It's Cool to be in Bicol

Day 1- CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC)

We arrived at Naga Airport around 6 in the morning then took a free shuttle going to Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC).

Check in time is at 2pm.. Since we were early, we just left our things at the reception area and decided to look around and have breakfast..

checking out CWC

breakfast at CWC

A shuttle will leave CWC for SM Naga at 10:15 am to service guests who would want to buy groceries or other stuffs for themselves. Since the food at their restaurant is a bit pricey, we took the shuttle and decided to buy our lunch and dinner at SM. The shuttle, then, leaves SM Naga at exactly 12noon so you better be in the waiting area before 12.

Check in time was at 2pm but we were lucky enough that the trailer that we rented is already available by 12noon.

THE TRAILER

(for a view of what's inside, check out CWC's website)

After checking-in, we had lunch, rest a bit then proceed to the registration area... Time to try out the board... 

For beginners, knee boarding should be tried first.

TEACH ME HOW TO KNEE BOARD

First attempt was a success, at least almost a success. I fell on the last curve... I had so much fun on this one.

We were not allowed to try the "real" wake boarding on the expert's course. There's a specific course for beginners... The WINCH PARK...

WINCH PARK

The Winch Park is a practice course for beginners. This is where first timers try to stand and get the proper position while holding the rope. This activity is really hard.. We were practicing to stand for more than 2 hours and I only succeed once.. Very tiring yet worth the experience..

After dinner, we decided to call it a day for we have to leave CWC 4am the next day for our next destination.

Day 2- Caramoan


We left CWC at around 4:30 am... We took a shuttle going to the main road then ride a jeepney going to Naga (30 minutes ride). From Naga, we ride another jeepney going to Sabang Port (2hrs ride) then from Sabang Port, another 2hr boatride going to guijalo port (that's caramoan already) and finally, from guijalo port, we were picked up by the inn's tricyle (another 15 minutes ride) and went straight to Rex Tourist Inn.

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on our way to Guijalo Port

The tricycle driver from Rex Tourist Inn arranged the island hopping tour for us. We had lunch in the nearby carinderia, rest a bit then off to the islands of Caramoan.

Survivor Spot

Caramoan Rocks!!! hehehe! :)

The limestone and rock formation in Caramoan were amazing. Aside from its virgin islands, this makes Caramoan Island exceptional.

 Look, there's a lagoon... If you want to see it, climb the rocks... But there are no safety gears available... You just need to hold the right rock and step on the right rock... It was drizzling when we went up so the heat of the sun is nothing to worry about... It's just the slippery way that concerns us... But we're still alive after so try it as well... Enjoy! ;)

This is the swimming area in Caramoan. Though not as white as that of Boracay, the sand is fine and the water, clean..

After the island hopping activity, we headed back to Rex Tourist Inn to change then went to look for another eatery or carinderia for dinner...

Day 3- Off to Legaspi, Albay

We took the 6am trip going back to Sabang Port. Before heading to the port, we dropped by at Caramoan Parish Church.

Caramoan Parish Church

Our Caramoan Experience became extra cool because of this:

 That is me being carried by the porter to the shore.. We literally have to be carried to/from the boat.

From Sabang Port, we took a van going to Naga City. The trip was approximately two hours. We had lunch at Bigg's Diner in SM Naga then rode again a van going to Legaspi for another two hours. 

BIGG'S DINER

We arrived at Legaspi around 2 in the afternoon.. We checked in at Legaspi Tourist Inn (I will not recommend this to you.. It looks like a hospital.. creepy!), take a quick shower then off to explore Albay..

First stop, the Cagsawa Ruins...

We're lucky enough to see the perfect cone of Mt. Mayon.. Truly mesmerizing... Photographers at The Ruins offer trick shots to tourists and visitors. Here's what we've got:

 

TWO GIANTS

GIANT AND DWARF 1

 GIANT AND DWARF 2

 PICTURE FRAME

 BLOWING THE SKY

JUMP SHOT

After Cagsawa, we went to Lignon hill.Good thing the sun is about to set already.. It's a long walk before you reach the top of the hill...

 ENTRANCE OF LIGNON HILL

 ON THE WAY UP

ON TOP OF THE HILL

After Lignon Hill, we went to Embarcadero de Legaspi, one of Legaspi City's Shopping Mall.

We had dinner at Bigg's Diner then walked around to see what we can do besides window shopping... Luckily, they have go kart at the back of the mall so we tried it... It's my first time to ride a go kart.. hahaha.. Poor me.. :)

I had a great time.. We didn't do an actual race since it's our first time to try the sport. But I'm hoping on doing one in the near future.. :)

Now time for some chili ice cream... When we got to Gaisano, the mall was already closed... But the side entrance of Colonial Grill, where the chili ice cream can be found, was still open. Unfortunately, it was opened to exiting customers only.. The restaurant is closed already... We just ask if we could just try their chili ice cream, gladly they allowed us...:)

                

  

Chili Ice cream before and after... This flavor tastes crazy!!! It's hot and it's cold.. What duh??? But for chili lovers, this ice cream is for you.. :)

Day 4- Going Home

Before heading to the airport for our 11am flight back to Manila, we went to the Pasalubong Center to buy some souvenir items..

Here's a view of The Mayon Volcano from the Pasalubong Center:

 

The "supposed to be" 11am flight was delayed due to unknown reason and moved at 2pm.. So we decided to go back to Lignon Hill to see what it's like during daytime...

 LIGNON HILL

At Lignon Hill, we saw the tour guide that offers us to go to Lava Stock. Since we still have time, we decided to check it out..

LAVA STOCK

And that's it! The end of our Bicol Trip.... Magayon sa Bicol talaga! :)  Though we sort of travel and travel and travel from one place to another, our bicol experience was all fun... It's really more fun in the Philippines.. :)