Destination: Batanes

Batanes is the northernmost and the smallest province in the Philippines. it also has the smallest population in the country. the province is made up of 10 islands often called as the Batanes Group of Island. the province i can say is the most Beautiful province in the Philippines so beautiful that some Filipinos asked whenever they saw pictures of Batanes if its still a part of the country. the islands is made up of rolling hills, mountains,rocky and some white sand beach thats very rich with marine resources and rarest corals in the world. another good thing about Batanes is it has the lowest crime rate in the country so not just beautiful its also very safe to go there. visiting the island will be a great adventure and will be very relaxing you will be able to discover the province rich and colorful history plus you will be able to meet the Ivatans(people living in Batanes) the most friendly people in the country. so what are you waiting for lets go to Batanes.

Getting There:

By Air

SEAIR flies to Batanes from Manila three times a week using a 19-seater Let 410 with the following schedules: Manila 6am to Laoag City 7:30am, Mondays, PhP2,000; Laoag City 8am to Basco 9am or Basco 9:30am to Laoag City 10:30am, Wednesdays, PhP1,950; Laoag City 11am to Manila 12:30pm, Fridays, PhP2,000. Fare excludes Insurance Fee of PhP150 and Security Fee of PhP15.

By Sea The Batanes Multi-Purpose Cooperative now carries the MV Ivatan Princess which runs the Currimao, Ilocos Norte - Basco, Batanes route. It leaves Ilocos Norte at 8pm on Wednesdays and Sundays and arrives in Basco at 4pm the next day. From Basco, it leaves at 3pm on Tuesdays and10 pm on Fridays. Fare is PhP1,200 and travel time is about 18 hours.

What to do:

Historical

Old Loran Station used to house a US coastguard detachment for almost two decades and is about 25 kilometers from Basco.

Radiwan Point at Ivana Seaport is where the Katipuneros landed in September 18, 1898. It is also the ferry station of the falowas plying the islands of Sabtang and Itbayat.

Cultural

Ruins of Songsong A “ghost barangay” which is really a cluster of roofless shells of old stone houses abandoned after a tidal wave that hit the island of Batan in the 1950s. The area has a long stretch of beach. Located 23 kilometers from Basco.

Boat-shaped Stone Grave Markers Chuhangin Burial Site - located at Ivuhos Island, Sabtang, Batanes.

Lime And Stone Houses And Churches Buildings are traditionally two-storey with meter thick cogon roofs believed to last 60 years. These houses were built around 1795 with the help of imported masons, stone cutters and carpenters from the Province of Cagayan. These stone houses, found all over Batanes, are worthy subjects for photography.

Natural

Sabtang Island Chosen as one of the 12 Best Destinations in the Philippines by the Department of Tourism in 1994, this island southwest of Batan Island remains undisturbed and unspoiled. It has intermittent white sand beaches, steep mountains, and deep canyons with small level areas sporadically found along the coastline. Accessible in 30 minutes by falowa from Radiwan Port in Ivana. Also the take off point for Ivuhos Island from Barangay Nakanmuan.

Itbayat Island Located north of Batan Island, it is surrounded by massive boulders and cliffs rising from 20-70 feet above sea level and has no shoreline. It has a dirt airstrip for light aircraft. Ferries run the Batan-Itbayat route; travel time is about four hours by falowa from the Basco Seaport. Light planes fly from Basco Airport to Itbayat in 12-minute trips at PhP700.00/pax.

Batan Island The center of commerce and seat of the provincial government. The most populated island of the province, it is composed of the municipalities of Basco, Ivana, Uyugan, and Mahatao.

Mount Iraya A dormant volcano standing at 1,517 meters whose last eruption was recorded in 505 AD. Ideal for mountaineering, trekking, and trailblazing. It is a walking distance from Basco and can be climbed to the top in about three hours.

Di-atay Beach A beautiful cove with multi-colored rocks and white sand. Ideal for picnics and beach combing. Located along the national highway between Mahatao and Ivana; 9.85 kilometers from Basco.

Songsong (Chadpidan Bay). Famous for its beautiful sunset view and big stone boulders. It is three kilometers or an hour of exhilarating trek from Basco proper.
Naidi Hills. A walking distance from Basco.

White Beach Located in Vatang, Hapnit, and Mavatuy Point at Mahatao.
Religious

San Jose Church (Ivana). Built in 1814 although its foundation dates back to 1795. Of all the old churches in Batanes, it is the only one that was not built in the espadaña style. It has a crenellated fortress-like campanile or belltower that gives the appearance of a fortification. Fronts the Ivana Seaport and offers a commanding view of the sea and surrounding countryside due to its elevation. Located 14 kilometers from Basco.

San Carlos Borromeo Church & Convent (Mahatao). Founded in 1789 and built in 1873, it has a façade modeled after that of Basco Cathedral, with two round arches at roof level for the bells. On its outer walls are massive buttresses that used to serve as stairways to the roof – a thing of convenience in the olden days when frequent repairs had to be made to the cogon grass roofing. The church still retains its centuries-old features. Located six kilometers from Basco.

Church of Sto. Domingo de Basco (Basco Cathedral) Established in 1783, it is the oldest and most important church in Batanes. To give the façade stability and strength against earthquakes and typhoon winds, the church walls were buttressed with massive pilasters from foundation to top. The church is dedicated to the Immaculate Concepcion, patroness of Batanes.

San Vicente Ferrer Church (Sabtang Island). Another church modeled after the one in Basco. Following an unfortunate incident in 1790, when Spanish emissaries sent to procure goods from the parish were killed by some natives, the people of Sabtang were forcibly resettled across the channel to Ivana and not allowed to return until 1844 when the foundations of the present church were laid.

Others things to do are Surfing,Trekking and Bird Watching.

Where to Stay:

Pension Ivatan
Basco,Batanes
www.pensionivatan.com

Batanes Resort
Tel No. +632 922-9621

Batanes Seaside Lodge and Restaurant
Tel No. +639212290102 or +639178825609

Ivatan Lodge

Shanedels Inn and Cafe

Photo Gallery Of Batanes















































For More Info About Batanes Visit:

Batanes Online

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