The Majestic Mayon Volcano - Behind The Fluffy Clouds

There are a lot of beautiful spots to visit in Bicol and one of them is the famous Mayon Volcano, known for its perfect cone shape. It was included in our original itinerary for our CamSur trip but we just moved the schedule. Instead of going there on our first day at Naga, we decided to visit Mayon Volcano the next day so that we won't be on a rush and that we could really enjoy the trip. 

From CWC, we rode on their free shuttle service going to SM Naga and across it was the bus and van terminal going to different points in Bicol. So there we rode a van going to Legazpi for PhP180 per person. The trip took more or less 2 hours.  Before reaching Legazpi City, we could already see the Mayon Volcano.

The Van dropped us off at the terminal near SaveMore. We rode a tricycle going to Cagsawa Ruins for PhP200. I was a bit hesitant about that but we just took the offer to avoid wasting time since we need to go back to Naga after 2 hours. The driver said that he can wait at Cagsawa Ruins so that he can take us back to the terminal which means we'll be paying him double = PhP400. But I didn't agree because the site is just walking distance from the main road or the highway and I thought that we can commute from there. Besides, there are tricycles outside the Cagsawa Ruins. Entrance fee at the site is PhP10 per person.

Unfortunately for us, it was a gloomy day and the Mayon Volcano is hiding behind thick fluffy clouds! 

I gave myself almost an hour to wait for the clouds to show the full beauty of the Volcano but this was the best view I've got! I even tried whistling to call some wind to blow those clouds away but to no avail. lol It's what we do in the province especially at my grandparents' place whenever it gets too hot during the day. So I tried it out of desperation.lol Nevertheless, I could still say that the Mayon Volcano is indeed majestic and beautiful! I was awed by its natural beauty that stands gracefully and quietly in the middle. I've seen different photos of the Volcano in different phases from the local guides. I couldn't imagine how such beauty could burst out a very destructive explosion.

It was almost 4pm and the clouds got even thicker and darker so we just sighed and decided to leave. Though I still kept looking back at the majestic volcano half-hoping that the clouds are gone.lol

Outside Cagsawa Ruins are different pasalubong stores. We bought a few and walked our way to the main road. Then waited for a bus bound to Naga. That's when I realized that maybe you can actually get off the bus or van at Cagsawa Ruins if you're from Naga. 

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Legazpi Expenses

CWC to Bus/Van Terminal                                                      0.00

Naga to Legazpi City (via van)                                             180.00

Legazpi City to Cagsawa Ruins (via tricycle)             

     (tricycle rent is 200 divided by 2 persons)                        100.00

Cagsawa Ruins entrance fee                                                   10.00

Cagsawa to Naga 

     (I forgot the exact amount but it was less than 180)          180.00

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Total Expenses Per Person                                            PhP 470.00 

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Summerscape at CamSur

Summer was scorching hot here in the Philippines. But it already started raining at the end of May which was unusually early. It doesn't mean summer is over though! Just came from Camarines Sur last weekend. There was no definite plan and I didn't make any reservations either. Here's my original itinerary for our CamSur trip which was not really final due to time constraint:

June 14 - CamSur and Legazpi
Check-in at CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) at Naga
Head to Cagsawa Ruins at Legazpi Albay then bak to Naga
Wakeboarding at CWC

June 15 - Caramoan
Leave Naga at around 3am and head to Sabang Port (about 2-hr ride)
Ride a boat from Sabang Port to Guijalo Port
Check-in at Caramoan
Island hopping around Caramoan

June 16
Should leave Guijalo port at around 3-4am by renting a boat (public boat trips starts at 7am) to catch our flight back to Manila at 10:45am. 

Apparently, upon checking in at Villa Del Ray, we were so tired that we decided to take a nap before going to Legazpi. Since we didn't have enough sleep the night before, we decided to cancel the Caramoan trip and head over to Legazpi the next day. I think it was a good call since we may have never enjoyed the Caramoan trip in just one day and it would also be very expensive for us to rent a boat both for island hopping and for dropping us off at Sabang Port on Sunday just to catch our flight. I guess squeezing in Naga, Albay, and Caramoan in just 2 nights wasn't a good itinerary at all.lol 

As I have said, I didn't make any reservations for this trip because our itinerary wasn't final. Upon arrival at Naga airport, there were taxi drivers asking us for our destination. One driver asked me if we're going to Sabang, I said we might go there the next day. He gave me a calling card and said that he can drive us there for PhP1500! I asked if there are public vans, he said none. But I didn't believe him because according to my research, we can commute going to Sabang Port. Then I said we're heading to CWC and fortunately, he directed us to the free shuttle service provided by CWC.

We didn't expect the free shuttle service so CWC was already making a good impression on us by that time. We chose the trailer or the Villa Del Ray Containers since there were only 2 of us. Rate was PhP1500/night.

Villa Del Ray

Villa Del Rey Wood Cabins

Villa Del Rey Cabanas

Villa del Rey Containers

Inside The Container

Massage Huts

There's Miss Kris Aquino Shooting for KrisTV

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Trying Our Wakeboarding "Skills"!!! 

It was not easy but it was totally F.U.N.  How I wish I could wakeboard like a pro. I really want to learn how to flip in midair. lol We planned to wakeboard again the next day when we get back from Legazpi. But our body, specifically the arms and neck, are really really sore! 

Free swimming at the clubhouse pool after wakeboarding

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HAPPY ENDING BAR

I personally like the name of their bar. lol Who wouldn't want to have a happy ending after your body got sore from wakeboarding? It's just beside the clubhouse and the ambiance was a bit cozy, perfect place to chill.>

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According to a weather forecast, there was supposed to be a typhoon entering the country on June 14 at 6pm. But I guess it didn't push through. Otherwise, we wouldn't have these blue skies and fluffy clouds! I just love taking pictures of this scenery. :D

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CamSur Expenses

Manila-Naga Roundtrip Airfare      1177.12    

     (Cebu Pacific Promo Fare) 

Airport-CWC                                      0.00 

2 nights accommodation       

     (1500 / 2persons x 2nights)     1500.00 

1-hour wakeboarding (night rate)    175.00 

CWC-Airport                                             0.00

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Total Basic Expenses Per Person    2852.12  

Note: I didn not include the food expenses here because you have the option to dine at the clubhouse or go to other restaurants at Naga City. CWC also provides free scheduled shuttle service to SM Naga and vice versa.

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P.S.

The Legazpi trip will be covered in my next post. :)

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