AN OVERNIGHT land trip to this southern Luzon province had me waking to a beautiful sunrise emerging from a blanket of fog. A familiar image appeared in the distance as our bus zoomed through the highway.
The perfect cone-shaped Mount Mayon seemed to be welcoming us. Its peak was clear and, as they say, it seldom shows itself as it’s always hidden behind the clouds. This time, it wasn’t.
I have been to the beautiful province of Albay a number of times and those trips were all memorable.
Recently, it’s making the headlines as Mayon is releasing its fury. The most popular landmark in the province is the Cagsawa Ruins, the site of what remains of the church and a convent that was covered by lava when Mayon erupted in 1814. The crumbling walls and the iconic belfry are testament to the power Mayon has within its depths.
Boulders are scattered in the area, evidence that large rocks went with the lava as the volcano unleashed them from its bosom. Because this has become a major tourist destination, Cagsawa is also filled with souvenir shops where you can find apparels, accessories, food items, decors, household items, and even live plants and orchids.
When it comes to food, Albay has plenty to offer. They have the hottest cuisines in the country, literally and figuratively.
And when we say “hot,” it’s spicy hot that it can let you go in flames, like a volcano ready to erupt.
You have the Bicol Express, Pinangat, and other delectable local eats.
But if you are looking for something sweet and cool, the special halo-halo, with grated cheese on top, at Tiwi is absolutely a must-taste. And never return home without bringing some pili nuts, which is a known product of Albay.
If you are looking for some action, there are a lot of adventure-related activities around Albay. You can try the ATV Recreation, zipline, or Segway ride. Bikers and scuba divers also find the province a great place to explore, inland and underwater.
The province’s capital, Legazpi City, is the gateway to various parts of Albay. Ligñon Hill provides a good vantage point to marvel at the beauty of Mayon from afar and Legazpi City down below.
If you are up for some entertainment, locals and visitors hang out at Embarcadero, especially at night, which is right by the sea, with Mayon looming at the horizon.
The closest I have gotten to Mayon is at the Skyline View Deck in Tabaco City. There was an abandoned building there, a planetarium, and some gazebos at the park area. The breeze was cool and being on a high ground provides a spectacular view of the horizon. It’s a great place to be, if Mayon is on its quiet state. But not this time, when danger is just by the end of your hair.
From the uplands, we also spent a few days in Sto. Domingo, visiting St. Dominic Guzman Church, which is a 19th century church. We went for some island hopping in this coastal town, spending a morning in one of the crowd-free beaches, sipping fresh coconut juice straight from its shell and delighting on the local catch. We also docked in one of the islands with a century-old tree stooping over the waters. As we went from one island to another, traversing through the calm seas, Mt. Mayon stood at the distance, as if watching over the islands.
Almost wherever we went, the shadow of the volcano is cast over it.
Mayon, an active stratovolcano which has erupted more than 50 times since the 17th century, has once again captured global attention with its recent eruption, creating lava fountains. It is the most active volcano in the country.
As regal and fierce as the image of Mayon, the people of Albay are strong resilient. Like the formidable beauty of its symbol, Albay will once again rise from the ashes.
All photos are by this author. Claire Marie Algarme blogs at http://firsttimetravels.com. Follow her as @firsttimetravel on Twitter and Instagram and like her Facebook page First-time Travels blog.