Memories of Bicol
The recent eruption of Mayon Volcano in Bicol is all over the news and social networking sites. Hoping that it will not cause much destruction and no one will be harmed.
I was 10 years old when I was able to visit Bicol and it was in Naga city. A very short visit and I do not have any photos of it as taking photos that time was not a common trend. I was not able to see the famous perfect cone Mayon Volcano that time cause it is still far from Naga city where we stayed/visited.
The second time that I was able to visit Bicol was 10 years ago. It was in 2008 and definitely a memorable experience.
The photo of Mayon Volcano above was taken using my mobile phone which I was glad I already have a camera phone that time and was able to took some photos.
I went to Ligao city in Albay with my two friends and it was for a wedding of my friend's cousin. She was the maid of honor and she made me a bride's maid. That was really unusual as I do not even know the bride or the groom. My friend was a major sponsor of the said wedding and so, her decision of making me one of the bride's maids was totally fine with all of them.
We traveled to Bicol at night by bus after our office work as we work in the same company. When we arrived at Ligao main road, a tricycle of their relative picked us as it was just by motorcycle or tricycle that you will be able to reach their relative's place.
Lots of coconut trees and rice fields along the way. Most of all, we already have the view of the beautiful Mayon Volcano in that part of Bicol. When we reached their house, all were already busy for the wedding. Foods were being cooked and we need to dress for the occasion. They were welcoming and we immediately felt at home. After the wedding and the reception, we went out in the neighborhood to look around and play at the perya (town fair) at night.
There was a perya because the next day was the town fiesta. So there were lots of foods until the next day and, we went to several houses (my friend's relatives) to greet and eat. Someone also gave us fresh coconut drinks on the spot, saw how he easily climbed a coconut tree and harvested some of the coconuts.
On the third day, since it was our last day in there, I and my other friend (not the one who have relatives in Bicol) decided to go to the Cagsawa Church ruins near the Mayon Volcano since we were already near there. At first the mother of our friend do not like the idea cause she was worried about us but since we were old enough and she saw that we were already decided, she gave us a go. But she did not allow our friend (her daughter) to come with us and it was just fine to us.
We rode a bus to reach Albay. When we got out of the bus, there were habal-habal (motorcycles) along the road and they were offering tourists a tour. They already have targeted places and so, we decided to have the tour they offer cause we do not have much time to spare. We need to go back to Ligao in the afternoon before 5PM that day.
First destination for the tour was the Hoyop-hoyopan cave which is also considered as a historical cave. When we reached there, we paid for a tour guide for the two of us cause it was required. The tour guide said that the cave was used as a refugee camp during the war as well as a hospital and a hide out.
Hoyop-hoyopan means “blow of the wind" in Bicolano term/dialect. After visiting the cave, we went to Cagsawa church ruins which is one of the famous tourist destinations in Bicol. You can only see the bell tower part of the church as most part of it was already covered due to the past Mayon Volcano eruptions.
The Mayon Volcano should be in the background of the photo above or at least can be seen even some part of it. But that day was cloudy so the clouds covered the Mayon Volcano. Good thing that I was able to took that single photo (first photo in this post) of Mayon Volcano while we were riding in a motorcycle.
Then we visited the Albay Park and Wildlife. We even managed to rent and rode a bike there in order to tour around the park easily. It was fun although it was sunny and hot which gave us sunburns.
We were not able to visit the other tourist spots in Albay cause we do not have much time to do so. But still, it was a well spent day and looking forward to see the Mayon Volcano again in its lovely state.