Comments on: Batanes, Simply Captivating

By: DOJO

DOJO — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:32:55 +0000

Hi, We saw your blog…Great pics and comments from others too! My wife and I were married in Mahatao on Batan Island in april 2008 . She is a native Ivatan and took me to paradise in Batanes first in 2006 . I fell in love with the area and people immediately and we have been back in 2008(our wedding) and in 2009 as well . I am also a scuba diver and had the great luck to have met Chico Domingo who is a Padi Dive Master and owner of the local dive company DiveBatanes . His website is http://www.divebatanes.com . He is basically in charge of the marine sanctuary and has been diving in Batanes for 14 years. He is a great tour dive guide and host and has great gear. He and his wife Rory also offer Island Tours(boat and land) and can set up accomodation as well. They are fantastic people and made our stay a real pleasure. We will be back in Batanes in april 2010 . Hope to see you all there…Douglas

By: kristi

kristi — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:32:25 +0000

Hi, I came across your blog and wanted to share a youtube video of Pacita’s Painted Bridge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6P3Pwbk8Yc (available in HD quality). Hope you enjoy it.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:36:24 +0000

It seems that Seaair and Asian Spirit(they changed names) are the only flights from Manila at about 6500p not too bad. It’s very hard to get flight because of travel groups booking so many seats.
I will be going to Batanes 5/22/09 – 5/29/09, this is my second time going there in 4 years. My cousin Mike Schumacher married an Evatan named Bendict(he was a Peace Corp) volunteer some years back and got married and had 3 kids. They have built a home on Subtang in the villiage of Sumnanga. When I went in 2005 I went for 2 1/2 weeks. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. The people are most giving and friendliest I’ve ever met. I was able to witness my cousins step-daughter marriage in a small quaint church, along with the feast and party afterwards. There’s quite alot to do snorkeling, fishing, hiking.
Even thought there was only 12hrs of electric it’s didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. Traveling across to Evahos(not spelled right) and Ataquey islands looking for glass Chinese fishing floats and coming across sea snakes was one of my highlights. On my way home my flight got canceled (Asian Spirit) becasue of weather and I had to take a 6 seater plane to Louag then an 11 hr bus ride to Manila, luckily a catholic priest was on board(he was on his way to New Jersey) which made me feel better.

By: helen

helen — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:11:15 +0000

my family is planning to go to batanes on april. holy week !! 4 of us about 4days 3 ngts.but it seems that the package tour on d said date is tooo high!! asking me 23k /pax maybe you could help me, should i consider a package or just book online for tickets and accomodation separately????might also have an idea on what inn or hotel thats nice but chaep.pls help

By: icezorg

icezorg — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:14:13 +0000

@Abril: wow thanks, I’m proud to have an Ivatan comment on my blog!

@hazel: We took advantage of Asian Spirit’s PROMO FARES last year. Some people we met in Batanes got theirs for only 2.5K++ (rountrip).

By: hazel

hazel — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:53:53 +0000

hi!i simply LLOOVVEE your pics of batanes!your blog has been superbly helpful since me & my friends are planning (hoping) to go there this summer if the price is right.hehe!how did you manage to find 5.5K airfare?i’ve been searching the sites of asian (now zestair) & seair and all the rates i somehow find are 10k above!

By: Abril

Abril — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:46:30 +0000

Hi Great photos!!,,im from Batanes and it makes me home sick.. and im telling you,,the photos are superb but its better if you see it for yourselves,,,as for the tickets,its way cheaper to buy it online.there are also a lot of Bed and Breakfast in Basco where you could stay. I miss my Home town as I haven’t gone home for 5 yrs now,,hopefully this june. Thanks for sharing the ur photos-sO Proud to be an ivatan:D

By: icezorg

icezorg — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:20:36 +0000

@Naneth, i sent you an email. Did you see it?

@Kalel, thanks for sharing the map!

By: Kalel

Kalel — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:06:42 +0000

Here is a link on the map of the Island of Batan from wikimapia. You’ll notice that all the interesting sites there are close to each other, so I don’t think anyone will get lost. Just write down in order where you plan to go. (don’t forget to check the map for the sites pictured above)

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=20.4287823&lon=121.9733906&z=14&l=0&m=a&v=2

By: naneth

naneth — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:10:11 +0000

Thank you for a nippy answer you are really an angel, you are truly helping us to settle on going there because we are as well thinking to just go to Palawan or Singapore but I really crave to go to Batanes especially after seeing your pictures. We are scheduling to go on Feb. 2-6 hoping the climate will be great….would you like to join us hehe? It’s in fact cheaper to go there on our own and just follow your journey for a guaranteed terrific & treasured trip! How do we go to Batanes Resort from the Airport terminal? If you are planning to travel again I suggest Ilocos, laoag & Pagudpod so many great views there also. Thanks again.