| The raging sea beats the island of Batanes as if | | | | strength is its people--the Ivatans. Storm warriors |
| to say I am King. | | | | by birth they still posses a gentle demeanor, |
| The waves violently slap the rocks with enviable | | | | friendly disposition and an unbelievable sense of |
| freedom. Its stammering power heeds no | | | | trustworthiness. |
| remorse. | | | | Crime is said to be non-existent in Batanes and |
| The island however doesn't back down, doesn't | | | | people find no need to lock their doors. There is |
| fold-up or disintegrates. It takes a proud beating | | | | even a sign posted in the city treasury that reads |
| with a ‘Hah', I am Batanes. | | | | "LOST AND FOUND- MONEY. Please claim inside". |
| Batanes should indeed be proud of its coffers. It | | | | As most travel junkies know Batanes is the |
| offers an amazing landscape that is as complex | | | | northernmost province of the Philippines and its |
| as a Roger Dean art work. The twisting spiraling | | | | smallest island both in terms of land area and |
| mountains roll for miles and miles carpeted with | | | | population. Among its ten petite islands only three |
| green pastures. | | | | are inhabited– Batan, Itbayat and Sabtang. |
| Atop its numerous cliffs one can get a front seat | | | | Sandwiched by Babuyan Island and Taiwan, the |
| view of the feisty merging waters of the China | | | | province is closer to Taipei than Manila. In fact an |
| Sea with the Pacific Ocean. There is also | | | | urban legend states that on a clear day one can |
| something incredibly charming about the island's | | | | see Taiwan and hear Chinese roosters crow. |
| unique stone houses. Around 3 meters thick, | | | | Growth in Batanes' tourism has been spurred by |
| these rock abodes crafted by the ancestors have | | | | airlines such as Asian Spirit that conveniently jets |
| stood against torturous rain and bullying winds. | | | | weekly flights (for a P10,000 round cheap tickets |
| The roofs are made of cogon providing water | | | | price). |
| proof shade. From afar the houses create an | | | | Surprisingly posh, the main airport is located in |
| amazing texture of color and form that is bucolic | | | | Basco, the province's capital (found in Batan |
| and unlike anything that I've ever been in the | | | | island). Albeit the flight being a bit choppy, I land |
| provinces I've visited. | | | | safely in Batanes and seek my adventure |
| In spite the amazing scenery the island's greatest | | | | holidays. |