By: AJ Virtuz |

You can compare Batanes to your girlfriend. At first, she's a hard-to-get. Sometimes, she's in a bad mood. Sometimes, she's in good condition. But when you get to know her and discover her beauty, trust me – you will never want to leave her.

At the far northern reach of the Philippines, Batanes is a group of 10 islands floating off the corner of the map near Taiwan. Only three of these specks are permanently inhabited: the main island, Batan; tradition-rich Sabtang; and remote Itbayat. Island landscapes alternate between greenery-clad extinct volcanoes, rugged cliffs, rolling hills, verdant pastureland and turquoise-wave-fringed white slivers of the beach.

Naidi Hills (Basco Lighthouse) Photo by: AJ Virtuz

Naidi Hills (Basco Lighthouse) Photo by: AJ Virtuz

Racuh a Payaman (aka Marlboro Country) Photo by: AJ Virtuz

Upon interviewing one of the Police Officer in Basco, I was told that in most months of the year, they have at least zero crime rate in their place and that some of the cases that are being addressed to them is just a married-couple quarrel. Also, the owner of the hotel told us that the Mayor of Basco is really strict in allowing investors to build and make their business in their Municipality most especially if they are not residing there. The reason? To make way for the locals to protect their source of living.

Valugan Boulder Beach, Photo by: AJ Virtuz

We just hope that the local government will continue protecting Batanes to maintain its beauty and to attract more tourists. In my own experience, I can conclude that Batanes is one of the must-visit astonishing places in the Philippines and a perfect spot that we can be proud of.

TAGS: Batanes; Choose Philippines; Vacation; Travel