When my future husband, at that time, told me that he did not want to go out of the country for our honeymoon, I only had two dream destinations in mind; Batanes or El Nido. Since our wedding was in December and I didn’t want to go swimming during that cold weather, we decided right away that we were going to Batanes. Although, there were a lot of reasons that we encountered that made us hesitated. First, a lot of our friends said that it was cheaper to go to some Asian countries than to go to Batanes. Second, that it was impossible to get a promo fare since only PAL and Skyjet airlines are the only two that flies to Batanes, and third, that the accommodations were also costly. So we prayed for guidance and financial help since we had a very limited budget. God had blessed us with PAL tickets that was within our budget. It was not a promo fare but since we bought our tickets almost ten months earlier we got it in a reasonable price.
For our accommodation, I looked for the cheapest. Amongst all the lodges, MARFEL LODGE had the best review. We got a room with a fan for only P350 per person. It was December and was very cold so the fan was already enough. The great thing about this lodge is that their kitchen and dining is available for all their guests. Their kitchen has a mini honesty store where you could buy canned goods, noodles and even bottled iced tea and soft drinks. Guests may also cook and may use all their utensils. So if you are really on a budget, you can just cook your meals and save a lot for souvenirs.
Marfel Lodge
We hired a tricycle for all our tours. The good thing about hiring a tricycle is that you can take pictures as long as you want. Unlike in a group tour where every destination is time-bound.
These are the following tours available in BATANES.
NORTH BATAN ISLAND– This tricycle tour costs P1000. This consists of the following:
Mt. Carmel Chapel
PAGASA
Pacita Fundacion
Japanese Tunnel
(with our tour guide Mang Larry)
Vulugan Boulder Beach
Rolling Hills
Naidi Hills Lighthouse
(Tourists may rent these hats and baskets for only P20)
SOUTH BATAN ISLAND– This tour costs P1500. This consists of the following:
Chawa View Deck
Shelter Port
Alapad Rock
San Carlos Borromeo Church
Honesty Store
Racuh A Payaman (commonly known as the Marlboro Hills)
Tayid Lighthouse
House of Dakay
Old Spanish Bridge
Maydangub White Beach
SABTANG ISLAND– For this tour, we hired Mang Larry to bring us to Ivana Post. we paid P75 each for the boat ride going to this Island
Sabtang Island Lighthouse
St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel
Barrio Chavayan
Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint
Ahao Natural Arch at Morong Beach
FOOD TRIP- The viands ranges from 200-400, it is a bit expensive if you are on a budget. But the serving is good for 2-4 persons so it is better if you have friends with you. Here are my two favorite restaurants.
Octagon
Pacita Fundacion
Food here are a bit more expensive. It is the most elegant and it has the most amazing view amongst all the places you could checked in. But since we are on a real budget trip, we just dined there cause accommodations are almost P20k per night.
Amazing View
My Favorite Calamansi Pie
Ivatans’ Version of Adobo- Lunis
Our favorite – Tokwa’t Lunis
BASCO – Since our schedule was not so hectic and we did not booked any group tour we were able to go around Basco by renting a bike for only P25. We were able to bike around the Basco Port.
Basco Port
Basco Bible Baptist Church
We were also able to go to church.
We will definitely come back here. If you visit Batanes during summer you can also go to Itbayat Island when the waves are not so strong. Aside from the amazing view, the things that I won’t forget about this trip are the honesty and the kindness of the people. This is the only place I have been were I did not really have to worry where I put my things, cause it will still be where I left it. It is great to know there is a place in the Philippines, where you could 100% safe and worry-free