Storming Basco

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains - from where shall come my help? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth."    

                                                                                                         Ps 121(120):1-2

                                                            

To cap off my travel for 2010, I chose Batanes. It was what they say a photographer's paradise anyway so I made sure that the year will not end with out me checking it out. Yes, I am aware that I am not a photographer, but hey, are they the only ones allowed to capture Batanes?

So I set out to SEAIR bought a ticket to Batanes and off I go. To warn you though, you have to buy your ticket to Batanes way before your planned date of travel, in my case, I bought mine about 4 months before December.

Sunrise view from my window.

Finally cold December month came. When the plane arrived at Basco Airport, we were greeted by the people from Batanes Seaside Lodge and was brought to Hiro Cafe where we had our breakfast. After the meal, we went to our rooms and was instructed that our first tour will be around Basco at 1PM.

I was waken up by the driver knocking on my door, signaling me time for lunch. After having lunch at Hiro Cafe, we were divided into two groups for the tour. Then the fun begins, our group's guide was Tita, first destination was Radar Tukon. On the way, we saw a quaint chapel standing atop of a hill.

Tukon Chapel.
According to Tita, this was made by the Abad's and the ceiling inside were hand painted by the Ivatan artists.

The Hedges.
We were on the vicinity of the Radar Tukon when Tita told us to look on this side and see the hedge like dividers of the locals.

Fundacion Pacita.
On our way down from the Radar Tukon, I asked the driver to pull over because of this view. When I went back to the van, Tita told me it was Fundacion Pacita and it is our next destination.

Walk way leading to the front door of Fundacion Pacita.

One of the many veranda view.

A perfect contradiction to the greens around.

A window view from inside the Fundacion Pacita.
We went inside the lodge. I was so excited to capture what's inside, but as for me, there isn't really none. What was more captivating really was the location of the lodge.

And so i thought, this will be perfect spot for one's solitude while appreciating the beauty.

Semi Circular Bench.

Patriarch of the Abad family.

Unlike in Manila where cars are parked beside the road, in Basco, you will see boats are parked instead.

Valugan Boulder Beach.
'Nuff said. Its just so perfect and being there is priceless.

Vayang Rolling Hills.
It almost made me sing at the top of my lungs "the hills are alive with the sound of music....." The lush green hills are endless.

One of the places in Batanes where it proved to me that it is indeed the "Home of the Winds". The winds' so strong that it feels like your flying.

The Lighthouse.
Our next stop after the Rolling hills is most famous lighthouse in Naidi Hills.

I found my perfect model and she lives just beside the lighthouse.

An old lamp post on the lighthouse.
Our first day tour ended at the lighthouse. We went back to our lodge and called it a day.

Basco Cathedral.
One afternoon, we decided to rent a bike for a stroll around town. We were not able to visit the cathedral during our tour so we decided to look for it.

Tita bade us goodbye and said to be excited for the next day. Tomorrow, were going to Sabtang! But for now, I shall rest and savor the beauty of Batanes that I witnessed for today. It will be another day as a open my eyes tomorrow but I will still be in the "Wuthering Heights" - Batanes.



Dios Mamajes Batanes!