Conquering Legazpi, Albay

Perfect Cone...Mayon Volcano

Last November 25, 2016 I got a chance to travel Legazpi, Albay. I’m so busy last year and I was not able to travel unlike the previous year.  I said to myself, I wouldn’t end this year that I haven’t visited a place I haven’t been. Even before, if I will be given a chance, I want to travel the Bicol Region. Since I have a plenty of vacation leave credits and the holidays is fast approaching, I decided to travel right away. I only searched through internet the cheapest accommodation, how to get there, things to do and must visit places.

I feel exhausted to my daily grind and finally I’m going to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. I’m doing fieldwork and sometimes office-based that is why I feel boredom. I miss the long hours travel. And since no one will go with me (some of my friends are busy and since it is not so unplanned), I travel alone. Why not?  Now a days, there are solo backpackers enjoy traveling alone. For me, it's not only for the Instagram post is the main purpose of my travel. I also want to explore and challenge myself.

The day before my travel, I went to Cubao Bus Terminal and book a ticket to DLTB bus terminal. The fare is about P810. Our ETD the next day is 6:30am, I choose this time because I do not take a nap nor sleep in the vehicle, I just want to see the view of the road. Though I’ve searched that there is a Typhoon is the South area, I pushed it through.  I already booked my room accommodation in Mayon Backpackers Hostel through TravelBook (http://www.travelbook.ph/). I make an account before and also I'm an affiliate. I checked that I have at least P800.00 rewards. So I used my rewards and I just paid P30 only for my 2 days and 2 nights accomodation.

My bags are packed and ready to go. Clothes,toiletries, camera, monopod, food etc., are already with me.The bus take off around 7:00am and I’m happy because there is a free wifi. It’s very gloomy day because there’s a LPA in Manila. When the bus already in the Laguna area, the rain begin to pours.

First short bus stop is in Turbina, Calamba, Laguna. It’s my time to pee. I’m seated in the 2^nd row  window side,  because according to the conductor that the 1^st row is reserved for the elderly and PWD. It’s about lunch time and the bus next stop over is in Lucena, Quezon. It’s my first time in Quezon Province. The passengers take their lunch in a small restaurant or carinderia. Actually I do not like the food because I’m a picky eater. I have no choice. I bought adobo rice meal.

It’s raining hard. We reached ‘Bitukang Manok’ in Antimonan, Quezon. Actually, it’s not as scary as you think.  We passed by the mountain part of Quezon and no signal here then it is in Gumaca where you can see an ocean.

Around 5pm when we reached our next stop it is in Ragay, Camarines. Here, the passengers take their dinner and it’s time to pee after a long ride from our previous stop. Again, I do not like the food and since I bring my favorite Salted Egg Potato Chips, I’m satisfied with that.

It is already night and still raining; I didn’t almost see the road. We experienced traffic as well. There are so many long tucks along the road. I cannot connect to my data, there is movie playing in the bus so I just enjoy watching. When we reached Naga, many passengers drop off so it takes a minute to stop and it's my time to pee and buy a cup noodles because I’m starving already.

I’m sleepy head and it is 10:00 pm already when we reached the Grand Bus Terminal in Legazpi City. Thank God it is a safe long trip. I took a tricycle going to Mayon Backpackers Hostel, it’s about  3-5 mins ride. I just present to the reception my print copy of booking and paid the P30 then went to my room. It’s dorm-type room, where in there’s already 3 guests staying there. I just fixed my things and sleep because I’m tired of the 15 hrs travel. I’m going to wake up early because upon searching, it is not cloudy during the morning so you could see the perfect cone. I’m praying that the weather will be OK tomorrow.

Mayon Backpackers Hostel

Veranda

Reception Area

at the Lobby

I woke up around 5:00am and take my complimentary breakfast. Its a few minutes away from the hotel going to main road where you can take a jeep going to Cagsawa Ruins. It’s a 15-20 minutes ride and the fare is P13.00. You will see a signboard and replica of Cagsawa Ruins from the highway. There’s a tricycle along the street going to main entrance of Cagsawa Ruins, the fare is P20. But I suggest that you walk so you could enjoy the scenery along the road where the ATV rentals and other Pasalubong stores located.

replica of Cagsawa Ruins from the highway

AVR Practice Area

AVR

There’s a P10 entrance fee in Cagsawa Ruins. Unfortunately, it is cloudy when I went there; I haven’t seen the perfect cone. Someone told me to go back in the afernoon. Lots of tourist were already there and took some photos. There is also a photographer who offer their service, where you can take a different pose (give them a tip). Different pasalubong stuffs like keychain, ref magnet, t-shirts and food are being sold. According to people I have talked with, it’s a bit pricey. If you want a cheaper price, you can buy stuff to Grand Terminal.

Cagsawa Ruins

So cloudy that's why I can't view the Volcano.

So I buy my pasalubong in the Grand Terminal. It is just 1 jeep ride from Cagsawa going there, about 15 minutes and P7.00 is the fare. I already booked for my trip the next day.  I visited the Embarcadero, its near in the port. There is a commercial area there. It’s already lunch time so I decided to eat in Bigg’s Diner. It’s a popular restaurant in Bicol Region and their specialty is the Baby Back Ribs. It’s a little bit expensive so I just ordered pasta.

Chili Keychain

Crispy Pili Nuts

Pasta Meal from Bigg's Diner

Squid Sisig with Volcanic Shape Rice from Colonial Grill.

DJC Halo Halo

After taking my lunch, I go back to Mayon Backpackers. There are many foreigners who also stayed there. I take a rest and since there’s a free use of computer, I surf the internet. In the afternoon, I decided go back to Cagsawa Ruins but again, it’s still cloudy maybe because it’s rainy yesterday. Then I went to Pacific Mall and tried some Legazpi’s pride. I tried to dine in Colonial Grill and DJC Halo-Halo.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.1944444444% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BNYVomFA_dl/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Yun oh! 🌋🌄🌞 #mayonvolcano #bicolandia #bicolexpress #travelpamore #wheninbicol #perfectcone</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A video posted by Rizza Garingo (@iluvrizzag) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-11-29T04:15:11+00:00">Nov 28, 2016 at 8:15pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

Finally, I got a chance to see the perfect cone!

I’m in a tight budget so I'm not so hanging around to other places like Lignon Hill. When I came back to the hotel, I packed my things. I chose early trip so I could be able to see the road.  Upon checked-out to the hotel, I saw far away the perfect cone. I was amazed so I decided since there’s enough time going to Grand Terminal I went again to Cagsawa Ruins. I’m in a hurry and excited to take a glimpse to the nearest view of the Mayon Volcano. Yes, it never failed to disappoint me. I’m fascinated to its perfect cone. I didn’t noticed the time that’s why I’m late and the bus already left when I go to Grand Terminal. Poor me. But, I’m happy to see the Mayon Volcano’s majestic beauty for real because before I’ve only seen this in television or in P100 bill.

So I need to re-book, the next trip this time it is 2:00pm. I have to wait 6 hours, so I’m hanging around to Pacific Mall and stayed in the Grand Bus Terminal. This time, I booked in a Class A bus where in there is a comfort room inside. It is in favor to a person like me who always peeing. It was a long and wonderful journey but I could say, it’s a worth vacation indeed. I came, I saw, I conquered Legazpi, Albay.