for a plane ticket. But Batanes never became just an impossible dream. And 'til now, I still can't believe I finally set foot in this unbelievable, surreal island of Basco, Batanes. The best part of it is I traveled and celebrated my birthday in Batanes with my family. 

Upon arriving in Basco Airport, the hotel/ lodge representative is already waiting for us. We just waited for our baggage and proceed to Marfel's Lodge to rest for a while.

I already contacted a tricycle driver/ tour guide I saw/ recommended in the internet to take charge of our tour. And our itinerary for our first day is the North and South Batan Tour. You can do these on two different days but we opted to finish it in 1 day since the guide told us that its possible. And so we did.

North Batan Island

The weather in Batanes is really unpredictable. Its sunny then suddenly its raining and then it will stop again. That's what happened during our tour. But the bipolar weather didn't stop us from enjoying and being awed by this place.

North Batan Tour covers the sites in Basco and here are the places that covers the tour.

1. St. Dominic Cathedral (Simbahan ng Basco)- This church is the first Catholic Church in Basco.

2. Basco Lighthouse in Naidi Hills

Naidi is an Ivatan word, "Nai meaning past and "idi" meaning settlement. Naidi served as an old Ivatan Settlement.

The first time I saw it, I got nothing to say but all beauty to this lighthouse towering over Naidi Hills. It was like I was in some romantic movie during the old times. It was so surreal and I'm in love at first sight.

There is also a souvenir shop inside the lighthouse and items are really cheap. I was able to buy ref magnets for PHP100.00 (3 pcs). Also, you can rent (PHP20.00 each) and have a picture wearing "Vakul", the traditional Ivatan headgear as protection from too much sun and rain.

Naidi Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in Batanes where you are allowed to enter. We were able to reach the top and had a beautiful view of the town on the left and the open sea on the other.

3. Vayang Rolling Hills

The shy Mt. Iraya

Endless Hills

Who would've thought of a place like this in the Philippines? If I hadn't known Batanes, I would really thought this is in New Zealand, maybe? Endless hills with cows, mountain and sea in one place. I really couldn't believe what my eyes are seeing that time. It's unbelievable.


4. Octagon Bed and Dine
This where our tour guide brought us to have our lunch. They have 3 air-conditioned rooms facing the sea with twin size beds, TV, wifi and hot and cold shower.
For lunch, we ordered chopseuy, nilagang baka and Lunes, an ivatan adobo.

Lunch

5. Valugan Boulder Beach
Valugan is an Ivatan word meaning east. The beach is filled with boulders that is said to be from the eruption of Mt. Iraya in 400 AD. No white sand and the waves were strong, just beautiful and unique beach, beach with a shore of rocks of different sizes smoothed over time by the waves of the Pacific Ocean.


6. Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel
The Japanese Tunnel was built during World War II to serve as shelter and look out post for the Japanese Soldiers. The tunnel has 5 entrance and exit points.

7. Basco PAGASA Complex
This spot is located on top of the hills and offers a good view of the rolling hills, Fundacion Pacita and Tukon Chapel. This is the northernmost doppler radar station of the country which is used to track typhoons that enter the Philippines.

8. Mt. Carmel Chapel ( Tukon Church)
Mt. Carmel Chapel situated on top of Tukon Hill is one of my favorite chapels, the other one would be San Jose De Ivana Church in Ivana. Mt. Carmel Chapel is inspired by the traditional Ivatan houses with its stone walls and facade. The church is a project of the Abad Family for the people of Barangay Tukon to have a church nearby instead of going to a much farther town. It was publicly opened in 2008, in time for  the wedding of Julia Abad, Secretary Butch Abad's daughter.

Entrance of Mt. Carmel

Tukon Chapel is the last stop for the North Batan Island Tour but, first day's not yet done because next is the South Batan Island Tour.

xx, Joyce