Thinking
of a place to go this summer? Why not
try the unique eco-cultural experience of the time-warped Batanes group of
islands where you can get a glimpse of the Philippines of old?
Flying
to Batanes is now made more affordable and convenient as the Batanes Cultural
Travel Agency (BCTA) offers lower airfares starting March 15. One way ticket starts at P6,200, much lower
than the usual airfare to the country’s northernmost frontier. What more, passengers can now enjoy shorter
travel time at 1 hour and 10 minutes to Batan in the comfort of a 94-seater
jet.
A
province of 11 islands and a population of 15,000, Batanes has fast become the
favourite travel destination of people who are looking for a unique combination
of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Batanes
offers travellers breath-taking landscapes and seascapes, which has been
nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Not a few describe the islands as one
of the most beautiful corners of the world.
.JPG) |
| Rachu a' Payaman: The communal grazing area where you can also get a beautiful glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. |
Spanish
influence is still much evident in the inhabited islands of Batanes, with
centuries-old churches built by the Dominicans and the limestone houses that
have withstood strong typhoons.
Some of the notable
churches are the San Jose Obrero Church in Ivana, Sabtang; San Carlos Borromeo
Church in Mahatao (1873); Sto. Domingo Cathedral in Basco (the oldest built in
early 18th century); and, Sta. Maria Immaculada (1845) in Itbayat. Also worth visiting are the church in
Chavayan, the only one in Batanes which still uses a thatched roof, and the
church of Itbud.
A visit to the
villages gives one a glimpse of the limestone technology introduced by the
Spaniards when they arrived in the province at the turn of the 18th
century. The Old Spanish Bridges in Mahatao and Ivana as well as the iconic
vernacular houses made out of limestone, stones, corals and a thatched roof, are
scattered in the three inhabited islands of Batan, Sabtang and Itbayat.
Walking through the
tiny villages of traditional stone houses amidst the quiet narrow streets of
Savidug and Chavayan in Sabtang island, makes one feel like being transported
to another world where time just stood still.
Everywhere in
Batanes is picture-perfect, with some corners seemingly cut out of the movie
scenes of The Lord of The Rings -- villages nestled between the tall lush
mountains and cliffs on one side and a sweeping view of the sea on the other. Truly,
travellers cannot have enough of the beauty of Batanes. You have to go there to
experience it for yourself.
BCTA flights
(Manila-Basco-Manila) started accepting bookings on March 01. Flights will be Tuesdays,
Thursdays, and Saturdays starting on March 15.
For reservations please call the following hotlines: (02) 635-4810 /
546-1197 / 998-4303 / 475-5267 / 475-5260 / 0917-8112282 / 0999-8894106 /
0908-2309419 / 0922-8213717. ##
