Where the Pacific merges with the South China Sea, you will find Batanes, the northernmost part of the Philippines and definitely one of those places you should say "YES" to. Batanes is a special place, nature meets nurture while everything is fresh, green, smelling with a hint of sea salt.

A perfect summer vacation place, Batanes offers wonders that can be found on other places in the country, but two folds better. For instance, this place is the smallest province in the Philippine islands, making it a tranquil and serene place to visit.

And this fact translates well to the community atmosphere that is Batanes. The province prides itself to have a zero crime rating. The local radio station serves as a central lost and found meeting point; tourists come here to report incidents and locals take items they have found here. Batanes is famous for its "Honesty Store", an unmanned store open to the public and guarded by a boxful of money. Purchasers are told by a simple note to get and pay for what items they wish to buy. Get your change honestly. This is just one of the charms of this small and quaint countryside. In addition to that, imagine no traffic jams or pollutions!

Batanes offers up nature in different ways. In the isolated island of Sabtang, pristine beaches and quiet resort spots are always perfect for a shoot, such is the beauty of the shores. One second may offer you lush scenes and forest but the bend will show you coves and beaches of white and blue. Batanes lends itself well to the enjoyment of hikers, campers and outdoorsmen who wants to end the day with a dip on the clear blue waters of the beach.

Pasture and farm lands can also be found here, most of them overlooking the Pacific ocean. Rocky formations and mountains also litter the area, making it a perfect hiking trip. The famous Rada Tukon rest atop a hillside, with a perfect 360 degree view of the island of Batanes.

Batanes also has its share of burial caves. The northern provinces of the Luzon island had the ancient custom of interring their dead in cold caves, and Batanes has a part of this cultural practice. In the town of Itbayat, pre-historical burial caves are regarded as chief places of interest.

Historic churches over 200 years old are a must see in the province. They hold a special charm with thick walls made of lime and stone. They tell of a different story when Spaniards traveled far and wide just to teach the Ivatans and other locals of Batanes their religion.

Like the local Ivatan houses, churches are built with thick walls, about more than an arm's length in width. This is so that they can withstand the occasional monsoons. This unique feature also makes the interior cooler at day and warmer at nights. People here do not lock doors. This is the kind of trusting community atmosphere they have here. They are not materialistic. In fact, if there is something that one needs, all he has to do is go in the house and he may borrow something.

Enjoy the festivities here, the fiesta, the beaches, the seafood, the produce and the local sugarcane wine- palek. Batanes is a quaint weathered island the may very well own the name of Tropical Paradise to the North.

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