Bicol 2025 . May 9 (Day 6)

Last day in Bicol woke up at 8AM or 9AM and we took a bath so we can pack. Thankful that it was sunny we were able to dried up some of our clothes and those sandals. If only I didn’t have my period we probably swim that morning. 

We checked out and went to SM for lunch and to waste time since our flight is at 6PM. Ate at Biggs and I think you shouldn’t leave Bicol without eating at Biggs. Went around SM to kill time but since it was election on Monday, there are lots of people going home to their hometowns so even at Friday there are lots of people at SM that eventually we decided to just go to the airport after lunch and some desserts. I can’t believe SM Legazpi have a nice view of the Mayon. Huhu always so pretty. 

It was already hard to book a ride and if we got lucky we will just spend some time at the airport even we still have time to kill. 

We were able to get to the airport at 3PM and our original flight is 6PM. We were still in awe at the view of the Mayon from Bicol International Airport and while we are still taking pictures the guard said that we can’t spend much time in there. It was an open parking and with a view of the beautiful Mayon why it isn’t allowed to take pictures in there for so long when no one is there, I don't know. 

Got no choice but to get inside the airport and I believe we can’t check in yet since our flight is hours away but apparently there’s a plane already ready to fly back to Manila and we were offered to take that flight which is already finished boarding and when we were clear we are told to be fast to catch the plane. Thankful that provincial airport is not as huge but still from taking pictures to Amazing Race: Bicol International Airport edition real quick. 

The flight wasn’t full and I'm not sure with the original time of the flight but people on that plane might think that we were late but no we got offered for an earlier flight.

The plane isn’t full and we were the last to board I just don't get it why we weren’t put on a window seat because the sky is clear and Mayon is pretty visible. Huhu 

Anyway I think the universe is telling me not to be emotional because I never got a window seat on this trip. 

I just really wish that I saw the Mayon on that flight back to Manila. 

Arrived in Manila early and with Friday traffic as my welcome committee. Got home after 2 hours on the road.

Thankful that we experienced sunny days in Bicol. 

Can’t wait to be back there some day.   

My Phootgraphs: Bicol

Bicol 2025 . May 8 (Day 5)

Last full day in Bicol

We started our day with repeating clothes because we decided to do the ATV in Mayon.

I'm just in awe the whole time when we just started because we were facing the Mayon and it's so clear. Enjoyed the ATV as well and if ever there's a chance, I want to do the longer one. We choose the 2006 Black Lava trail. ATV was easy but damn that hike but it was beautiful at the same time. Just so thankful for giving us beautiful weather while doing this activities. Some things are really worth waking up early in the morning for sure some of these are good on sunset too even the weather is tricky by then. 

Back to our accommodation after for early lunch then bath and some rest. Thankful again for the very hot sun during noon that we were able to dry our wet clothes from yesterday's swim.

Decided to go to Daraga church then go back to the Cagsawa Park. Somehow chasing the Mayon from different places. Thank you for showing us your beauty.

Bought some souvenirs and we went to eat at a local eatery (Jollikod). Food was good but got distracted since some mosquito are eating my legs as well. 

Went back to our accommodation and just done for today.

My Photographs: Bicol

Bicol 2025 . May 7 (Day 4)

 

Left our accommodation in Cataduanes by 5AM and we are at the port just in time. We left at 6:30 instead but all goods since it's still early. We asked to be dropped by at the church but it was closed so we just went to terminal right after.

Little did we know there's a UST in Legazpi as we are on our way back to SM Legazpi. Ate lunch there at SnR because fried chicken then tried that local coffee shop that has sili latte.

Booked a Grab to our next accommodation and we are here now. As always I sleep faster and woke just in time to swim.

We stayed at Your Brother's House Tribal Village that I booked on Agoda. We stayed on the Triangle room without bathroom but that area have a common bathroom and comfort room that that shower cubicle are so small and I think that was just the downside of it all. 

Dinner was good ate a good bag of popcorn alone after. 

Booked our ATV tomorrow at Mayon. We saw it today somehow, so pretty.

Goodnight from Legazpi.

My Photographs: Bicol

Bicol 2025 . May 6 (Day 3)

I'm disoriented with days now. Current awake at 2AM instead of my usual sleeping time but we are off to our tour today.

Arrived at Baras just in time for sunrise to start our hike at Binurong Point that’s been on our bucket list since 2016 or 2017. 

Struggle is real as I'm no hiker our tour guide was so fast that at the beginning I can hear my breathing and heart rate is at 161. Thankful for the whole hike because no one got injured and we were safe. Hopefully next time there will be intro that we are already hiking because as we were waiting for a tour guide since we arrived early we took the time to nap. When there’s a tour guide already available we are fresh awake from the nap. Lol 

Binurong Point is so pretty. If you can't afford Batanes yet this is your chance just be ready. Our tour preferred chasing sunrise so we are on our way immediately before 5AM. Words and pictures can’t do any justice it was so worth it. Will do it again sometime if needed to.

Nature can fuck my brain so hard that it can shut down everything. I’m just so speechless and just wow. Thankful for a beautiful sunrise. 

Thankful for our guide even it somehow started awkward but when we got there on top he started to offer us to take our pictures and he got some good ideas too. As we chase the sunrise we are the first people in there and fortunate to have our pictures taken without other people around.

I'm so out of words for it. It's just too pretty and breathtaking.

Thing I get of waking up 2AM instead of just getting in bed.

Puraran beach was next on our list and it's pretty too. Would love to swim on all the beaches we stopped by but since we are on the go and not staying on any resort for a long period of time so I just don't want to rush on swimming on the beach if I will I just want to chill. Love the rock formation in the middle and you can really swim from the beach. 

Visited 2 churches and Maribinan Falls. It rained for a little then stopped. On our way out of Maribinan Falls, there was a motorcycle on our way out and didn't gave much notice to who it was since I'm looking at the steps I'm making since I'm being careful

Next stop was a souvenir shop that we almost skipped but thankful we didn't because Philippine Looper's bag (Ferdinand Dela Merced) is there and it became a tourist attraction to us immediately. Surprisingly he was the one riding the motorcycle that I didn't gave attention early. The staff at Happy Island was so nice we had our conversation about Philippine Looper and when they came back they even share the empanadas that was given by a local. We had pictures and it was so fun. Can't believe that we will cross paths. I'm stunned. One of the high light of our Catanduanes trip for sure. 

We had lunch and back on our accommodation and sleep. Hehe. Woke up at 9PM and had late dinner and sleep again since we are going back to Tabaco in the morning.

EAST TOUR 

• Binurong Point
• Puraran Beach (surfing capital of Catanduanes)
• Miraculous Batalay Shrine
• Bato Church
• Maribina Falls
• Happy Island Marker

Thank you to Island Escapes for arranging our tour and made our stay in Catanduanes hassle free

~

My Photographs: Bicol

Bicol 2025 . May 5 (Day 2)

What happened today? Too much actually.

Woke up at 3AM went to port at almost 5AM we are confident since we have our tickets already but something need to be confirmed and printed at the ticket booth that opened at 5AM with a very slow service and a very long line. 

Booking ticket shouldn't be that slow since the process is kind of old school.

Luckily we were able to print our ticket and people are still nice but I have to use the time of departure since its almost 6AM and there’s still tons of people in front of us. Boarded the ship and we are off to Catanduanes with 3 hours time travel. Gem booked the ordinary ticket meaning no aircon and after lining up and figuring things out, all of my sweat glands are alive. We were able to secure our seats but it's not the most comfortable will take it and charge to experience. We left Tabaco an hour late and we arrived at San Andres by 10AM after head banging for almost the whole 3 hours. Lol

We were fetch by a driver and off we go to our tour after some kind of morning.

WEST TOUR 

• Miraculous Batong Paloway
• Luyang Cave
• Virac Cathedral 
• Museo de Catanduanes
• Twin Rock Beach Resort
• Tampad Beach (Face of Jesus rock formation)
• Fleur de Lilies Glamping Farm
• Batag Beach
• Mamangal Beach 

After Museo de Catanduanes, we had lunch and then check in at Casa Remedios just change quickly before the beach hopping. Beach are tempting but since we are not staying longer at each beach it’s hassle to swim and change. 

When were back at our accommodation we shower and we realized that some places close early since we are not in Manila. We took the trip to Virac Town Center had some dinner at Fernando’s and went back to our accommodation, clean up and I zoned out. 

Good night, Catanduanes.

~

Thank you to Island Escapes for arranging our tour and made our stay in Catanduanes hassle free

My Photographs: Bicol

Bicol 2025 . May 4 (Day 1)

My brother asked me where I will be going and I said Bicolandia. So weird that I'm saying that out loud when at some point in life it should be normal by now but no. 

We can't check in online so Gem is already at the airport. I'm running late as always and over packed.Haha We don’t have check-in baggage so I’m pretty relaxed that the only worry I have is that my shampoo or conditioner is over 100ml. 

I slept at 4am because I just pack from 12-3AM. Got home super late from watching the volleyball game since it went to set 5. Good game day and it was fun to watch I’m going to miss volleyball too. 

I think this is the first trip that we are going from one place to another that’s one reason why I can’t figure out what to bring and for what will be my clothes rotation. Let's see how this trip will go. I had coffee this morning just to be sure that l'm awake. 

We ate at Burger King and then rush inside because there might be line at security but it was fast and we waited a while for our gate number which was announced minutes before boarding.

Landed in Bicol wasn't able to take pictures on the plane because I was in a middle seat and it's raining in here. What’s Bicol without rain, right. We are currently at SM Legazpi for early dinner. There should be more shed on the loading and unloading areas if it’s always raining in there. 

Travelled 1 hour to Tabaco City where we are spending 12 hours to recharge before transferring to Virac the next morning. Made it to our room which is pretty basic and thankful for the TV and PBA Rush for 24/7 basketball thing. I slept immediately and took a shower when I woke up around 11PM so I don’t have to rush in the morning. Also regretting not buying throat spray earlier at SM. 

Goodnight from Tabaco City

My Photographs: Bicol