Best of Bicol Day1: Naga to Legazpi

This is it! After a really very long gap from the last post i created, I will be blogging again and i can no longer stop the urge to document my 'footprints' on earth. To top it off, this is my first comeback post - the latest Bicolandia trip.

This is my first time to set foot on eastern side of the country specifically in Bicol region. Its been a long time since i got a break from work last November 2011 from my CDO-Bukidnon-Camiguin trip. Such a breeze from the city. Thanks to Mau and Ria, both my high school classmates for tagging me along to this trip though we just gave Mau a buzzer beater checkin at the airport... bwahaha!

We landed Naga (or Pili) Airport on time and found ourselves waiting for a bus ride to Legazpi past 1000H from 0845H flight. The highway is just 10-minute walk so no need to hire a tryk unless you have plenty of heavy baggage with you. 

Don't expect to grab a ride on cheaper (i think) open air regular bus since its full. We got excited and rode an air conditioned bus and we're doomed. We are trapped for a couple of hours in a bit dark and hot bus ride.      Our bus is a bit old and personally, i was not able to sleep during the travel as much as i want to. Try to wait for a bigger and/or newer buses so that you're able to get a short nap if you want. Fortunately we survived and reached the Legazpi bus terminal around 1230H.

We rode a tryk to Gaisano mall to grab a lunch and Graceland graced our lunch table.

Laing - one of the famous Bicol cuisine

Bicol's version of Pinangat

Pancit with Fried Spring Roll

Sinful Lechon Kawali with Bicol Express

We chose Graceland over Biggs since this is our very first taste of authentic Bicol cuisine. Biggs serves more of American diner so we decided to try Graceland and it did not fail to satisfy our cravings. For the review, Laing was not that hot and Pinangat is a surprise with meat (not sure if it is pork or fish) inside topped with tasty coconut milk sauce. I do love these Bicol cuisine since im a very fan of coconut milk base food. As for the Pancit, Lumpia, Lechon Kawali and Bicol Express, they are also good and recommended.

After lunch, we headed to Daraga Church, this is a recommended stop for an elevated view of Mayon volcano. The church is located on top of elevated part of the Daraga so expect a little climb up. The church were built by Franciscan priests around 1700s and was rebuilt in 1971-1973 when damaged during WWII and became a second home for Cagasawa church parishioners when the Cagsawa church was destroyed during one of Mayon's eruption.

Daraga Church

There are plenty of views of Mayon volcano when in Albay. Indeed 'view-to-sawa' (view-all-you-can) and Daraga church has the elevated view of the famous volcano. I hope they would be able to built a view deck near the edge of church hill but standing in front of the church would still be good to avoid uneven roofs of houses built near the church. From Gaisano, just ride a Daraga bound jeepney to the church.

Next stop is Cagsawa Ruins. This is the most famous postcard photo of the region - an old bell tower and Mayon Volcano as background.

Mayon Volcano view at Cagsawa ruins without the bell tower.

I was just staring this particular scenic view on postcards and books and as far as i can remember i have it drawn in my pad paper way back in elementary but i was able to see it personally. What a sight to behold. Thank God the we are able to see the whole cone since it was covered with clouds earlier. It is just my bad that i was not able get a shot with the bell tower since i was occupied by taping our travel video clip.

My advise, always be ready with your position and camera to capture the iconic postcard photo because Mayon will be showing its whole cone in just few minutes. Locals said that morning is the best time to see Mayon.

Quick pose in front of Bell Tower

From Daraga church we hired a tryk to Cagsawa Ruins. This is more convenient than riding a jeepney because the location is off the highway and will again ride a tryk to the ruins.


After savoring the view, we bought some souvenirs here- good printed shirts and a chili ref magnet. Since its already late, we decided not to go to our next stop - Lignon hill. This will be another reason for me to come back to Legazpi. We rode a tryk again direct to the van terminal heading to Naga. We arrived just in time for van that is missing some passengers. For comfortable 2-hour drive better to choose the front three-sitters at the back of the driver's seat. We left Naga at around 6PM.

We arrived SM Naga at around 8PM. Good thing we thought of booking our room earlier while on our way to Legazpi. We chose Sunny View hotel along Panganiban Drive. It is after the bridge, left side if facing Panganiban Drive and SM Naga at the back. Riding a tryk would be a good advise if you have loads of bags with you or it will be a 10-15 mins walk.

We paid P650 for two single bed (including P100 for additional one person charge). The room is just average so you better try the newly built Sampaguita Inn just after Sunny View.

We called it a night after a good laugh watching Gandang Gabi Vice.