Lakbay sa Albay - My DIY Half-Day Tour in Legazpi

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.

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.

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:

-          Parks and Wildlife

-          Lignon Hill

-          Cagsawa Ruin

-          Sidetrip on Legazpi Boulevard

First Stop: Parks and Wildlife

It looked bigger in the photos that I checked online, but it seems to be a smaller version of the other parks and wildlife that I visited. I didn’t get excited as I saw the animals inside their respective cages. Perhaps it’s because I saw more than when I visited The Eagle Center in Davao which houses not just powerful eagles, but lots of other animals in their customized “home”.

Next Stop: Lignon Hill

Lignon Hill wasn’t part of my original itinerary, but since it’s just few steps away from Parks and Wildlife and included in my customized tour, it’s not a bad idea to see how Mayon Volcano looks like at Lignon Hill’s viewing deck.

 Viewing Deck (Glad I was able to see Mayon's perfect cone shape prior to my tour)

The way to the viewing deck’s steep and might require a 20-minute (or longer) “walk”, hence renting habal-habal (motorcycle) for Php20 is highly recommended. Unfortunately, no habal-habal was available when I arrived, so it’s either I take a “walk” or rent this vehicle for Php 100:

On our way up

Viewing Deck

There are other activities that we can do in Lignon Hill. Perhaps for 1,000, we can try all the activities that they offer (excluding ATV).

FYR (activity price list)

I wasn’t planning to try any other activity, but the 10-peso fee (though my grandma guide asked for Php20) for the Japanese Tunnel caught my attention. Hahah! And since it’s just for Php10, you’re done with your tunnel exploration in a minute.

That Japanese statue, crucifix, and Japanese flag are the only things that you can see inside the tunnel (that's around 10 steps away from the tunnel's entrance). That opening on the left picture's for your eyes only. I thought we'd be passing through, but the old lady said when I asked what that was,"Ah, wala na yan, halika na!"

























Cagsawa Ruins was next. I was imagining that Mayon looks more majestic in Cagsawa since that's what I usually see on postcard. However, when I got there, I was a bit disappointed since it appears to be further. Inwas told by a friend that I could have touched the foot of Mt. Mayon if I had tried ATV, but no thanks. I was on a budgeted tour. It wasn't really my plan to check Cagsawa's history, too, but Kuya Driver still shared with me his Cagsawa knowledge.

Lunch time. Back to the Grand Terminal and had our lunch in one of the eateries there. I actually got injured when I was in Lignon Hill and the pain started to kick in while having lunch. I decided to go back to Tabaco instead of heading to Kawa-Kawa. H9owever, Kuya Driver kept on insisting that I should see Legazpi Boulevard. I guess it comes"alive" at night, but during the day, there isn't much to do, though if the weather's good, visitors can definitely find it a perfect place for a morning jog.

Just before leaving Tabaco the following day, I'd like to see at least one must-see places in the area. Good thing St. John the Baptist church is just few blocks away from the hotel.

This tour didn't cost me that much. Here's my Albay Itinerary, Budget