Travelling is exploring and searching for the ultimate senses and beyond. -KZ
PH BATANES: 7 FASCINATING PLACES IN NORTHERN BATAN
Batanes is a group of Island located North of Luzon and nearby South of Taiwan. An archipelago province in the Philippines situated in the Cagayan Valley Region. The capital is Basco located in the Island of Batan.
According to our tourist guide, who is a native of Batanes their verbal language are a combination of Ivatan and Chinese because most of their ancestral originated from Taiwan. The natives are called The Ivatans and they share prehistoric cultural with the Babuyan on Babuyan Island and the Tao people of Orchid Island, Taiwan.
Batan Island is the central Island of Batanes, also known as northernmost group of islands and an archipelagic province of the Philippines. Batan Island is divided into two regions; the Northern Batan and the Southern Batan.
DAY 1 : NORTH BATAN TOUR
1. CARMEL CHAPEL
@CARMEL CHAPEL, OVER-LOOKING @ BATANES COASTAL AREAS & IT LOOKS SIMILAR WITH TAIWAN COASTAL AREAS SO BEAUTIFUL!
The Carmel chapel is situated at the top of the hill, Northern Batan. Since it’s a wide open hill you will feel the gentle breeze of air, notice that in the picture we are holding our hats. Viewing the coastal areas you can spot the sea wavelets from large wavelets to small waves, produced by the northern winds.
THE CHAPEL IS MADE OF WOODS, CEMENT AND STONES
The Carmel chapel wall outside is made of boulder stone, which is their trademark on structural design of the IVATANS ancient houses. The stone chapel is a strong shield and foundation designed to challenge the ultimate battle of the strongest typhoon that happens to pass by the Island 5x and up a year.
AN ARTIST PAINTED SAINTS, REPRESENTING THEIR ASSIGNED CHAPELA painted ceiling chapel design created by an artist, who happens to be a native of Batanes. Each Catholic Church signifies a saint such as:
San Carlos Borromeo Church (Mahatao)
San Jose de Ivana Church
San Vicente Ferrer Church (Sabtang)
Santo Domingo Cathedral (Basco)
The Catholic Church in the Batanes is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual direction of the pope in Rome.
2. RADAR STATION (TUKON)
The radar station is capable of detecting the motion of rain droplets in addition to the intensity of the precipitation. The data can be analyzed to determine the structure of storms and their potential to cause severe weather. The radar station is the important structure for the Island of Batanes, because tropical typhoon most of the time passes by these region of the northern luzon. It would be a great advantage to the IVATANS to have an updated broadcast around the Island of the weather conditions.
3. JAPANESE HIDEOUT
THIS IS CAVE ENTRANCE. THE DEEPER YOU GO INSIDE THE MORE DESCENDING THE PATH YOU WILL ENCOUNTER.
During the japanese occupation in the Philippines occurred between 1942 and 1945, when the Empire of Japan occupied the Commonwealth of the Philippines during World War II. The japanese military also invaded the northern Luzon Islands. The military settlement created caves in Batanes and they are also known as “Cave dwellers” human being who inhabits a cave.
During the day tour I ask our tour guide about the Yamashita’s Treasure that was so popular in the Philippines for treasure hunters long ago. They laugh because it’s not real but they are still rumors about the Japanese General Yamashita buried treasures and hidden tons of gold that has not been found somewhere in the Islands of the Philippines.
4. BOULDERS BEACH VALUGAN
The boulder stones that are found on northern Batan has a history of Volcanic Eruption long ago. Until this day there are still evidences of boulder rock in the area and some of the rocks gives benefit to the IVATANS because the boulder rock are used as structured wall foundation of their houses.
5. ROLLING HILLS
ON OUR WAY TO THE PERFECT SPOT OF THE MOUNTAIN SCENERY
This is the most exciting part of the tour. The one of the most beautiful coastal cliffs of Northern Batan. The pathway of the journey begins on this photo. The beauty on the top of the hill is so wonderful. The color of the grass and its clean cut makes it unobstructed and serene to look at.
THE PERFECT SPOT FOR SELFIE, SO AWESOME!
The route ascends steeply to wide-open Hill where you will enjoy fabulous views of the exquisite countryside of Northern Batan. Question: Why the hills have no trees? for me maybe because of the strong wind and tropical typhoon that passes by their Island most of the month. Even their banana trees can’t survived the strongest typhoon. But they have a fertile soil for root crops and pumpkins.
A CLEAR VIEW
A clear view of the picture. Most of their livestock are cows and goats since the island has a wide hill for green grass and hay.
GROUP PICTURE THE OTHER SIDE SCENERYThis is a lovely view of the other side of the wide hill and coastal shores. The color of the grass can bring refreshment to our mind by its nature and calmness.
6. NAIDII HILLS, BASCO LIGHTHOUSE
Pathway to the Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses, and to serve as a navigational aid for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.
The lighthouse is important to the fellow fishermen of Northern Batan area because this will lead them to their hometown when fishing at night. This photo is one of the most astonishing view to the coastal shore of Northern Batan.
Group Photo Selfie with the Lighthouse
7. BASCO, CATHEDRAL CHURCH
SANTO DOMINGO CHURCH as Basco Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic church located in Basco, Northern Batan Island, Batanes, Philippines.
When we visited the church, this is where we met Father Ilago. Father Ilago is my mothers’ neighbor in her birth town in Catarman, Camiguin. Father Ilago is assigned in Batanes for almost 3 years as a Catholic Priest.
The Real Tourist 