We went to Bicol last weekend for our Regional Briefing in Region V. When we heard the province of Bicol, what comes first to mind is Mayon Volcano, right? Yes! The first time we set our foot in the airport, there... we saw the magnificent Mayon Volcano in its splendor beauty. The weather has been good to us. The past few days before our arrival, the flights were cancelled due to stormy weather in Bicol. But, at the time of our arrival, the sun shine and smile to us. Hence, we got an opportunity to take few good shots of Mayon.

We even got an opportunity to have a trip at the Mayon's foot up to 1/3 of its height. We saw the beauty of the surroundings from where we stand which is an abandoned old hotel. Along the way, we saw the people, living at the foot of Mayon, waving at us.

We also went to Cagsaua Church - the church that was buried by the stones and lava when the Mayon errupted. Now, only the bell at the top of the church can be seen. With Mayon at the background, it is now one of its tourist attraction.

The kids around the remnants of the Church sell pictures of Mayon Volcano, Cagsaua Church, etc. for a cheap price of P25 (I got a picture of Cagsaua Church with Mayon at the background which was taken during the recent actual erruption of the volcano.) They also help and gave advice on how you would take your pictures at what particular area to have a stunning result. We were delighted with the camera tricks and pointers they relayed to us.

Aside from magnificent views and tourist attractions, Bicol is also known with their great food. We feast with their pinangat (dried gabi leaves cooked with coconut milk), laing, Bicol Express (pork cooked with gata and with lots of chili), seafoods, halo-halo, etc. For our pasalubong, we bought pili nuts.

Bicol was also known for its abacca handicrafts. We bought a lot of shoulder bags, hand bags, duyan, and slippers made from abacca at very cheap prices (I regret that I had not bought enough.) They also made kitchen tools and cutlery products. We bought kitchen knifes, scissors, etc.

Bicol has a lot of things to offer. I can rants and rants a lot of good things here and I might still miss a thing. So, you better go there and see it for yourself!

Hi Yza! That sounds like a great place you went to. Someday I want to come see the Philippines too. Would you believe, I haven't even been to China yet? and I don't speak Chinese at all. Glad you had a nice time in Bicol! Good info.
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nice! what a beautiful place...i've never been there before. BTW, i have a tag for you at this link!

waaah! i miss bicol! :(

wow!!! ganda naman dyan yza! it's full of history, aba, sa sibika at kultura na aklat ko lang yan nakita at nabasa noon ah. glad to see u those pictures. just lovely! wish to go there someday!

uu nga, kainis tong colds. the weather is crazy kasi. pero medyo ok na moi. triz too. si husband na naman ang nagrereklamo ng sakit sa ulo. haha!

ingat dyan! bawal magkasakit ano..