SIT Amazing Race in Bicol (part 1 of 3)

Our school or college conducts its outing annually to break away from the hectic schedule and requirements of the school.  This year, the group chose Camarines Sur as our destination. Knowing there are a lot of nearby towns that might interest the group, I volunteered to do an itinerary rather than booking a tour package which might cost more than our budget.



Abby (our secretary) booked a Cebu Pacific flight which at that time were on sale.  Having the pressure of Cebu Pacific increasing the price as the day pass by, she booked a flight going to Legazpi scheduled on April 1 and a flight back to Manila from Pili in Naga in April 3.

From the booked flights, I have no choice but to start the itinerary from Legazpi and compress the almost 2 and 1/2 days tour to visit as many places as we can.  As I was reading other blogs and doing my research, it turned out that most of the tours are done the other way around - from Naga to Legazpi. :(

So here goes nothing...
  
DEPARTURE from BAGUIO
I was thinking that since March 31 is Easter Sunday and usually this is really a big traffic in EDSA because most people go back to Manila during this day like last year, we left Baguio at around 7pm. And boom! no traffic...haha! Commuters seemed to have changed their schedule learning from last year's traffic. We end up waiting so long at NAIA terminal 3.

the 50% of the SIT Family

Abby, Lei and Christelle bored na bored :)

Mark waiting for our check-in

• Baguio to Pasay   - P 455.00 each
• Pasay to NAIA T3 - P 125.00 (metered taxi)
• Manila to Legazpi - P 1,964.33 each 

First Stop: LIGÑON HILL NATURAL PARK
We wanted to see the perfect cone of Mayon Volcano so I chose Ligñon Hill as our first stop. I was able to get a van who would tour us in 3 places. Kuya Noel (I can also give his number if you want) charged us PhP 2,000.00 for a half day tour (as we have to rush to Donsol Sorsogon in the afternoon for check in). Ligñon hilltop is a 360 degrees view of Legazpi.  They have a souvenir shop, a resto, a nice mini park and a Zip Line. The road going to the top of the hill is a clean concrete "zig-zag" road - a perfect track to early morning joggers. Unfortunately, as you can see below, Mayon is hiding when we got there.

A panoramic view of  Lignon Hill

Take off station of the zip line (this is the corner of the take off station and the zip line is to the opposite direction)

• about 20 mins from airport
• entrance fee  - P 20.00 per head
• van hire - P 2,000.00 (12 pax; half day)

Second Stop: CAGSAWA RUINS
We wanted to see Mayon from another angle so we went to Cagsawa Ruins. Cagsawa Ruins are the remnants of an 18th century Franciscan church, the Cagsawa church built in 1724, was destroyed by the 1814 eruption of the Mayon Volcano. Unfortunately, Mayon is still hiding behind the clouds.

 

• about 15 mins from Lignon Hill
• entrance fee - P 10.00 per head

Third Stop: DARAGA CHURCH
The Church of Daraga, also known as Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church, is a Franciscan church made of mostly volcanic stones built in 1773. It boasts an intricate design on its pillars with Spanish influence (but I see other influences in some part of its columns). A must-see for religious tourists, perfect for visita-iglesia.

A Daraga Church Pillar

• about 25 mins from Cagsawa Ruins
• entrance - P 20.00 per head (but they let us in for free, I don't know why)

Fourth Stop: EMBARCADERO
This is not supposed to be included in our tour but we still have time and Kuya Noel gave it as a bonus stop considering its on the other end of Legazpi from Daraga.  It is planned as a replacement for Legazpi Airport - bigger, see side, near the port, and a Roxas Blvd baywalk-like where night life is active according to Kuya Noel. We also had our lunch here in a secret place as they say where authentic bicolano dishes are being served. I forgot to take pictures though. (secret nga di ba, hehehe)
 

Mayon at the back still hiding...

Off we go to Donsol for our Fifth stop...this is really an amazing race because we have to race with time.


SIT Amazing Race in Bicol (part 2 of 3)