Batanes

Batanes Island

SEAIR is the only air line that flies direct from Manila to Basco daily, during most times of the year, with a breathtaking landing on the skirt of Mt. Iraya. To book, visit www.FlySeair.com or call +632/ 849 0100.

Basco town has a handful of charming accommodation, most on the simple side of the spectrum. Shanede ls's Inn and Café is one of the most “angler friendly hotels” because it's close to the Shelterport, the jump off point to fishing grounds. Its cliff top location overlooks Basco Port. Proprietor Dely Millan (+63920/ 447 0737) can arrange for land transportation, boat rental, packed lunches and even cooking the day's catch for dinner. Rooms here are not fancy but clean, with private toilet and bath. There’s a makeshift open-air restaurant that can double as venue to pre-plan a fishing trip. Rooms range from P350 to P750 per person per night, with fan cooled and air-conditioned rooms available.

Homestays can be arranged. Live in an Ivatan stone house or a local who rents out rooms. The owners are trained about the basics of hospitality service. Call Batanes Cultural Travel Agency (BCTA ) to book at +632/ 813 0510, 810 4006 or +63917/ 811 2282. Visit www.batanestravel. com. BCTA also offers packaged fishing tours. You can hire a boat from boatowner Magno Bata for about P4, 500 per day.

Our thanks to Tony Barrios for helping InFlight prepare for the fishing coverage and sharing his network of contacts and to Gordon Uy of Fishing Buddies for lending us his fishing equipment and accompanying the InFlight team on its fishing trips, to Mrs. Dely Millan of Shanedel's for her hospitality, and to BCTA for its help in booking a female model.

Photo abd Article Source: Inflight Magazine ( Seair)