Travelling could be an expensive hobby especially for people who didn’t grow up with a silver spoon, just like me. It entails one to consider the costs of travelling to distant places to explore what each place has to offer. Although there are airlines offering promo fares nowadays, the cost of terminal fees, lodging, land transportation and food should all be taken into consideration. And if you are not on the more adventurous type who can’t stand travelling on a budget with just a backpack, it may take you several “years” before you are able to save up for your dream travel destination if you are someone who’s getting an average paycheck.
I, for one, have long wanted to travel the world after I’ve read novels and watched foreign movies. There’s Braveheart, the Leapin’ Leprechauns and more. These are some of the films I’ve seen in the past which made me want to go to countries like Scotland and Ireland along with other countries. But this may only be a dream since I may never be able to visit these countries without spending a fortune.
But then I discovered 2 years ago that I do not have to spend a fortune to visit those countries. In fact, I do not have to travel out of the country! All of this was made possible when a friend introduced me to Batanes. Yes! I truly believe that Batanes is the ultimate answer to my longing to visit other countries. Although one country is entirely different from the other, I am convinced that a visit to Batanes will definitely take your breath away as you imagine being in a totally different place while still being in your own homeland.
Let me show you why…
photo credit: wikipedia
photo credit: PhilippineBeaches.org
If you want to see the Boulder Beach in the Otago Peninsula in New Zealand, you only have to fly to Batanes and check out Valugan Beach where you can see those large boulders in this side of the province. They say that Valugan Beach is also best viewed during sunrise. I’d definitely jump in the waters if I’d be here.
photo credit: danny.oz.au
photo credit: Farl
Except for those grazing cows, you would think that this is from the same province of Batanes, right? Actually, the photo on top is one of the hills of Scotland while the one below is what you will see when you visit the Naidli Hills in Batanes. Such greenery!
photo credit: John Duggan
photo credit: wikipedia
Batanes is famous for their stone houses which protects their homes from typhoons that often visit the province. On top, you will see 2 stone houses which looked rather similar, except for those roofs. One is a stone house from Ireland and the other one is the Old Dakay house, the oldest stone house in Batanes. I wonder how it would feel to live inside one of those stone houses.
photo credit: The Wandering Angel
photo credit: Danilo Nuestro
There are 3 lighthouses in Batanes which were built to protect fishermen and travellers as they traverse the sometimes treacherous sea in this area. The view of a lighthouse on top of a cliff is something I would want to witness. There’s something about them that makes me want to see one. The Pigeon Point Lighthouse in California can be compared to the lighthouse in Sabtang as they are both keeping their guard in watching over anyone that happens to pass by their territory.
photo credit: Peter Guttman
photo credit: Joel M. Escala
Although they may differ in design and functionality, both the Guaymi Men of Peru (or is it Panama?) and the Ivatans of Batanes uses a similar headgear which protects them from the monstrous rains in their respective regions. In Batanes, this headgear is called a “vakul” which is worn to cover each Ivatan’s head and body from the rain. I’d definitely try one on when I get my hands on one 
photo credit: Taste of Maine
photo credit: Geri
I’m thankful I’m not allergic to seafoods. In fact, I’m on a seafood diet. When I see food, I eat food. hahaha. They say that the best lobsters can be found in Maine, USA. I haven’t really tasted one before since I know they are way out of my budget. But I guess I still have hope in getting the chance to eat one whenever I get the chance to go Batanes as they say that the lobsters here are really really cheap. That means I don’t have to go to Maine too just to taste the best lobsters in the world. From the picture on top alone, those cracked open lobsters looked yummier than those being served in Maine. :D
Going on a trip to Batanes will not only help me save a fortune on travelling to different countries but it will also pave way for being transported to countries like Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, USA, Peru and more, visiting their famous landmarks and experiencing different weather seasons. Where else in the Philippines can you experience that? Only in Batanes!
Because of this, I would rather travel to Batanes and experience all the splendor and beauty this island up north can offer any taveller. It’s like your one-stop travel destination. Almost everything is in Batanes! Zero crime rate, vast topography, warm and friendly people, great tasting food. What more can you ask for?
These are the reasons why I want to go to Batanes, as I truly believe that this is the next ultimate dream travel destination in the Philippines.
About Doi Domasian
This is a travel blog of Doi Domasian. Her nature to explore both new and familiar places and share it with the rest of the world is what keeps this wanderer going and seeking for thrills and adventures. Due to her passion for travelling, she decided to leave the corporate world and started living the life of a nomad.
Good luck on your entry!
Kagutom ang photos ng lobsters!
thank you gay! as for the lobsters, kakagutom talaga!
Very nice post doi. I like the comparisons and why Batanes is must-travel destination for any wanderer.
thanks ed! yeah, it’s like hitting many birds with one stone when you visit Batanes. hehehe
Really unique post Doi! Like the comparisons too. Good luck
thank you pra! Batanes has a lot to offer aside from the ones I mentioned above. I hope I can go there to see it for myself
WOW!nice!it makes me more proud to be an ivatan:)
Thank you B-Ann. swerte mo coz you have such a beautiful hometown. sana makapunta ako balang araw dito
sana tlga manalo tayo!
tama ka jan, me thinks it’s almost everybody’s dream!
hi geal, honga. sana manalo tayo
can’t wait to set batanes jud!
This is a good post already, I’m sure if you win this contest you will come up with better and interesting stories, good luck Doi!
thank you claire! i really wish i get to be part of the 7 lucky bloggers to go to batanes
you joined din pala, sana manalo tayo para mapasalamatan kita in person.
go go doi!
yep
honga. sana manalo tayo 
best of luck!
sana you posted your FB post so I can “like” it =)
it’s actually in here
http://www.facebook.com/flyseair/posts/165336430176067
kelan calaguas nyo? we’ll be going back there too, with Gael and nina! =)
hi chyng! we’ll be arriving in manila on march 3, uwi nang march 7 so anywhere between those dates ata
ginutom ako sa lobster… aside form seair… may other planes ba na nagse serve ng batanes? or may ferry ba?
hi flip, kakagutom talaga mga lobsters na yan noh? kahit never pa ako nakatikim ng lobster, picture palang gutom nako!
i’ve read that aside from SEAIR there’s 3 other airlines that flies to Batanes: Chemtrad Aviation and Batanes Airlines via Tuguegarao and also SkyPasada??? via Laoag and Tuguegarao. But i think SEAIR has the biggest aircraft among those 3 and most convenient since it flies out to Batanes from Manila
not too sure if there’s a ferry going to batanes though 
It’s everybody’s dream! Good luck to all of us!
yeah, goodluck to us all. I really hope SEAIR will grant us our wishes and let us experience winter in Batanes!
well done doi & goodluck. have you seen in yahoo news that Philippines is 1/12 travel destination in 2011? however, i wish that the picture that was posted is the one from yours…more interesting and attractive
hi tita, yeah, heard of it. that’s really gonna boost the tourism industry in our country
as for the photos, i’m really hoping i’d get the chance to go to Batanes to be able to experience the beauty of the place first hand and also capture wonderful shots there too.
ingat lagi!
g0od luck, doris!
I want to go to Batanes, too!
thanks lyn!
nice photo comparison… ive been to Batanes and i must say, its like heaaven on earth.
yeah, talagang ang ganda nya, kahit sa pictures. this is one of the places i aim to travel soon!
Great job on the article
thanks! i enjoyed reading your site
say hello to mustachio for me 
Batanes is also my dream destination. waaah. thanks for this post, my urge to go there was intensified even more. I commend you for the photo comparison (scotland vs. batanes), pretty neat there! haha. galing.
thank you peppy! yah, Batanes is the ultimate dream destination talaga. I hope I visit the place one of these days. I want to live there even for a month or two and experience how it is to live a simple life in such a beautiful place!
batanes, so near yet so far. balang araw mararating din natin yan!
sana malapit na yang balang araw na yan…
Thanks for considering our province BATANES!
Satisfaction Exceeds Expectation…
Explore, Experience and Enjoy Batanes!
Thanks for considering Our Province Batanes!
This is indeed one of my next dream destinations. My friend and I planned to go here actually this December but we decided to go first in Hong Kong.
We will definitely go to Batanes next summer. That way, we can be pretty certain that the weather will be good. I really wanted to see the rolling hills and one of a kind house structures in Batanes. We really hope we can go here next summer.
Btw, speaking of Batanes. Those who plan to go to Batanes some time next summer, SE Air is currently having promo fares from Manila to Basco.
Waaah! Sana di ma-cancel flight namin dito sa lunes!
*inggit mode* sana bumuti weather para matuloy kayo! aabangan ko posts mo nyan!
My Gas! Ang ganda ng Batanes!
It now holds the place of the most beautiful place I’ve been to, unseating Coron =P
sge lang…may araw din ang sakin tong batanes!
for now, inggit mode nlng muna ako dito sa sulok
can’t wait to see your pics!
Philippines is home to many appealing beaches which display the true natural beauty this mesmerizing Asian holiday destination is home to. The beach lovers form around the world come here by flights to Manila or they reach Cebu, another spectacular city in the Philippines.
This made me long for Batanes more! I especially like the laid back life they have there (as told by some friends). And indeed you don’t need to go out of the country to witness these kinds of scenery. Sometimes it’s necessary to look inside because it’s always there, instead of looking out.
Nice entry! I didn’t know they offer lobsters there!
hehehe. thanks byron! i wanna live in batanes for a month or 2 just to experience what it’s like living in there. i just hope they have wifi
hi doi! akala ko narating mo din ang Batanes
Ito pala yung entry mo for SEAIR contest. hehe.
Abang ka lang ng seat sale this February. Meron sila sa travelmart.
LOL. yeah. sana nga makapunta ako ng Batanes Izah. Di ko pa sya afford eh. But this is definitely my dream destination!
another great post, Doi!
Batanes is really a gem for Filipinos!
(any post about the cheapest way to go to batanes?)
thanks batanggala! but i’ve never been to Batanes pa eh
This is a really cool idea with the similar photos
hehehe. thanks Alex!
Doi, let me know when you’re going there. I seriously want to go there. Let’s plan for a trip to Batanes!
Sure Glen. serious pud ko. hehehe. I need to save up for that trip pa hinuon
Tama kay expensive pa sa travel abroad ang fare. pero should be cheaper kung sa Tuguegarao manukad
hahaha. sge, let me know pila iandam nato para matiguman
if pwde, i want to stay there for a month! hehe