Legaspi, Daraga, Albay and the Majestic Mayon

Mt. Mayon and the Cagsawa Ruins

I got to behold this world wonder twice already. And still got emotional the second time I witnessed this perfectly coned shaped volcano. I was in awe! Really! :)

It was my dream since higschool, but I never thought that I'll get a chance to see the beautiful Mayon ever, until one day back in 2011, work required me to go to Legaspi Albay. Uuhm, well it was actually an opportunity to go to Albay for a project, and since I was the PM and the one responsible for scheduling and assignment, then I sort of "volunteered-assigned" myself to Legaspi. Bwahahaha! I was really excited back then! Finally!

The flight to Legaspi was short, it was I think close to a 40-minute travel in the air. (Less than my usual travel time from Taytay to Makati..haha). When our plane was nearing to a descend, the bird's eye view of the majestic Mayon was becoming apparent. I felt blessed I was sitting on the right side of the plane, in front of the Mayon. The clouds covering it, started to disappear, and the volcano tip peaked slightly unto us. Uuuhh it was a sight to behold - Mt. Mayon from up above! I was emotional and teary. It was a dream come true. :)

Jumpshot



Sitting at the what used to be a window of the Cagsawa Church.

My first trip to Legaspi was a 6D5N stay, on the 4th day I managed to go to Cagsawa Ruins before going to our project site. My officemate didn't want to go with me at that time, for him it's enough that he was able to see the Mayon from our hotel and project location. But for me, I knew I cannot miss that only chance I had (from our busy sched) to visit the ruins. I went there all by myself via a cab to Daraga. I had manong taxi driver waited for me until I finished my tour. On Cagsawa ruins, there were tour guides you can get to explain you historical details of the place and take pictures for you. So I got one and gave 150pesos to the guide (my Legaspi co-workers were astonished that I paid that "high", I could have only given 50pesos to the guide..haha)

After my short tour, I realized that I left the taxi meter running..haha. I headed back to Legaspi town proper to our site, all glad and smiling.

BTW, the taxi meter reached 300+ Pesos, plus a little tip for manong driver for the waiting he did and for some entertainment during the ride back and forth, not bad! :)

With the Majestic, perfect cone-shaped Mayon! :)

The "Bulkang Magayon" Bicol name which means "Beautiful Volcano"

Mayon is indeed a blessing to behold! I saw how creative and careful the hand of God is to have created such a perfect masterpiece! As a Filipino, it's one of my pride! :)

 

*****

My second time to Albay was as enjoyable as the first, even though it's because of work I went there again. I still managed to tour around places I wasn't able to go the first time I was in Legaspi.

from above: Mayon the 2nd time around

stayed at La Piazza, highly recommended, you got the view of Mayon from here :)





























When I returned to Legaspi last July 2012, my officemate Ms. Lina was there too together with her sons for her birthday vacation. On her birthday dinner, they tagged me along to the talk of the town café: the Smalltalk Café. This place is famous for serving dishes with a local twist.

The café offers a homey ambience with some old Albay memorabilia on display:

Smalltalk Café offers a variety of menu with local spicy flavors, such as the ones we tried: Pasta Bicolana, Bicol Express Pasta, Pasta Mayon, Callos, and their Pili Pie. I super enjoyed them all! :)

 

 

And the best place to buy your pilinut pasalubong is at Albay Pilinut Candy, the best and original. Established since the 1930s, it is the first pili nut candy factory in the Bicol Region. Though theirs are a bit expensive than other brands, I can guarantee that their pili products are all fresh and crunchy. Sarap! :)