Philippines
Leanne B., Batanes: "If our minds are not of this world or universe, and if in other universes, different laws of nature apply, than it is perceivable that our minds can move between universes, and it is perceivable that our imaginations lead us to different universes where our minds will live on. So, indeed, pious Muslim men may end up in a Muslim heaven where they can enjoy an unlimited number of virgins every day, and pious Christians in a heaven where everybody is castrated and just enjoys singing hosiana."
Batanes / Climate
Winds over 200mph and frequent rains buffet the islands almost constantly. When there is no sun, Batanes is chilly, and especially out on the hills, brisk and cold. But when not raining, the weather in Batanes can be quite pleasant and balmy, a relief from the heat found in Manila.
Batanes experiences many typhoons, but not as many as some people believe. Only because of the frequent typhoon reports by the Philippine weather bureau's northernmost weather station, in Basco, Batanes is so often associated with every typhoon entering the Philippines from the north.The best season to visit Batanes is from April to June. During this time flights are rarely canceled, the sea is exceptionally smooth, there is little rain, and still a breeze to keep things cool. From December to February is the next best season to visit the islands, with temperatures going as low as 7° Celsius (41° Fahrenheit) and rains not constant.
Batanes receives an average of 2,500mm of rainfall per year. During the typhoon season, from July to October, the notorious winds and rains are at their worst and virtually cut off Batanes from the rest of the world. Up to 90% of flights to Basco are canceled and regular boats cannot navigate the rough sea. The month of September is sometimes called little summer because of the unusually dry and pleasant weather that can occur at this time.**********
For the first time, a clinical trial funded by the government and involving several universities and research institutes is being conducted to verify the efficacy of the traditional herbal medicine.