BATANES: A wanderlust's paradise
It’s that time of the year again. Where days are longer, the sun burns us steadily, and the heat wraps around us like a cocoon. Sitting still is like giving the hot weather the chance to wrap you around it’s arms. So what better way of escaping the heat than moving around and go in a vacation. Summer, for me, is all about diving in pools, going on a vacation, sipping cool Coca-Cola, and eating ice cream while enjoying the scenery. And Batanes has all of that.
Experience a different Philippines in the northernmost and smallest province of the country -Batanes! A dream destination for most, Batanes is composed of 10 islands scattered over Luzon Strait, in between Balintang and Bashi Channels. These Islands are of Volcanic in origin and are mostly hilly and mountainous.
Batanes is known for its breathtaking landscapes. Whether you are in Batan, Sabtang or Ibayat, your eyes will feast on greens that carpet the waving Earth. These rolling hills will make you fall in love with nature. Lighthouses like Naidi, Tayid and Malakday lighthouse also stand proud as the province's prime icons that perfectly match the beautiful landscape around.
The province is also blessed with an enchanting coastline and your Batanes trip wouldn't be complete without seeing atleast one sunrise or sunset at one of the beaches. God must have loved Batanes so much that he gave the place the most dramatic sun shows. They may not be regular sights but when they are on, expect to see one of the nature's greatest masterpieces.
Batanes is a scene of changing moods, sometimes balmy, sometimes placid, and other times ominous. But it's postcard-worthy topography and genuine hospitality of its people -the Ivatans, make it such a tourist-friendly place. From mighty stone houses blanketed by the richness of Ivatan culture, the towering sentinels standing on strikingly gorgeous hills pounded by incessant waves, Batanes tick all the boxes for a scenic and laid vacation.
