What Makes Batanes Unique?

[wanderlust]

One of the most notable facts about Batanes is its claim to a zero crime rate. Violent crime is unheard of on the islands and even petty theft is a rare occurrence. Visitors who misplaced or lost personal items are told to visit the local radio station in Batanes so that an island-wide bulletin can be aired. Locals who have found items are also likely to drop them off at the station.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/desconlu/batanes.png


Batanes' Honesty Coffee Shop, believe it or not, there is no one minding the store. Instead, a clear plastic jar is left on the counter for customers to pay for their snacks and get their own change. It works under the honesty system. Softdrinks, instant coffee, candies, biscuits, noodles, chips and other snacks are available. This is one of the many things that make Batanes a unique place to visit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/desconlu/batanes1.png


Batanes is a special place. Isolated from the rest of the country, it has evolved into a truly unique destination - unlike any other island in the Philippine archipelago. Batanes is absolutely pollution-free. No traffic jams. All you can see are beauty of nature.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/desconlu/batanes2.png

Source: http://www.trifter.com/Asia-&-Pacific/Philippines/What-Makes-Batanes-Unique-From-Other-Tourist-Destinations.128242

[Kelly]

Where's the best place to stay in Batanes? :)

[megan21]

How do you reach Batanes from Manila?

[wanderlust]

By plane. I think the flight of airlines in tha area is just once or twice a week. Not very convenient but the place is amazing!

[tadz1158]

Do you think that the travel effort and expenses will be worth considering that you will have to stay for a little bit to catch the next flight in going back to Manila. I just hope that there's a nice place to stay.

[wanderlust]

My friends visited the place and she didnt want to go back home. hahaha. she said it makes you appreciate the simple life. and yes, i think it'll all be worth it. :)

[stella]

How much should the budget be?

[Kelly]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/2367454076_b3714b54ec.jpg


http://images.jobarclix.multiply.com/image/2/photos/74/500x500/27/IMG-8104.JPG?et=Vx7MDZH4e%2CxycBqRZmIeUw&nmid=82803564


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Oldest_House_in_Ivatan.png
Ivatan House

[wanderlust]

That Ivatan house looks pretty cool!!!

[stella]

I like the house. It looks like something out of a fairy tale or something medieval! :D

[wanderlust]

Here are a few places in Batanes that offer accommodation:

Batanes Resort
inquiries: tel 9229621 local 327 or 332 (Ivatan Center in Quezon City)
Single Bed P550.00 per day
Double Bed P672.00 per day
Triple Bed P764.00 per day
Cottage P1,528 per cottage per day
Capacity: 6 cottages, 12 rooms - 36 persons capacity

Batanes Seaside Lodge and Restaurant
inquiries: tel 0981-993613 (phone is located at the hotel in Basco)

Ivatan Lodge
One person per room P100 per day
Two or more persons,
maximum 6 P400 per day

Shanedel's Inn and Café
Per head P150 per day
Lodging including meals P450 per day

Pension Ivatan Visit
Per head P980 per day

[Kelly]

I like the house. It looks like something out of a fairy tale or something medieval! :D

I think it's one of the oldest Ivatan house in Batanes. :)


"Ivatan" houses are mostly made of thick stone walls. The province is visited with many typhoons and to protect them from the strong winds,the local people build these kind of houses with very thick walls.

[megan21]

what are the interesting things to do in batanes? do they have specialty food there? :)

[filz_33]

how do you get there?

[wanderlust]

how do you get there?
by plane. :)

[Kelly]

Tourism

Historic Churches
There are four 200-year old churches worth visiting: Santo Domingo in Basco, San Jose in Ivana, San Carlos in Mahatao and San Vicente on Sabtang. They are all made of massive lime and stone construction and originally decorated in baroque.

Radar Tukon
An abandoned weather station on a hilltop in Tukon, Basco offers a magnificent 360-degree view of Batan islands, the South China Sea, Mt. Iraya, Basco proper, boulder-lined cliffs, and the Pacific Ocean.

Sabtang
One of the 12 best destinations in the Philippines according to a coffee table book published by the Department of Tourism. Undisturbed and unspoiled, Sabtang exists in another time. Lime and stone cogon thatched houses gainst a backdrop of steep mountains or restless sea. Intermittent white sand beaches and rough country trails. This is where they make soot, the Ivatan rain cape, and the best round-bottomed boats called fallowa.

Architecture
Ivatan houses are small with meter-thick walls and foot-thick thatched roofs. Walls are made of lime and stone to withstand the strongest typhoons. Roofs are made of cogon which keeps cool in the hottest weather. There are usually two houses - one for the living and sleeping area, and a smaller one for cooking and storing.

Archaeological Attractions
There are, at least, two unique features that make Batanes a worthwhile stop for those with interest in archeology. One is the boat-shaped burial marker, another the stone columns.

In certain parts of Batanes, one can find burial sites marked with stones which are laid down to the shape of the local boat tataya, with a pit carved in the middle from limestone bedrock. The first site was discovered in 1994 on Ivuhos Island. Another, which yielded the skeleton of a juvenile, was discovered the following year. In 1996, another boat-shaped burial site which yielded the skeleton of an adult was discovered.

Experts say the only known boat-shaped burial markers are those made by the Vikings, dating about 8th to 12th centuries AD. They add that while there is no proven connection between the ancient burial traditions, their similarity would, at the very least suggests a parallel evolution of maritime societies.





ENJOY!!! :D

[filz_33]

One of the most notable facts about Batanes is its claim to a zero crime rate. Violent crime is unheard of on the islands and even petty theft is a rare occurrence.

[Kelly]

Batanes is a dream destination for me. :D

Zero crime rate huh? :cool:

[tadz1158]

That's unique!

[megan21]

One of the most notable facts about Batanes is its claim to a zero crime rate. Violent crime is unheard of on the islands and even petty theft is a rare occurrence.

So the locales there are all peace-loving citizens? their policemen will have nothing to do in that case.haha. but that's good news..at least one part of this country can claim that they have zero crime rate. :)

[Gr@ciousJDC]

One of the most notable facts about Batanes is its claim to a zero crime rate. Violent crime is unheard of on the islands and even petty theft is a rare occurrence.


Thats make Batanes so unique!!!

[wanderlust]

It might be because people there are living a really simple life and that they have already found contentment.

[tadz1158]

Here are a few places in Batanes that offer accommodation:

Batanes Resort
inquiries: tel 9229621 local 327 or 332 (Ivatan Center in Quezon City)
Single Bed P550.00 per day
Double Bed P672.00 per day
Triple Bed P764.00 per day
Cottage P1,528 per cottage per day
Capacity: 6 cottages, 12 rooms - 36 persons capacity

Batanes Seaside Lodge and Restaurant
inquiries: tel 0981-993613 (phone is located at the hotel in Basco)

Ivatan Lodge
One person per room P100 per day
Two or more persons,
maximum 6 P400 per day

Shanedel's Inn and Café
Per head P150 per day
Lodging including meals P450 per day

Pension Ivatan Visit
Per head P980 per day



Not bad....that's affordable!

[Kelly]

Hmm what are the local cuisines in Batanes? :)

[wanderlust]

Not bad....that's affordable!
Really really affordable. And they said when you're in there, it feels like you're not in the Philippines.

[lakwatsera]

Hmm what are the local cuisines in Batanes? :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/3023691283_aede64f528.jpg
Fried Idek (Blue seachub) - Crispy Fried Idek

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/3023691477_c3f04f3f35.jpg
Ivatan Pork Lonyes (Crispy Fried Pork)

Source:www.pinoycravings.com

[robinck]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/2367454076_b3714b54ec.jpg


http://images.jobarclix.multiply.com/image/2/photos/74/500x500/27/IMG-8104.JPG?et=Vx7MDZH4e%2CxycBqRZmIeUw&nmid=82803564


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Oldest_House_in_Ivatan.png
Ivatan House

Breathtaking, can someone post something ,more about how to get there? more detailed info please.

[robinck]

Not bad....that's affordable!

wow i think that's the cheapest accomodation i've ever heard of in the philippines..and for such a stunning place...i would have imagined it to be a lot more. thanks for the info.

[MissLee]

Breathtaking, can someone post something ,more about how to get there? more detailed info please.

I'm from the north but I haven't really gone to Batanes. Try searching Batanes travel and tours because I think they offer travel packages by land and boat.

[jbrayos]

Where's the best place to stay in Batanes? :)

I think Basco is like the capital of Batanes

[darki]

gee!!i love the place already though i haven't been there.:Dits cool!!:D

[Hisbenz]

Holy Cow.. looking at those pictures make me eager to go to Batanes. I already fell in love with the place. This is actually our main goal destination come 2010. I hope this will work out as time progresses.