BICOL... ALBAY & CAMSUR... AUG. 19 - 22 2011

ALBAY AND CAMSUR...

AUG. 19 - 22, 2011





DAY - 1 AUG. 19, 2011



We departed at NAIA 3 around 9AM.

Arrived at Legaspi Airport at around 10AM.

We were fetched by a car courtesy of my wife's beautiful aunt (Ninang) "Evy Evangelista-Altea", and we had an early lunch at the Colonial Grill Restaurant at the Pacific Mall at Daraga, Albay together with Tito "John Altea" (my tita's husband) and their relatives and friends.

Then, had a  DESSERT  ... first time to taste... and we were surprised upon hearing it, it's kinda crazy but really it do exist..... (drum roll).... CHILI ICE CREAM!!!!  Have you heard and tried it?  WOW... really something different... after that creamy taste, the flavor of CHILI  and the HOTNESS (mild) will be felt in your palate. Dare must to try it.

After lunch we headed to their residence at Ligao City where we stayed for 3 nights (for free, thanks for the generosity of the ALTEA family).

They are the owner of the best water refilling station in town, the MOUNTAIN FRESH.

Before we started our tour, we were served with a very special snacks. The snacks that we had only tasted in Bicol. It's... Dinuguang Pansit Canton with Spicy Gata, served with local bread called PAN de LEGAZPI  and SINAPOT (maruya).  The taste, wow...super "great" and "Yummmmmmyyy", even Alecs (a 10 y/o child) loved it.

 Time to go out and explore.  Our destination.. the CAGSAWA RUINS.

In February 1, 1814, Mt. Mayon began its most violent and deadly eruption to date. During the eruption, some 1,200 people took refuge in the stone church of Cagsawa. Unfortunately, all perished when lahar and pyroclastic flows engulfed the church. Only the belfry of the Cagsawa church remains as a grim and silent reminder of that fateful day. For almost two hundred years, it has withstood the test of time and the elements to become one of the most recognizable landmarks of Albay. 

Finally, after the joy we had experienced, beholding in our eyes the Majestic Volcano and the Ruins, it was time for some relaxation at EMBARCADERO de LEGAZPI. The venue for shopping, dining and entertainment located at the City Harbor.

What a wonderful feeling ....our first day at Legazpi City, Bicol.


 Getting late already, so time to rest and regain our vigor for the next day trip.

Public Utility Vehicle...

Tricycle

Jeep

Van

Habal - Habal at Lignon Hills

NOTE:    For your comfort and convenience you can hire a service vehicle roaming around the                 city.  There are no taxis around and most of the tourist spots are not passable by the    Public    Utility Vehicle. It cost P1,500 (REVO) a day exclusive of gas.

DAY - 2 AUG. 20 2013



As we traversed to the main road of Ligao City going to our first destination of our tour at Camarines Sur, a very spectacular view of Mt. Mayon we were able to attest ... WOW soooo BEAUTIFUL...

It took us 40 -50 minutes to reach CAMSUR.  A very well known place for wake boarding located at the vicinity of the Capitol Province Office. Lots of  local Celebrities and Foreigners are coming here to enjoy the facilities. 

Pool Side

Foreigners doing some stunts...

Within  the Capitol Province Office you will also find the Ecolodge Park.  A beautiful Park, you will enjoy strolling with the relaxing surroundings, good landscape and ambiance.  Their Man Made Cave, super great too.

After strolling at the park... need to recharged again for some energy... So we had our lunch at Carlo's Pizza Restaurant about 10 minutes drive from Ecolodge Park.

As we continued our tour, we then visited OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA BASILICA.

Our Lady of Peñafrancia (Spanish: Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, and in Spain as Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia or Virgen de la Peña de Francia) is a wooden statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary copied from the one in Peña de Francia (Salamanca, Spain). Tens of thousands of pilgrims, devotees, tourists come to Naga City--also known as the Piiligrim City and the Queen City of the Bicol region--in the Philippines every September for a nine-day festivities in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Principal Patroness and Queen of Bicol, endearingly addressed by Bicolanos as Ina (mother). The shrines in Naga, gathering more than two million devotees every year, is also one of the biggest Marian Pilgrimage Sites in Asia

We left the Church at around 230PM.  Since our next destination was at Ligao City, we went back first to our place to have some snacks.  And what had they prepared for us.... Pansit Bato and Pan De Legaspi on the side. Soooo  goooood...! It might be just like an ordinary Pansit that we know, but Pansit Bato....something extraordinary to our taste... Just try it...

Our next journey, the KAWA - KAWA HILLS.

Kawa-kawa Hill and Natural Park has now become an ecotourism destination on top of the list of nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts across the region. Dubbed, as “hill, without a hilltop,” Kawa-kawa became famous because of its hollowed top that resembles a giant cauldron, which is actually the English term for kawa.

Kawa-kawa Hill and Natural Park is also a reflection of the residents’ religiousity. Visitors, old and young alike, endure the trek, for they consider it as a religious rite. On the way to the top, there are life-sized sculptures that represent the Way of the Cross culminating at the top where Jesus is crucified.  Religious activities during Lenten Season, Christmas, Three Kings and others are also being held in Kawa-kawa Hill, which has become an annual tradition for the residents of Ligao.

Indeed, that was a wonderful tour at Kawa - Kawa.  Surely, everyone will be mesmerized upon seeing this Park and will enjoy hanging around and being close to "Heaven"....





DAY - 3 AUG. 21 2011


We started our day tour by attending a Holy  Mass at St. Stephen Parish Church at Ligao Albay.

Some vendors selling Bicol Delicasies outside the perimeter of the Church. Famous in Bicol --- fresh Pili Nuts, Sweetened Pili, and Pili Tart... etc.

Along our way,  passing on the main road, we noticed the city's waiting shed which roof  shaped as red and green SILING LABUYO. (Hmmm....one of the Bicol  famous of..... NICE).

Our first stopover.. at the Albay Park and Wildlife...

There are  different kind of animals living at the Park and everyone will surely love it, beholding in their eyes the different  kind of birds, goats, ostrich and the star of them all, the THREE LEGGED CARABAO.

                                                                                                                                                               Our next.,  the LIGNON HILLS...       

            

While we were on our way up to the hill, a motor bike offered us a ride at P10 each.  They are normally flying on that route.  But if you are visiting LIGNON HILLS as early as 6 - 7AM,  it is best to take a walk and feel the breeze, enjoy the view and amazing landscape.

At the TOP of the Hills....


Local residents of Legazpi told us that the best time to visit the place is at early as 5AM - 7AM so that you can see the perfect cone shape of Mt. Mayon Vocano..

On our case, we were there at around 10AM, almost half of the volcano were already surrounded by the clouds. But no regret, because we were able to see the beauty nonetheless.

After the timeless hours we spent with the animals at the Park, enjoying the majestic view of Mt. Mayon and  to be with the wonderful nature at Lignon Hills, time to buy some souvenirs...

At LEGAZPI GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL....

On our way back we saw some snacks along the hi-way going to Ligao City... Bicol's best Sinapot, Turon, and Bicho... Saraaaap...

Unfortunately, the END of our tour.... We are so fortunate to  had seen some wonderful places and tried the Bicol's pride...their food, that only there province will you be able to taste it.





DAY - 4 AUG. 22 2011



We left our Tita's place at around 630AM for our 10AM flight back to Manila via AIRPHIL EXPRESS.

On our way to the Airport, we still had the chance to look at the full view of the perfect cone shape of Mt. Mayon Volcano.

After we Checked In and while waiting for the boarding time, (2 hours earlier before boarding) we had our breakfast at Legazpi Airport Hotel and Restaurant.

The Restaurant has a very nice ambiance which got us impressed, and the delicious food at a very reasonable price for buffet meals.

Boarding time... Good Bye Bicol...

Up in the sky, I got a chance to take a shot on the tip of the Volcano which was already covered by the clouds if you will take a look at  it on the ground.

We arrived at NAIA 3 at around 1130AM.

What a great trip... see you again Bicol.