Batanes isn’t really one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. So why would I want to go there?
It’s too far up north, that it’s closer to Taiwan than it is to Manila. Getting there is not easy, and from what I hear, getting out of there is harder still. I’ve heard of people traveling there and getting stuck, because the plane can’t land due to the weather. The seas around Batanes are also quite turbulent, for it’s where the Pacific meets the South China Sea. So that means rough waters when crossing over to Sabtang island.
The airfare alone is enough to discourage travelers from going to Batanes. Upwards Php 10,000, some people would rather opt to spend this amount on a weekend jaunt somewhere else in the country or spend it on a round trip ticket to our Southeast Asian neighbors.
But it’s because of this isolation that makes Batanes appealing. This means the landscape is pretty much untouched, and the culture closer to its roots. I’ve heard nothing but praise for the beauty of this island, and for the simplicity and honesty of its people, and I want to experience it for myself.
And that is why I want to go to Batanes. Why would YOU want to go there?
Posted on November 8, 2008
Filed under Philippines
Tags: batanes, Philippines
Visited 3036 times, 1 so far today
Nin, i am already booked with Batanes for Feb next year!
Hoping for Good weather 
i’ll be joining a photo safari with Mandy Navasero….
Why I want to go there? First and foremost, It’s paradise they say, it’s dubbed as the scotland of the Philippines. Secondly, I’ve not read/heard anyone who’s been there that said otherwise.
Never mind the gastos, once in your lifetime, you ought to experience paradise. hehe
hmmm…is this some sort of contest? I also want to go there someday… mahal lang talaga for my budget…unahin ko na muna ibang places…
i also wanted to go to batanes that’s one of the dream destinations. my reason of going there is to see the beautiful hilly views and the people. im also interested with the culture of living in isolated islands like batanes. we explored mini batanes which is the island of capones. we like the island of capones, what more with batanes.
Hehehe, di siya contest. It was just a pre-post… I’m currently in Batanes!
Haaaay, ang weather grabe. It was hot and sunny when we arrived. It was overcast the following morning, then it started raining and the wind was blowing so hard yesterday afternoon. It’s still raining today. Haaay. Sana di ma-cancel ang flight back to Manila tomorrow!
kaya pala! kasi may bagyo sa visayas and palawan.
share your thoughts then!
Gosh! the very question that a friend asked me..at that time, she made me feel like i was going to Mars! Anyway, I would rather go to Batanes than Singapore or HK (they are not that bad, but I would love to return to Batanes more).
Anway, my answer to your question..because Batanes will give you the glimpse of a Philippines when it was not yet overtaken by malls, garbage, holdups, traffic, internet, cellphone-crazy Pinoys. In Batanes, you can see how we were, probably, centuries ago, it is like going back in time when most Pinoys are more honest (there’s the HOnesty store there), when beaches are pristine and not overtaken by tourists, when you can smell the pure air without the smog. The place has a raw beauty, call it wild but I just love it. For a Pinoy, it is a must-see. I just wish HK and Singapore, should be the 3rd or the last must-see of Pinoys now hehehehe! Want pics? just click on my name for the link and i have more posts, just search my blog. cya
Conquered Batanes April 2004 the island hop from Batan island to Sabtang was quite an adventure, your in between big waves of South China sea and Pacific ocean. The Ivatan people were very friendly living on islands of such natural beauty and simplicity.
Enjoy your stay. Hpe to go there again and conquered Itbayat.
Also in Batanes, the hills are alive with the sound of music.
going to batanes is on top the list of what i want to do next year.. airfare is quite expensive that you would want to spend it somewhere else. but yeah, you’re right being not so accessible is what that keeps batanes have its its culture reserve closer to its roots, have its awesome beauty untouched by human development. i would rather have this islands as it is, not so accessible, to give those whos thirst for adventure the real adventure and give the worth of its expensive trip. backpackers… byahe na!!
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I want to go because the damned lobsters are so flippin’ cheap!
batanes is the best place on earth. and the ivatan people are just awesome. i fell in love with batanes the first time i went there. marites is right. it’s a time-warped place. could be the philippines in the 18th century. still pure. i’ve been there three times and counting. =)
I’ve been to Batanes last August and it’s the most amazing place i’ve been to here in our country.
The rugged terrains, the rolling hills, the crashing waves, winding roads, howling winds, good hearted people, i can go on and on…
pls checkout my batanes shots here http://wormulus.multiply.com/photos/album/66/BATANES_Dios_Mamajes
i’m going back there in a few days!
Dios Mamajes!
Interested in Batanes Mountain climbing. Just visit our site.
Dios Mamajes!
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