Strolling Around

Things had been a bit disorganized at work from July to August, so I decided to take a much needed break. Luckily Cebu Pac had a seat sale when I thought of going somewhere. I already had Bicol in mind since I didn’t have the chance to have a glimpse of its crater from the airplane window on our flight to Cebu few years ago.

September 29, 2016, I finally saw the majestic beauty of the famous Mayon Volcano on a sunny afternoon while boarding our plane. The view of Mayon’s indescribable from my seat. Thanks to the tip given by other bloggers – I took the window seat (F) to Legazpi.

So that’s how the “perfect cone” looks like!

It’s more practical to stay in Legazpi, Albay if you’re planning to have a city tour. Most of Albay’s attractions are within the area and as low as Php300, you can visit few of Legazpi’s famous tourist spots via tricycle.

However, I decided to check in one of Tabaco hotels which is an hour away from Grand Terminal in Legazpi via shuttle. Fare is Php50. The view of Mayon Volcano from its rooftop (rooftop with swimming pool and jakuzi), as well as the good reviews it received from its guests made me decide to try it.

Pic of mayon from Fina rooftop

Pool and Jakuzi: give them heads up prior to your arrival that you wish to use their pool / Jakuzi’s water’s cold. One of their attendants appeared to be confused when I asked if the water would get any warmer

Very comfortable bed for a restful sleep

Bathroom: everything’s clean and modern, complete with bidet and toiletries

Restaurant: not that pricey, average food taste

Fina’s entrance

Hotel Fina is in a strategic location – few steps away from the bus stop where you need to alight from your one-hour shuttle trip from the Grand Terminal. It’s very close to the PUJ and Shuttle Terminal bound to Grand Terminal in Legazpi and Watson’s Drugstore, Jollibee, Chowking, and shops (others seem to be surplus shops) are just around the corner. St. John the Baptist Church is also stone’s throw away. You can see it the moment you get off the shuttle.

St. John the Baptist church

I started my solo tour the following day. Hotel Fina offers free service (green, bigger-than-the-average tricycle that can accommodate 4 backpackers) going to either PUJ or shuttle terminal. Decided to take PUJ this time bound to Legazpi Grand Terminal. Fare is Php 25.

I was the only passenger left just before we reach the terminal. Just like my other solo city tour travel, cheaper and faster way to explore Legazpi’s via tricycle. It would be helpful if you already have a list of places to visit for an easier haggling moment with the tricycle drivers.

Mine was Php300 and that includes:

Park and Wildlife
Lignon Hill
Cagsawa Ruins
Sidetrip on Legazpi Boulevard

Cagsawa Ruins

Legazpi Boulevard

Lignon Hill

Park and Wildlife

Kuya Driver told me that their usual rate should you want to visit all the attractions advertised in his tricycle is Php2,000.

Itinerary:

First Day:

10:40 ETD from NAIA

11:40 ETA to Legazpi Airport

12:00 Lunch at Grand Terminal (though our tricycle driver recommended Four Seasons Restaurant which seems to be a few-minute walk from the terminal)

13:00 ETD from Grand Terminal to Hotel Fina, Tabaco

Note: a friend advised me to get a ticket from the passengers’ booth should you want to take a tricycle to Grand Terminal to avoid pricey ride. You can easily see the booth outside the airport. Php 30 was written on our ticket, but the driver still asked for Php 40.00

14:00 ETA, Hotel Fina

15:00 Light Snack at the hotel’s restaurant

16:00 Jakuzi Time (pool’s not available)

19:00 Dinner

Second Day:

8:00 Breakfast (The hotel offers complementary Pinoy-style breakfast)

10:00 PUJ Terminal in Tabaco to Grand Terminal in Legazpi

11:00 Parks and Wildlife and Lignon Hill

12:00 Cagsawa Ruins

13:00 Lunch at Grand Terminal

14:00 Legazpi Boulevard

15:00 Shuttle back to hotel ( I was about to take a shuttle to Kawa-Kawa, but I got injured in Lignon Hill - no choice but to cut my tour short)

Third Day:

7:00 Breakfast

9:00 Church Visit and Shop

11:00 Left Tabaco

14:00 ETD from Legazpi Airport

Budget:

Plane Ticket on seat sale: Php 1,500

Hotel Room: Php 3,000 (1,500/night)

Food for 3-day vacation: Php 700

City Tour alone: Php 300

Others: Php 400 (Depends on what activities you want to do and things to buy)

Total: Php: 4,000 (estimated amount)

Take a "viirtual Albay tour" Must see places in Albay

It was my aunt’s post-birthday celebration and she didn’t like the idea of celebrating it at home. She wanted to have a short bonding moment with the whole family outside our humble abode – anywhere but restaurants and mall. An overnight stay at the resort was the secondary plan, but finding a good pet-friendly resort may not be that easy. Happy to have found Balai Sa San Juan in Batangas.

It was a three-hour trip via private van. According to the reviews, you have to stick to the directions given on their website – true! It wasn’t really a bumpy ride, but there were constructions going on as we’re nearing Balai.

Balai sa San Juan is a good choice if you ought to have a quiet place to stay (provided the resort doesn’t have a lot of guests).

From the very beginning they’d been honest about their surroundings:

1. fine gray sand

2. jellyfishy area

3. fishpond everywhere

4. beachfront and clubhouse that’s almost 2 to 3-minute walk from your cottage

Wooden bridge that will take you from your cottage to the clubhouse / clubhouse to the beach area.

Few of the things that I like about this resort, though – we had the entire resort for ourselves, food’s undoubtedly delectable, and pets are very much welcome. Our dear Kitkat even met the staff’s two cute puppies while we were at the clubhouse.

I enjoyed my stay at Balai despite the presence of jellyfish that hindered me from swimming. I still liked my short ME TIME moment at the shore albeit I couldn’t lie on the sand and I had to be careful as not to step on a “treasure”.

The surrounding won’t provide a picture-perfect photo print, but one may manage to find the right angle to capture the good spots at the resort.

With a little “retouch” especially in their little island part (where the yoga deck and chapel are located), the place could have looked more inviting and relaxing. Grass-trimming and a little more gardening would also help.

But what I truly appreciate about Balai sa San Juan was their speedy and still polite reply to my never-ending updates and requests that had been modified a couple of times prior to and even during our arrival. Perhaps because we were also the only guest at the resort - that’s why they’re able to customize our rooms. I wasn’t expecting that one. Their service during our stay was very friendly and warm. They’re very much attentive to all our needs and again – requests.

The room rate was budget-friendly. This resort is ideal for family/groupy bonding. Just make sure to bring something - cards, chess, etc. (we brought our mahjong set!) to avoid boredom.