Whenever I’m in Albay, specifically Legazpi City, I always find myself gravitating to the Embarkadero break water where one can get one of the best and unobstructed views of Mt. Mayon, a volcano.

I really never tire of Mt. Mayon. I’ve seen her with her lava flows, or from the beautiful vantage point at the Embarcadero. Heck, I even consider Legazpi City airport as the airport with the best view in the world because of her! But never have I gone this close!

No question about it. The Legazpi City airport has the best view in the country, if not the world with magnificent Mt. Mayon volcano infront of it with smoke billowing from its lip, especially in the early morning. Lignon Hill is at the foreground.

Mornings at the Embarcadero are beautiful especially on a clear day with beautiful views of Mt. Mayon. In the late afternoon, especially a lazy one, a stroll along the promenade near Legazpi’s port is just as beautiful.

The coastal breakwater near the Embarcadero, that hip night spot cum mall at the base of Kapuntukan Hill aka The Sleeping Lion in Legazpi City not only provides a good view of Mt. Mayon and the port but is also a haven for joggers and early morning denizens.

The late afternoon light was just so beautiful and the participating contingents during the opening of Albay’s monthlong fest, the Magayon Festival, were all assembled, waiting for their turn to perform, just added to the color. And of course, there were lovely ladies in the crowd

Recent news reports are abuzz with the impending eruption of the graceful maiden, Mt. Mayon in Albay as Philvocs has monitored the build up of magma to the volcano’s crater. There is also an increase of earthquakes being recorded and alert level 2 has already been raised. While this might be an opportunity to witness firsthand, caution should always be done.

I am tracing a good five years of travel with my amour around the country and in this two part series, I am featuring ten of those sojourns. This is Part 1 which covers Cebu, Baguio City, Bohol, Surigao City and Bicol.

I was already tired and sleepless when I arrived in Daraga, Albay at around 0700H. And God, it was a rather drab morning and wet with the slow but constant drizzle. Nevertheless, I dragged myself to a waiting tricycle before catching a jeepney to Legazpi City where I had a quick breakfast.
This was not the first time that I have been in the city in this kind of weather. But when it’s like this, not seeing Mt. Mayon is depressing.

What a sight to behold: the sun waking from its slumber but still hidden by low lying clouds as mist hasn’t yet lifted across the land that is Bicol. A familiar orange hue envelops the still halfshut break of morn as the plane hovered thousands of feet above.

A striking silhouette with a trace of smoke billowing from its tip, rising from the land, perfect, majestic Mt. Mayon.