Our first stop when we arrived in Basco was to our home for the next four days and three nights, Batanes Time Travel Lodge. It is an accommodation in Batanes conveniently located near the town center of Basco, surrounded by establishments where one may buy food and other needs during the stay in the island province. The lodge itself is spacious and comfortable, not to mention the staff who were nicely accommodating to answer whatever questions we had. Matanong pa naman ako.

As it was just around 07:00 AM, we still got five hours of free time before our Batanes driver guide Kuya Bhong would pick us up again to bring us to where we were to take our lunch. We tried to get some sleep given that we spent the night before in NAIA, but being in the place that we have planned for months, we were not able to rest really. We were somehow restless, to say the least. Excited eh.

We then prepared and dressed up for our much awaited Batanes adventure. While waiting for Kuya Bhong, we goofed in front of the camera. Sorry na kung medyo mauumay kayo.

Right on cue, Kuya Bhong arrived in the hotel to fetch us for lunch. He drove us along the roads of Basco, passing through some establishments and the town plaza. Just as we could already see the sea, we stopped. We have arrived.

The lunch arranged for us was in Harbour Cafe, an al fresco restaurant located near the Basco Harbour where one may enjoy the relaxing view of the sea while taking sumptuous meals. Sa view pa lang talaga sa lugar na ito, hihinto ang oras para sa’yo.

For our lunch, it was a meal of three viands: beef, fish and vegetables. Though not part of the meal arranged for us, we also ordered fruit milk shakes. The food was also served by a very amiable attendant. Everything was filling and satisfying!

Kumain lang naman kami pero parang napagod kami. Ganoon yata talaga kapag masarap ang pagkaing nakahain, lalo pa at napalilibutan ka ng magagandang tanawin. Para kaming ipinaghehele matapos kumain.

After our hearty welcome meal, we waited a few minutes as Kuya Bhong told us that our official guide for our Northern Batan tour was still on his way. While waiting, we took photos of our trusty steed.

Soon enough, our guide arrived. Kuya Bhong introduced us to Kuya Joaquin Cantor, one of the licensed tour guides in the island and who was the one specifically assigned to us. After the introduction, of we went to our tour. It has begun!