HomeAsiaPhilippinesLuzonAlbayLegazpi CityLegazpi City Night Travel and First Glimpse of Mayon Volcano By Marcos Detourist on May 2, 2011When I included Legazpi City, Albay in my itinerary, there was only one thing on my mind … to get that awesome photo of the iconic Mayon Volcano. I basically, wrapped my itinerary around getting as many vantage points of Mayon as I can. Mt. Mayon is an active volcano renowned for its perfect cone shape. I’ve always marveled at scenic photos of the bustling City of Legazpi dwarfed by the perfect cone of Mayon. Now it was my time to experience it for myself. Morning View of Mayon Volano along the Bayside of Legazpi CityNight Travel from Naga to Legazpi CityIt was already evening when I was on my way to Legazpi City. I spent the day hours to get my first impressions of the Peñafrancia Festival in Naga City, Camarines Sur. Just after sundown, I was already at the bus terminal in Naga (beside SM City Naga) to catch a ride to Legazpi City. Waiting at the back of the bus afforded me a good view of passengers filling up the seats. After waiting two long hours, I noticed the other (more impatient) passengers transferring to other buses. I should’ve asked for their advice but I guess I was too shy to do it at the time and worried I might get misinformed. My anxiety of traveling alone in an unfamiliar place must have taken over my better judgment.After realizing that I would’ve arrived at Legazpi past midnight if I insisted on taking the bus, I left to look for other options. The vendors pointed me to the Filcab van terminal across SM City Naga. Luckily, there was still one Legazpi-bound bus waiting for passengers (P150 van fare). It was around 8pm when the van left Naga City. I had dozed off shortly after.Sometime at the middle of the ride, I had awoken and the excitement of seeing the Mayon Volcano was already at my mind. Peeking behind the window, I could figure out that we were passing through rice fields and then after focusing at the distance, I saw it! … the cone shaped silhouette of Mayon. At that moment I couldn’t help but feel relieved at the thought of finally being able to see Mayon’s full granduer come daylight.The van arrived at the terminal in Legazpi at 10pm. The place was empty this late at night and the other passengers have already hurriedly went on their way. There was only one tricycle left at the far end of the dark terminal. I didn’t make any room reservations so I still had to find a place to stay for the night. I casually told the driver to take me to the first place on my list of hostels I researched. It cost me P30 for the tricycle ride to Sampaguita Tourist Inn (shoutout to Pinay Solo Backpacker for the reccommendation).Great thing Sampaguita was still very much open despite the late hours. I stayed in one of their basic fan rooms (single) for only P200 per night and then took dinner at some random side street carinderia. Daytime Photo of Sampaguita Tourist Inn along Rizal Avenue, Legazpi CityWalking Tour around Penaranda Park in LegazpiI woke up around noontime and took a jeep going to the Legazpi City Hall. I planned on doing a quick photo stop at the Penaranda Park before taking lunch. Getting around Legazpi by jeep was quite easy since most places on my itinerary was either just along Rizal Avenue (Legazpi’s main thoroughfare) or walking distance from it. Rizal Avenue, Legazpi City’s “Main Artery”The Peñaranda Park is the main plaza in the city and is surrounded by the main local government buildings of Legazpi City and Albay Province. I was surprised to see that even from the plaza, there was already a great view of Mayon Volcano. View of the Majestic Mayon Volcano from Penaranda Park Albay Provincial Capitol Legazpi Cathderal (Parish of St. Gregory the Great) Legazpi Cathedral Diocesan Museum Legazpi City Hall Legazpi City Hall with the Legazpi Cathedral in the distance Divine World College Albay AstrodomeLunch at Smalltalk CafeFor me, a huge part of traveling is to sample the gastronomic offerings of a particular place. I’ve read about Smalltalk Cafe and its famous Pinangat Pasta and Bicolana Pizza (pizza topped with Bicol Express or Laing). Smalltalk Cafe (along Doña Aurora St.) is located just within walking distance from Penaranda Park. The interiors of Smalltalk Cafe was very homey with most menu items mid-low priced. I was instantly drawn to the description of the Pinangat pasta at Smalltalk’s menu. I can’t remember the exact words but it had “pinangat leaves freshly picked from the foothills of Mayon Volcano” or something to that effect. I ordered Pinagat Pasta (P95), Bicol Express (P35), and Bottomless Iced Tea (P40). Entrance of Smalltalk CafeThe Pinangat Pasta was really good! I loved the unique and distinct flavor of the pinangat deliciously adapted into the creamy white sauce pasta.At first, I did not recognize the Bicol Express, it looked so differently to the bicol express usually served at (and mimicked by) random eateries in Iloilo. Smalltalk’s bicol express was brown, had a drier consistency, and was more spicy. It was great having to taste the more authentic servings of this cherished Bikolano dish. Pinangat Pasta at Smalltalk Cafe Bicol Express at Smalltalk CafeMy first view of the Mayon Volcano was from the Penaranda Park. I was of course ecstatic to finally see Mayon with my own eyes but I still haven’t captured an iconic shot of it. There were already too many clouds surrounding the summit / crater around noontime so I was hoping to, at least, get a more dramatic photo of it during sunset.Get to know if I did get a decent photo of Mayon during the next installment…Don’t leave yet. There’s more!Legazpi City Seawall at Sunrise: Mayon Madness Take 4Daraga Church, Albay DIY Sidetrip - Mayon Madness Take 2Ligñon Hill View Deck: Mayon Madness Take 5Embarcadero Lighthouse Viewdeck: Mayon Madness Take 1Sorsogon to Legazpi City: Return Flight to ManilaOne Week in Bicol - Solo Backpacking & DIY TipsComments Dex saysMay 2, 2011 at 1:50 amFantastic photos and great article, Marc! Congrats! And Dios Mabalos too! :) chymera00 saysMay 5, 2011 at 1:49 amThanks Dex :D lakwatsera de primera saysMay 2, 2011 at 6:01 amI have a feeling the next instalment will be somewhere near a bell tower :) chymera00 saysMay 5, 2011 at 1:46 amYes, yes … hehe. Earl (Suroy Pilipinas) saysMay 2, 2011 at 10:00 amGreat! I have a booked CebuPac Piso Fare flight to Legazpi next year. This series will serve as my guide. Fantastic photos as usual! chymera00 saysMay 5, 2011 at 1:45 amThanks Earl. I’ve got a few more posts coming out :) kim and mj saysMay 3, 2011 at 6:59 pmGreat photos and a really helpful article. Like Earl of Suroy Pilipinas, we have booked Legaspi for September too and will look this up again nearing our travel. Thank you for sharing! chymera00 saysMay 5, 2011 at 1:44 amThanks Kim and MJ. Have fun on your trip! kim and mj saysMay 3, 2011 at 7:10 pmWait, may I ask how was your room at the Sampaguita inn? trying to flesh out the itinerary now and the price really jumps at me, but for something that dirt cheap (No pun intended:-D), can you expect it to be clean or that’s something that couldn’t be an option. chymera00 saysMay 5, 2011 at 1:43 amIt was acceptably clean. It as cheap because it was a fan room with communal bathrooms. cabilao saysMay 3, 2011 at 10:49 pmgreat pictures, didnt know Legazpi has so much to show.. chymera00 saysMay 5, 2011 at 1:35 amThanks Cabilao. Legazpi is one of the most picturesque cities I’ve visited in the Philippines. pinoy boy journals saysMay 8, 2011 at 2:48 pmthis post came in just the perfect time, marcos! i am planning a legaspi-sorsogon trip next month if weather permits. will take note of your recommended accommodations and must-see places! chymera00 saysMay 8, 2011 at 5:11 pmNice naman. I’ll try to post my full itinerary in Bicol also. I hope I can finish it before your trip, medyo nalito na kase ako sa daming trips ko since last year hindi ko pa na blog most of it. Enjoy your trip na lang :D ainsley ancajas saysDecember 2, 2012 at 7:04 pmwow!i didnt expect that legaspi has many places and traditions to be very proud of Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Dex saysMay 2, 2011 at 1:50 amFantastic photos and great article, Marc! Congrats! And Dios Mabalos too! :)
lakwatsera de primera saysMay 2, 2011 at 6:01 amI have a feeling the next instalment will be somewhere near a bell tower :)
Earl (Suroy Pilipinas) saysMay 2, 2011 at 10:00 amGreat! I have a booked CebuPac Piso Fare flight to Legazpi next year. This series will serve as my guide. Fantastic photos as usual!
kim and mj saysMay 3, 2011 at 6:59 pmGreat photos and a really helpful article. Like Earl of Suroy Pilipinas, we have booked Legaspi for September too and will look this up again nearing our travel. Thank you for sharing!
kim and mj saysMay 3, 2011 at 7:10 pmWait, may I ask how was your room at the Sampaguita inn? trying to flesh out the itinerary now and the price really jumps at me, but for something that dirt cheap (No pun intended:-D), can you expect it to be clean or that’s something that couldn’t be an option.
chymera00 saysMay 5, 2011 at 1:43 amIt was acceptably clean. It as cheap because it was a fan room with communal bathrooms.
chymera00 saysMay 5, 2011 at 1:35 amThanks Cabilao. Legazpi is one of the most picturesque cities I’ve visited in the Philippines.
pinoy boy journals saysMay 8, 2011 at 2:48 pmthis post came in just the perfect time, marcos! i am planning a legaspi-sorsogon trip next month if weather permits. will take note of your recommended accommodations and must-see places!
chymera00 saysMay 8, 2011 at 5:11 pmNice naman. I’ll try to post my full itinerary in Bicol also. I hope I can finish it before your trip, medyo nalito na kase ako sa daming trips ko since last year hindi ko pa na blog most of it. Enjoy your trip na lang :D
ainsley ancajas saysDecember 2, 2012 at 7:04 pmwow!i didnt expect that legaspi has many places and traditions to be very proud of