I’ve always wanted to go to Batanes but never had the chance until a good friend of mine decided to get married there. It was a last minute decision but boy am I glad we were able to go! We booked flights via PAL using miles so we only spent about a thousand pesos each for taxes. But on normal rates, flights to Batanes are almost the same as going to other Asian countries. Promo fares can go as low as Php 7,000 while normal rates are about Php 15,000. Travel time was also like going to another country as it takes about an hour and forty-five minutes to get to Basco from Manila.

It was breathtaking from the first glimpse in the plane up in the sky. A wide range of mountains amidst the sea greet you from your window seat prior to landing. I was so excited I had to wake up Ken to see the amazing view and to which he responded by humming the theme from Jurassic Park. It does feel like a scene from the movie! 🙂

Upon arriving, we headed straight to Fundacion Pacita which is the best! And for me, it’s the only place you should stay in when visiting Batanes. There aren’t a lot of accommodation options in Basco. Fundacion Pacita is the only hotel there that’s why it’s quite pricey. Our terrace suite garden room was around Php 10,000 net per night at that time. But the experience of staying in Fundacion for me is worth it. It was quaint, pretty and every corner of it was just lovely! And the view from the rooms are amazing! Our room was like a little rustic outdoor cottage reminiscent of the hobbit house in New Zealand and we just loved it!

First view of Fundacion Pacita.

Fundacion Pacita’s main house.

Pretty gardens with mountains and the sky as backdrop.

Our cozy little cottage for two.

Rustic and quaint interiors of the room.

The lovely view from our bedroom!

I love this! Our own cute little garden terrace outside our room overlooking such beautiful mountain view!

Everything is just so picture-perfect that you can’t help but take a photo in every corner. If you’re like me who’s a sucker for gardens, greens and a lovely scenery, then this is the place is for you.

Among all the places we toured, my two favorite ones in Basco are the Rolling Hills and Marlboro Country. The views of the hills, vast lands, mountains and the sea are just breathtaking. It makes you think you’re in an entirely different place outside of the Philippines, like New Zealand or Salzburg, where they shot “Sound of Music”. If only the weather was cooler it would have been perfect! They say the best time to visit is in Feb for cooler days. We went in April and the sun was too hot we ended up with a sunburn after the tour day. 🙂

Rolling Hills of Basco

Marlboro Country

This will always be one of the most beautiful spots on earth for me.

Lighthouse

Birdies at the Lighthouse. The one and only trip where we are all complete!

On a Batanes high!

Boulder Bay

Alapad Rock Formations

At the cliff where my favorite Pinoy movie, Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, was shot.

Batanes is also perfect for that dreamy destination wedding you’ve always wanted to have. If you want to have an intimate wedding with a naturally photogenic and romantic backdrop, and if you prefer mountains rather than the beach then Batanes is the location for you. It gives a refreshing alternative to all the Boracay weddings plus it gives a unique and memorable experience to your guests. We owe our Batanes experience to Marco and Cha’s wedding as it gave us the best reason to finally see it for ourselves. Theirs was one of the loveliest weddings I’ve ever been to. It was the first-all white wedding we’ve attended and at about 50 guests in total it was so personal and cozy that it felt like we were a big happy family simply celebrating love.

Marco & Cha Wedding photo by Joel Salindong

Marco & Cha Wedding photo by Joel Salindong

The Birdies with the Bride in Basco, Batanes

Me and the hubby.

All-white in the dusk of night.

Overall, the beauty of this place is overwhelming in actual. My photos do not even do it justice as all these were just taken using my iPhone 5. It’s one of those places you have to experience yourself to fully appreciate it. I fell in love with it immediately as it feels like it’s your own piece of heaven on earth. Its beauty is fresh and raw, the place is not congested yet with tourists and it totally disconnects you from the world literally (as wifi and signal is weak) and yet you don’t mind because coming here makes you want to bask in all it has to offer. And it makes me so proud that we have this kind of beauty and scenery in our own country. No need to travel far and away, we have it right here. Vast lands, endless rolling hills, mountains that meet the clouds, bright blue sea and sky. What more can we ask for? I simply can’t wait to go back to you, Batanes! 🙂

Rolling Hills

Marlboro Country

My favorite part of Basco. Beautiful isn’t it?

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