Travel | Batanes: North Batan Tour

There's a number of sights to visit in Batanes. A 3-day joiner tour will be enough to tour around this beautiful northernmost territory of the Philippines and I believe that joining a tour is one of those convenient ways to tour around. It is because the budget will be cheaper, then I am comfortable in a van with the other guests, there's a tour guide (who happens to be a good photographer, too), and there's some water refreshment!

On the first day, we shall explore the North Batan and the first stop, Vayang Rolling Hills!
Vayang Rolling Hills
Can you remember those landscapes of green, hilly, countryside views that you always want to take a memorable photo with? Some may think it is in Scotland or New Zealand, but hey, it is just in Batanes: the Vayang Rolling Hills! It is facing the West Philippine Sea with a very stunning view: the hills, the colors, the beach, the waves, and the feel of wind...everything! It is a photogenic and an eye-refreshing view. One will surely love this place, though a bit hot during our visit, a good sun exposure in this very amazing place is just fine!

Basco Light House
Naidi Hills
Next stop, to the Naidi Hills!

Naidi Hills serve as the base of American-era wireless telegraph facilities. The facilities are bombed during the World War II and to preserve a part of that history, the facilities are reconstructed but I guess not as telegraph facility anymore.

Just within the hills, it is where the famous Basco Light House is standing. Guests are welcomed with the greeting, "Ichaddaw ku Batanes" or I LOVE BATANES! The sixty-six (66) feet light house is in a government property where guests can get a breathtaking 360-degree view of the town and other islands of the province. It is indeed one of the must visit attractions!
I Love Batanes Marker at Basco Light House
Then, from the hills, next stop is towards the town proper wherein you'll see the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Actually, you will see a lot of Catholic churches and chapels in the islands because many Ivatan people are Roman Catholic. Many of these churches are also centuries old.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Chapel (Tukon Chapel)
Then, from the town proper, we proceed to another hill at Tukon. It is where you will see this only Ivatan house-like structure chapel - the Mt. Carmel Chapel. It is made up of stones like the usual Ivatan house and for me, it is a very charming chapel on top of a hill. It is undergoing some rehabilitation due to some damages brought by a typhoon.

Then, just nearby is where the PAG-ASA Complex is situated. The doppler radar of this complex has been destroyed because of the typhoon and it is not functional to-date. Hoping for a fast procurement of the equipment to serve its purpose in forecasting weather conditions in the country. The place is also a vantage point where you can see from afar the Fundacion Pacita Nature Lodge, where high profile personalities usually stay when in Batanes; the hedgerows in many hills that help to prevent soil erosion and serve as property line; and Mt. Iraya (a dormant volcano), which is a rain forest and you can observe clouds cover the tip of the mountain. 
Basco PAG-ASA Complex Doppler Radar
Liveng/Hedgerows
Mt. Iraya
Then, we proceed to another hill wherein a Japanese Tunnel is seen.
Japanese Tunnel
Then, last stop of the tour is at the Valugan Boulder Beach. It is facing the Pacific Ocean, thus, you will observe huge waves knocking off those massive rocks. This is a perfect site for sunrise!
Valugan Boulder Beach
Big Waves at Valugan Boulder Beach
The tour may have ended but my quest to see a beautiful sunset in Batanes urged me to take some walk towards one of Basco's viewing decks. It is a cloudy day, thus, making me see less sunset rays but good indigo skies to witness. Also, since the light house is seen from afar, I am just happy to see it blinking at that darkening hours.
Sunset in Batanes
Basco Light House at Dusk
That is just the first day of the tour. There are two more days!

Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com. If you like this post, don't hesitate to share it to your friends!

No comments:

Post a Comment