Batanes Trek - Landscapes and Seascapes

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Batanes Landscapes and Seascapes

They call Batanes a land born of fire and water. Volcanic activity from the dormant Mt. Iraya, continuous pounding from waves, and frequent lashings from typhoons have a created a rugged but beautiful, natural landscapes and seascapes unique in this northern frontier.

The ruins of Songsong, a ghost barrio between Uyugan and Itbud, is one testimony of nature's wrath and its effect on humans. Tired from the morning's hike, we stopped at a sari-sari store in Itbud where the owner graciously prepared for us a sumptous lunch of octopus and patola, beef and rice. The store owner told us that the seaside town of Songsong used to be inhabited until a tidal wave swept through it in the 1950's. The survivors have since then migrated to Mindoro, Palawan and Mindanao.

The best way to enjoy Batanes is to hike around and into it. Batanes is a land that contains surprises at the next turn you take. It didn't matter that in some days we only had pop corn or ensaymada bread for lunch while hiking. The breathtaking beauty of the scenery around us was reward enough for our tired souls.

It's a land of blue skies and wide open spaces. You can trek through its rutted roads and hear nothing except the waves pounding on the rocky shore. On the pasture lands going to Mahatao, there was no sign of humans. We only saw livestock peacefully grazing on grass. It's a lonely planet back there, but I will always look back and remember the feeling of sunshine on my skin, the cool breeze, and remind myself how wonderful it is to be alive....

Info on photos

I took all photos using Nikon N80 and 28-80mm and 70-300mm Nikkor lens (G type). Film: Fuji Superia Reala 100. Scanning was done at the lowest resolution possible for faster loading.

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