The Road Trip to Legazpi City

 

This is my first travel in 2021. Jeju Island was my first travel in 2020 and Georgia was my first travel in 2019. This year I have to settle for a local travel due to the pandemic.

It was my childhood dream to have a road trip to Bicol and after so many years it came to life in 2021 (amidst the pandemic) and I think I STARTED THE YEAR RIGHT! =)

Anyway, on with the blog.

The trip only entailed a little bit of planning since it is a local trip. so I googled the place and the requirements for the tour.

My friend Rico was kind enough to accompany me in this tour. I could not have made this possible without him (taga gising pag inaantok na ako sa driving).

We left Tanauan City past 8:30 pm. We endured the heavy rain, the slippery and numerous potholes in the road, and the intermittent sleepiness while driving. We arrived in Legazpi City 5:30 am. Our lodging was worth P2,200.

The following morning, Rico and I hired the ATV adventure ride (Bicolandia Adventure - 0936 938 7586). Normally, the adventure is worth P1,850 but we were given a discount and we paid P1,600 only per pax. The adventure was good for 3 hours. 

After passing through the rough terrains and boulder-riddled rivers, we arrived after 40 minutes at the basepoint.

 Then, we started the light trek to the top of the Lava Wall. 

At the top of the Lava Wall, we took pictures and enjoyed the scenery.

Afterwards, we went back and Rico told me that he really enjoyed the ATV Tour!

We planned to take a dip in the hotel's pool and drink some bottles of beer. However, after the Samgyupsal, the plan changed and enjoyed this unlimited meal. 

Day 2

We left Legazpi City past 12 midnight going to Daet. Arriving at the checkpoint in Daet, we were not allowed to enter since we lacked some of the requirements. The requirements are -

Travel Pass

Medical Certificate

Swab Test Result

And so off we go back to Sipocot and then to Calauag, Quezon.

Legazpi to Daet (179 kms or 4 hours)

Daet to Sipocot Diversion (54 kms or more than 1 hour)

Sipocot to Calauag  (93 kms or more than 2 hours)

So to make the story short, we arrived in Calauag, Quezon, around 6:30 am and took a nap in a hotel and paid P800. Honestly, I forgot its name. 

We were suppose to meet my friend Fats Pandeagua but failed to do so. We will meet soon my friend. 

The view in the hotel might compensate a bit for our loss for Daet.

It was past lunch when we arrived in Gumaca and decided to have our lunch in Kamayan sa Dagat (0961 302 0840). There we enjoyed our seafood meal!

The lunch was very sumptuous and affordable. Past 2 pm, we left Gumaca and arrived in Tanauan around 5 pm. 

We left Batangas 8:30 pm, January 1, 2021.

We arrive in Tanauan 5:00 pm Janaury 3, 2021.

Thank you again Sir Rico Garcia!

Casita Ysabel, Mabini, Batangas

This is my first blog for 2021 though it happened year 2020. 

It was actually my last travel in 2020 and it happened in Mabini, Batangas.

I do not normally blog a resort or hotel but this one deserves to be known.

The resort is called Casita Ysabel.

I booked this resort thru Agoda.com (normally, I use Booking.com). I paid P10,300 for a 2 night stay.

and upon arriving, my expectation did not fail.

The atmosphere of the resort is relaxing and rejuvenating. A good place to stay to escape the stress and negative impacts of the pandemic.

Upon arrival, I roamed around the resort and immediately felt respite. Then, later I did some snorkeling (P150 for snorkeling equipment while kayaking is also P150 for 1 hour). Around 8 pm, I had my therapeutic massage for P900 and it was worth every penny.

The view at night is even more majestic and captivating.

DAY 2

The following morning we rented a boat to have our island hopping tour. Normally, it involves hopping in various islands but due to the pandemic we (with Sir Mike and her wife) were allowed to go only to Sombrero Island. We paid P4,500 for the boat rental.

Boat Rental

Bunso - 0936 994 5459 / 0915 721 1159

We left the resort around 6 am and after less than 30 minutes, we arrived in Sombrero Island. The weather was not quite good but it did not hamper our enthusiasm to enjoy the island.

 We spent the morning snorkeling and then later boarded the boat and we circled Tingloy Island since we were not allowed to land due to strict pandemic measures of the municipality.

After more than 3 hours, we went back to the resort and then I hired a habal-habal ride (P500) to Gulogod Baboy. My driver (Dodong) also offers boat rental and he was kind enough to guide me in my trek.

Dodong - 0999 718 9687 / 0927 960 6902

Entrance fee is only P50.

After trekking the muddy and sticky trail, we reached the summit. I was awed by the view.

Trekking from the resort will take me more than 2 hours.

Using the motorcycle ride, 25 minutes and the trek was for only 12 minutes.

DAY 3

with Alice

I enjoyed another relaxing evening and had my massage anew. The following morning. I left the resort and extended my gratitude to the very accommodating and hospitable staff most especially to Alice. she arranged the tours, massage and food.

with Kim

And then I went to SM Lemery and met my friend Kimberly (from Dubai).

Thank you for meeting me and see you later in Dubai! 

Tips

1. You can have a day tour in the resort for only P1,200 inclusive of lunch (8:00-5:00). You have to book thru their facebook page.

2. There will be a rapid test upon entering Mabini for P1,000. 

3. You can also just rent the boat and enjoy the island and then later hike Mt. Gulogod Baboy.

ENJOY!