Touching down at Bicol International Airport, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the iconic Mt. Mayon from the plane window—but instead, we were greeted by heavy rains and a delayed flight. Thick clouds covered the skies, and the volcano’s perfect cone was nowhere in sight. A bit disappointing, but such is the unpredictable charm of travel.
After landing, we headed straight to our accommodation, Hotel Sentro, a conveniently located hotel in the heart of Legazpi, close to everything. With the rain still pouring, we chose to stay nearby for dinner.
We made our way to the well-known 1st Colonial Grill, famous for authentic Bicolano dishes and its must-try sili (chili) ice cream. Unfortunately, many of the dishes we had hoped to try were already sold out—they closed earlier than expected, which seems to be typical in the province. But the highlight? I got to try the legendary sili ice cream and boldly chose the Volcano level—the spiciest one. It was fiery, intense, and surprisingly good. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but an experience worth trying!
We headed back to the hotel afterward to rest up for the next day’s adventures.
🌧️ Day Two: Heritage Sites, Pili Nuts, and More Sili Ice Cream
The next morning, our rental car was delivered to us right on schedule—super convenient for exploring the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, the gloomy weather continued to follow us.
Still, we made the most of it. First stop: the historic Daraga Church, where we snapped some photos under light drizzle and took in the charm of the old structure. We then grabbed some pili nut treats, perfect for souvenirs or a road trip snack.
We continued to Camalig, known for its preserved ancestral homes and old-town ambiance. Despite the gray skies, the streets had a quiet charm that made the visit worthwhile.
For lunch, we stopped by Lola’s Bistro—and wow, what a treat. The local dishes were absolutely delicious, hearty, and full of flavor. It felt like home-cooked comfort food done right.
In the afternoon, we indulged again in sili ice cream, because once just isn’t enough. This time I tried Level 2, and yes, it was milder. The color was lighter too, and the spice had a different character—still Bicol, still fun, just easier on the tongue.
We ended the day back at the hotel to relax and prepare for our big adventure the following morning.
🛻 Day Three: Off-Road Adventure to Mt. Mayon
The next morning, we were all set for the highlight of the trip: an ATV ride to Mt. Mayon. Sadly, the weather still wasn’t cooperating—the skies were overcast, and the volcano continued to hide behind the clouds. But that didn’t stop us.
At the ATV base, we were briefed on safety rules and given a short practice session. We opted for the Green Lava Trail, which promised a good mix of natural scenery and rugged terrain. True to its reputation, the trail took us through forests, rocky paths, and river crossings—pure adventure!
Halfway through the ride, one of our ATVs broke down, causing a bit of a delay. It had to be replaced, which threw off our schedule and meant we had to queue up later at the photo spot. Still, we stayed in good spirits, and the ride was full of fun and laughs.
When we finally arrived at the viewpoint, Mayon remained elusive behind a veil of clouds. No clear view of the perfect cone, but we still managed to capture some great memories. The cool breeze, the raw terrain, and the thrill of the ride made it all worth it.
After an exhilarating ATV ride, we made our way to The Farm Plate, a charming countryside destination that hosts the smallest chapel in the Philippines and Bicol’s first pet cemetery. Although Mount Mayon was partially hidden behind clouds during our visit, the atmosphere was serene, and the quaint attractions made the stop worthwhile.
From there, we drove to Sorsogon, grabbed dinner at a local mall, and took a short evening detour to see their Colosseum 🏛️—a modern structure inspired by the grandeur of Rome.
🏝️ Island Hopping in Sorsogon 🌊
The next day began with a scenic drive to the port. The landscape was so stunning, we couldn’t resist pulling over to snap a few photos. Once at the port, our island-hopping adventure began.
Our first stop was the Lagoon Marine and Fish Sanctuary 🐠, where we saw a variety of fish and swam in a designated area where feeding was allowed. Just a note: sunblock is prohibited in the sanctuary, so if you’ve already applied some, you’ll be asked to rinse off before swimming.
Unfortunately, rough waves made it unsafe to enter the nearby cave 🕳️, so we admired it from a distance—its beauty still visible and impressive.
Next was the highlight of our day: Pink Beach 🏖️. We brought along fresh ingredients and grilled our lunch by the shore. The soft sand, the clear waves, and the gentle sea breeze made it a perfect place to unwind. We spent a good amount of time swimming, eating, and soaking in the idyllic island life.
On the way back, we visited the Barcelona Ruins 🏚️, read about its history, and crossed to the nearby cathedral ⛪ for more photos and insights.
The day ended in true local fashion with street food at the night market 🌃—balut, Indian mango, and lively music from a local band surrounded by eateries made for a festive night.
🚗 Return to Albay for Mount Mayon 🌄
Since the forecast promised clear skies, we decided to return to Albay the next day in hopes of finally seeing Mount Mayon’s perfect cone. We rented a car for the trip, making it an easy and flexible ride.
By 5:40 AM, Mount Mayon revealed itself in its full, majestic glory. Our first stop was Cagsawa Ruins 🧱, where the early morning light and clear view of the volcano created a postcard-perfect scene.
As more tourists began to arrive, we moved to Camalig’s bypass road 🚙 to view the cone from another angle. It was equally stunning—so beautiful, in fact, that no camera could do it justice. Still in awe, we ventured on to Quituinan Hills 🌾 for yet another breathtaking vantage point of Mayon.
🎁 Farewell to Bicol with a Full Heart 💖
After brunch, we returned to Sorsogon and had an early dinner at the night market one last time. The next morning, we checked out of our Airbnb and made one final visit—Daraga Church ⛪, which offers a unique view of Mayon framed by centuries-old architecture.
We had lunch at SM Legazpi 🍽️, dining once again at 1st Colonial Grill, where we tried their famous sili ice cream and other local dishes. After dropping off the rental car, we spent our last few hours shopping for souvenirs 🛍️.
As we waited at the airport for our flight ✈️, we saw Mount Mayon once more from the departure area. It was the perfect ending to a journey filled with wonder, food, history, and the unforgettable sight of Bicol’s iconic perfect cone. 🌋
charventurous 