Bicol Adventure Chronicles

The elusive Mt. Mayon, Albay, Bicol

Disclaimer: This is a lengthy post!

One fateful night of January this year, two of my closest friends from my former office and I were having a casual group chat on Facebook. Phoebus and May Anne, although our personalities differ significantly, we all have one thing in common, and that is our love to travel. They both went with me to Bohol last year to attend a friend’s wedding, and perhaps that was the beginning of our budding, albeit expensive, hobby.

This time, we were bound to explore BICOLANDIA!

I have always wanted to visit Bicol- to eat its famous delicacies, such as laing and bicol express, to take selfies at Cagsawa Ruins, to marvel at century-old churches that were preserved in time, and of course, to see the beauty of Mt. Mayon with my own eyes. I have had many Bicolana friends in college (thanks to UAPSA) that made me want to explore Bicol even more.

Thanks to promo fares, we were able to book a flight to Legazpi for a relatively cheap price (my ZAM-MNL/ MNL-ZAM ticket was a different story!) Since May Anne is a Bicolana herself, she gladly obliged to be our tour guide.

#BackpackersReunite. On board Cebu Pacific Air bound for Legazpi.

And so the adventure begins….

We touched down Legazpi at around 6 a.m. It was still dark and drizzling a bit. From the tarmac, I could see a silhouette of Mt. Mayon from a distance, partly covered by a hill that I later found out we were about to tackle. Meh asked a nice policeman at the airport for directions to our first destination, Lignon Hill. According to him (policeman), we could ride a tricycle or walk for about 20 minutes (?!!) With our heavy backpacks in tow and sleep-deprived selves, that was a  no-brainer.

DAY 1

First stop: Lignon Hill Nature Park

We paid P50 for the tricycle ride from airport to Lignon Hill entrance, paid P20 for entrance fee (each.) We had to wait for a while because it started to rain. According to the caretakers, that type of rain (small droplets) could last the entire day. So after a few minutes of waiting, we decided to just brave the rain and get on with our uphill climb.  No amount of rain could dampen our spirits! (pun intended)

Apparently, walking backwards was easier?

Just a few steps from the entrance, there's the Japanese-built World War II Tunnel (P10 entrance fee.) We just took pictures at its mouth with a (supposed) statue of a Japanese soldier. It was too creepy to get inside anyway.

The tunnel was used as storage of ammunition during the Japanese occupation (history buff here)

The 30-minute climb was excruciating (at least for me,) but once we got to the top, we could not help but be proud of ourselves! There was a small hut selling buko juice (P25), so we drank and ate to our hearts' content. 

Peace, Mehmeh =P

Viewing deck on top of the hill

Using my camera's timer

Over-looking Legazpi. That's their runway.

At this point, the world-famous mountain was a no-show. It was just all white! We waited, and waited, and waited.... at around 10 o'clock, we decided to come down to take our lunch. Disheartened, yet still hopeful, I kept praying for it to show up at least a little bit. After all, it was the reason why we went there in the first place.

Second Stop: Daraga Church (Nuestra Señora de la Porteria Parish Church)

Daraga Church, Albay

It was raining pretty hard by then. We later decided to head straight to Daraga Church, about 30 minutes away (rode a tricycle to the highway, then hailed a jeepney to Daraga, P8.50/person)

Drenched in rain, still we were awestruck by the beauty of the Baroque-styled church.

Daraga Church, Albay

The church is known for its Churrigueresque architectural style in its façade, a fine example of Baroque architecture. The façade and its walls are made out of volcanic rocks, which are rich in the area.^[11][4] The white façade is the result of a coating of lime for protection from deterioration.^{[8]  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daraga_Church}

It was as if a picture from G. Salvan's History of Architecture book coming to life! We took several pictures of the exterior, noticing the intricate carvings on its facade.

Daraga Church, Exterior Carvings

Daraga Church, Fenestration

At the interior, there's a lobby where an office is situated, and a gallery of statues of saints. We lit some candles and said our prayers.

Daraga Church, Interior

Daraga Church, Interior

Daraga Church, Interior

We ate lunch at a nearby Jollibee because our tummies were already rumbling by then. (I reckoned there were schools nearby because the customers were mostly students.)



Third Stop: Cagsawa Ruins

Yes, that's me. #dora

Re-energized, we rode a tricycle for about 10 minutes to get to Cagsawa Ruins (P100.) Entrance fee is P10 per person.

Cagwasa Church marker

@ Cagsawa Ruins

This was my favorite part of the trip. We had the time to just sit back, enjoy the fresh air, and wait for Mayon to show up! (utang na loob, magpakita ka naaaa) We also tried the famous chili flavored ice cream, and bought some pasalubongs.

Mango-based chili flavored ice cream! Spicceeehhh!

Wind chimes for sale

Coming here was definitely a test of our patience. We almost gave up. Maybe it really was not the right time for us to meet (just like in love? that thing called tadhana? hmmm) Good thing, there were three of us, and while the other one is about to lose hope, the other two picked him/her up and then we wait for just a little longer.

No-show.

This will do.

Climbing up the ruins

Pre-nup?

Finally, after getting drenched in rain, with but a sliver of hope to hang on to, She finally showed her beauty to us. Amazing, mesmerizing.

Finally!

She finally showed up!

Quick! Let's take a groufie!

Thankful that our mission in Albay was accomplished, we took the 2-hour bus ride to Naga (P110 fare) to spend the night there.



Fourth Stop: Naga City

Plaza at Centro, Naga City

Naga City is known as the Queen City of Bicol, and as the 'Heart of Bicol' due to its central location in the Bicol Peninsula- streets bustling with vehicles, and multi-storey buildings abound the Centro. (The plaza somehow resembles the plaza at Binondo, Manila, IMHO).

Our "magayon" tour guide, May Anne :)

We stayed at Sampaguita Inn- for P800 a night for a 3-bed air conditioned room is already a good deal. 

Checked out at 3 a.m. and was on our way to ride a jeep for 1 1/2 hours to Sabang Port (P100 fare.)



DAY 2
Fifth Stop: Caramoan Island


It was like a scene in the movies, a horror movie that is! The waves were crashing like crazy, the rain still has not subsided.  Honestly, I was scared to go on with that dangerous boat trip. But thinking that we have already gone this far, and we already paid for the tour package, might as well go on with it.

On the way to Sabang Port

Video taken at around 6 a.m.

That was the scariest 3 hours of our lives! The three of us did not speak for the entire time. I prayed very very hard for us to reach the docks safely.

It did not help that the boat man shut the engines for 3 or 4 times due to the violent waves. There were 3 couples in front of us (didn't realize it was Valentine's Day) and they, too, were not too excited nor happy neither.

You could only imagine the relief when we already set foot on land! The tricycle driver from our accommodation met us, and brought us to Travelers' Camp- about 15-20 minutes away from Guijalo Port.

Guijalo Port, Caramoan Island

Travelers' Camp, Caramoan 

Dining Hall, Travelers' Camp

No sun? No problem!

We had to place our stuff inside plastic bags 

The sun showed up on our last day. 

Island Hopping on a Rainy (Valentine's) Day

Caramoan Island, Camarines Sur

Our first activity was island hopping. Kuya Jason (the driver) brought us to where the speed boats docked. Not sure whether it was safe to go into the waters again, the lady at the inn assured us that the current at other side of the island was a bit better. Uhh.... not quite yet. But we still managed to have a good time!

Spending Valentine's with these two on a deserted island? Why not! #singleawarenessday 

Pre-nup again?

Happy!!! #independenceday

We ate our hearty lunch (included in the package) at the first island we set unto. It was called Matukad Island ('matukad' means steep in Bicol .)

What's for lunch? fresh coconut, fish adobo, laing, and fried chicken.

Matukad Island, Caramoan

As more tourists set foot on the island and was becoming a bit crowded, we hopped on our speed boat and headed to the next one in our itinerary.

Matukad Island, Caramoan, 02/14/15

2nd island visited

3rd island visited

At around 3 p.m., we asked the boat man to take us back before the rains poured even harder.

Our adventure-filled day ended with a sumptuous seafood dinner! Yum!

DAY 3
Church Visit at St. Michael the Archangel Church of Caramoan

St. Michael The Archangel Church of Caramoan

St. Michael The Archangel Church of Caramoan, Interior

We took the 9 a.m. boat trip back to Sabang Port (P120 fare, 1-way). The waves were still unrelenting, but good thing the sun already showed up.

Here we go again! 

From Sabang Port, we took a jeepney ride (P22 fare)  to Goa Terminal and boarded a van (P80) for two hours back to Naga.


We arrived at Naga at around 2 pm, and ate our late lunch at 1st Colonial Grill Naga Centro Flavorful Bicol.

Tinapa rice is love!

Authentic Bicol Express... a dream come true!

Church Visit at The Naga Metropolitan Cathedral


We still had a few hours to spare before we head back to Manila via bus, so we strolled along Naga to make the most of our trip.

Naga Cathedral, Earthquake Baroque- Romanesque

Porta Mariae (Latin, "Marian Gate"), Neoclassicism

Dome

Stoup angels

Right courtyard of Naga Cathedral

Universidad de Sta. Isabel, Naga City

Church Visit at San Francisco Church, Naga City

San Francisco Church, Naga City

Buying pasalubong at the market. #turistaangpeg

After exhausting what's left of our pocket money, we headed to May Anne's home at San Fernando, to rest for a while and had dinner with her Mom (who kept correcting me to call her "Tita" instead.)

At 7:30 p.m., we were taken to the bus terminal in time for our 9-hour bus trip back to Manila.



Over-all, it was a smooth, fun-filled adventure. I am so thankful that we were safe throughout the trip. Although there were some glitches (like the rain and Mayon almost not showing up,) still we had the time of our lives.

Bicol is indeed a beautiful place, filled with beautiful people. I am so happy that I was able to fulfill one of my dream travel destinations.

'Til our next adventure!