This is it, the official Bicolandia Tour of our Family!
This was our longest road trip ever with me as their pilot and thank
God I’m alive hahaha…
We have a lot of places on our list but since we were accompanied by
seniors, kids and our 10mos old baby, we had to be sensitive and hold back
somehow.
We started our journey from Los Baños, Laguna at around 3 o’clock in the
morning of March 26 and arrived pass 8am in Calauag for breakfast at Barrio Meals.
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| breakfast @ Barrio Meals |
We immediately took off since we have to cover more miles to get to our
destination which is in Legazpi. We decided to eat lunch in Iriga City and
arrived there around 2pm. The place has fast food restaurants available but we
opted to check MCM Restaurant & Bakeshop. If you’re in a hurry like us,
order what’s available (cooked). But if you have more time on your hand, then
order what you like from their menu. After MCM, we had dessert in Graceland
just a few blocks away. Graceland is a famous restaurant in Bicol so you should
visit them if you find one. Try their halo-halo for a change!
Had a chance to check the park and I’m really sad to see that it was
poorly maintained given that just a few weeks ago they had a festival. Still,
we knew they still have a lot of places to offer but maybe we’ll visit it some
other time…
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| Rizal Park |
We had to leave Iriga City since it’s already late afternoon and we
still need to get to Legazpi before dark and on our way we saw line of
vendors offering what they call “puto macapuno”. I can’t describe it so you
must try it yourself if you accidentally cross Ligao City!
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| free taste of freshly cooked puto macapuno |
Finally, we arrived in Legazpi just before sunset and what beauty it is
to witness the unobstructed view of Mayon Volcano just outside the balcony of
Danes Hometel where we stayed for four (4) days.
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| Danes Hometel |
Early the second day we travelled to Donsol hoping to swim with the
whale shark. We were advised to get there before 6am since visitors are
required go through a short orientation on guidelines about whale shark
interaction. We got there 5 o’clock in the morning and surprisingly the weather
was so cold!
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| take off point in Donsol for whale shark interaction |
We had to wait for a few more hours before the whale shark interaction center opens. Our kids were already excited playing on the sand while we had breakfast on a restaurant just a few steps from shoreline.
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| breakfast out of bed |
Since this is our first time to experience whale shark interaction, we
can’t help ourselves getting excited and that’s the first thing every newbie
should avoid! If you can’t handle frustration, then don’t try this ever hehehe…
Just a few more pointers for everyone to consider:
1. This activity is not for kids and oldies, especially those that has
physical and mental conditions and are afraid of open sea.
2. Bring flippers or anything that will aid you to swim faster. Whale
shark doesn’t stop just for you take its picture!
3. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE!
4. Don’t forget to bring anything that will ease hunger and thirst!
5. If the boatman tells you to jump, don’t jump yet especially if you’re
in a group. Funny how we immediately left the boat entangled with each other
just because we jump simultaneously. TAKE TURNS when you jump since the boat is
in motion while they give you the signal! Again, THEY (WHALE SHARK) NEVER STOP MOVING…
OUR EXPERIENCE…
We waited for almost three hours to no avail. We only had water and
without food (good thing we had a heavy breakfast!). Told myself “these sea
creatures are elusive” while the boat pilot added "they seldom spotted them on
summer". Talk about encouragement!
I told my wife to just “let it go…” and encouraged everyone to
just take a plunge before we go back (maybe this is not our time!). Then suddenly a ray of light! Our
Butanding Interaction Officer (BOI) called us to get on the boat since they saw
flocking boatmen just a few meters away from our location. Then I quoted
“MERONG HIMALA!” (miracle happens!)
We left Donsol with contentment and travelled back to our homebase in
Legazpi. Good thing about Danes Hometel is that they will cook food upon
request and that’s for a reasonable price indeed!
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| back in Danes Hometel for lunch |
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| bicol express |
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| laing |
You thought our day ended weren’t you? Not yet!
We went to Bicolandia Outdoor Adventures Company to experience the
adrenaline of ATV ride! They offer short trail for visitors who just wanted a
taste… but a taste won’t suffice our hunger for adventure! Go go go sago!
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| trail to 2006 lava wall |
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| finish line (clear view of Mayon Volcano) |
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| trail back to homebase |
To cap the day, we had to fill our tummies with something good which
can only be found in 1st Colonial Grill!
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| dinner @ 1st colonial grill |
Told everyone to order dessert and since I’m a proud Bicolano, I have
to prove it! I ordered the sili ice cream at volcano level and to my surprise, they took out a sign which said “certified oragon”. Try it if you can!
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| extra challenge |
I’m really excited this day and not just because it’s our 3rd
day here in Bicol, but because we will bring our kids to a renowned beach in
Matnog.
We woke up the usual 4 o’clock in the morning and traveled Legazpi to
Matnog in just 2 ½ hrs. Initially, we were hesitant to proceed since the owner of Danes Hometel mentioned that a gale warning was announced which
prohibits boats from riding out to sea. Good thing we have someone to call
which is a local of Matnog to confirm the news and again I can say that God is
good because he calms the seas.
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| Tourism office in Matnog |
We usually do island hop whenever possible and what’s good about Matnog
unlike any other place we’ve been is that boat travel is really short! Maybe
for unspoiled places, you don’t have to travel far to see something good…
Our first destination is Juag Fish Sanctuary. I’m really amazed when
people are working together to protect nature itself. Take note that they don’t
allow monopod or any accessories that will enable a person to physically
violate the fish (someone actually strikes this cold blooded aquatic vertebrate
animal out of stupidity!)
Just before we left for the next island, our seniors managed to secure
fresh catch for a wonderful price!
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| fresh catch from a local fisherman |
For an Island this far south, Subic beach doesn’t disappoint! It has electricity and concrete cottages for an affordable fix price for any number of head you can fit inside. Fine pinky white sand… CHECK! Clear waters… CHECK! Good food… CHECK! Had our early lunch here by the way (everything grilled + sinigang na samaral!)
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| Subic Beach |
Next
on the list were Calintaan Cave and Tikling Beach. Unfortunately, waves and
water level won’t allow us to visit Calintaan Cave so we just went to the
latter. Tikling Beach is privately owned and the caretaker mentioned that it
will start its development this year and as proof we found land surveyors
getting technical description of the island during our visit… what’s a wild boar
doing here?
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| Calintaan Cave |
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| wild boar in Tikling Beach with Bastiboy! |
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| unspoiled shores of Tikling Beach |
When
we got back to Matnog town we were supposed to take a shower but instead we
were encourage to take a dip in Irosin hot spring, so we oblige. It wasn’t easy
looking for the right hot spring in Irosin, every time we asked a local we are
pointed on a different direction until we got the information of a hot spring
with a security guard on their gate. We told ourselves that’s it and were surprised
to find parked cars lined up to the entrance.
Our day ended on our road back to Legazpi and we thought we will be
caught for a traffic violation in Sorsogon proper just to realize it was just
rerouting of vehicles to make way for a parade… what a relief!
Bidded farewell to the wonderful place of Legazpi and we traveled early
towards Caramoan - the land of Survivors, on our fourth day in Bicol.
Our road trip mostly rely on GPS and google map in this endeavor. Best
route offered with the shortest distance and time is through Santo Domingo
going to Tiwi then Sagnay, which will connect you Tigaon where the starting
point of your wonderful road to Caramoan officially starts! Warn you folks, if
you’re not use to traveling zigzag road without road lighting at night, just go
to Naga and start your Caramoan Journey there. I had a lot of things going in my
mind while I drove through this dark and weary road hehehe…
We arrived in Caramoan just in time for our Island hop tour around 7
o’clock in the morning. We first unloaded our belongings in Wow na wow Tourist
Inn and bought brunch (breakfast and lunch). They say the place has 20 islands
people can visit except those already occupied filming the Survivor TV series.
Our tour will only cover 4 locations but we ended up visiting just 3 locations
namely Manlawi sandbar in Lahuy Island, Cotivas Island and Sabitang Laya Island.
I won’t say much and just let the place speaks for itself!
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| Cotivas Island |
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| Sabitang Laya Island (where Survivor set is being guarded) |
We left in awe and hoping that someday we still have the strength to
conquer this place and of course, expecting a paved road ready.
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| Kids with their new friend, little Precious |
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| seniors on our road to Naga |
Our final destination in Bicol is to visit Churches in Naga City. We
got here late lunch the following day and it really looks like Manila in
everyway… so why not eat in Jollibee!
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| Jollibee Naga for Lunch |
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| view outside our hotel with Teban & Lola Jean |
Everybody
rested the whole afternoon when we checked in at our Hotel except for me and my
wife since I wanted to take this chance to somehow spend quality time with her.
So I brought her to a top rated restaurant here courtesy of Google again. (what
will I do without you!)
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| QT in Red Platter |
Then after brought the whole gang for dinner just a few block away from red platter's location.
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| Yellowcab for dinner |
The family visited the following churches the next day; our lady of
penafrancia, our lady of penafriancia parish, cathedral of naga with porta
mariae, san Francisco parish and our lady of the immaculate concepcion parish
then later had breakfast in Goto Express & Tapsilog just beside Naga bus terminal where we bought
all our take home treats!
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| our lady of penafrancia |
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| our lady of penafriancia parish |
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| cathedral of naga |
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| porta mariae |
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| san Francisco parish |
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| our lady of the immaculate concepcion parish |
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| Breakfast @ goto express & tapsilog |
Our next destination should be in Pagbilao, to our way back to Laguna. But then again, we have to consider everyone's condition and since the kids already had enough of the beach, we opted to visit my hometown in Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte for a short probinsyano life experience!
Everyone was really hungry and tired so my mom called a number on our way and started giving instructions on what food to prepare. Viola! Just in time for our arrival, hot meals for everyone!
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| satisfaction guaranteed! |
We stayed just for a night but it's more than enough for our kids to witness the laid back and refreshing life in the province.
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| Poso ba kamo? |
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| home cooking with Ella |
Just like that, the holy week has ended! We were so worried since people are starting to travel back to Manila. So after breakfast that Sunday morning, we packed and loaded our things and zooom, we headed home before lunch.
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| breakfast out of bed again! |
We had to stop over in Quezon for lunch since it's almost afternoon. It's just nice to meet considerate people who would allow us to eat our packed food and use their facilities.
Bicol, you sure made our summer vacation a blast!
Thank you very much!
