{"id":12263,"date":"2019-08-01T10:00:09","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T02:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/?p=12263"},"modified":"2019-08-01T10:13:45","modified_gmt":"2019-08-01T02:13:45","slug":"north-batan-island-batanes-the-center-of-local-livelihood-and-breathtaking-landscapes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/2019\/08\/01\/north-batan-island-batanes-the-center-of-local-livelihood-and-breathtaking-landscapes\/","title":{"rendered":"North Batan Island, Batanes: The Center of Local Livelihood and Breathtaking Landscapes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Batanes Travel Guide | Philippine Primer Travels\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JwA2Kkjfwk0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">North Batan brims with very natural energy coming from its people, the capital&#8217;s trading activities, and the airport that serves as the first nod of welcome for the island&#8217;s visitors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Also read:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/2019\/07\/19\/batanes-travel-guide-preparing-for-your-trip-this-2019\/\" target=\"_blank\">Batanes Travel Guide: Preparing for Your Trip This 2019<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Home to the provincial capital and center of commerce that is Basco,\u00a0<strong>North Batan<\/strong>\u00a0is the place where local livelihoods are cultivated and showcased in public markets, convenience stores, and souvenir shops.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12265\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-2-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Although marked by vigor and modernity, the region still embodies the solemnity of Batanes as you drive away from the center and closer to the coast, as in Chanarian Beach where the shore is lovingly kissed by the tides.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Also read:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/2019\/07\/31\/south-batan-island-batanes-a-rustic-harbor-of-pasturelands-and-fishing-communities\/\" target=\"_blank\">South Batan Island, Batanes: A Rustic Harbor of Pasturelands and Fishing Communities<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Join Philippine Primer as we take you to a trip up north as we explore Batanes&#8217; North Batan Island!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Provincial Capitol<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><strong>Basco, Batanes<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12273\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-10.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-10.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-10-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The usual first stop upon arrival in Basco is the\u00a0<\/span><b>Provincial Capitol<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a 3-minute drive from Basco Airport, where tourists need to settle the <strong>eco-tourism fee<\/strong> of\u00a0<strong>Php 350\/pax\u00a0<\/strong>and the <strong>DENR\/PAMB fee\u00a0<\/strong>of<strong> Php 50\/pax<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>Adjacent to the building is the statue of Aman Dangat, a significant historical figure who fought for the rights and freedom of his people in Batanes.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Naidi Hills and Basco Lighthouse<br \/>\n<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><strong>Basco, Batanes<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"534\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12271\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-8.jpg 534w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-8-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 534px) 100vw, 534px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Among the\u00a0most stunning and famous spots in North Batan is the Naidi Hill and Basco Lighthouse. Just a 15-minute walk northwest of the Provincial Capitol,\u00a0<\/span><b>Naidi Hill<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0is the seat of the famed\u00a0<\/span><b>Basco Lighthouse<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, built in 2002. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This six-story conical beacon of light serves not only as a seafarer&#8217;s aid but also a visitor&#8217;s platform to get unobstructed views of Basco town, Mount Iraya, and the surrounding rolling landscapes. One such landscape is Vayang Rolling Hills.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\">Vayang Rolling Hills<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\">Basco, Batanes<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12266\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">About a 10-minute drive from Naidi Hills,\u00a0<\/span><b>Vayang\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">is home to cows and goats grazing as freely as your eyes can wander the scenery. The rolling hills face the West Philippine Sea and offer a glimpse of the nearby Itbayat and Sabtang islands. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you stand on the highest peak of the hills, you will easily catch a picturesque view of Mt. Iraya to the east and Chadpidan Boulder Beach to the north.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tip: Going up the peak requires a careful trek as the path is close to the slopes and a little narrow.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Valugan Boulder Beach<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\">Basco, Batanes<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12267\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-4-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Moving 15 minutes south from Vayang, you&#8217;ll find a tropical paradise that is unlike any other. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Setting foot on\u00a0<\/span><b>Valugan Boulder Beach<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, you will immediately notice smooth boulders with different sizes along the shore\u2014a beautiful collaborative work of Mount Iraya through its past eruptions and the West Philippine Sea through its tides.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tip: This beach scenery is said to be a famous subject for photographers. Around, you&#8217;ll find piled-up rocks made by tourists, which you can try yourself, but be very careful as the waves can get very rough.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Didawud Idjang<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\">Basco, Batanes<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12269\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-6-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re familiar with Mount Gusuku in Okinawa, you&#8217;ll find a similar one to the west of Valugan Boulder Beach, called\u00a0<\/span><b>Didawud Idjang<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This famous geological formation, elevated approximately 100 meters above sea level, is made from molten volcanic magma and once served as a citadel and shelter for the locals during the war. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Idjang Viewing is a nice viewing spot across Didawud Idjang to have a good view of the rock formation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tip: From the drop-off point on National Road, you&#8217;ll need to trek on steep slopes to reach the viewing point.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Dipnaysuhuan Japanese Tunnel<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\">Basco, Batanes<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12268\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-5.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-5-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Moving forward, a\u00a0piece of history tucked underneath the lush greenery of Batanes tells a story of World War II and the Japanese occupation in the country.\u00a0<\/span><b>Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel,\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">made of volcanic rocks and cement, served as a shelter for Japanese soldiers when they arrived in Batanes in 1941.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Inside, you\u2019ll find nothing but rocks, small holes, and shattered tunnel walls. Some entrance points have cement above to protect the tunnel from the bombings during the war.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12276\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-11.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-11-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tip: For safety, tourists are encouraged not to enter the tunnel without a tour guide and a torch or flashlight.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Mount Carmel Chapel (Tukon Church)<br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt\">Basco, Batanes<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12270\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-7.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-7-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Mt. Carmel Chapel<\/strong>, also known as Tukon Chapel adopted the design of a traditional Ivatan house made of stone walls, making it the only chapel embodying such design. The church also manifests solemnity and tranquility as it perfectly sits on top of a hill, overlooking the lush greenery of Batanes, as well as the Pacific Ocean and the West Philippine Sea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The ceilings of the chapel were once covered with paintings of the patron saints of their six municipalities until it collapsed after Batanes was hit with a strong storm.\u00a0Today, the image is kept on the sidelines and the ceilings are not fully restored.<\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tip: There is a donation box just by the arch before entering the chapel for those who would want to help rebuild the chapel.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\">PAGASA Tukon Radar Station<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\">Basco, Batanes<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12272\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-9.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-9-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/North-Batan-9-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Go further up at<\/span><b>\u00a0PAGASA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0(Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration)\u00a0<\/span><b>Tukon Radar Station<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0and get a magnificent 360-degree view of Batan Island. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The radar station is sitting on top of a hill giving you a beautiful landscape of Mahatao\u2019s hedgerows\u00a0<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(liveng),\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Basco town proper, the Pacific Ocean, and the West Philippine Sea. It is the northernmost station of PAGASA serving as the reference point for weather forecasts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Also read:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/2019\/07\/31\/sabtang-island-batanes-home-of-heritage-villages-with-centuries-worth-of-history\/\" target=\"_blank\">Sabtang Island, Batanes: Home of Heritage Villages With Centuries\u2019 Worth of History<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>How to get here<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0North Batan tour is a part of\u00a0the 4 days, 3 nights tour with Batanes Travel and Tours, Inc.<\/p>\n<p>Batanes Travel and Tours provides an all-in-one complete package with accommodation, eco-tours, and full meals guaranteed to make your stay hassle-free. They also offer private eco-tours or budget packages for solo or group travelers. All packages provide you with a local tour guide, driver, and a tour coordinator to help you get the most out of your stay.<\/p>\n<p><b>Details<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Manila Address:\u00a0<\/b>Unit B One Sapphire Condominium, 858 Fabella St., Mandaluyong City<b><br \/>\nContact:\u00a0<\/b>02-633-0859 \/ 0998-568-2637 \/ 0977-806-3040<br \/>\n<b><br \/>\nBatanes Address:\u00a0<\/b>Amboy St., Kayhuvokan, Basco, Batanes<br \/>\n<b>Batanes Office:\u00a0<\/b>0998-531-1908 \/ 0917-343-2420<\/p>\n<p><b>Website:\u00a0<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/batanestravelandtours.com\/\">batanestravelandtours.com<\/a><br \/>\n<b>Email:<\/b>\u00a0info@batanestravelandtours.com<br \/>\n<b>Facebook:\u00a0<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/batanestours\">facebook.com\/batanestours<\/a><br \/>\n<b>Instagram:\u00a0<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/batanestours\">instagram.com\/batanestours<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><em>This first appeared in Philippine Primer\u2019s Japanese and English Magazine August 2019 issue.<br \/>\n<\/em><em>Written by\u00a0Denisse Tenorio<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><em>Photos by JR Padlan<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>North Batan is the place where local livelihoods are cultivated and showcased in public markets, convenience stores, and souvenir shops.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":12266,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[358,2361,30,71,342,1407],"tags":[2320,2321,2322,2356,2359,2369,2370,2371,2372,2373],"class_list":["post-12263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-listicle","category-batanes","category-travel-tips","category-tourist-spot","category-travel-guide","category-travel","tag-batanes","tag-batanes-philippines","tag-batanes-itinerary","tag-batanes-travel-and-tours","tag-batanes-itinerary-2019","tag-north-batan","tag-north-batan-itinerary-2019","tag-north-batan-itinerary","tag-north-batan-batanes","tag-north-batan-island"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12263","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12263"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12263\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12284,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12263\/revisions\/12284"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12263"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12263"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12263"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}