Camarines Sur | Malabsay Falls, Churches and CWC

The last province of my Bicol Solo backpacking is CamSur. It’s almost 4pm when I arrived at Naga City. I go straight to Sampaguita Tourist Inn and rest for a while. I took a nap then it’s already dark when I woke up. The inn is a few blocks away from Centro where BBQ stands alight in the plaza during night times. I have my dinner there.

The following day I have a refreshing dip in the basin of Malabsay falls in the foot of Mount Isarog National Park. It's an hour hike up to the park. The road where under construction so I have no choice but to walk all the way to the falls.

Going back to Naga City I hitch ride with the couple who also visited the falls.

After my lunch I do the church hopping. A couple of churches is a must visit in the city.

The Naga Metropolitan Cathedral (Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist) was established after the creation of the archdiocese as the Diocese of Cáceres in 1595. The present cathedral was built in 1808, and was completed and consecrated in 1843.

The Peñafrancia Minor Basilica located on the outskirts of Naga City is also known as the Pilgrim City and Queen City of Bicol. The Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is enshrined in her sanctuary at the Basilica Minore, Balatas Road Naga City.

San Francisco Church, established in 1578, it is the first church in the region built by the Franciscan Friars. The surrender of the Spanish forces to the Bikol revolutionaries Elias Angeles and Felix Plazo took place here on September 18, 1896. The church was reduced to rubble by the heavy bombing of Naga in World War II, and the church remained in ruins until the present new edifice was constructed.

On my last day I tried the kinalas in one of the eatery then I drop by the CWC in CamSur Provincial Capitol grounds in Pili.

Kinalas  is not your typical mami. Aside from the broth, an orange/brown sauce much like the one used in Pancit Palabok is also added. Kinalas got its name from the word “kalas” or to fall off, which is what happens in the lengthy process of cooking this delicious soup dish.

The CamSur Watersports Comlex is the first world-class watersports complex in the Philippines and in Asia. CWC aims to bring cable skiing to a whole new level and attract watersports enthusiasts from all over the world with its top of the line facilities and relaxing environment. This six (6)-hectare complex, with its 6-point cable ski system, is sure to draw guests, riders and spectators by the thousands. 

This is part of my Bicol solo backpacking trip.

Budget | Catanduanes | Albay | Sorsogon | Camarines Sur

Sorsogon | A Day at Barcelona and Gubat

It seems the weather in Albay wouldn't get better and I don't have a chance to see the perfect cone shape of Mayon Volcano so I decided to go south to the nearby province of Sorsogon.

I took a jeepney to the town of Gubat then another ride to Barcelona. The site of Barcelona was originally part of Gubat and Bulusan. The town's name was known as Danlog, taken from the name of a swift flowing river. The change of name to Barcelona was recommended by a Spanish official that saw some similiarties with Barcelona, Spain. On April 16, 1886, it became a pueblo civil. Until 1868, it was part of the parish of St. James the Great of Bulusan. After 1868, it took St. Joseph as its patron saint and celebrates their town fiesta on May 19.

This century old building ruins was practically made of stone, sea corals and lime, simultaneously constructed with the "La Presidencia" in 1874 during the Spanish period. The building was originally intended as a school building for the children of the "Ilustrados" or the wealthy Spanish conquistadores and very few Filipinos with Spanish heritage and connections.

From Barcelona i hop a jeepney to Rizal Beach in the nearby town of Gubat. There is a lot of beach resort aligning on the national highway. I inquire about their room rates and it so pricey that i intended only to have a day trip there. After paying a 25 pesos entrance fee i started to explore the white sand beach and got busy taking pictures.

After that i heads back to Legazpi City and spend the night there.

This is part of my Bicol solo backpacking trip.

Budget | Catanduanes | Albay | Sorsogon | Camarines Sur