Perfection that is Mayon Volcano

This trip is a milestone for me.
My year-end travel plus.. plus..
I accomplished my Priority1 (P1) travel bucket list. Yahooo!

I should have been in Legazpi in 2009 while it was starting to spew volcanic ashes but my parents just won't let me travel alone.
You see, I was the only one left as my friends backed out for some reasons.

Fast forward to 2012 & I'm traveling with the coolest couple on earth - J&C.

They are the coolest as they will just let me book & plan the whole thing with no questions asked.
We travel together every year.
They probably trust my planning & budgeting skills. :p

Mt. Mayon is perfect.
I need not say more. :)
Her beauty and extent is just so amazing!

MAYON VOLCANO

In this world, there only exists 2 volcanoes with perfect cone:
- Mt. Mayon (Philippines)
- Mt. Fuji (Japan)

My friend J is the one having a hard time getting over Mayon.
He's always on the look out for it even while traveling to CamSur. :D

When flying from Cebu, be sure to be seated by the left window.

Love at first sight. ♥

We just landed!

Photo by Chemai

There are trikes at the airport compound that will take you to the city center.
Fare: 50/trike
Capacity: 4-5

I haven't slept the night before so I took a power nap right after arriving at the hotel.
No. It wasn't caused by excitement.
I was actually cramming with housework & preparing some photos to be delivered.

AROUND LEGAZPI CITY
Legazpi City implements a No Smoking policy.

LEGAZPI CITY HALL

Christmas Tree

made of Pili plant

ALBAY PROVINCIAL CAPITOL

LEGAZPI CATHEDRAL

LIGÑON HILL PARK
8AM to 11PM Daily
5AM to 9AM Regular Joggers (free of charge)

Getting there:
1. Legazpi-Daraga Loop1 jeepney will drop you off at the foot of Lignon hill.
Fare: Php 8

2. Walk if you can but it's better to take a motorcycle to the park.
       Park Environmental fee rates:

Php 10 - Educational Tour rates
Php 20 - Non-Albay residents & Foreign visitors

Climbing is quite challenging because of the hill's elevation.

Photo by Lignon Hill Zipline

We did zipline after sunset as part of the promo we availed at the park's entrance.
You'll enjoy the city lights & cool breeze when night comes.


ATV RIDE TO THE LAVA WALL
Lava wall was from what flowed from Mayon after the 2009 eruption.
Environmental fee : Php 50.

ATV with Ligñon zipline = Php 1,800.00
There's a briefing & signing of waiver before the activity starts.

I am sure you'll enjoy the all-terrain adventure.
This is the best I had so far.
Those I had in Boracay were too short & not challenging. hahah!

Mayon ATV by Your Brother

 
You'll pass steep dirt road, river, vegetation, & rocky areas.
Wooohooo! I was grinning from ear to ear.
There's even this little boy who'll shake hands with everyone riding the ATV.
So cute!

Photo by Chemai

Before reaching the lava wall, you need to pay the environmental fee.
Park your ATV there and walk your way to the lava wall.
You'll be accompanied with a guide.

Photo by Chemai

There's a helipad at the top.
They also do have a zipline in case you don't feel like walking to your ATV anymore.

Photo by Chemai

We lose track of time staring at Mayon Volcano's beauty.


For more information: 
YOUR BROTHER TRAVEL AND TOURS
http://mayonatvtour.com/ 
Rizal Street Old Albay , 4500 Legazpi, Legaspi, Philippines
+639054557594
+639159386451


CAGSAWA RUINS
The remains of  an 18th century Franciscan church built in 1724 & destroyed by the 1814 Mayon Volcano eruption.

CAGSAWA RUINS

Cagsawa is approximately eight kilometers away from the Legazpi central business district.
Entrance fee: Php 10

Getting there:

1. Take a jeepney (preferably the ones going to the third district (Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Libon, Polangui, Oas) and ask the driver to drop you off at the junction of the highway and the road going to Cagsawa in Barangay Busay, Daraga. 

Look for the large Cagsawa signage at the right side of the road. (Source: wowlegazpi.com)

Fare: Php 15

2. From the junction, take a trike ride.
Fare: 25/trike

I also joined other CL alumni for a sunset shoot.
We're one big family scattered in different parts of the Philippines.



OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Climb Mt Mayon
Stroll the boulevard
Embarcadero


WHERE TO STAY:
If you're like us, backpackers & on a tight budget, we stayed at:

TWILIGHT ZONE HOTEL
Rizal St., Legazpi
(052) 480-9374 | (0921) 615-3224
twilighzonehotel@yahoo.com

Standard room : Php 1,150
Extra person :  Php 100
Extra bed : Php 200

 Other Accommodations:
http://wowlegazpi.com/category/accommodation/hotels/



GOING TO LEGAZPI CITY:

From Manila, you can either take a bus or plane.
From Cebu, Cebu Pacific flies Tues, Thur, & Sat.

For more information, visit http://wowlegazpi.com/

---------------
BICOL TRIP:
Perfection that is Mayon (you're here) 
Food: Smalltalk Cafe
Food: 1st Colonial Grill
Surviving Caramoan: Short Tour  
Surviving Caramoan: Long Tour
Gota Village Resort 
Caramoan mini travel guide 
Wakeboarding? It must be in CWC!

CamSur Watersports Complex