I longed to come back to Batanes after nearly two years of last setting foot over her wild shores and rolling terrains. It’s either I had budget or time constraints that I haven’t come back, that is, until about a month ago when i got a photo assignment from Seair to cover their newest route – what else, but Batanes. I really had to thank my lucky stars over this lucky break (two in fact, counting the assignment). The thought of seeing all those rugged cliffs, walking aimlessly along desserted paths, and breathing in lungfuls of fresh air as well as meeting friends and acquaintances I’ve made from my previous trips there got me worked up, I didn’t feel the nerves or pressure entailed by the assignment (many thanks to the moral support of Jocas, InFlight's art director par excellent, and the text messages of encouragement from my buddy, Ironwulf).all three days of our stay, we were up before sunrise. simply told, three days is not really enough to give one a glimpse of what batanes has to offer.
notes:• seair becomes the second major airline to operate regular flights to batanes, flying to basco every tuesdays and saturdays. return flights are on the same day; travel time: 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• affordable 3 days/2 nights package available for as low as php13,900, inclusive of round-trip airfare, accommodation, tours, 3 lunches, land transport and guide. for details, visit the websites of seair and batanes cultural travel agency.
• homestay programs are in place to augment the shortage of accommodations and also, to preserve the stone houses.
image details: boy and his dog go home for the afternoon at nakabuang beach, sabtang island; batan island is visible in the distance.
