Smart Backpacker: Mt. Mayon

Showing posts with label Mt. Mayon. Show all posts

Monday, June 3, 2013

Daraga and Legazpi, Albay

My third time to tour in Bicol, and I simply cannot get enough of it!

Last time I was in Bicol, I did the ATV ride adventure in Daraga and the wakeboarding in CWC. But this time it was different, I started in Masbate and then went to Ticao Island. Island hopped to Bulan, Sorsogon and then to Subic Beach, Matnog, Sorsogon. Watched the whale sharks (butanding) in Donsol and finally stayed for 3 days in Albay. There are plenty of things to do in Albay such as ATV ride (P600 - 1 hour / P1,500 - 2.5 hours / P1,800 - 3.5 hours), hiking or biking.

Arriving in Daraga, Albay from Donsol, Sorsogon, the initial problem was accommodation.

The accommodations are the following:

Goldcrest Inn
Aircon - P490.00
Non-Aircon - P260.00

Avia Inn
Aircon - P500.00
Non-aircon - P280

Rosewood Inn
Aircon - P500.00
Non-aircon-P280

I stayed in Rosewood. But the best accommodation is offered by Avia Inn.

The following morning, I did what I had to do in Daraga, Albay - Spelunking! But before going to the cave. I dropped by anew to the Cagsawa Ruins and stayed there for 30 minutes only. I took some pictures and left thereafter.

There are two ways to go to Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave.
Option # 1 - Hire a tricycle for P600-700 and see the Hoyop-hoyopan and the Bat Cave.
Option # 2 - Ride a jeep to Camalig (P20.00) and then rent a tricycle to the cave (P250.00)

I hired a tricycle for the sake of convenience. I paid only P600.00. The driver/guide was named Jo (0906-711-2841).

dance floor

There are 3 floors in the cave and 4 entrances. The first floor entrance is very narrow, has water and is full of snakes. The second floor is only one accessible to the public. And the third floor is also small and has plenty of snakes.

I entered at the main entrance. You have to pay P300.00 for the electrcity inside to lighten the interior of the cave. But I opted not to pay since I brought my own flashlight. Second entrance is what they call as the "Sukatan ng mga Sexy!" The third entrance is the cemetery and the last entrance (which is also the exit) is facing Mt. Mayon.

But the best spot is on the dance floor inside the cave! They used the area during Martial law days for their disco spot!

After spending 2.5 hours in the Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave, I transferred to another cave. It entailed a 12 minute ride using the tricycle or 30-40 minute hike from Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave.

The Bat Cave has plenty of bats inside. It is 2 kilometers long and a 1.5 - 2 hours trek inside the cave.

After seeing the caves, I went to the town of Daraga and saw anew the

Daraga Church.

The next day, I went to Legazpi. From Daraga, the travel time to Legazpi is only 15 minutes. I stayed at the Legazpi Aiport Hotel. It is both a hotel and a restaurant. Lodging is P1,000.00 and P1,200 only good for 2 pax. The best thing about the hotel is that they serve the best buffet in town.

Breakfast buffet - P145.00 (free if you are staying in the hotel)
Lunch Buffet - P200.00
Dinner Buffet - P250.00 (with option to drink all-you-can for beer lovers)

I went to Legazpi City for only one reason. My connecting flight to Tuguegarao is in Legazpi City and so I had to spend the day in Legazpi City. There are two spots you should not miss in Legazpi City, the Boulevard and Lignon Hill. I went to Lignon Hill and paid P60.00 from the hotel to the hill.

Arriving at the foot of the hill, I ascended and trekked it for 30 minutes. The view once you are at the top is refreshing. I waited for the sunset and took pictures of the sunset.

At the top of the hill, you can see the entire Legazpi City including the airport.

The next day, I woke up early and walked (2-3 minutes only) to the airport.

My flight was slated 9:20 am but I checked in as early as 8:00 am. I did not want to miss my flight!

Onboard the Cebu Pacific flight to Tuguegarao, I was able to see and shoot the top/aerial view of Mt. Mayon.

I stayed in Albay for 3 days and it was worth it!

It's Really More Fun in Albay!

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Saturday, June 1, 2013

My Best Panoramic Shots this Summer 2013

Ever since I learned how to use the so called panoramic option/mode in my Samsung digital camera, I could not help using the mode to capture the best scenic spots in the Philippines. It started while I was hiking at Mt. Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas. I used the panoramic shot as my cover photo for my facebook account. And from then on, I continued capturing the majestic views in the Philippines!

Sunset at Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Burgos, Ilocos Norte

Sunrise at the Candaba Swamp, Pampanga

Anawangin Cove, San Antonio, Zambales

Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan

Daraga Church, Albay

Pahiyas Festival, Lucban, Quezon

Cagsawa Ruins, Albay

Potipot Island, Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales

Uacon Beach, Candelaria, Zambales

Candaba Swamp, Pampanga

Crocodile Island, Palaui Island, Cagayan

It's Really More Fun in the Philippines!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Bicol Adventure

October 24, 2011.
I arrived from Seoul, South Korea around 8 pm. My co-teachers and I spent four days in Seoul.

From the airport, I boarded a bus in Buendia-Taft en route to Tanauan City, Batangas (my residence) to get my stuff. This Bicol Tour was scheduled way ahead of the Korea Tour. And because of the Korea Tour, I had to cancel my Hong Kong-Macau Tour.

I arrived in Batangas past 11 pm and slept for almost three hours. Woke up around 2 am and boarded a bus back to Manila.

My flight to Legaspi was scheduled 6:30 am and I had to be at the airport 2 hours before the flight.

I was not able to sleep at the airport, fearing that I might be left behind.

It was past 7 am when the plane landed in Legazpi City.

And the view from the plane of the airport is simply one of a kind!! I remember the same feeling when the plane landed in Batanes.

After disembarking from the plane, I was still mesmerized by the sight of Mt. Mayon!

The first thing I did was to find the nearest lodging, and there was a hotel beside the airport.

I needed to get some sleep!

I paid P600 for a 2-hour sleep.

The hotel offers the best view of Mt. Mayon.

After sleeping for 2 hours, I immediately went to my first spot.

Day 1

First in the list that day was the Cagsawa Ruins.

I took two separate jeepney rides just to reach the site.

First was to the city and the next ride was to Cagsawa. Combined, both rides were more or less 40 minutes.

From the highway, one still has to walk for five minutes before you can reach the site.

There were plenty of tour guides available at the spot.

The marker of the Cagsawa Ruins

I stared and marveled at the sight of Mt. Mayon!

After 2 hours, I decided to go to another spot.

My guide told me I could hire an ATV ride to the base of Mt. Mayon. I was so excited! This idea was not part of my itinerary!

I hired a habal-habal ride to the jump-off point. The ride to the spot was good only for fifteen minutes.

The second stop for the day - ATV Tour.

Contact Numbers -
Landline - (052) 742-9871
Mobile nos - 0905-455-7594 / 0915-938-6451

http://mayonatvtour.com/

Weather was cloudy that day. And there were only a handfull of tourists. In fact, I was the only one renting the ATV that day.

This is the start of the ride!

The actual trail of the all terrain vehicle going to the lava front crossing thru small rivers and rocky areas of the galley trail is about 9 kilometers and I drove for about more or less 40 minutes from the starting point until to the lava front.

The sight of Mt. Mayon is simply breathtaking!!

After 30 minutes, we arrived at the Mayon Adventure Land.

One can also enjoy the zipline adventure here.

No zipline today! Trekking was my choice!

My guide and I trekked to the top of the lava base.

There is a helipad at the top of the Lava base/wall.

After one hour, I decided to descend and go back to the jump-off point.

I had a tight schedule that day.

The third stop -

Daraga Church

An 18th century Baroque church built on top of a hill (overlooking the magnificent Mayon Volcano). This church was supposedly built by the women (thus the name "Daraga" which means Lady/Single Woman) when the men fled from forced labor during the Spanish era.

I decided to go on to my next spot.

That afternoon, I went to Sorsogon.

It was already past 2 pm when I reached Sorsogon.

Originally, I wanted to go to Donsol. But the townspeople told me that whale watching was not available during December, and so I went to Bulusan instead.

I took a bus from Legaspi to Sorsogon, then a jeepney ride to Bulusan, and finally a motorcycle ride to Bulusan Lake.

Bulusan Volcano Natural Park

Bulusan Lake

One of the 32 renowned ecotourism spots in the Philippines.

Unfortunately, it was cloudy that day and I was not able to see the volcano.

Going back to town, I passed by the famous-

Masacrot Spring

From Sorsogon, I went to CamSur. I arrived around past six in the evening.
The following day, I decided to experience wakeboarding!

Day 2

Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC)

I paid P225.00 for one hour of wakeboarding.

My initial attempt at knee boarding was successful.. Although, I dislocated my shoulder twice.

Around 1 pm, I decided to go another spot.

Deer Breeding Farm, Ocampo, CamSur

It took us almost 2 hours before reaching the site. I hired another habal-habal for this adventure and paid P600.00

Afterwards, I decided to go to Naga City. I checked in at Camsur Tourist Inn.

I paid P600.

Day 3

The following day, I decided to have a city tour and I went to the different churches of Naga City.

First stop -
Our Lady of Penafrancia Church