Bicol, located at the southeastern peninsula of Luzon, has been on the top of my list to travel in the Philippines.
If I had more time (and money), I would love to visit every one of its six provinces.
I spent my seven days exploration of Bicol Peninsula crisscrossing between Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon … 3 out of 6 for my first time to Bicol is good enough but I just have to come back for more!
The “Lone Survivor” in Matukad Island, Caramoan, Camarines Sur
Naga Penafrancia Festival Photos: My First CamSur Experience
Witnessing the Peñafrancia Festival, the largest Marian devotion in the country, was my first agenda after touchdown at the Naga (Pili) Airport in Camarines Sur. I shared My First CamSur Experience with the hospitality of Nagueños and got an introduction to the rich history of Naga City. Since I was not able to make prior room reservations in Naga City, I decided to spend my first night in Legazpi City instead.
First glimpse of Bicol at the Naga (Pili) Airport
Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, locally known as “Ina”
Brick Arches along the corridors of the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary
Old Buildings at the downtown area of Naga City
Devotees of the Virgin of Peñafrancia chanting “Viva La Virgen!”
Legazpi City Night Travel and First Glimpse of Mayon Volcano
I couldn’t wait till morning so I could finally see Mt. Mayon in all its glory. Legazpi is definitely a strong contender for being the most picturesque city in the Philippines. Just roaming around the streets and open areas, I can’t help but feel awed at the ominous presence of the cone-shaped Mayon Volcano. I made sure to go around some of the usual vantage points in Legazpi and Daraga so I could bring back a classic view of Mayon.
Morning walk at the Penaranda Park in Legazpi City, Albay
Legazpi City Cathderal / Parish of San Gregorio Magno
Pingangat Pasta and Bicol Express at Small Talk Cafe along Dona Aurora Street
Embarcadero Lighthouse Viewdeck: Mayon Madness Take 1
Seaside Boulevard / Promenade beside the Legazpi City Seaport
Sweeping view of Legazpi City with the Mayon Volcano from the Emcarcadero Lighthouse
Daraga Church Sidetrip: Mayon Madness Take 2
Daraga Church built on top of a hill
Cagsawa Church Ruins at Dusk: Mayon Madness Take 3
A carabao grazing on the open fields along the way to the Cagsawa Ruins
Ruins of the Cagsawa Church, which got destroyed during the devastativng eruption of Mt. Mayon in 1814
Classic view of Mt. Mayon with the rice fields on the foreground
Colorful night lights from Embarcadero Mall and the bay area of Legazpi City
Legazpi City Seawall at Sunrise: Mayon Madness Take 4
Father and son duo in their usual morning routine at the bay
Ligñon Hill View Deck: Mayon Madness Take 5
Morning view of the Daraga Church (Our Lady of the Gate Parish)
Ligñon Hill, an elevated recreational area just at the outskirts of Legazpi City and Daraga
Around Naga City and Commute from Legazpi
Pinangat at Let’s Pinangat along the highway in Camalig, Albay
Camalig Church, Albay (St. John the Baptist Parish)
Ligao Church, Albay (Saint Stephen Protomartyr Parish)
Canaman Church, Camarines Sur (Nuestra Senyore de la Asuncion Parish)
Bombon Church, Camarines Sur (Nuestra Senyora del Rosario Parish)
Arch-bridge at the Quipayo Church in Calabanga, Camarines Sur
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San Fransisco Church and Ruins in Naga City, Camarines Sur
Porta Mariae of the Naga Metropolitan Cathderal at night
San Fransisco Church Ruins
Penafrancia Basilica with spaceship-like gazeebo
Penafrancia Basilica Interiors
Our Lady of Penafrancia Shrine in Naga City
Camarines Sur National Highschool
Old Naga City Central Business District
SM City Naga
Caramoan at Last! DIY trip to the Survivor Islands in CamSur
No doubt, my #1 agenda for the whole trip was to visit Caramoan! It’s one of the breakthrough hot ticket destinations in the Philippines, and of course, I wanted to get my fill of this tropical paradise. I stayed for two nights in Caramoan. I spent my first day exploring the town proper area and resting at the hostel. Initially, I was hoping to join a group to share the “island hopping” cost with. Since failed to find other tourists who were also planning to do the island hopping tour the next day, I had to rent the whole boat all for myself!
Dreadful Boarding/Disembarking Procedures at Sabang Beach
View of Aguirangan Island and Mt. Mayon
Arrival at Guijalo Port, Caramoan
Caramoan Church (St. Michael Parish)
Gota Beach
Hunongan Beach Resort
Lahos Island
Tayak Beach
Remnants of Survivor production structures in Caramoan
Matukad Island
aramoan to Legazpi Commute: CamSur PARTIDO Coastal Highway
Instead of going back to Legazpi via Naga, I saw another way passing through the coastal highway of Camarines Sur and Albay. Initially, I had planned to visit Calaguas Islands in Camarines Norte for my last stop. Unfortunately, my plan didn’t push through … so I had to pick a new destination, which turned out to be Lake Bulusan in Bulusan, Sorsogon.
Goa Church, Camarines Sur (St. John The Baptist Parish)
View of Atulayan Island from the winding roads of the PARTIDO Highway
Eastern Albay Commute and Legazpi to Bulusan Road Trip
Tiwi Church, Albay (San Lorenzo Parish)
Santo Domingo Church, Albay (St. Dominic de Gusman Parish)
Legazpi City Central Terminal
Barcelona Church, Sorsogon (St. Joseph Parish)
Lake Bulusan: Solo Overnight Sidetrip in Sorsogon
Dancalan Beach in Bulusan, Sorsogon at Night
Waiting for a morning tricycle ride at Bulusan town proper
Gorgeous view of Lake Bulusan
Sorsogon to Legazpi City: Last Day in Bicol
My outgoing flight was in Legazpi City and I arrived at the airport, luckily, an hour before my flight … well, I still had 15 minutes to spare before the check-in counters closed :) I was excited to get some aerials shots of Mayon Volcano during the flight. Unfortunately, Mayon’s peak was too cloudy at the time. In consolation, I got my first glance of the off shore islands and islets of Camarines Norte and Quezon Provinces. One of these days, I’m sure … I’ll get to visit them someday too.
Roadblocks during my commute to catch a returning flight
Sorsogon Provincial Capitol
Sorsogon Cathedral
Armada of Tricycles at Sorsogon City
Metro Gaisano – LANDCO Pacific Mall, Legazpi
Legazpi Airport and my return flight to Manila
View of Mt. Mayon from Legazpi Airport Runway
Aerial View of Legazpi City
Aerial View of Mayon Volcano
Coastal areas of Camarines Norte
Touch down at NAIA Terminal 3
"Bicol Solo Backpacking: One Week in Bicol Peninsula" is part of the Bicol: Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon (7 days) series
In the Philippine Ilonggo dialect, ambot ah literally means "I don't know." After graduating in college, I decided to hold off pursuing my profession and embarked on a free spirited journey of adventure and self-discovery. My travels have led me to many places across the Philippine Islands and South East Asia. I don't know where this path will take me but I'm certain I'll get a lifetime of stories out of it.
whoaaa! nalibot mu tlga mga churches sa Cam Sur Marc! cool! :) will watch out for the nxt post! Enjoy Calaguas sa April and see you soon! :)
oo nga, andami talaga Old Churches sa Albay at CamSur. Trying hard to finish all my backlogs :D
galing, ang sipag ha, nakuhanan mo talaga ng pics mga churches from different towns, excited much for the series :)
Sige, I’ll make some follow-up posts soon.
astig kaw guaps, nka lagaw kaw lng isa.. maybe ako man sa dasun. =)
pwede guid!
nice! i also wanted to explore bicol this year. since 2008 I never missed visiting Calaguas Island, Cam Norte every summer. but this year I liked to see Cam Sur,Albay and Sorsogon.
Nice photos by the way… i’ll wait for the part 2!
Isa pa yang ang Calaguas … may araw din yan na mapuntahan ko yung isla na yan, hehe.
wow, jahot mahaba yung post di nakakasawa tignan ung photos, majestic yung mayon kahit saan anggulo!
and i’m impressed sa colonial churches. ganda ng shots
Thanks James :)
Napangiti ako nung nakita ko yung picture ng lumang bahay sa Bulusan. Ilang araw nalang, makikita ko na uli yun :D
Ang ganda ganda ng pictures! I can’t wait to see Bulusan again :D
Thanks Nina. The old house got my attention as well. “Like” na kagad :)
very well written. I’ll be having a solo trip to Sorsogon by October, this will be very helpful. I also like the old house… Madami ba’ng Heritage/ancestral houses sa Sorsogon? Thanks!
Thanks Pinoy Adventurista. Yun lang ang nakita ko during my visit.
as usual, super amazing photos!
very helpful din, gusto ko narin magcaramoan
Thanks James :) Kayang-kaya … if you’re going by with your famous P500/day budget, I suggest going directly to Paniman Beach in Brgy. Paniman to look for options.
The photos are amazing! Hopefully we can visit Bicol this summer.
good thing Naga rewarded you with good weather!
lovely shots. reminds me of why i didnt even bother bringing a camera on my very 1st caramoan trip. haha engot ^_^
Thanks chyng. Kanya-kanya lang, hehe…
Nice shots! Naaliw ako may shot din ako ng St. Michael Parish Church sa Caramoan. Same angle. Haha.
first time to visit your website, and im loving it.
Thanks
Ahehe … thanks for dropping by Kat.
Galing galing talaga ng mga photos mo marcos. hanga ako.:-). Hope to see Legazpi soon.
Thanks for dropping by Bonzenti ^_^
Great post, love the pictures! also you have written it well and your own stuff is really nice! Keep it up :-)
-Dealies Philippines
hm, caramoan– now i know where to spend my upcoming vacation leave from work;) question? dont u miss being a nurse? im super inspired by your blog — i envy you for pursuing your passion, getting paid for it is a big bonus. i wish i could be like you. you’re my newest crush ;) goodluck on your blog! you’re doing a great job at it, very detailed and entertaining ;) i will definitely follow your palawan and hk- macau iti! ;) god bless!
*blushes* thanks Janet :) I guess there’s always going to be a part of me that will want to pursue Nursing. I just have a lot of things I want to do first :D
^_^ you’re welcome crush :) good luck on your next trips! and for the lot of things that u wanna do! :)
:) God bless! ;)
Likewise janet :D
Correction please the building you labeled Lcc mall is not Lcc its the Gaisano mall.
The picture with tag “LCC Metro Mall, Legazpi” is not really the Liberty Commercial Center Mall (Oldest Functioning Mall here in Legazpi) on the other side of the city, its paint is actually yellow =) but the METRO-GAISANO Mall at Pacific Land Co., Legazpi City.. =D
Thanks for the correction about Metro Gaisano.
Pictures and travel is a perfect combination…seems you’ve made it that perfect.. looking forward to visit some of the places where you’ve been…(actually been starting it).. :)
I totally agree, I actually can’t remember which passion started first … basta I travel to take photos and I take photos for my travels :)
i love the caramoan pictures! how much budget should one have in order to rent a boat in Caramoan? I HAVE TO visit bicol soon!
For the Matukad Island Group, it’s P1,500 per boat … if you want to go in the area of Lahuy Island, I think it’s P3,500 (including Matukad).
hello its me again… im planing to visit Camsur before november. Can i just ask how much is your budget doing this trip? =)
thanks and Godbless
posted my itinerary and budget here: http://www.ambot-ah.com/2011/06/21/bicol-region-7-days-itinerary-camarines-sur-albay-sorsogon/
As expected, super ganda na naman ang mga pics mo! Thanks for sharing them.
My pleasure Lina. Thanks for writing you comments ever so often. It’s nice to know people are interested with my travels also :D
Hi! you reminded me of Christopher McCandless!
“There is pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society where none intrudes,
By the deep sea and the music in its roar;
I love not man the less, but Nature more.”
Am so excited to do what you are doing…! ive also been to different places but i want to explore MORE! if only i have enough funds hhahaha just saying.! anyway, am going to naga this january! so excited but dont have fixed itinerary yet. need your advice am going there on Jan 11 – 13 my primal purpose is the caramoan island & cwc. and i want to include Mt. Mayon.. do you think its possible? :)
Refreshing words Maricor. So true for me, in a sense. It’s not that I want to escape from company that I travel alone … I just love to travel more than I need the company.
Yes it’s possible … you can fly to Naga and set your return flight from Legazpi instead.
Hi! I was so amazed with your photos and not to mention you’re all alone on your trip. I want to travel to the Bicol region this coming Holy Week and maybe you can give me ideas on how to get around the Bicol region and as well as the top destinations for Bicol / Camarines / Sorsogon? It’s quite hard to organize a tour for this trip compare to Palawan because there’s not much info that I can find on the net such as how to get around, if I can get a van rental to get around and as well as places to stay and dine. I left my e-mail and it would be a great big help for me if you can reply to my message. Thanks!
i love this site… it reminds me the true beauty of bicolandia.. there a lot of place that can attract tourist so please take good care of all places in bicol. Thank you for those who love to go in bicol. that’s all thank you..
Thanks Bhitz