Day 3: Tito's Roadtrip Travel Guide To Bicol

We woke up early on our third day.  We need to pack our things, because the Island tour would take longer than time required for us to check out.  After breakfast, we endorsed our things to the reception, where the tour organisers arranged tricycles to bring us to the dive centre in charge of taking us to Ticao.

We were surprised to find out that two additional people were joining us for what was supposed to be an exclusive trip.  After that was settled, we got our mask and gears and was on the way to our 1st destination.

The boat ride took more than an hour to reach Halea Beach Resort and Nature Park in San Jacinto, Masbate.  The shallow reef is ideal for snorkelling and if your lucky, white tip reef shark sightings.

Halea is teeming with marine life, but please take caution of the spikes from the sea urchins that lined the reef bed.

Friends were fortunate to see reef sharks, but the rest of us enjoyed snorkelling on the shallow reef.  We were off to our next destination.

The next top is a free diving site, with calm waters and a good visibility.  This is where i was able to try what i have learned from the pool lessons the previous day.

Lunch is ready when we got back to our boat.   Eating became a challenge as we move to our next destination at lightning speed.

This stop got us excited.  The site of the waterfall from our approach was breathtaking.  We were challenged with huge waves.  Armed with life jackets, we were off to the drop where the fresh water meets the sea.

Battling the waves at Katandayagan Falls took its toll on us. We we were tired when we got back to our boats that some of us did not even went down to check the last Island on our itinerary.

After this island, we were off to our long trip back to Donsol in Sorsogon.

Upon reaching the Dive Centre, we settled our fees, brought to the resort what was left of our lunch and use the Pool Toilets to freshen up.

After ensuring that all fees at the resort was settled, we were on our way to our next destination, which is Caramoan.  It was late in the afternoon when we left.  We passed by Legaspi again in time for dinner.

We were surprised to find a restaurant that offers a buffet for 199 pesos on a Good Friday, when most establishments were closed even Embarcadero.

The drive to Caramoan was made challenging with processions at every Parish.  It was Holy Week after all.   The last 2 hour stretch from Naga is also challenging with road improvements and unpaved sections.  It took us almost 6 hours from Legaspi to what was originally secluded Caramoan, driving along the coast of Camarines Sur.

We arrived at Casa Mia, just past midnight in time for a few hours rest before we explore the Islands of the coast of Caramoan.

Day 2: Tito's Roadtrip Travel Guide to Bicol

Woodland Beach Resort in Donsol exceeded our expectation.  The modest accommodation was compensated by the Villa Style building, well maintained gardens, an adjacent spa, swimming pool, restaurant, bar and the beach.  Also, its walking distance to the Tourism Office that regulates the Whale Shark Encounter.

Day 2

Our Day started early with the breakfast we ordered the night before.  A quick tricycle ride brought us back to the Tourism Office where we settled our fees, watched the video tutorial and await our boarding.

Dons Whale Encounter Boat Ride

Unlike Oslob, where the Whale Sharks are being lured to your boats, in Donsol, we adjust to the Whale Sharks feeding pattern.  Fins and Mask are helpful to catch up with these gentle giants.  Tours can take up to 3 hours.

We were not disappointed during our visit.  After swimming for a few minutes, we were back on our boats and to the boarding station.  We were surprised that the encounter was done in two hours.

Lunch at Woodland Resort

We decided to extend our stay in Donsol, instead of spending the night in Naga as originally planned. This gives us another day to explore the nearby islands on the Burias Straight.

The remainder of the day was spent at the pool, with a crash course on Free Diving.

Thank you to friends for the free diving lesson

Since the weather improved, we decided to take the more than 1 hour drive back to Legaspi hoping that Mayon Volcano would grace us with her appearance for dinner.

We arrived in time for sunset on an elevated location close to The Oriental Legaspi.

Passed by Legaspi in time for Sunset 

We were not only rewarded with the best view, but the buffet at The Oriental proved to be a value for money.  The spread included seafoods, complimented with an acoustic band, and a fire dance production just before we left.

Buffet Dinner at The Oriental Legaspi

We only had a few more hours remaining before the bar closes when we got back to the resort.  After a few rounds of very lethal serving of Long Islands, we retired to our beds for another day of adventure.

Philippinized Pizza

I"m not really a fan of Pizza, but who could resist this Philippine Regional take on this Italian classic.
Please share your local versions!

Laing Pizza from Smalltalk Cafe in Legazpi

Pinakbet and Longganisa Pizza from Herenciacafe in Ilocos

Dinuguan and Bagnet Pizza also from Herenciacafe of Ilocos

The Oriental Experience: Why do I need a Bicol Weekend Getaway?

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The Oriental Legazpi has an on-going facebook promotion.  It is now on its third phase, with a 3D/2N stay with breatfast plus a Legazpi City Tour as its grand prize. The contest is until June 22, 2012.

Please check out their website for complete mechanics:
The Oriental Legazpi
and like their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TheOrientalHotels.PH

This is my entry on why I need a Legazpi Weekend Getaway

As a child, when airfares were so expensive, I remember Legazpi as one of our stopover on the 26-hour bus ride to Borongan, Eastern Samar.  I remember looking out of the bus window to see the imposing Mayon Volcano at the distance.  I was so amazed on how the shape doesn’t change even though we are navigating around it.

A few decades later, in September of 2010, I had the opportunity to explore the city with friends.  It brought back that childhood memory as I gazed at the imposing volcano across the Albay Gulf.

That time, I was able to tour the sights, and sample the delicious food that Bicol has to offer.  It’s so easy to fall in love with Legaspi.  I said to myself, should I find my special someone, I would definitely bring him to the city.

By 2011, I already found that special someone, and Legaspi was part of our weekend getaway for the year.  We took advantage of the promo fares and booked for March.

On our first day, we went directly to Embarcadero for lunch and to enjoy the view of Mayon as our backdrop.  The lunch was great, but the volcano was covered in clouds that only a little portion of the base was visible.  We went to Lignon Hill and Cagsawa the next day, but still the mountain was not visible.  Rains poured on the third day so we just stayed indoors and explored the mall.

Taken on the same spot as my first photo, what's missing?

At Lignon Hill, what's missing?

At Cagsawa, again, what's missing?

Our return flight was cancelled due to bad weather, so we thought that since we have another day to spare, maybe the mountain would show her majesty to us. But even that didn’t happen.  We left the city without seeing the famous Mt. Mayon.  Although the food and sights were great, we felt that our experience was incomplete and now, looking for an opportunity to go back.

To the Oriental Hotels and Resorts, please help us in making this dream to reality.

When in Legazpi, Albay

When we talk of Bicol, particularly Legazpi, the first thing that comes to our mind would be the Majestic Mayon Volcano.

I remember the imposing mountain that follows us everywhere we go around the city.  Well, not during our last visit in March. Mayon shied away from us on our three-day stay. 

Actually, it was a cloudy weekend to start with.

So instead of going around the usual tourist destinations, we went on to explore the other attraction that Legazpi has, its food!

We stayed at Hotel St. Ellis near the downtown.  They have a good breakfast buffet, although the choices are not as many compared to the hotels here in Manila, but if you’re willing to shell out a few pesos, try their Angus beef tapa.

Also, they have a good selection of desserts and my favorite would be the Pili Nut Cheesecake.