Six months. That’s how long it took for us to finally make our Batanes dream trip come true. It involved searching for a suitable date, determining airline costs, looking for a travel and tours service provider, and excitedly browsing the internet for renowned points of interests in the islands. Despite saturating ourselves with a lot of information and photos from the internet, the real thing still impressed us in more ways than one. Often we would say, ay ito pala ‘yun.

After immersing our bodies and spirits in the iconic hills of Vayang, we were then treated to yet another iconic site in Batanes: the Basco lighthouse located along the slopes of Naidi Hills.

Unlike Cape Engaño Lighthouse of Palaui Island in Cagayan that has been standing since 1892, the lighthouse of Basco is a relatively new addition to the Batanes skyline. Built in 2003, it has since then became one of the icons of Basco. On a clear sunny day, it sits perfectly, basked in golden sunshine, on the prairie of the rolling hills overlooking the sea.

Another good thing about the Basco Lighthouse is that visitors could actually get inside and climb the stairs to get to the top. That, of course, is not something we would miss.

Before we went up, our guide Kuya Joaquin volunteered to take our photos from below the lighthouse. We, of course, also managed to take our twofies on the way to and while we were on the top.

Apart from a picturesque view of the surroundings from above, the top of the lighthouse also provided us with an aerial view of the downtown Basco. Among all else though, our attention was caught by an imposing figure. Once again, Mt. Iraya stood in the skyline, unperturbed in its majesty.

We consider our Basco lighthouse experience as the denouement of our first day in the magical isles of Batanes. It was a fitting climax to a day filled with nothing but appreciation of the majestic beauty of the islands sculpted by the magnificent hands of nature, well preserved in the bosom of time. Calling Batanes as the crowning jewel of the Philippine archipelago is not overrated. It is very well fitting.

After our time in Naidi Hills, Kuya Bhong and Kuya Joaquin led us back to our accommodation. If you think though that our day was over, then no. Not yet.

When we arrived in the lodge, Ran and I agreed to take a walk to downtown Batanes. Since our travel and tour package does not include dinner, hence we would want to walk around to look for a place to eat or at least a place where we could buy food. We would also want to experience how it is to walk along the streets of the town center of a place known for its simple and laidback way of life.