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.

It’s probably because I’ve been spending more time in North Luzon, Metro Manila and Cebu that, once again, the Lady is beckoning, calling out my name to visit her land once again. And I do feel the itch to pack up, and leave for Bicol, anywhere in that region as long as I’m there.

The first time I learned about kinalas, a popular noodle dish in Naga City, I was queasy. The thought of eating pork brain gives me goosebumps. It is one part of an animal that I avoid and this one is said to contain this organ. But my curiosity got me and I didn’t look back.

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.

1300H and I was just at the nick of time that I arrived at the pier after a long journey. I was still able to catch the roro ferry in Matnog, Sorsogon bound for Allen, Samar and was thankful enough since I was spared of waiting another two hours for the next trip.

What I like about the Matnog – Allen route is that its just short.

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.