Old Church of St. Joseph, Barcelona, Sorsogon
23 May 2009
From Rizal Beach in Gubat town and on the way to Bulusan Lake, you would pass by a handsome old stone church facing the sea in a town named after a famous city of Spain
Photos of St. Joseph Church, Barcelona, Sorsogon:
old facade of the church, too bad the new image in front of the church obstructs the view of the facade and limits the angle you can take pictures from
the inside of the church was unlit and quite typical of most old stone churches
A marker indicating the year 1874 probably states the year the structure was completed
This old church is a recommended in your itinerary in case you want to do a Sorsogon Visita Iglesia on Holy Week.
How to get there:
Commuting to Barcelona involves a jeepney ride from Gubat, Sorsogon. Visit the post on Gubat or Sorsogon City for details on commuting to Barcelona or driving directions.
No information yet on St. Joseph Parish contact number and mass schedules
Related Posts:
Rizal Beach Resort
How to get to Donsol, Sorsogon
Photos of St. Joseph Church, Barcelona, Sorsogon:
old facade of the church, too bad the new image in front of the church obstructs the view of the facade and limits the angle you can take pictures from
the inside of the church was unlit and quite typical of most old stone churches
A marker indicating the year 1874 probably states the year the structure was completed
This old church is a recommended in your itinerary in case you want to do a Sorsogon Visita Iglesia on Holy Week.
How to get there:
Commuting to Barcelona involves a jeepney ride from Gubat, Sorsogon. Visit the post on Gubat or Sorsogon City for details on commuting to Barcelona or driving directions.
No information yet on St. Joseph Parish contact number and mass schedules
Related Posts:
Rizal Beach Resort
How to get to Donsol, Sorsogon
Labels: Bicol, Churches, Sorsogon, Visita Iglesia
posted by GingGoy @ 9:15 PM,
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Veramaris Resort, Rizal Gubat Sorsogon
13 May 2009
After about 3.5 hours commuting from Legazpi Airport with a a van, jeepney and two tricycle rides, Tutubi was able to reach his home for the night, Veramaris Resort, booked by his contact in Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative (GSAC) that was his host for his stay in Gubat town.
Photos of Veramaris Resort, Rizal beach, Gubat, Sorsogon:
Veramaris Resort facade
the function hall/restaurant
Tutubi's room for the night
Veramaris Resort cottages and beach front
Review of Veramaris Resort:
Facilities: the place evidently need a paint job and renovation and furnitures that need replacement. Resort is generally clean though and the cottages are ok.
Food: the restaurant serves only a limited food on the menu and service and food were aweful, at an expensive price similar to Manila's prices. The other places to eat are too far from town mostly in Sorsogon City (Sidney suggested Casa Dominga restaurant but too far). Reason why Tutubi went straight to Legazpi Airport Hotel the next day to sample usual good food he knew exists there.
Rooms: during the time, Tutubi and his usual "tour" companion were the only ones billeted at the resort. The room has large windows with heavy sliding covers (probably for security), bed needed changing of mattress for more comfort. The shower head needs to be replaced as well.
Price: Too expensive for the facility and service. If it were priced at Ph1000.00 a night, Tutubi wouldn't call it expensive but the actual room rate was more than double the amount.
Overall Rating: Not Recommended; you'll just waste your time and money. (He didn't even try to get the resort's contact number for reservations and inquiries)
Due to not-so-good reviews about nearby Rizal Beach Resort, he opted to stay at Veramaris Resort only to find out he got a worse deal than the former due to absence of alternative places to stay in Gubat.
Rizal beach, however, has fine gray sand with waves for newbie surfing and skimboarding. The windy beach can also be tapped for windsurfing, kiteboarding/kitesurfing if only locals can discover the potential.
How to get to Rizal Beach, Gubat, Sorsogon:
There are direct buses going to Gubat from Cubao Araneta Terminal. From Legazpi, you can take vans going to Sorsogon City (fare: PhP60.00 travel time 1.5 hours) followed by a jeepney ride to Gubat via Casiguran (fare: PhP18.00). In Gubat, you can hire a tricycyle for PhP50.00 (special trip) or board a jeepney going to Bulusan that pass by the Rizal beach. There are many cheap "beach resorts" on Rizal beach for family outings or daytrips but, again, only for adventurous souls.
Photos of Veramaris Resort, Rizal beach, Gubat, Sorsogon:
Veramaris Resort facade
the function hall/restaurant
Tutubi's room for the night
Veramaris Resort cottages and beach front
Review of Veramaris Resort:
Facilities: the place evidently need a paint job and renovation and furnitures that need replacement. Resort is generally clean though and the cottages are ok.
Food: the restaurant serves only a limited food on the menu and service and food were aweful, at an expensive price similar to Manila's prices. The other places to eat are too far from town mostly in Sorsogon City (Sidney suggested Casa Dominga restaurant but too far). Reason why Tutubi went straight to Legazpi Airport Hotel the next day to sample usual good food he knew exists there.
Rooms: during the time, Tutubi and his usual "tour" companion were the only ones billeted at the resort. The room has large windows with heavy sliding covers (probably for security), bed needed changing of mattress for more comfort. The shower head needs to be replaced as well.
Price: Too expensive for the facility and service. If it were priced at Ph1000.00 a night, Tutubi wouldn't call it expensive but the actual room rate was more than double the amount.
Overall Rating: Not Recommended; you'll just waste your time and money. (He didn't even try to get the resort's contact number for reservations and inquiries)
Due to not-so-good reviews about nearby Rizal Beach Resort, he opted to stay at Veramaris Resort only to find out he got a worse deal than the former due to absence of alternative places to stay in Gubat.
Rizal beach, however, has fine gray sand with waves for newbie surfing and skimboarding. The windy beach can also be tapped for windsurfing, kiteboarding/kitesurfing if only locals can discover the potential.
How to get to Rizal Beach, Gubat, Sorsogon:
There are direct buses going to Gubat from Cubao Araneta Terminal. From Legazpi, you can take vans going to Sorsogon City (fare: PhP60.00 travel time 1.5 hours) followed by a jeepney ride to Gubat via Casiguran (fare: PhP18.00). In Gubat, you can hire a tricycyle for PhP50.00 (special trip) or board a jeepney going to Bulusan that pass by the Rizal beach. There are many cheap "beach resorts" on Rizal beach for family outings or daytrips but, again, only for adventurous souls.
Labels: Bicol, Hotels and Resorts, Resorts, Sorsogon
posted by GingGoy @ 11:13 PM,
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The NPA in Gubat, Sorsogon?
09 May 2009
Two days before Tutubi went to Sorsogon, news on TV bannered a story about an encounter with the NPA in the town of Gubat, Sorsogon that worried his friends who knew where he's going next.
But the ever undaunted Tutubi, actually aware, was not afraid for he knew that the trouble really lies in the remote barrio of the town whose name means jungle in the vernacular.
Photos of Gubat, Sorsogon taken inside a van (that's why there's a bluish color cast)
When he got to Gubat, he immediately noticed the presence of large banners welcoming Jejomar Binay, the present mayor of Makati City now eyeing the country's most powerful seat, with a speaking engagement at Rizal Beach Resort.
the public market of Gubat, Sorsogon: no sign of the NPA in this "dreaded town"
tricycles are mostly overloaded like this funny one with a passenger that seemed to be drunk, dead or just keeping his face from the hot summer sun
The newly-installed ATM at the building o\f Gubat St. Anthony Credit Cooperative (the nearest other ATMs are 19 kilometers away in Sorsogon City)
Gubat is actually a peaceful and progressive town in Gubat Bay with rizal beach becoming a haven of newbie surfing and skimboarding. There are various beach resorts in Gubat including Rizal beach Resort and Vermaris Resort.
Note: Media really needs to avoid sensationalism in breaking the news, the network gets the attention but the community is really badly affected as well as the entire country. No matter how beautiful the country is, misinformed tourists won't come and visit the place.
You want a second opinion about Sorsogon and the friendly NPAs of Bicol as well as safety and security of foreigners and toursits there? Ask Sidney, the Belgian owner of My Sari-Sari Store who calls Sorsogon his second home and actually stayed there for twenty long years with no problems with the NPA.
But the ever undaunted Tutubi, actually aware, was not afraid for he knew that the trouble really lies in the remote barrio of the town whose name means jungle in the vernacular.
Photos of Gubat, Sorsogon taken inside a van (that's why there's a bluish color cast)
When he got to Gubat, he immediately noticed the presence of large banners welcoming Jejomar Binay, the present mayor of Makati City now eyeing the country's most powerful seat, with a speaking engagement at Rizal Beach Resort.
the public market of Gubat, Sorsogon: no sign of the NPA in this "dreaded town"
tricycles are mostly overloaded like this funny one with a passenger that seemed to be drunk, dead or just keeping his face from the hot summer sun
The newly-installed ATM at the building o\f Gubat St. Anthony Credit Cooperative (the nearest other ATMs are 19 kilometers away in Sorsogon City)Gubat is actually a peaceful and progressive town in Gubat Bay with rizal beach becoming a haven of newbie surfing and skimboarding. There are various beach resorts in Gubat including Rizal beach Resort and Vermaris Resort.
Note: Media really needs to avoid sensationalism in breaking the news, the network gets the attention but the community is really badly affected as well as the entire country. No matter how beautiful the country is, misinformed tourists won't come and visit the place.
You want a second opinion about Sorsogon and the friendly NPAs of Bicol as well as safety and security of foreigners and toursits there? Ask Sidney, the Belgian owner of My Sari-Sari Store who calls Sorsogon his second home and actually stayed there for twenty long years with no problems with the NPA.
posted by GingGoy @ 9:26 PM,
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Bicol: Sorsogon City Gubat, Barcelona, Bulusan, Irosin Tour
03 May 2009
Straight from Legazpi Airport, Tutubi boarded a tricycle that took him to the van and bus terminal where he rode a van to Sorsogon City.
From there and in a span of just a few hours, he was able to visit interesting places in the province of Sorsogon including the newbie surfing and skimboarding mecca of Rizal beach in Gubat, an old church in Barcelona, the picturesque Bulusan Lake capped with a stopover for Bicolano cuisine in Irosin
The van and bus terminal in Legazpi offers a great view of Mayon Volcano
The trip from Legazpi to Sorsogon City lasting more than an hour, and passed by the town of Castilla and winding roads cut through forested areas and green ricefields.
The Sorsogon City welcome arch (taken sometime in 2005)
In Sorsogon City, the jeepney terminal used by Gubat-bound jeepneys is near Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, where Tutubi decided to check out when he saw an old jeepney waiting for passengers that he didn't want to ride in.
Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Sorsogon City undergoing facelift
the jeepney plying the Sorsogon to Gubat via Casiguran route. Tutubi didn't ride this jeep for fear of his life :P
This series will take you on a short virtual tour of Sorsogon:
To be continued...
How to get to Sorsogon:
Commuting to Sorsogon is easy for budget travelers who can live with taking a 12 hour bus ride to Sorsogon (Donsol, Pilar, Gubat, Matnog) offered by several bus lines in Manila.
For those trying to save time and a sore butt, you can book a flight toLegazpi Airport, hire a tricycle to the van/bus terminal then take a van/bus to Sorsogon City which will be the jump-off point of later explorations.
Fares and travel times:
Legazpi Airport to Bus terminal: PhP50.00 (travel time about 10 minutes)
Legazpi Van Terminal to Sorsogon City: PhP60.00 (1.5 hours duration)
Sorsogon City to Gubat, Sorsogon: PhP18.00 (45 minutes + ample waiting time)
From there and in a span of just a few hours, he was able to visit interesting places in the province of Sorsogon including the newbie surfing and skimboarding mecca of Rizal beach in Gubat, an old church in Barcelona, the picturesque Bulusan Lake capped with a stopover for Bicolano cuisine in Irosin
The van and bus terminal in Legazpi offers a great view of Mayon Volcano The trip from Legazpi to Sorsogon City lasting more than an hour, and passed by the town of Castilla and winding roads cut through forested areas and green ricefields.
The Sorsogon City welcome arch (taken sometime in 2005)In Sorsogon City, the jeepney terminal used by Gubat-bound jeepneys is near Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, where Tutubi decided to check out when he saw an old jeepney waiting for passengers that he didn't want to ride in.
Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Sorsogon City undergoing facelift
the jeepney plying the Sorsogon to Gubat via Casiguran route. Tutubi didn't ride this jeep for fear of his life :PThis series will take you on a short virtual tour of Sorsogon:
To be continued...
How to get to Sorsogon:
Commuting to Sorsogon is easy for budget travelers who can live with taking a 12 hour bus ride to Sorsogon (Donsol, Pilar, Gubat, Matnog) offered by several bus lines in Manila.
For those trying to save time and a sore butt, you can book a flight toLegazpi Airport, hire a tricycle to the van/bus terminal then take a van/bus to Sorsogon City which will be the jump-off point of later explorations.
Fares and travel times:
Legazpi Airport to Bus terminal: PhP50.00 (travel time about 10 minutes)
Legazpi Van Terminal to Sorsogon City: PhP60.00 (1.5 hours duration)
Sorsogon City to Gubat, Sorsogon: PhP18.00 (45 minutes + ample waiting time)
posted by GingGoy @ 11:43 PM,
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The Legend of Mayon Volcano and Magayon Festival of Legazpi City
22 April 2009
Mayon volcano, the pride of Bicolanos, with it's almost perfect cone shape is really magnificent when seen on clear, cloudless days with the crater visible. It's usually early mornings when you can see her "naked." There's also an "advisory" to first time travelers to Legazpi City that first-timers to Bicol won't be able to catch sight of the Daragang Magayon that has spawned various legends and epics.
a Cebu Pacific aircraft unloading passengers at Legaspi Airport. On the background's the almost perfect cone of Mayon Volcano and part of Lignon Hill
The Legend of Daragang Magayon:
Legend of Mayon Volcano tells about a beautiful young lady named Magayon who's beauty was so famous she was wooed by rich and powerful people.
Magayon, with all her suitors, however, fell in love with a warrior named Handiong, who came from an enemy tribe of Magayon's.
When their families learned of their love for each other, they tried to separate them and fought a bitter, bloody tribal war.
To end the conflict, the lovers just decided to commit suicide together rather than separating but were buried separately by their respective tribes.
As time passed, a volcano with a perfect cone emerged out of the place where Magayon was buried that locals called it Daragang Magayon (means beautiful lady in Bicolano)
To highlight the beautiful volcano, the Magayon festival is celebrated all month of April in Legazpi City. Tutubi was there on the last day of March and he doesn't have information on Magayon Festival schedule of activities.
How to catch a magnificent view of Mayon Volcano:
Mayon Volcano, if you want to see it's full beauty, is usually not covered by clouds early in the morning (usually but not always, so don't take Tutubi's word on this) so be there early in the morning as in around daybreak up to around 7am (and also to catch the "golden lighting" perfect for landscape photos)
Book an early morning flight to Legazpi City through PAL, Cebu Pacific or ZestAir and request to be seated on the left window side (the A column). Avoid the middle rows so as not to be obstructed by the airplane wing. You can do this by checking it early or booking online with Cebu Pacific using the seat selector feature for a small fee (Cebu Pacific Sure seats will be given away if you failed to check in 45 minutes before ETD). Tutubi always try to book seat 2A up to 8A so as to be one of the first to deplane also.
Flight time to Legaspi from Manila is just about 45 minutes so don't sleep or you'll miss it. Be ready with your binoculars or cameras, snap a picture in haste just before the fasten your seatbelt sign is switched on indicating you need to switch off all electronic devices, including your camera, in preparation for landing.
See this picture of Mayon Volcano taken in 2005 on a Philippine Airlines shortly before landing...
Mt. Mayon is green during the rainy season
Mayon volcano crater tip up close using digital zoom (Canon Ixus 30)
Isn't Mayon volcano really Magayon? It's more beautiful than the snow-capped Mt. Fuji of Japan, the most photographed mountain on earth. Don't wish for Mayon to have snow though for the drastic change in weather would be disastrous in tropical Philippines.
tags: ang alamat ng mayon, legend of Mt. Mayon, alamat ng bulkang mayon
Related Post:
Legazpi Airport
a Cebu Pacific aircraft unloading passengers at Legaspi Airport. On the background's the almost perfect cone of Mayon Volcano and part of Lignon HillThe Legend of Daragang Magayon:
Legend of Mayon Volcano tells about a beautiful young lady named Magayon who's beauty was so famous she was wooed by rich and powerful people.
Magayon, with all her suitors, however, fell in love with a warrior named Handiong, who came from an enemy tribe of Magayon's.
When their families learned of their love for each other, they tried to separate them and fought a bitter, bloody tribal war.
To end the conflict, the lovers just decided to commit suicide together rather than separating but were buried separately by their respective tribes.
As time passed, a volcano with a perfect cone emerged out of the place where Magayon was buried that locals called it Daragang Magayon (means beautiful lady in Bicolano)
To highlight the beautiful volcano, the Magayon festival is celebrated all month of April in Legazpi City. Tutubi was there on the last day of March and he doesn't have information on Magayon Festival schedule of activities.
How to catch a magnificent view of Mayon Volcano:
Mayon Volcano, if you want to see it's full beauty, is usually not covered by clouds early in the morning (usually but not always, so don't take Tutubi's word on this) so be there early in the morning as in around daybreak up to around 7am (and also to catch the "golden lighting" perfect for landscape photos)
Book an early morning flight to Legazpi City through PAL, Cebu Pacific or ZestAir and request to be seated on the left window side (the A column). Avoid the middle rows so as not to be obstructed by the airplane wing. You can do this by checking it early or booking online with Cebu Pacific using the seat selector feature for a small fee (Cebu Pacific Sure seats will be given away if you failed to check in 45 minutes before ETD). Tutubi always try to book seat 2A up to 8A so as to be one of the first to deplane also.
Flight time to Legaspi from Manila is just about 45 minutes so don't sleep or you'll miss it. Be ready with your binoculars or cameras, snap a picture in haste just before the fasten your seatbelt sign is switched on indicating you need to switch off all electronic devices, including your camera, in preparation for landing.
See this picture of Mayon Volcano taken in 2005 on a Philippine Airlines shortly before landing...
Mt. Mayon is green during the rainy season
Mayon volcano crater tip up close using digital zoom (Canon Ixus 30)Isn't Mayon volcano really Magayon? It's more beautiful than the snow-capped Mt. Fuji of Japan, the most photographed mountain on earth. Don't wish for Mayon to have snow though for the drastic change in weather would be disastrous in tropical Philippines.
tags: ang alamat ng mayon, legend of Mt. Mayon, alamat ng bulkang mayon
Related Post:
Legazpi Airport
posted by GingGoy @ 9:34 PM,
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Bicol Cuisine ala Survivor Philippines
19 May 2008
Cooking the Bicolano food is not complete without the ubiquitous coconut and chili. During the Camarines tour, Tutubi and his friends were again introduced to authentic cuisine of the Bicol region using fresh catch from the sea bought from local fishermen.
Simple Bicol dishes are made from traditional recipes with the two earlier mentioned key ingredients: coconut milk and chili
Tutubi, took too long doing something that he wasn't able to take a photo of the coconut being pried open and grated the old-fashined way using a kudkuran (coconut grater). He was only able to capture the on "film" grated coconut being milked
traditional way of milking coconut done on a remote island. notice also kalabasa (squash) being cut into pieces
coconut milk put into a skillet then brought to a boil
the victim...err..main ingredient of lunch: a still alive crab with pincers tied together
coconut milk mixed with crabs, sliced squash, large green chili and other ingredients Tutubi wasn't able to keep tabs on due to his already growling stomach
not unique to Bicol but this adobong pusit (squid) is also tempting
Bicol's most famous dish, Bicol express, whose main flavoring ingredient is bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp), wasn't served that day but laing (taro leaves in coconut milk) was sampled as well as sinantol (grated wild mangosteen in coconut milk with smoked fish, different from Tutubi's favorite sinantol recipe from his hometown using bagoong alamang).
Thanks to Tutubi's friend from Daet who toured the group, and cooked food for them stranded souls on a remote island in a scene similar to the upcoming Survivor Philippines!
---
Other noteworthy Bicolano dishes include tinumok (taro leaves in coconut cream with chopped river shrimps and strips of young coconut), pinangat (taro leaves in coconut milk with chopped pork or smoked fish), and sinanglay (using roasted grated coconut, with dressing made from coco milk mixed in with vinegar for the blanched sliced puso ng saging (banana heart))
Simple Bicol dishes are made from traditional recipes with the two earlier mentioned key ingredients: coconut milk and chili
Tutubi, took too long doing something that he wasn't able to take a photo of the coconut being pried open and grated the old-fashined way using a kudkuran (coconut grater). He was only able to capture the on "film" grated coconut being milked
traditional way of milking coconut done on a remote island. notice also kalabasa (squash) being cut into pieces
coconut milk put into a skillet then brought to a boil
the victim...err..main ingredient of lunch: a still alive crab with pincers tied together
coconut milk mixed with crabs, sliced squash, large green chili and other ingredients Tutubi wasn't able to keep tabs on due to his already growling stomach
not unique to Bicol but this adobong pusit (squid) is also temptingBicol's most famous dish, Bicol express, whose main flavoring ingredient is bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp), wasn't served that day but laing (taro leaves in coconut milk) was sampled as well as sinantol (grated wild mangosteen in coconut milk with smoked fish, different from Tutubi's favorite sinantol recipe from his hometown using bagoong alamang).
Thanks to Tutubi's friend from Daet who toured the group, and cooked food for them stranded souls on a remote island in a scene similar to the upcoming Survivor Philippines!
---
Other noteworthy Bicolano dishes include tinumok (taro leaves in coconut cream with chopped river shrimps and strips of young coconut), pinangat (taro leaves in coconut milk with chopped pork or smoked fish), and sinanglay (using roasted grated coconut, with dressing made from coco milk mixed in with vinegar for the blanched sliced puso ng saging (banana heart))
Labels: Bicol, Bicol Cuisine, Camarines Norte, Filipino Food
posted by GingGoy @ 10:45 PM,
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Daet: the Gateway to the Bicol Region
04 May 2008
A mention of Daet to Tutubi will bring back memories of pancit bato and pineapples besides Bagasbas Beach and the first monument of Jose Rizal, remembrances of his first tour of Bicol region during Holy Week of 2003 that took him as far as Naga City (home of the Penafrancia), Legaspi City (Mayon Volcano and Cagsawa ruins) and Donsol (an unplanned trip to see the whale sharks).
This time, he returned to Daet, again guided by his close friend, a local from Camarines Norte's capital town, for a long-planned tour of the province, once slated last month, but pushed through recently, to accommodate Tutubi's friends who can't join on the earlier date.
Met up at Superlines bus terminal for the 930pm trip (the second of only trips to Daet, the first one is at 9pm), the trip was marred by a flat tire that made the duration of the commute to almost nine hours on the zigzag road (not Bitukang Manok) and arrived in Daet at seven in the morning.
The group had pancit bato and binamban (a cassava delicacy wrapped in leaves) then rested for a while before preparing for lunch and picnic at Club Noah located on the banks of Mampurog River in San Lorenzo Ruiz town, a tiring jeepney ride away on a pothole-filled road with mini-lakes created by the first rain of May.
pancit bato, and binamban plus pandesal for breakfast
the first monument erected in honor of Jose Rizal in 1898 (trivia: the one in Paete, Laguna is also one of the oldest having been erected in 1903)
After lunch and short dip at the cold water of Mampurog river, the group decided to go to Bagasbas Beach for pictures, "pseudo" surfing lessons, and beach bum then head for early snack of dinuguan, empanada at K Sarap Restaurant (nice place, low price).
picture of half-naked boys in front of Camarines Norte Provincial Capitol
This is just a teaser...will post pictures and stories including a hidden gem of Camarines Norte in the form of an unspoiled, virgin beach :P
---
Daet Travel Information:
Where to stay in Daet:
there are no resorts along Bagasbas Beach but hotels, inns and pension houses are available at the town center. Tutubi stayed at the best homestay accommodation there is in Daet: at his friend's house in Brgy. Camambugan, just a few meters away from Superlines bus terminal.
Places to see in Daet:
First Monument erected in honor of Jose Rizal
Bagasbas Beach, surfing for beginners
Daet Festivals:
Pinyahan Festival (or Pineapple Festival) celebrating Daet's sweet pineapples (formosa variety) and Bantayog Festival (province-wide) in honor of Jose Rizal in mid-March to mid-April.
How to get to Daet, Camarines Norte:
Flights to Daet: there is a small airport but can only accommodate small planes like SeAir with has direct flights from Manila. If you need to fly in a bigger plane, you need to book a flight to Naga City in Camarines Sur then take a jeepney or bus for a two hour trip to Daet. Naga is serviced by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines.
Commute: Buses to Daet are available on EDSA Cubao, Quezon City with Philtranco (fare: P650 one way for their deluxe/GS/Gold Service bus with toilet (recommended: CR, comfortable, reclining seats, more legroom, coaster)), Superlines (fare: PhP550 air-conditioned but slow, with stopover in Atimonan, Quezon), and Amihan (fare: P500 air-con). Travel time took almost 8 hours for Superlines going there while the return trip to Cubao via Superlines took only 7 hours)
Driving directions: from Makati, head to SLEX and exit at Batangas follow Maharlika highway going to Lucena City. Look for any bus heading to Daet on the highway where you'll also pass by these towns: Pagbilao, Atimonan, Plaridel, Gumaca, Lopez, Calauag, Tagkawayan, Sta. Elena, Talisay, Labo, then finally Daet.
This time, he returned to Daet, again guided by his close friend, a local from Camarines Norte's capital town, for a long-planned tour of the province, once slated last month, but pushed through recently, to accommodate Tutubi's friends who can't join on the earlier date.
Met up at Superlines bus terminal for the 930pm trip (the second of only trips to Daet, the first one is at 9pm), the trip was marred by a flat tire that made the duration of the commute to almost nine hours on the zigzag road (not Bitukang Manok) and arrived in Daet at seven in the morning.
The group had pancit bato and binamban (a cassava delicacy wrapped in leaves) then rested for a while before preparing for lunch and picnic at Club Noah located on the banks of Mampurog River in San Lorenzo Ruiz town, a tiring jeepney ride away on a pothole-filled road with mini-lakes created by the first rain of May.
pancit bato, and binamban plus pandesal for breakfast
the first monument erected in honor of Jose Rizal in 1898 (trivia: the one in Paete, Laguna is also one of the oldest having been erected in 1903)After lunch and short dip at the cold water of Mampurog river, the group decided to go to Bagasbas Beach for pictures, "pseudo" surfing lessons, and beach bum then head for early snack of dinuguan, empanada at K Sarap Restaurant (nice place, low price).
picture of half-naked boys in front of Camarines Norte Provincial Capitol This is just a teaser...will post pictures and stories including a hidden gem of Camarines Norte in the form of an unspoiled, virgin beach :P
---
Daet Travel Information:
Where to stay in Daet:
there are no resorts along Bagasbas Beach but hotels, inns and pension houses are available at the town center. Tutubi stayed at the best homestay accommodation there is in Daet: at his friend's house in Brgy. Camambugan, just a few meters away from Superlines bus terminal.
Places to see in Daet:
First Monument erected in honor of Jose Rizal
Bagasbas Beach, surfing for beginners
Daet Festivals:
Pinyahan Festival (or Pineapple Festival) celebrating Daet's sweet pineapples (formosa variety) and Bantayog Festival (province-wide) in honor of Jose Rizal in mid-March to mid-April.
How to get to Daet, Camarines Norte:
Flights to Daet: there is a small airport but can only accommodate small planes like SeAir with has direct flights from Manila. If you need to fly in a bigger plane, you need to book a flight to Naga City in Camarines Sur then take a jeepney or bus for a two hour trip to Daet. Naga is serviced by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines.
Commute: Buses to Daet are available on EDSA Cubao, Quezon City with Philtranco (fare: P650 one way for their deluxe/GS/Gold Service bus with toilet (recommended: CR, comfortable, reclining seats, more legroom, coaster)), Superlines (fare: PhP550 air-conditioned but slow, with stopover in Atimonan, Quezon), and Amihan (fare: P500 air-con). Travel time took almost 8 hours for Superlines going there while the return trip to Cubao via Superlines took only 7 hours)
Driving directions: from Makati, head to SLEX and exit at Batangas follow Maharlika highway going to Lucena City. Look for any bus heading to Daet on the highway where you'll also pass by these towns: Pagbilao, Atimonan, Plaridel, Gumaca, Lopez, Calauag, Tagkawayan, Sta. Elena, Talisay, Labo, then finally Daet.
Labels: Bicol, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Daet
posted by GingGoy @ 9:57 PM,
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Sorsogon: Donsol Whale Shark Tours Rates/Boat Rental
27 December 2007
Looking for cheap whale shark tours in the Philippines? The cheapest of the cheap is the backpacking way. You can go there using public transportation while at the Donsol Visitor Center, everything is so easy for DIY budget travel enthusiast like Tutubi:
Tutubi was able to visit Donsol, in a spur-of-the-moment unplanned trip, and got to interact with the gentle butanding (local name for whale sharks, Scientific name: Rhincodon Typus), in April 2002 (Holy Week) and swears his Donsol butanding interaction Adventure is his most memorable experience so far.
Swim with the largest fish in the world in Donsol, a place frequented by locals, foreigners for the giant whale sharks, locally called butanding
Updated Information herewith (as of April 2013):
When to Visit Donsol:
Recommended visit to Donsol for the butanding is from January to May when the abundance of plankton, whale shark's main food, make those gentle filter-feeders stay in Donsol Bay. There's also the Butanding Festival in April so be prepared for competition with tourists and higher rates.
Whale Shark Interaction Adventure Tour:
Upon reaching Donsol, register first at the Visitor Center located in Barangay Dancalan where you'll be shown a short video about the whale shark interaction then hire a tricycle to take you to the boat station.
Registration fee per tourist:
Local PhP 100.00
Foreigner PhP 300.00
(at least here, they provide discounts to locals unlike in most places where prices only cater to foreign tourists)
Donsol Visitor Center Opens at 6:00am (even in Holy Week)
Whale shark interaction PhP 3,500.00 (per boat. price includes the three persons:
Skipper: who steers the boat for the tour
Butanding Spotter: standing at the bow always on the lookout for whale sharks
Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO): directs the whale shark interaction
Firefly watching/river cruising PhP 1,250.00 (cost per boat)
If you're a solo backpacker, you can pay PhP500.00 Butanding interaction fee and share the boat with six others
Do take note of the rules and policies posted on the walls of the Visitor Center and reiterated during the video presentation:
1. No touching/riding on the butanding
2. Do not restrict the movement of the shark or block its natural path
3. Recommended distance from the whale shark is 3 meters from the head and body and 4 meters from the tail
4. No flash photography allowed (tip: you may buy inexpensive disposable and waterproof cameras for this, not sharp but passable for bragging rights)
5. No scuba, scooters, jet-ski or any motorized underwater propulsion
6. Strictly one boat per whale shark policy with a maximum of six (6) swimmers per whale shark
Things to do in Donsol other than Butanting Interaction:
Other activities: Donsol River Cruise and Firefly Watching in the mangrove forest (optional but requires an overnight stay unlike the Butanding Interaction tours)
Whale shark picture and video here
Cheap hotels/resorts/accommodations and Where to Stay In Donsol Information:
Donsol Inn-keeper Association (DIKA): +63.906.762.5955
How to get to Donsol, Sorsogon for the whale shark tours (butanding adventure)
Donsol, Sorsogon can be reached via Legazpi City in Albay. Flights from Manila to Legazpi City and Cebu City to Legazpi City are available. Vans bound for Donsol are available at the Satellite Market for another one-hour ride. A short tricycle ride from the Visitor Center to the boat station is required.
Philippine Airlines, ZestAir and Cebu Pacific flies daily to Legazpi City daily. Donsol-bound vans are available at the Satellite Market for another one-hour ride.
For land travel (commute) to Donsol from Manila, buses are available in Cubao, Quezon City for a 12-hour ride to Legazpi City. These buses drop passengers at Satellite Market where one can get a van bound for Donsol.
Philtranco, with terminal in Cubao, has buses to Donsol. Inquire at their office or website for updated fares and trip schedules.
You may also hire vans in your area to drive you directly to Donsol then arrange the tour yourself to save on costs.
For your return trip, you may hire a tricycle (better to commission one in advance to fetch you at an appointed time to avoid waiting) to take you back to Brgy. Dancalan or the FX/Van terminal where vans going to Legazpi are available.
Note: other places where you can avail of whale shark tours are Puerto Bay in Palawan (where they're called tiki-tiki), in Bohol Island and in the waters of Calatagan, Batangas. Donsol is the most famous due to the high concentration of the butanding and already laid claim to the title "whale shark capital of the world."
Fare guide to Donsol, Sorsogon:
Tricycle from Legazpi Airport: PhP50.00/trip (good for 5 persons)
Van from Legazpi City terminal to Donsol: PhP60.00
Tricycle in Donsol to resort: P20.00/person
Besides Whale Sharks, sightings of rare megamouth sharks were recorded in Donsol bay while the nearby Ticao Pass is teeming with giant manta rays for sure sighting.
please leave comments for more tips or fore updates on the cheapest donsol butanding package tours, rates and cost chnages
UPDATED: April 2013
Related Posts:
Donsol Beach resorts
Tutubi was able to visit Donsol, in a spur-of-the-moment unplanned trip, and got to interact with the gentle butanding (local name for whale sharks, Scientific name: Rhincodon Typus), in April 2002 (Holy Week) and swears his Donsol butanding interaction Adventure is his most memorable experience so far.
Swim with the largest fish in the world in Donsol, a place frequented by locals, foreigners for the giant whale sharks, locally called butanding
Updated Information herewith (as of April 2013):
When to Visit Donsol:
Recommended visit to Donsol for the butanding is from January to May when the abundance of plankton, whale shark's main food, make those gentle filter-feeders stay in Donsol Bay. There's also the Butanding Festival in April so be prepared for competition with tourists and higher rates.
Whale Shark Interaction Adventure Tour:
Upon reaching Donsol, register first at the Visitor Center located in Barangay Dancalan where you'll be shown a short video about the whale shark interaction then hire a tricycle to take you to the boat station.
Registration fee per tourist:
Local PhP 100.00
Foreigner PhP 300.00
(at least here, they provide discounts to locals unlike in most places where prices only cater to foreign tourists)
Donsol Visitor Center Opens at 6:00am (even in Holy Week)
Whale shark interaction PhP 3,500.00 (per boat. price includes the three persons:
Skipper: who steers the boat for the tour
Butanding Spotter: standing at the bow always on the lookout for whale sharks
Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO): directs the whale shark interaction
Firefly watching/river cruising PhP 1,250.00 (cost per boat)
If you're a solo backpacker, you can pay PhP500.00 Butanding interaction fee and share the boat with six others
Do take note of the rules and policies posted on the walls of the Visitor Center and reiterated during the video presentation:
1. No touching/riding on the butanding
2. Do not restrict the movement of the shark or block its natural path
3. Recommended distance from the whale shark is 3 meters from the head and body and 4 meters from the tail
4. No flash photography allowed (tip: you may buy inexpensive disposable and waterproof cameras for this, not sharp but passable for bragging rights)
5. No scuba, scooters, jet-ski or any motorized underwater propulsion
6. Strictly one boat per whale shark policy with a maximum of six (6) swimmers per whale shark
Things to do in Donsol other than Butanting Interaction:
Other activities: Donsol River Cruise and Firefly Watching in the mangrove forest (optional but requires an overnight stay unlike the Butanding Interaction tours)
Whale shark picture and video here
Cheap hotels/resorts/accommodations and Where to Stay In Donsol Information:
Donsol Inn-keeper Association (DIKA): +63.906.762.5955
How to get to Donsol, Sorsogon for the whale shark tours (butanding adventure)
Donsol, Sorsogon can be reached via Legazpi City in Albay. Flights from Manila to Legazpi City and Cebu City to Legazpi City are available. Vans bound for Donsol are available at the Satellite Market for another one-hour ride. A short tricycle ride from the Visitor Center to the boat station is required.
Philippine Airlines, ZestAir and Cebu Pacific flies daily to Legazpi City daily. Donsol-bound vans are available at the Satellite Market for another one-hour ride.
For land travel (commute) to Donsol from Manila, buses are available in Cubao, Quezon City for a 12-hour ride to Legazpi City. These buses drop passengers at Satellite Market where one can get a van bound for Donsol.
Philtranco, with terminal in Cubao, has buses to Donsol. Inquire at their office or website for updated fares and trip schedules.
You may also hire vans in your area to drive you directly to Donsol then arrange the tour yourself to save on costs.
For your return trip, you may hire a tricycle (better to commission one in advance to fetch you at an appointed time to avoid waiting) to take you back to Brgy. Dancalan or the FX/Van terminal where vans going to Legazpi are available.
Note: other places where you can avail of whale shark tours are Puerto Bay in Palawan (where they're called tiki-tiki), in Bohol Island and in the waters of Calatagan, Batangas. Donsol is the most famous due to the high concentration of the butanding and already laid claim to the title "whale shark capital of the world."
Fare guide to Donsol, Sorsogon:
Tricycle from Legazpi Airport: PhP50.00/trip (good for 5 persons)
Van from Legazpi City terminal to Donsol: PhP60.00
Tricycle in Donsol to resort: P20.00/person
Besides Whale Sharks, sightings of rare megamouth sharks were recorded in Donsol bay while the nearby Ticao Pass is teeming with giant manta rays for sure sighting.
please leave comments for more tips or fore updates on the cheapest donsol butanding package tours, rates and cost chnages
UPDATED: April 2013
Related Posts:
Donsol Beach resorts
Labels: Bicol, Bicol Region, Donsol, Ecotourism, Sorsogon, Travel Guides
posted by GingGoy @ 9:58 PM,
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Mayon Volcano: Photo of Daragang Magayon
09 August 2006
The headlines today tell of trouble brewing in the Bicol peninsula where Mayon Volcano is exhibiting signs of restiveness and spewing sulfur and lava much to the delight of curious on-lookers looking for a dangerous thrill
Will just share photos i took last year when I went, on moments notice, to Legazpi City for undercover work for a day.
Yes, just for a day. But while on board a taxi from NAIA Terminal 2 I got a call ordering me to return to Legazpi the morrow and stayed there for 3 more days :(
oh well...
Cagsawa church belfry: what remained of the village of Cagsawa after the big explosion of 1814
mayon volcano 33,000 feet high in the sky: Isn't she really magayon?
using the extreme "telephoto" of my super P&S camera i got this picture of the crater
sorry, but that was just using digital zoom- something I rarely use. Born of my frustration not able to photograph the sight then.
Pics taken sometime last October 2005 when Mayon started acting up but manifested only now and waiting for an imminent explosion.
Here's a tip: when flying to L.A. i.e. Legazpi, Albay, request to be seated window side to the left and just wait for this view to appear outside your window. That's if the Daragang Magayon will show up.
Best time to see the almost perfect cone is early in the morning where no clouds will obstruct your view. Don't be like Wikimapia with this picture below
Up to a an adventure like Mayon Volcano crater trek? You my drive up to the now abandoned Mayon Resthouse, 1/3 of the way then trek uphill for 6 hours and another 5 hours downhill.
Related Posts:
Mt. Pinatubo Crater Trek
Taal Volcano
Will just share photos i took last year when I went, on moments notice, to Legazpi City for undercover work for a day.
Yes, just for a day. But while on board a taxi from NAIA Terminal 2 I got a call ordering me to return to Legazpi the morrow and stayed there for 3 more days :(
oh well...
Cagsawa church belfry: what remained of the village of Cagsawa after the big explosion of 1814
mayon volcano 33,000 feet high in the sky: Isn't she really magayon?
using the extreme "telephoto" of my super P&S camera i got this picture of the crater
sorry, but that was just using digital zoom- something I rarely use. Born of my frustration not able to photograph the sight then.
Pics taken sometime last October 2005 when Mayon started acting up but manifested only now and waiting for an imminent explosion.
Here's a tip: when flying to L.A. i.e. Legazpi, Albay, request to be seated window side to the left and just wait for this view to appear outside your window. That's if the Daragang Magayon will show up.
Best time to see the almost perfect cone is early in the morning where no clouds will obstruct your view. Don't be like Wikimapia with this picture below
Up to a an adventure like Mayon Volcano crater trek? You my drive up to the now abandoned Mayon Resthouse, 1/3 of the way then trek uphill for 6 hours and another 5 hours downhill.
Related Posts:
Mt. Pinatubo Crater Trek
Taal Volcano
Labels: Albay, Bicol, Bicol Region, Legazpi City, Luzon, Volcanoes
posted by GingGoy @ 8:01 PM,
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Donsol Butanding (whale sharks)
14 July 2006
Have to admit that the Donsol experience I had a few years back is one of the most memorable adventures. It was holy week when we went there and unplanned since we didn't really intend to go due to lack of information but we pushed through on my proddings since we're already in Legazpi.
Interacting with those gentle butandings is really an unforgettable experience.
Updated Backpacking Donsol/Whale Shark Tours Cost and Directions
plugging in also a film DONSOL featured in this year's Cinemalaya.
I'm a fan of alternative movies that you can't catch on local cinemas except during film festivals.
do catch the film at the CCP:
July 18: 9:00pm
July 19: 6:15pm (Gala Premiere at the CCP Main Theater)
July 20: 9:00pm
July 21: 12:45pm
July 22: 3:30pm
Contact Maxie Evangelista at 0917-2431077 for discounted tickets and group reservations.
Looking for cheap Donsol Whalesharks adventure? Just drop a comment
How to go to Donsol:
Philippine airlines has daily flights to Legazpi City. From Legazpi city, board a jeepney going to Daraga bus terminal (near a gasoline station) from Daraga, the bus takes about 2 hours. Drop off at the Donsol Municipal Hall. Register there for a small price and view the Butanding video. Take a tricycle going to Donsol bay or your resort. Negotiate with boatmen (a spotter and a BIO (butanding interaction officer for the cost)
Commute by bus: Philtranco Bus in Cubao has buses going to Donsol and Pilar, Sorsogon.
Interacting with those gentle butandings is really an unforgettable experience.
Updated Backpacking Donsol/Whale Shark Tours Cost and Directions
plugging in also a film DONSOL featured in this year's Cinemalaya.
I'm a fan of alternative movies that you can't catch on local cinemas except during film festivals.
do catch the film at the CCP:
July 18: 9:00pm
July 19: 6:15pm (Gala Premiere at the CCP Main Theater)
July 20: 9:00pm
July 21: 12:45pm
July 22: 3:30pm
Contact Maxie Evangelista at 0917-2431077 for discounted tickets and group reservations.
Looking for cheap Donsol Whalesharks adventure? Just drop a comment
How to go to Donsol:
Philippine airlines has daily flights to Legazpi City. From Legazpi city, board a jeepney going to Daraga bus terminal (near a gasoline station) from Daraga, the bus takes about 2 hours. Drop off at the Donsol Municipal Hall. Register there for a small price and view the Butanding video. Take a tricycle going to Donsol bay or your resort. Negotiate with boatmen (a spotter and a BIO (butanding interaction officer for the cost)
Commute by bus: Philtranco Bus in Cubao has buses going to Donsol and Pilar, Sorsogon.
Labels: Bicol, Bicol Region, Sorsogon, Wildlife
posted by GingGoy @ 9:09 PM,
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