Sunday, January 8, 2012

Beauty of Batanes, EXPOSED.

Set your foot on Batanes and you'll fell in love with the place instantly. Batanes is one of the top tourist destination in the Philippines. Who wouldn’t especially when you stayed in a Nature Lodge nestled on top of rolling hills called “Fundacion Pacita”. This was once the home studio of internationally-acclaimed artist Pacita Abad. The lodge is a very peaceful accommodation with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. The building is a work of art itself, made of natural limestones and a lush garden surrounding it.




Batanes is well known for its rich cultural heritage. Located in a town called Mahatao is the San Carlos Borromeo Church, listed as one of the country’s National Cultural Treasures by the NCCA because of its significance and architecture.


You'll find a unique sari-sari store here called the "Honesty Coffee Shop." This store doesn’t have any cashiers or people to look after their merchandise. If you go inside the store, all items are individually labeled and there’s a drop box where you have to put your payment for your purchase. The owner of the shop is a busy farmer so she just open the store early in the morning then will leave to farm and then goes back in the afternoon to close it up. Nobody will dare to cheat here if you see what she had posted on her store.




Next to Mahatao is Ivana town where you can find the “House of Dakay”. It was built in 1887 and was believed to be the oldest vernacular house in Batanes. The house is kept and owned by one of the oldest women in town named Lola Ida. It is also the only stone house left after a strong earthquake hit the province.


Because of Batanes’ rolling hills and green pasture, different pasturing animals like cows and carabaos are abundant in this province. Would you believe that they don’t get their beef from Manila or neighboring provinces because they have an abundant supply of fresh cow’s meat. In Batan island, you’ll find what the locals call the “Marlboro Country” because of the luscious green grass and rolling hills.



There are three different lighthouses in Basco, Mahatao and Sabtang Island. The first is the lighthouse in Basco. The lighthouses in Batanes resembles that of the lighthouses you can see in other countries which adds to the beauty of the lush greens of the rolling terrain in the area. You can stay there for a while to enjoy the sunset and the cool breeze coming from the ocean.


30 comments:

  1. A great location, thanks relagare these pearls of our planet and your country, thanks for the comment on the iPhone

    Have a good week dear

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  2. This place has many attractions, it strikes me very great sense of civilization of the customers of the shop !!!!!

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  3. A lovely blog with great photos and packed with information. Looks a fine place to visit.

    Chrissy at Manchester: a photo a day at Mancunian Wave

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  4. LOOOOOVE the 'Honesty Coffee Shop'!! But loving even more the beauty of this spot!! I know where I'll go if I'm ever in the Philippines!

    Although - some of the scenes look very similar to what I've seen in Australia!

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  5. @Ivo Serentha and Friends:

    Thank you so much for your visit! Have a great day! I'm an I-Phone user. :D


    Puerto Azul |
    top tourist destination in the Philippines

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  6. @Elettra:

    Yeah, I love the loyalty of the people visiting the Honesty Coffee Shop. :)


    Puerto Azul |
    top tourist destination in the Philippines

    ReplyDelete
  7. @Chrissy Brand: Thank you so much for your lovely comment! :) Have a great day!


    Puerto Azul |
    top tourist destination in the Philippines

    ReplyDelete
  8. @Red Nomad OZ: I so looooove the Honesty Coffee Shop as you do. :) Wow, it's great to know that destinations in Australia and in Philippines are somewhat similar. Thank you so much for your visit. Have a great day!


    Puerto Azul |
    top tourist destination in the Philippines

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  9. That is something we could never imagine happening here in Belgium, a shop where people just leave the required money!

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  10. Good week end to you dear Adrianne,and thank's for the visit on "Travelnews colored fish".

    A hug

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  11. Nice blog. I didn't have to read everything, but the pictures made me travel a bit.

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  12. @Caroline: Yes dear, it is definitely wonderful to set your foot in Batanes.



    Puerto Azul |
    top tourist destination in the Philippines

    ReplyDelete
  13. @Jientje: Yes dear, it requires intense honesty to do that, and I'm wondering if there were other visitors in the Honesty Coffee Shop that tried not to pay.



    Puerto Azul |
    top tourist destination in the Philippines

    ReplyDelete
  14. @Ivo Serentha and Friends: Thank you so much for your visit and same to you too!



    Puerto Azul |
    top tourist destination in the Philippines

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello, Adrianne Molin.

      Your work is embraced in your gentleness.

      Thank you for the warmth of your heart.

      The prayer for all peace.   
    Have a good weekend. From Japan ruma ❃

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  16. i really like all the pictures you post, so much to see and appreciate

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  17. Beautiful blog, gorgeous pics. Looking forward to seeing more. Have a great week. Greetings...Heidi

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  18. What an amazing place! Beautiful pictures. I didn't realize that the Philippines extended so far North.

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  19. A lovely inn and a delightful place for a relaxing vacation.

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  20. The Nepalese New Year decorations are not tattoos, but decorated in relief with a special ink.

    Hello dear Adrianne

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  21. I was pleased to read your comment, I wish you well!

    Hello dear

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  22. Hello Adrianne Molin!

    Really a beautiful place and lovely! Your images are fantastic, I am here on the other side, far away ...... more admiring all, congratulations on your blog is Oimo!

    Greetings from Brazil!.............Adriano........:-)..:-)

    ReplyDelete