Together with Trina, Cari, Chard, Harvey, DJ ~ we had our Bicol Extravaganza April 20-24 2011 edition.
Since it is Holy Week, we reserved our tickets 2 weeks prior to our trip. We booked in Amihan Bus Lines since it is the only available one. We got our tickets P680 each for the typical aircon bus. I can say that this is not your ideal bus because it was delayed and the seats are not so comfy for long road trip. I suggest take the other Bus like Penafrancia or Raymond. We left the Alimall Bus Terminal around 10:45PM but the traffic in Cubao took us very long time to get out of the area.
We arrived Naga Terminal around 9:30AM and went to Golden Leaf Hotel via tricycle. Getting around Bicol is cheap. Tricycle are just P8 and bus P10-15.. nice. I saw our hotel on internet and since we are on a budget trip by choice, we got this over Nagaland Hotel. For all backpackers and for those who are not maarte, I recommend this place - so cheap, with friendly staff, with wifi on ground floor and very accessible to places such as SM Naga & CWC Sports Complex.
Day one is CWC Day + Basilica + DJC Halo Halo + Bigg's.
Food Trip in CWC is the best. Very delicious & affordable. Wakeboarding is fully booked so we decided to go back on Day3. We went to Penafrancia Basilica Minore which is said to house an image of the Virgin Mary. After that, we ate the famous tiwi halo halo at DJC. I can say it's a typical good halo halo but with cheese. We then settle again in our hotel and played some cards and Pinoy Henyo - topic is highlights of Day 1. So funny! Haha Then we went out and had dinner in Bigg's. Bigg's is one of the Jolibee of Bicol. Must try.
Day two is our Legazpi City Tour ~ Cagsawa Ruins, Mt. Mayon, Lignon Hill, Embarcadero, Red Platter, Starbucks Naga.
This day is the busiest day we had in the trip. Legazpi is a 2-hour drive from Naga City so we depart the hotel around 8AM and arrived in Legazpi by 9:45AM. There are many people in Cagsawa Ruins so it is hard to take pictures. We quickly had our "backdrop" shots and just a couple of jump shots. Believe me as much as I would like to take pictures, I just can't because it is very hot! It's like an iron pressing in your skin! Hoo! Seeing Mt. Mayon is truly amazing. It is just like in our elementary text books with the perfect shape. Unfortunately, when we arrive, there are clouds in the crater so our pictures can't be that perfect but still beautiful.
We also bought our pasalubongs here in Cagsawa Ruins. From pili tarts, roasted pili, pili polvoron, pili jam, and the mazapan de pili ~ there are so many but I love the crunchy sugar coated pili nuts most of all. Also bought handmade-abaka-inspired body bag and hat.
We then went straight to Lignon Hill which is scary to go because it s a steep road ahead so thanks Mr. Genio's driving that we saw the scenery of whole Legazpi. Chard and DJ tried the Zipline but I didn't because I kinda have fear of heights.
We took our lunch at Embarcadero de Legazpi - the newest commercial & adventure hub in Legazpi. You can shop, eat and play! Here we ate lunch in Bigg's of course, ordered the Cajun chicken ~ yes it is spicy! We then took the hype of bump car - just like kids again haha. Afterwards, Trina, Harvey, DJ, and Brylle spinned around the racetrack in their newly opened go-karting area. They also have a 350 meter zipline! It’s about 30 meters high up and starts at the lighthouse all the way to the Legazpi port basin. This time, no one dare to take the challenge.
Around 5PM, we left Legazpi City and went back to our hotel.
We were dropped by in Stabuck Naga by Genio parents to freshen up. Afterwards, we head just in front of SB, Red Platter to take our dinner. It is like Conti's with different cakes. What can I say. This is one of my favorite now. Cheap price, good ambiance, and sumptuous meal. What's not to love? Unfortunately, it is not available in Manila. It really is a must try in Nagaland.
After stretching our stomach again, we then visit a convenient store to buy some drinks and head back to our hotel. We played Flapjack and the kantanong portion. First time to drink Tanduay ice, not bad, just like sprite. I actually am not sleepy yet but we decided lights out by 2am because of the early camsur trip on Day 3.
Day 3 is CWC part two and Genio Family visitaciones.
Before going to CWC, I went to the market with Cari & Trina to buy her big plastic and me to buy more pasalubong haha.
By 830AM, we arrived in CWC. Unfortunately, wake boarding will only be available after lunch because it is already fully booked. Some tourists booked as early as 630AM. So, we just decided to stay, eat, relax, and swim. For me it's just fine considering that I would not attempt wake boarding given a chance but seeing Harvey's face not being able to try wake boarding, I thought of re-booking our 3PM bus reservation in a later time but taking the risk of a chance passenger is really not a good idea this Holy Week. So decided maybe we can just go back again or try wake boarding in Lago de Oro which is 2.5 hours drive from Manila. So Harvey, DJ, Brylle, Trina, and Chard went swimming while Cari and I relaxed. It is actually Game 3 of LA vs NOLA and thankfully they won. By 1130AM, we left CWC and headed to Brylle's home where we had a lunch fiesta.
Gatang Langka, Pinangat, Laing, Bicol Express, Bibingka, Kaldereta - Huwow!
By 2PM, we left Brylle's home with Take-out Pinangat, Bibingka, & Pili Jam.
Going back to our hotel for the last time, I noticed we are all so quiet. Is it because we are tired? We are sleepy? I guess not. I think it's because it is our last time together in Bicolandia after the three days of fun bonding moments.
So 3PM, we say our goodbyes to Mr. Genio and Brylle and by 330PM we started our long roadtrip back to Manila.
Exactly 1230PM, we are in Magallanes area then the Raymond bus also stopped over in Sampaloc Terminal, then we got caught by the Police in New York Avenue, and by 1:30AM we arrived in Ali Mall area.
I am so sleepy by this time that I'm getting irate already because I really never had a nap in the bus travel.
Overall recap:
Thank you to my friends Trina, Cari, Chard, Harvey, DJ Dan for being with me the whole trip and making every moment fun. It is nice to be on a trip again after some time of being alone (Chos!) Seriously, you guys are the best accompany of all haha!
Of course, my ever gratitude to Brylle, his parents, and the whole Genio Clan for a very warm welcome to their homeland.
This trip wouldn't be as one of the best without your help.
Bicolandia.. I would definitely back again via plane of course!
Good bye for now.
Watch our Bicolandia Extravaganza 2011 MV.
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