My Favorite Sili Ice Cream of 1st Colonial Grill in Legaspi City

The haven of Bicolano cuisines & desserts where eating is "More Than Just an Experience". One of the popular restaurant around the Province of Albay, you must try there unique-flavored ice cream  better than some ice in Metro Manila I've tasted & very reasonably priced. I decided to try the sili, maluggay & calamansi ice cream. This is definitely better than unusual flavored brand of ice cream. They have a good service , clean facilities, friendly staff and affordable prices. First Colonial Grill has also a several best seller original dishes like Tinapa Rice, Ensaladang Talong with a twist & other yummy owned version of ice cream. A must try for when you are in Bicol region, whether you are a sweet tooth or not. I guarantee you will make your trip a happy tummy and more than unusual food trip. 

A Night Walk at Embarcadero De Legaspi in Albay

The Embarcadero in Legaspi City, Albay is a good place to have your lunch or dinner with a side view of the Mayon Volcano & City Seaport or Bay Seaside Boulevard. It has also a searchlight on top of a colorful lighthouse. It is small mall in the heart of the city and I think the only store people visit there is Puregold inside the mall. There also an entertainment bars, restaurants & boutiques. A very safe place to visit and really enjoy every single moment with your friends & family. It's also a good venue to hold different events.

There is a budget hotel located on the topmost floor of the mall. For me it's not really a place to do stuff but rather to just let nature settle in without the noise of the city or do a sunset watching over the backdrop of Mayon Volcano and a breezy experience.

How to Get to Busay Falls in Albay by Commute

Going to Busay Falls in Malilipot, Albay:

From the city proper of Legaspi City, take a jeepney going to Tabaco is around 40 minutes of travel time. Fare is around Php 30 per passenger, ask a driver to drop you off at Busay Falls junction. Then another 10-15 minutes via tricycle ride from the main road of junction and special fare is Php 50 per way. Entrance fee is free but there is a minimal parking fee for Bus -Php 100, Jeepney & Van - Php 50, Tricycle - Php 30 and Motorcyle - Php 20. There are cottages in the area you could rent from Php 100 to Php 150 and there is a washroom where you can change clothes before hitting the pool. I highly recommend that you visit this beautiful place where in Bicol Region. Happy Trip Everyone - Bisayang Manlalakbay around the Philippines.

Exploring the Busay Falls in Malilipot, Albay

I heard this Busay Falls from word of mouth with a local in Legaspi City. So I decided to explore this hidden beauty of the Albay. It's about 40 minutes jeepney ride from the city proper of Legaspi in Albay and another 10-15 minutes tricycle ride from the main road. After a short hike from the entrance, you can see a pool shaped catching all the cascading falls and the place is surrounded by lush greenery.  It is worth all the effort beacuse the water is clean and very refreshing ambiance especially at the plunge cold pool where the water exactly fall. I can't able to see the second falls because lack of time where you can reached by walking uphill. You can hire a guide here to help you get to the other falls. 

How to Get to Cagsawa Ruin in Albay via Commute

Going to Cagsawa Ruins in Albay from Manila:

From Cubao, Pasay & Alabang Bus Stations where you can choose from different buses like Cagsawa Travel & Tours, Penafrancia, Alps Bus, Superlines , DLTB Bus Co., Esci Bus, Isarog Bus, Philtranco, Raymond Bus & RSL. Travel time is around 11 to 13 hours depending on traffic condition. Best time to travel during the night. Fare is roughly Php 600- Php 1200 for air-con & non-aircon bus. Ask the diver to drop you off at Cagsawa Junction (Daraga in Albay) where the Cagsawa Ruins Park is located and around 10-15 minutes walk going to the main park of the ruins.

Trick Photos Capturing in Cagsawa Ruins in Albay

One is able to walk around without having to hire a tour guide to enjoy the scenery because of the accessibility of the place from Daraga or Legaspi City. After having my quick breakefast at the nearby restaurants, I ask a lady to take me trick photos over the Cagsawa Ruins & backdrop of Mayon Volcano who are experts in taking awesome trick shots. They will tell you where to put your arms, legs, fingers etc to have there great pictures.  Anyway, it's not a hard time taking photos with me and gave her a tip. One of my favorite trick shot is the appearance as giant against the people at the side. You must be creative in taking pictures. I'm happy to go back in the hotel with great pictures.

On my next blog post, check out on How to get there & other things to do when in Albay.  Your visit in Albay wont be complete if you not come here. 

We Meet Again | Fascinating Cagsawa Ruins in Albay

Mayon Volcano is still awesome! This was my second time to see the Cagsawa Ruins Park , Barangay Busay, Cagsawa, Daraga, Albay. I took again a jeepney from Daraga going to the highway leading to the park. Entrance fee is cost you Php 10 to be collected at the gate. It's nice to have photos with the backdrop of the ruins and the beauty of the cone shaped Mayon Volcano at the back. It is also the site of the Cagsawa Branch of the National Museum of the Philippines. This museum contains a lot of photographs of the volcanic eruptions of Mount Mayon as well as other geological and archaeological exhibits located at the left side of the park where restaurants & souvenir shops is located.

Please take note that there are also comfort rooms inside the park. After visiting the ruins, you can have your souvenirs items done, Make sure to grab one of those items selling inside & outside the park. There are stores also selling refreshments and snacks. 

The Best Architecture & View of Mayon Volcano at Daraga Church in Albay

Before heading to Cagsawa Ruins, I had a quick tour around Daraga in Albay. I took a jeepney from Lignon Hill Nature Park, travel time is 15-20 minutes. Also known as "Our Lady of the Gate Parish". This church is located at the top of a hill, a good venue for taking photos of Mayon Volcano.You need to walk around 5-10 minutes ut to see this church.  It's looks like you are living in the past because of the white painted facade & nice unique architecture with a slight renovation though destroy the ambiance. Go inside the church and check out the statues because the place is more serene and nice architecture carvings on the walls. The church is a remain off the Spanish colonial time.

Travel tips: Try to come early to see the Mayon Volcano without the thick cloud cover. Did you know, it was  a very interesting story of how the Daraga was built this church to replace the Cagsawa church after it's devastation of the volcano. 

Zipline in Albay Over Mayon Volcano View

I went up to Lignon Hill Nature Park to check out attractions & one of those is the zipline with a nice backdrop view of Mayon Volcano, located at Legaspi City Albay near Legaspi Airport.Around 156 meter-high. Zipline charge fee is Php 250 per head. It's getting in the way you take good pictures. This is also one of the most famous landmarks in Bicol Region both local & international tourist. Entrance Fee here is Php 20 for locals and Php 25 for foreigners. Opens from 8:00AM to 11:00PM daily. I really enjoyed the view of Mayon Volcano & very relaxing ambiance & cool wind. This nature park is such a charm for those who wants the best views over the city of Legaspi & nearby municipalities in Albay.

It also offers a lot of different activities such as ATV ( All Terrain Vehicle Tours) at the foot of Mayon Volcano, Hanging Bridge, Paint Ball, Rappelling & more existing games to come. Private vehicles can also drive up to the park area with a minimal parking fee. The best time to visit would be in the morning, as long as the sun wont burn you.

The Best View of Mayon Volcano | Lignon Hill Nature Park

One of the best place to get a nice view of Mayon Volcano and you can also have a spectacular views of the city, Daraga, Albay Gulf  or Legaspi Airport. The park offers a lot of different activities such as zipline, ATV ( All Terrain Vehicle Tours), rappelling, paintball  and it is also a good place to hike or jog. Entrance fee here is Php 20 pesos and Php 25 for foreigners. This park is located up hill so climbing here is quite tiring but you can also ride a tricycle. I really enjoyed staying here because of the relaxing cool wind. Best time to visit the place would be during the early morning around 6:00am to 8:00am as long as the sun won't burn you. There also have souvenir shops and eatery in case you'll get hungry.  

How to get there:

You can take  a jeepney from Legaspi City or Albay that going in the direction of Daraga 2nd Loop and ask the driver to stop at Lignon Hill Entrance Gate. Fare is Php 10 per passenger. Then from the main road take a 3-5 minutes walk to the gate entrance of the park. 

Albay's Japanese World War II Tunnel in Lignon Hills

This old Japanese Tunnel is an L-shaped tunnel used during the World War II and formerly used by the Japanese Imperial Army. Located at the foot of Lignon Hill Adventure & Nature Park. I also assisted by ate and took all my photos inside. One of the unique tourist attraction in the city because of the soldier size manikin, material used before & equipment were Japanese brought in time and remains of the place is an excellent & interesting place to visit. This would the next tourist attraction in the Province of Albay. I saw this tunnel before in the famous channel in TV5's Amazing Race Philippines were the contestant entered to this area to get the clue. 

Legaspi City | Albay Park & Wildlife

A must see tourist attraction in Legaspi City Albay if you're with your kids and family. Kids can play around will surely love the park, the giant slides and swing or probably try biking within the vicinity just ask for assistance near the main gate. There are a lot of animals in the area like monkeys, owls, birds, crocodiles, turtles, bear cat, snakes, ostrich and fishes. They also have a lot of varieties  of herbs and flowers where you can just point your lenses and a good place to practice your photographic skills. Yes its cheap with the entrance fee of Php 10 and the place is clean and well-maintained but car parking is not allowed inside. About 10-15 minutes away from Lignon Hills and this is a good place to bring your family or barkada for bonding. If you want to get away from the busy street of Legaspi and enjoy the outdoors then this is the right place to go.

One Great Food at Biggs Diner - Legaspi City

Before heading to top tourist attraction in the Province of Albay, I had a great little U.S full lunch diner meals are as you would expect and I went to the nearest branch from my hotel inn. I totally love this place because the food is yummy and affordable, not your ordinary fast food chain. Don't forget to try their chocolate cake, red ice tea & baby back ribs with java rice & side dish. There's a lot of food choices here and the food is patterned from an American eateries. The decor is typical of an American-type diner as well. Must drop by this long time local favorite of all people in Bicol Region. So far, the service is excellent because they treated me nice and even offered to take some of my shots and I was planning to have baby ribs next time.