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mellinger
Joined: 21 Jan 2007
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:14 pm Post subject: Batanes, Philippines |
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Hi,
I'm planning on going to Batanes, an island in the northern Philippines at the end of this month.
Does any one have any recommendations on things to do, or tips for navagating the island while I'm there? It seems like a sweet remote destination and am excited to just relax, but would welcome some ideas of things to do as well while I'm there if anyone else has been there.
Thanks all,
Mike |
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ttompatz

Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject: Re: Batanes, Philippines |
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mellinger wrote: |
Hi,
I'm planning on going to Batanes, an island in the northern Philippines at the end of this month.
Does any one have any recommendations on things to do, or tips for navagating the island while I'm there? It seems like a sweet remote destination and am excited to just relax, but would welcome some ideas of things to do as well while I'm there if anyone else has been there.
Thanks all,
Mike |
I hope you are NOT on a tight schedule.
Plan nothing to happen in a hurry and leave your watch at home. Boats sail when they sail, if they sail. Same for ground transport AND nothing happens in a hurry.
It is a great place to watch the coconuts grow (I wish I was doing the same thing).
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mellinger
Joined: 21 Jan 2007
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:31 pm Post subject: |
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Awesome, thanks for the quick reply. I'm planning on just spending a week there....but have a couple days to spare if I would get stuck there. Luckily I'm flying in so don't have to worry much about the waves....
Did you spend some time there ttompatz? What was it like?
Thanks again,
Mike |
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ttompatz

Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:41 pm Post subject: |
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mellinger wrote: |
Awesome, thanks for the quick reply. I'm planning on just spending a week there....but have a couple days to spare if I would get stuck there. Luckily I'm flying in so don't have to worry much about the waves....
Did you spend some time there ttompatz? What was it like?
Thanks again,
Mike |
You are aware that, if you are going to the same Batanes that is at the north of the Philippines that it is an archipelago located about mid way between Luzon (the big island) and Taiwan.
It is very undeveloped. Most transportation and accommodation are simple to the point of being almost NON commercial in nature. You will do a lot of walking so pack light.
Also, take the smallest currency you can find. Most places WON'T be able to make change for larger bills (anything over p100 is often a stretch). The same can be said for most rural areas in the Philippines.
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mellinger
Joined: 21 Jan 2007
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks again for your reply. Yup, that's the same place I'm talking about.
Do you know if there are bikes somewhere to rent on the main island....not even motorbikes, but just regular pedal bikes in general. If so, I'd be happy enough with that as from what I understand could get me around the island fairly easily.
It's definately the sort of location I'm looking for as I just want somewhere to chill and relax and take pictures....
Mike |
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ttompatz

Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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mellinger wrote: |
Thanks again for your reply. Yup, that's the same place I'm talking about.
Do you know if there are bikes somewhere to rent on the main island....not even motorbikes, but just regular pedal bikes in general. If so, I'd be happy enough with that as from what I understand could get me around the island fairly easily.
It's definately the sort of location I'm looking for as I just want somewhere to chill and relax and take pictures....
Mike |
It'd be easier to rent a buffalo than a bike for ground transport.
Motor trike or walking are the primary modes of transport. There are a few multi-cabs (baby jeepney) on the larger islands as well.
I assume you are flying into Basco.
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mistermasan
Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Location: 10+ yrs on Dave's ESL cafe
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:34 am Post subject: |
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been there. PM for more.i ain't casting pearls around here...  |
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mistermasan
Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Location: 10+ yrs on Dave's ESL cafe
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:44 am Post subject: |
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there are plenty of jeepneys circling batanes. the next island over (i forget the name right now) has no cars. no jeepneys. folks would give me rides on their scooters. |
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Yaya

Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:49 am Post subject: |
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I'm now interested in hitting this place but it seems tough to get there. One online poster called Batanes the most beautiful place on earth. |
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alwaysbeclosing100
Joined: 07 Feb 2009
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mistermasan
Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Location: 10+ yrs on Dave's ESL cafe
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Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 8:28 am Post subject: |
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i liked it alot. i stayed at the fisheries school. something like 2 US dollars for the night. there is no light pollution at night. the stars at night...oh my.
not a whole lot to do. walk. ride the jeepneys. look at the chickens. go for a dip. sometimes such is just perfect.
nightclubs? girlies? forget about it.
drink beer w/ some locals? can do. this is the poorest place in the phillipines but it doesn't seem like it afterseeing manila. the kids are clean and well enough dressed.
i really liked the next island over (sabtang?). it was the bestest for me. but the ferry ride over is seemingly always choppy. |
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