Off to Batanes …. not!

We were supposed to go to Batanes but only got as far as admiring this poster at the airport:

As expected, bad weather prevented our group from pushing through with the trip. I totally understood… would rather skip the flight than do a John F. Kennedy Jr.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel envious at travellers like Jake Versoza who took this lovely Batanes photo ….

Weather-permitting, will be leaving for the Batanes Islands in a few hours – the northernmost tip of the Philippines where – by reasons of geography – time has stood still.

Batanes STILL is one of those exotic places on my list which is just a dream to visit. Just couldn’t resist its allure and I still hope to go there someday soon:

…. Batanes is where nature, sea and sky combine with such intensity it creates an almost mystical experience. Recognizing its universal value, UNESCO has noted the northernmost island of the Philippines and wants to declare it as a World Heritage Site. Help champion and protect the inherent qualities that define Batanes as a destination comparable to other recognized UNESCO sites like the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Vatican City and the Taj Majal.

Explore a place where two oceans converge to give even the most world-weary of travelers an intoxicating rush. Indulge in a seasonal phenomenon that lets locals and tourists experience winter in a tropical country. Bask in the untamed beauty of its wave-cut cliffs and immaculate waters painstakingly etched by the cycles of time. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Ivatans and marvel at a place has remained steadfast amid the allure of modernity and commercialism.

No Internet in the next few days but am sure the pictures when we get back will be very breathtaking.