First Day in Batanes | Chasing the Sunset

Today was supposed to be my rest day before tomorrow’s official Batanes tour. I woke up extra early for my flight to Batanes. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to capture Basco Airport because I was busy trying to register with my slow mobile data. Thankfully, the tourism staff were very kind and understanding. They simply dropped me off at my hotel and told me I could complete my registration there using the hotel’s Wi-Fi. One of the first things I learned during my first day in Batanes is that you can’t simply flag down a tricycle whenever you need one—you usually have to call one. I also learned that when approaching or entering someone’s home, many locals politely say “Dios” a beautiful Ivatan greeting that reflects the warmth and respect of the people here. By midday, it was quite hot and humid, so I decided to rest and take a nap. By late afternoon, I started feeling a little bored, so I contacted a tricycle driver to take me to the rolling hills for sunset. The round-trip fare was ₱420, and it was worth every peso. The view was absolutely breathtaking. Seeing the rolling green hills with cows grazing peacefully reminded me of some of my summer hikes in Switzerland, especially Fronalpstock. The landscapes are different, but the peaceful atmosphere, the open hills, and the sound of cows mooing gave me a similar feeling. The only thing missing was the sound of cowbells. 😅 If the cows in Batanes wore bells, I think it would feel even more like a Swiss summer. I’m so glad I decided to go out and watch the sunset instead of waiting until tomorrow. There’s never a guarantee that the weather will cooperate or that I’ll have another chance after my day tour. Tomorrow is my first official tour in Batanes! I’m already laughing at myself because the tour starts around midday—which means I’ll probably be exploring under the scorching hot sun. 😭 But this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so let’s go! Thank You, Lord, for bringing me safely to another beautiful destination. Thank You for this peaceful sunset, the kindness of the Ivatan people, and the opportunity to witness another corner of Your incredible creation. I’m excited to see what tomorrow’s adventure brings. ❤️ #Batanes #Basco #RollingHills #Sunset #Ivatan #TravelPhilippines #NatureLover #SummerAsiaAdventure #GodsCreation #TravelWithPurpose #AdventureAwaits