It’s almost 2 pm now here in Basco, Batanes. Our trio – me, kenneth and titus – thankfully have rested a bit from our long trip to get here. We left Cebu at around 6 PM and arrived in Basco slightly passed 8 AM the following day which is today.
This is far from home, no doubt. 
The sun shines brightly as is normal around this time anywhere in the country, what surprised me though is that the wind howls and it’s really cold.
On-Board PAL Express to Batanes
We only paid P3000+ per person for our airplane tickets during PAL Express Promo Fare. Read here for tips on how we did it on this post: Cebu – Manila – Basco – Manila – Cebu
This post was written last Feb 16,2014, the day we arrived in Basco, saved as draft because of slow, intermittent Wifi connection. Publishing this when we get home.
February weather is akin to winter sans the snow in this northernmost province of the Philippines. I am regretting now that I did not pack any jeans. I was warned ahead that it’s cold here but what do you know stubbornness and foolishness reared its head, so I suffer hehe. Oh well, it’ll be an adventure in itself figuring out how to survive the blast of cold winds in my typical short and shirts best fit for hot, summer weather. *wink
The wind! Yes, certainly the wind likes to make its presence known and felt. It howls here! From airport to our hotel, everything was calm, the wind a gentle caress but few hours later it sounds like it is blasting through a tunnel, or like a huge train is swooping past our room every couple of minutes. The howling is so loud I had to peeked through our window’s curtain to make certain it is not raining and there is no typhoon, and nope, none at all just Mr Sun smiling on the whole town.
From the airport, we walked to our hotel armed with the direction tips of the few Ivatans we met on the road. A lady on a bicycle even went as far as accompanying us to the hotel. Ang babait nila as in.
The streets were also a revelation, almost every streets are empty saved for a few souls up and about when we arrived at town proper. Oh well it was early Sunday morning when our plane landed in Basco so that’s probably why. The town seems to be embraced in calmness and silence, the silence was not threatening though, it’s gentle, it’s the kind of silence that comforts.
Bird’s eye view of Basco town from DDD Habitat Inn
this picture was taken on our last full day in Basco when it was so windy and gloomy due to easterlies winds.
We are staying in DDD Habitat Inn for the duration of our Batanes vacation, a three-storey building with a roofdeck. Armed with curiosity I climbed up. The view was a wonderful site! Coastline visible, the sea glistens. On the far left sitting majestically atop a slope is a famous Batanes landmark and icon, the Basco lighthouse in Naidi Hills. This afternoon we are set to climb up to the tower, can’t wait for our first Batanes tourist spot. 🙂
Turning 180 degrees, Mt Iraya reveals her peak, a rare occurrence as her summit mostly hids behind the clouds, says the handy tourism brochure we got from the airport. I am inclined to agree for a few minutes later, the summit retreats behind the fluffy whiteness on the sky and denied Titus and Kenneth the sight. Guess I am lucky =)
Here I am breathing the crisp cold air of Batanes, living my dreams.
Kapian kapan Dios.
Welcome to Batanes!
Check more pics, tips and other stories on Category: BATANES “Home of The Winds”
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