After our simple lunch, we leisurely walked back to our homestay. Can't help but notice that at 11:30AM, Basco is still quiet and people are just starting their hustle. Certainly this place is like no other. Not later than 3PM, Kuya tour guide picked us up to start the tour properly. Since we've been to the Capitol earlier and paid our tourist fees, we head straight to Tukon!
Tukon Church (Mt. Carmel Chapel)
Built by Butch Abad, this chapel is very distinct for its traditional boulder walls and wooden doors. Just along the highway, this church stands tall and beautiful, which currently is now
under restoration.
PAG-ASA Weather Station
Further down, we drove to PAG-ASA Weather Station. This is just our 2nd stop but we couldn't help but be amazed at the beautiful 360 view of Batanes landscape on this part of the hill. The weather station and most of its equipment has been severely damaged by Typhoon Ferdie in 2016, but still a worthwhile weather reference point.
Fundacion Pacita
Along the way is Fundacion Pacita, famous boutique hotel within Basco. We skipped this place the meantime since we have a full schedule ahead, but we did an afternoon trip here, let me talk about that separately!
Coffee here? Laters baby.
Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel
Next stop is the Japanese Tunnel, reminder to present your environmental fees receipt upon entry. Not really a fan of tight , dark spaces but I tagged along, all for the experience. Quite interesting to know that this tunnel was built during WWII when Batanes was occupied by Japanese. The tunnel served as shelter and a lookout post, overlooking and leads to strategic exit points. After walking through the 250m tunnel which by the end you need to crawl outside in order to get out, I'm happy to be back in the land with fresh air! Oh air, air! Hehe. Who knows what the Ivatans had to go through that time of war? Only the tunnel walls could tell...
Valugan Boulder Beach
Batanes is nothing short of picturesque places to visit, another beauty is in fact a very rocky one! Yes Valugan literally translates East because of its location on the eastern edge of Batan Island. This beach is definitely not for swimming, because instead of fine sand, in here you'll find stretch of stones of different sizes plus the raging waves of the sea, dangerous and complementing each other. That dreaded eruption of Mt. Iraya has brought out this unique beauty. Nature has its own way indeed.
Vayang Rolling Hills
Probably one of my most favorite places (duuh its just first day, and I just decided that noh) I can literally sing the hills are alive with the sound of music in my head! Vayang simply translates to our local dialect "wayang" meaning open plain, or broad valley. We are connected! The struggle to walk on top is worth this panoramic view, yes you had to do a bit hiking towards the top thankfully the afternoon sun is almost gone. Whats motivating is the great view of the mountains, lush greens, cows grazing slowly taking their quiet time, the vast clear sky on top and overlooking deep blue sea. I certainly feel the tranquility amidst all of this!
The beautiful Basco Lighthouse
Probably the most iconic and famous structure, Basco Lighthouse stands on Naidi Hills overlooking West Philippine sea towering at 66ft, this famous landmark serves as a guide light to the sea farers across the sea.
Groufie as we go on our way to our last stop of the day!
Santo Domingo Cathedral
History tells that with the establishment of Basco town, a group of Dominican priests went on a mission to evangelize Basco. It was speculated that the image of Immaculate Concepcion was brought during that time therefore the first church was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The church bears the name Santo Domingo in honor of St. Dominic de Guzman. Santo Domingo Cathedral was rebuilt to its original form after earthquake aftermath in 2000.
Ended our tour here, just in time for a prayer of gratefulness for this chance to visit Batanes, so blessed for this experience! Too late for coffee? We don't think so, we headed to Phil's Brew for some caffeine intake!
Read here: Phil's Brew : Coffee chill in Basco
Happiness and Love,
itsmelory (^.^)
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