Albay 20170330
Under the scorching sun with more or less 12 hours of brutally testing the limits of my 27 year old vehicle, my mechanic and i toured the Bicol region. Our first stop was in Bato Cam Sur, the hometown of my mechanic's wife. June Atos and his family toured us to the Lake Bato where most of the locals get fresh water fish as source of their livelihood. To enjoy and feel the community we've been with, we join the locals as they harvest fish for our feast.
The following morning after we surpass the fun trip at Lake Bato, we head on to Camalig Albay to witness the scenic view of the famous symmetrical shape of the Mayon Volcano along the Cagsawa ruins. I was fortunate enough to see the horizon and the tip of Mayon, most of what i have heard the volcano hides it's tip from clouds during most of the day.
The day was still on our way as we visit the Hayop-hayopan cave to take some tourist photos in the same town of Camalig, we also went to Jovellar underground river where we did our breath taking, weak-kneed treacherous cliff jump. It was a real refreshing moment to plunge on its cool streaming fresh and clean water, and yes! the jumping experience was horrifically fun to do...in short we did jump 3 more times to really embrace our outdoor adventure. BTW we did a roughly one hour treck from Quitinday Hill to reach the river.
We also had an overnight stay at Quitinday Hills before our week last to its final day. In their barangay we agreed to sign for a special waiver, actually it was their first time to encounter a traveler who requests for an overnight stay up in the hill, Thanks to kuya kagawad Winston for arranging my request. I am supposed to do a night photography when we were up there, unfortunately we were hit by a heavy rainfall around midnight up to the following morning.
© by Don A. Clavo de Comer