We were all sleepy after breakfast since we all had to lack sleep due to our early morning flight from Manila to Batanes, we all first went inside our rooms and took a nap for the long day ahead. We had a lot on our schedule for that day and the first place we will be visiting would be Vayang Rolling Hills.
11:12 AM We were picked-up by a Van going to Vayang Rolling Hills
Approximately, around 1 hour 30 minutes of sleep, which I was very happy to do.
Weather in town was drizzling with a bit of wind. According to our guide it was the normal weather in Batanes on winter season (we visited on December 2017).
We passed by the Capitol of Batanes and some churches then slowly the building became sceneries of green grassland. Most of the trip was uphill with great views.
The picture above does not show it but it was drizzling.
11:22 AM We arrived at Vayang Rolling Hills
10 minutes travel time by van.
Went down the van and this amazing view greeted us.
Since we were on the top of the hill and no vegetation to cover us the wind was strong. Just look at the hair of the people on the picture below.
If that is not proof enough of the winds, see the video below.
11:28 AM We climbed to the peak
After spending some time on the road taking pictures, I asked our guide if it was okay for me to go up the hill. He said to me “If you are okay with the strong winds, then let’s go.” I told him I’m okay and I was surprised how strong the wind was going up.
As it turns out that the hill was actually protecting us from the real strength of the wind.
Still the view was really amazing.
The wind was strong that if you do not know how to balance yourself and fight it you would definitely fall down. The concrete poles along the trail was an open haven we could held on to “rest” from the winds.
I looked for out guide and saw him at the other side of the of the trail. The catch is the trail did not have any concrete poles that we can hold on to and I think it has the strongest wind. To add to the challenge, there was a big pile of cow poop in the middle of the trail that we had a hard time to avoid aside from us already trying to keep our balance from the wind.
Our guide waiting on the other side.
Since I had confidence in my ability to resist the wind while keeping my balance due to numerous mountains I have climbed I decided to go to where our guide was. I was wrong, the wind was strong. I had to crouch to lower my center of gravity therefore making more stable and lean my body to where the wind was coming from for resistance. It did work until I faced the large dark chocolaty brown cow poop in front of me. I made sure that every step made will not make me closer to the digestive system of cows. I am glad to let you know that I was able to cross and be able to keep my self worth.
The view from the other side.
Here’s a video when I went up the hill and crossed the trail with strong winds.
My wife was able to take a picture of me from the road. She did not went up with us.
A picture of me resting on a pole and feeling the wind.
Our guide then went back to help the others cross the trail.
Here’s a video of the crossing.
11:39 AM When all of us have already crossed, we decided to go down
Luckily there was a trail on the other side. We did not have to go through that train again.
Met up with the others and our guide found a really nice place and angle to take a picture.
So we all had a picture.
11:45 AM We were back in the van heading to our next destination
And that is in Basco Lighthouse & Naidi Hill.
Basco Lighthouse taken from Vayang Rolling Hills.
All in all I had a great time in Vayang Rolling Hills, actually, experiencing the strong winds was one of my most memorable experiences in Batanes. I would highly recommend visiting here for the view, it’s really up to you if you want to experience climbing up the hill. As for me I would climb again given the chance.
We booked our trip with Wakay Batanes Travel and Tours and would recommend them if you plan to visit Batanes. Below are their details.
Wakay Batanes Travel and Tours
Website: wakaytours.com
Contact Number: (+63) 918-552-5048
Facebook: facebook.com/bataneswakaytravel
E-mail: [email protected]