Now this year in February, dearie suggested we take a trip to Albay. He has not been to anywhere in Bicol except passing by it when he took the land trip on the way to Bacolod. He has not seen Mayon Volcano, too. So I was cool with his suggestion. I'd like to make another attempt to see the famous cone shape of Mayon. So we decided on a 2 1/2-day and 2-night- stay in Legaspi, took the overnight bus on the way and a plane ride back to Manila.
We wanted to explore Legazpi and nearby towns so we decided to visit Camalig, Daraga, and Tiwi as well. We were not very lucky with the weather. It was raining for two days! And Mayon, was still covered in clouds. We were blessed on the last day, and she showed herself with her grandest beauty and perfect cone at the airport! And everyone at the airport was really in awe when all the clouds disappeared, and she just stood there so amazingly beautiful! Mount Mayon is the most beautiful mountain I have ever seen!!!
I bought our bus tickets online via www.pinoytravel.com.ph. This was my first time to use their service, and it was all good. You first reserve for a bus seat, the following day you get the confirmation, then you pay via payment centers or the banks. They charge a fee but it is alright, as it saves you the hassle of buying tickets in advance at the bus stations.
I chose DLTB. And after our trip, my British colleague told me that DLTB is a deadly bus having the most number of accidents!!! Oh my!!! Oh well we got there safe! Thank goodness!!!
We took the 9pm bus trip, but actually it departs Metro Manila at 10pm, and has lots of stop overs to pick up passengers. We arrived at the Legazpi Bus Terminal at around 9am the following day.
I booked our accommodation via Agoda, which has always been my preferred booking site for accommodations. I chose Night and Day Inn in Bonot, Penafranda, Legazpi City. The place is conveniently located, and is a few minutes away from the airport, bus terminal, and malls.
It was a cheap place, so you cannot expect superb service for its price.
1st day - Tiwi, Albay
We took the van from Legaspi to Tiwi, fare is at 60Php per pax. Got off at the town center, ate hamburgers, and visited the church (pic on the right).
He dropped us off at Sugod, where the black sand beaches abound. It was a public beach, with hardly people around. The waves were huge, not good for swimming. We didn't intend to swim anyway. We loitered for a few minutes, and then decided to go back to the town center. The question is how to go back! We waited and walked along the highway, and finally found a tricycle that took us back.
We had lunch/merienda at DJC's Halo-halo, a famous shop in Tiwi.
We roamed around the Embarcadero, which was already losing it's grandeur. Lots of shops were closed. Fewer people compared to the Pacific Mall, which was really teeming with people.
We wanted to try the Chili Ice Cream at the 1st Colonial Grill so we decided to check this out the Pacific Mall. The 1st Colonial Grill was also situated beside Graceland and Biggs which are famous food chains in Legazpi.
Aside from the Chili flavored ice cream, they also offer other unique flavors like ginger, calamansi, and tutong na kanin. For the chili flavored ice cream, you can choose 3 levels, depending on your appetite for "hotness".
After indulging in ice cream, we decided to roam around the Pacific Mall. It was also too early to go home. We could have opted for other activities, like exploring the nearby Lignon Hill. But dearie was not a fan of it. I didn't push my luck. I have been to Lignon Hill anyway.
Inside Pacific Mall, you can find the Metro Gaisano department store and grocery. This department store is owned by Gaisanos of Cebu where they have started their chain. They have been very successful in their expansion, I must say.
NEXT: 2nd day - Camalig/Ligao/Polangui, Albay
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