Things To Do In Bicol
When we visit Bicol, there's only one place where we feel at home and that would be at Pier one 39 Spring and Beach Resort. The resort is situated at Brgy. Sto. Niño, Sagñay, Camarines Sur. The people at the resort, especially the owners are very accommodating. For more info about the place, visit their Facebook page here.
They have a pool where the water came from the spring and the sea. They drain their pool every night, so you can be sure that the pool is clean every single day.
 |
| Makiling 1 One of their closed cottages. This is where we usually stay. |
 |
| Enjoying at the pool with Iya while we can still manage the depth of it. |
Here are the things I did with my (extended) family in Bicol:
1. Stroll along the beach of Sagñay
From Pier one 39 Resort we walked (the original plan was to jog)
up to the Nato port. And what did we do at the port? Have a lot of photo ops!
 |
| One of the photo ops we have. Thanks to kuya who took this one! |
Not into walking or jogging? No problem! Grab your bike and feel the sea breeze.
2. Fly a kite and build sand castles at the beach
You can seldom (or maybe never) fly a kite in Manila, so take advantage of being in a windy place.
Also, kids won't mind getting dirty playing with sands it's only during summer they get to experience it!
3. Trek to Coyao-yao Falls
Most commonly known as the Sibaguan Falls, it is located (obviously) at Sibaguan in Sagñay. If you've seen the Mother Falls at Baler, you can say that Coyao-Yao Falls is the smaller version of it.
 |
| There's no one to collect the fee when we went, so it's free for us ;) |
You need to trek for about 30 minutes to reach the falls. Easy-peasy, right?
 |
| Start of the trail |
There were some locals harvesting coconuts, so it's a bit of a struggle in this part.
Don't be alarmed (or be disappointed) when you this, it's not the falls. But when you see this, you can be sure that you're a few minutes away from Coyao-Yao Falls.
 |
| Group picture at the falls after 30 minutes of trekking |
Going to the falls, you'll pass by some houses. On our way back, we stopped at this house for some plant hoarding.
 |
| Tita Mabel with the generous owner of this house |
4. Explore the islands in Caramoan
On our 2nd day in Bicol, we drove for about 3-4 hours on a curvy road to explore the popular location of Survivor. The wind was strong when we arrive, so we took our lunch first and waited for a couple of hours for the wind to calm before starting our Survivor experience.
 |
| While waiting for the wind to calm down |
Our tour guide said the Caramoan consists of at least 30 islands, if it's true, then we already visited 3 of them. The first island we visited is the Matukad Island. Among the 3 islands we explored, this one is my favorite. The combination of clear, blue water and fine, white sand is superb!
 |
| Group picture at one of the rock formations on the island |
 |
| View at the rock formation. There's a lot of tourists taking pleasure in below! |
Matukad Island is known for the lagoon that holds the mystical Milk Fish but before seeing the lagoon, you need to climb a very challenging rock formation.
 |
| I am so ready to see the lagoon, but my body weight (ugh!) won't let me TT |
It was only Tita Mabel and Angelo, who made it to the top. See the lagoon? I really wish I was there. :'(
 |
| OMG! Did you see the Milk Fish? |
 |
| Tita Mabel and Angelo on their way down |
Our visit to the island wouldn't be complete a group picture!
We're supposed to visit 4 islands, but before reaching the 4th one we requested to go back to Matukad Island and there we swam until we get tired.
The second island we visited is the Lahus (or Lahos). I find this island quite cool because it has 2 shore lines. The first shore line is where the boat dock and the second one is seen on the other side where tourists usually enjoy the view.
 |
| On this side is where the boats dock |
 |
| This is the other shore line |
There is also a rock formation on Lahus Island, I saw a foreigner climb this one, so I tried it as well. The rock formation here is more spiky than the first rock formation we climb at Matukad Island.
 |
| Err, the struggle is real |
The last island we visited is a good site for snorkeling. Actually, you don't need to snorkel to see the corals and other sea creatures, the water is crystal clear that you can see it just by peeking while you're on the boat.
 |
| See what I mean from the crystal clear water? I took this photo while I'm still inside the boat. |
Just like the first 2 islands we've seen, there is also a remarkable rock formation in Cagbanilad Island.
5. Visit the largest statue of Mama Mary
Before heading back to Sagñay, we dropped by the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, also found in Caramoan.
 |
| We took the chance for a group picture while resting |
After taking the stairs, you will walk on hill to reach this chapel and you still need to walk on another hill to see the grotto closely.
 |
| You can see the statue from here but it's better if you see it closely |
 |
| Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary |
 |
| View from the grotto |
6. Quick trek to the Miraculous Medal Hill
Before reaching the Hill, you will pass by the Consocep Mountain Resort where, I was told, you will find the Consosep Falls. We first admire the beauty of Bicol at the ruins before trekking the hill.
 |
| The ruins. I believe this was once a monastery. |
 |
| "I'm gonna pour lots of water," says the cloud. View from the ruins. |
 |
| Picture at the old-but-still-working swing in the ruins |
It was already drizzling when the photo above was taken and then there comes the rain. We waited for maybe 10-15 minutes for it to stop before trekking to the Miraculous Medal.
 |
| You will walk on these stairs for 5 minutes or less before saying hello to Mama Mary |
 |
| Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal |
 |
| View from The Miraculous Medal Hill. It' still cloudy but at least it has stopped raining. |
7. Meet and greet with the deers in Ocampo
After our soulful trip to the Miraculous Hill, we drove to the Deer Farm. We have taken the wrong road, so we spent about an hour or so to get on the right one. Thanks to the helpful locals, we could have spent more time maneuvering on the wrong way without them.
 |
| Thanks to Manong and to his itak! |
No entrance fee or registration fee is collected at the farm. There's no time limit as well, just follow farm's simple rules and you're off to enjoy the company of the deers. Warning to the kikay ones, the deer poops are everywhere!
8. Remember Christ’s passion at Kawa-Kawa Hill in Legazpi
Stations of the Cross are common during the Lenten season among Catholics, but it doesn't have to be Holy Week for us to remember the passion of Christ. What the Kawa-Kawa Hill offers are gigantic sculptures that present the 14 Stations of the Cross, from the Last Supper up to the Resurrection of Christ.
The pathway in between stations is not a joke, it's as if you are also experiencing the sufferings of Jesus while taking the path.
 |
| At the third station. We still manage to smile despite the nakakahingal walk. |
Aside from the life size statues, you will also enjoy the place's beautiful views.
 |
| Half way of the stations you will find this huge heart surrounded by sunflowers. Refreshments are also sold in this area. |
 |
| Take a rest and enjoy the nature |
 |
| Another view to enjoy at the Kawa-Kawa Hill |
We went straight to Sorsogon after our knee-jerking journey in Kawa-Kawa Hill. Our main agenda there is to see some Whale Sharks or Butanding among Filipinos. We arrived at the place a few hours before night time so we just spent our time wandering around the place because you can only see the Butanding during day time.
The following day, we headed to Sorsogon's tourist center (open as early as 7am) to register and rent a boat. After registration,you have to watch a video regarding the do's and don'ts about Whale Shark interaction and a few information about Butandings.
The following day, we headed to Sorsogon's tourist center (open as early as 7am) to register and rent a boat. After registration,you have to watch a video regarding the do's and don'ts about Whale Shark interaction and a few information about Butandings.
The boat rental costs 3500php for 6 persons inclusive of tour guide, the registration costs 100php for Filipinos and 300php for foreigners. They are strict of limiting 6 tourists per boat for safety purposes. Some tourists who travel alone wait in front of the tourist center for other tourists who will ride the boat that are below the maximum number of persons. In our case, we had Charlie (from Luxembourg) joined our group.
Since I'm not a good swimmer, my only plan, at first, is to just watch the Butanding from our boat, but like what our tour guide said, once you're in the sea you'd just want to plunge into the sea to have that close encounter with the Butanding. And most of the time, you wouldn't see the Whale Sharks from above, you really need to go beneath the sea.
 |
| Getting ready for my Butanding experience |
Our tour guide was kind enough to bring us closer to a Whale Shark that swam near the water's surface for the kids to see.
 |
| The Butanding looks like a rock fom above |
10. Enjoy sunset in Sorsogon
Like what I've said, we arrived in Sorsogon a few hours before night time, we haven't seen the Whale Sharks immediately, but we're still blessed to have a time appreciating a lovely sunset.
When in Sorsogon, be sure to check in at Vitton Beach Resort. Their room rates, in my opinion, are very affordable for a very comfortable stay and an awesome view.
 |
| This is what you will see when you enter the resort |
 |
| Tita Flor and kids enjoying Vitton's impressive pool |
11. Buy pasalubong in Cagsawa
After our overnight stay in Sorsogon, we went to Cagsawa to buy some pasalubong. You can transfer from one pasalubong center to the other in this area, it is situated just outside the Cagsawa Ruins.
For the second time, I enjoyed my visit to Bicol. Again, thank you Tita Mabel, Tita Nene, Tito Mar, and Angelo for another unforgettable summer vacation!
Comments
Post a Comment