What makes Batanes unique?

One of the most notable facts about Batanes is its claim to a zero crime rate. Violent crime is unheard of on the islands and even petty theft is a rare occurrence. Visitors who misplaced or lost personal items are told to visit the local radio station in Batanes so that an island-wide bulletin can be aired. Locals who have found items are also likely to drop them off at the station.

Batanes' Honesty Coffee Shop, believe it or not, there is no one minding the store. Instead, a clear plastic jar is left on the counter for customers to pay for their snacks and get their own change. It works under the honesty system. Softdrinks, instant coffee, candies, biscuits, noodles, chips and other snacks are available. This is one of the many things that make Batanes a unique place to visit.

Here are some other things that make Batanes unique among other tourist destinations in the world;

Batanes is a special place. Isolated from the rest of the country, it has evolved into a truly unique destination - unlike any other island in the Philippine archipelago. Batanes is absolutely pollution-free. No traffic jams. All you can see are beauty of nature.

Unique architecture of Ivatan houses made of thick lime and stone walls with cogon grass roof has made it a favorite attraction to visitors. They were built this way to endure typhoons that frequently hit the area.

Batanes is made up mostly of hills and mountains. Lush greenery tapers off to give way to stretches of sandy beaches and rocky shorelines.

Batanes is suitable to hardy, outdoor types who enjoy hiking over hills and vales, swimming and discovering a unique local culture, rather than indulging in material pleasures.

The people are different - a brave and skillful race of hardy, inscrutable survivors. They are notable for their honesty, industry and hospitability.

The topography coupled with its constant rainfall and strong winds have created a destination that is truly one-of-a-kind. The weather is different. In fact, the weather is the king.

The boats, the language, the crafts, and the wine (called palek-from sugarcane) - they are all different.

Aside from the festive town fiestas, free and natural beaches, trekking adventures, bird watching in October or fishing in summer, there are a lot of other local attractions worth visiting such as:

The undisturbed and unspoiled Sabtang Island, with its sandy beaches and rugged country trails make it a secret paradise.

Historic Churches in every town which were over 200 years old made of massive mixture of lime and stone.

Radar tukon in Basco rests on the hilltop overlooking a 360 degree view of the cliffs, hills and the seas around the island.

And the Interior road, a trail of unending countryside panoramic views, rock formations and rolling terrain

Other places of interest in Batanes include; House of Dakay (1887) a UNESCO heritage building; Mt. Iraya - A 1008-meter mountain on Batan Island; Mahatao View Deck; Burial Caves - Pre-historic burial caves in the town of Itbayat; Sumhao Wind Power Plant; Nakaboang Beach, Ark & Cave; Songsong Ruins; Beaches - Chadpidan Beach, White Beach; and Payaman - known as "Marlboro Country", a pasture overlooking farm fields & the Pacific Ocean.

The best time to visit Batanes is from February to July.

The weather is cold because the place is located in highlands. Many people used to visit the place mostly during summer vacation or holy week. During those times, families have more time traveling places. Traveling with your family even once a year gives a good foundation and makes all family members become more close with each other. They leave the place fulfilled even though they spent their few bucks just for a vacation.

Transportation can be both land and air, but due to high mountains, only small aircrafts are obliged. Most people travel through land even though the travel span is six hours.

During Rainy days, few people are entering the city because of slippery roads. Since the city is located in highlands, it is bounded with numerous creeks.

Good and durable brooms came from the city. It cost less than the actual price in other parts of the provinces and in Metro Manila. Most business people come to buy some of their stuff and sell them in their own place.

Lan Kai Fong is a very famous tourist spot in Hong Kong. This city is known as the busy business district. It has more than a hundred restaurants and bars with vivacious mixture of various cultures in the area. Like many people, after a hard day of work, people use to stay for awhile to have some drinks and fine dining with friends and families.

One main attraction of the district is their elegant Lan Kwai Fong Hotel which is awarded as “The Best Boutique Hotel In Asia” by Travel Weekly Asia Industry Awards. The hotel offers access to all major shopping and sight seeing place. It has transportation facilities that makes it easier for the people to travel from one place to another.

The city is not only famous for offering their local cuisine, since I've said earlier that different cultures arise in this district so, a lot of different cuisines like Italian, French, Japanese and more are also available. The alluring foreigners would even stay longer for this. However, many local people don't consider this as place for pubs and discos because there are a lot more restaurants than those pubs and discos.

During special days like Halloween, Christmas and new years, the crowd in the place is very busy. You can see a lot of crowded people having party onto the street as they celebrate the special days.

Being familiar with the place, makes you even comfortable to stay. And, if you see the place with good atmosphere, it makes you come back and try another visit.