PLACE TO SLEEP

Actually if you are to bound for Legazpi City, a place to sleep isn't that hard to find. Inside the airport terminal you can find right and there a place to stay, a few steps away from arrival area you can see this Hotel. On my first day of travel i stayed on this hotel, you can get the comfortable living you want, but for a budget travelers I may not recommend it, since the area is quite a distance away from the heart of the City.

Beside the hotel they serve a buffet eat all you can for a very affordable price i think it costs P150.00 per person. The advantage of this hotel is no need to rush if you have an urgent flight, right after the doorstep you can reach the departure area for your flight.

Another hotel I've tried is the Ellis Ecotel, located just inside Embarcadero where you can spend your night life anytime. Ellis is a clean living inspired by a ship cabin room, as if you are sailing in a boat. I may recommend this hotel for a budget travelers, for the walk ins they have promotion of P450.00 for a single occupancy room from P1,050.00. It was just a coincident when i was in Legazpi City.

I was assisted by a room attendant and the front desk lady politely, you can feel the warm welcoming of staff. I was in a hurry that i have to catch a ride for Naga City to attend fluvial parade on that day, the attendant offer first to see my room before I sign for my accommodation.

This is my room, quite not spacious but for a typical and minimalist like me this is good, I just want to spend my night comfortable and safe.

On the hall way you may experience the ship cabin theme, or a cruise inspired rooms sailing like in a ship.

Minimal design fixtures, clean and simple. cabinet and other fixtures are well detailed, disregard my stuff hehehe. If you like a simple living? I am sure you may like this hotel, take note TV is already an LCD, and air conditioning unit is a split type to save more space.

Shower room is also designed to get the room save ample space, incorporated with a modern design toilet fixtures. Well, for me as a traveler this is okey, but for the honeymooners maybe this is quite tight and small hehehe. I forgot to tell to the room boy that there's no free soap and toothbrush, I don't know if these are really not included due to promotion.

BUDGETARY

Airport Hotel

  Double or Matrimonial bed - P1,050.00

  Contact numbers

Ellis Ecotel

  Single Bed - P450.00 (Promo)

  Contact numbers

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BICOLANO SPECIALTIES

When you think of foods! Bicolandia has variety of hot and spicy foods that great to offer. Spicy and cooked with coconut milk, sauteed to a native special herbs and added with vegetables, a basic ingredients that they have usually used. One of their dishes is a well known "Bicol Express" a spicy hot viand that we often see in some carenderyas any where in the Philippines, a spicy pork with coconut milk cooked with chili. Another is the "Pinangat" a multiple layered of Dahon ng gabi (Taro leaves- I've been hardly searching the correct term of this vegetable in english LOL...) layered with grated young coconut meat and mixed with coconut milk sauce. "Laing" a grated or sliced taro leaves, well cooked in a coconut milk, mixed with paste of fermented shrimp, chili (Siling labuyo) and pork.

If you are in Legazpi, you don't have to search anywhere along the streets for this authentic foods, inside the malls you can already find some fast foods that also serves great foods of Bicol  specialties. During my stay here first thing in mind is to try special delicacies, it's not my first time to try this foods, we even cooked this in our house occasionally, but the original is still the best... Budget wise? You can get it in just a less price yet satisfied of good taste...

BICOL HALO-HALO

This is their version of halo-halo... My friend ordered a halo-halo for the three of us, i thought it is also spicy (LOL), since i have already seen an ice cream with chili but i forgot to try it, maybe in my next time trip one of must to try is their chili ice cream... 

 FAST FOOD

If you are in Manila, you may find several of fast foods selling, Burgers, Fries, Chicken and etc. Here in legazpi this fast food offers you specialties of Bicol, i don't know where was the origin of this but I'm pretty sure that they are selling authentic foods of Bicolanos. Here you can also buy raw items ready to cook for pasalubong (Present or a token) if you want to bring it, a must to try also are their breads. I remember the time when my office mates were also here in legazpi, before they go home, they buy lots of pasalubong from this store.

TURO-TURO

It means you are to choose viand by pointing finger and order what you want, a Filipino restaurant version of fast food where all viands are already cooked and ready to serve... This kind of dish is a bicolano version of "HUMBA" a well cooked pork thigh part or leg, sometimes referred as like adobo flavor.

 BICOL EXPRESS

An authentic Bicol express...Very hot and spicy courtesy of Mrs.Shirley Bertes and Mrs. Emelinda Limpin of Anchorage food court located in the terminal of Van transportation. A new friends whom i met in the terminal on my way to Naga City to attend festivity of Penafrancia. 

I was on my Itinerary travel to Naga City  it was late in the mid-noon already i felt hungry and i found this food court serving local dishes, we had some short talk with the owner, they are very accommodating... Their cafeteria is just an adjacent to the terminal to Naga City where I am scheduled to ride after my lunch. If you happen to go here look for Anchorage Food Court decent yet affordable, i spent just P80.00 for a complete set of lunch, I really Enjoyed Bicolano hospitality.

HOW MUCH?

From Legazpi going to Naga i prefered to ride a van, a non-stop and direct trip, since I am in a hurry to catch the fluvial parade of Penafrancia. It cost me P180.00. Based on my conversation with the locals ordinary bus fare is just P100.00 and P150.00 for the aircon bus, but as of them it will drop off to "Bayan-Bayan" means every station will have to stop... Runningtime? for the Van i timed it just 2hrs travel time maybe same if you are into a private car if you prefer to bring one.

Must Do! from the hotel be careful to negotiate for the tricycle ride make sure ask first how much will be the fare and it must have to be agreed, others charge you too much, basic fare is just P8.00, others might charge you P50.00 to P100.00. twenty pesos is acceptable to the nearest destinations since there's no taxi available here. From embarcadero to the airport I usually paid P50.00.

RICE CAKE

You know what? i was not able to try it when I was in Legazpi, this is also their version of "Puto" filled with sweetened "Macapuno" (Sticky coconut meat) hahaha, don't know yet the correct term of it... Ask me where  did i get it? Well my new friends seat mate from the airplane gave it to me, a courtesy of Lily Ramos and Mariz Perez i forgot the name of thier other friend, by the way thank you! We had some conversation of thier travel experiences in Bicolandia, They are also a travel mania.

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MAYON

Mayon Volcano is located in Albay province, rising 2,462 meters from the shoreline, Mayon comes from the Bicolano word "Magayon" means maganda or "Daragang Magayon" beautiful lady. The word itself portrays the true beauty of this grandeur of the perfect cone in shape Volcano. Mayon is an active volcano.

MAJESTIC

Mayon is already a very familiar volcano to every Filipino since elementary, every school have pictures of it to give the students a good presentation on how fortunate we are, we have this perfect cone in shape volcano to be found only in the Philippines... This time I have opportunity to see the Mayon in personal, a side trip from a work assignment in Legazpi City. Unfortunately my trip was coincident with a typhoon Karen that hit along the northern part of the Philippines, yet this part of region have been affected of cloudy and stormy weather. On my next post i will surely give better view of Mayon when the cloud is clear and she is ready to show up.

 LEGAZPI CITY

Legazpi City is the largest in the Bicol region, a capital of Albay province. It was became a City for the second time on June 28, 1948. The first city mayor was Jose Arboleda commissioned by President Elpidio Quirino. Legazpi became City finally for the third time on June 12, 1959.

TRICYCLE OF LEGAZPI CITY

Only in the Philippines... every place I go i'll be posting also a different kinds of motorcycle transportation it depends to the place, I am sure every place has its own version...

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D'BUDGETEL

If you happen to be in Cagayan de Oro here are some hotels I have stayed during my visit. Lots of hotels you can find in an internet, one of them have I chose was the Budgetel. Accommodation is good in general, attendants and the front desk officers are very well accommodating, they have wide visitor's lounge area, a strong WI-FI at cafeteria and a well secured entrance and perimeter. They have to check your baggage upon entry after you have registered your bookings, slightly hustle but for safety reason this is good.

A wide parking area offered to those who have vehicles

They offer also backpackers accommodation, a recommendation for a budget travelers and those who have only to be stayed overnight. 

HOTEL NAME

•  D'Budgetel

ADDRESS

• Corrales extension, Cagayan De Oro City

CONTACT NUMBERS

• (088) 856-4200, 856-6820
• Telefax - (088) 856-4300

ROOM RATES

• Standard Single 
• P 600.00
• Superior twin/Double
• P 900.00
• Dormitory
• P 250.00/pax
• Fully airconditioned room and Communal toilet and bath

AMENITIES

• Airconditioned rooms
• Wi-fi
• Cable TV LCD
• Hot/cold shower
• 24/7 electricity
• Standby Generator
• Spacious parking space
• 24/7 coffee shop
• Laundry services
• Function rooms
• Free breakfast

NEW DAWN PENSIONNE

A storey building located along the street of Velez in front of Caltex gasoline station. A well maintain building serve with both elevator and stairs. Accessible to the most establishments, mall, park, school and churches. Amenities is not a problem, they have serve food upon orders, cafeteria along its side. They have also wi-fi in the lobby area and a 24/7 security to safe guard the guests.

I rated this accommodation quite pricey for a budget travelers, cheaper than class "A", not a five star accommodation but if you travel with your family you can get a comfortability for the cost you paid for or a group of three for a shared room is an ideal for this. 

HOTEL NAME

• New Dawn Pensionne

ADDRESS

• Velez-Makahambus St. Cagayan De Oro City

CONTACT NUMBERS

• (88) 857-1777, 857-1776

ROOM RATES

• Double 
• P 880.00
• Triple
• P 1,380.00

AMENITIES

• Airconditioned rooms
• Wi-fi
• cable Televation
• Hot/cold shower
• 24/7 electricity
• Standby Generator

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INASAL

This is often widely offered anywhere in the Philippines, But Cagayan de oro have their own version of grilled or barbeque chicken... Inasal (A grilled chicken in a stick) is an authentic dish from visayan part of the Philippines. Ilo-ilo, Bacolod and Cebu have their own different style and taste but in general it taste so good. It is usually paired with pickled young papaya and rice, with soy sauce mix with calamansi and chili as optional if you want it spicy.

Adobong kangkong, a Filipino authentic dish that usually seen in our table, during lunch and dinner.

KINILAW

A raw fish meat cut into cubes, mixed with varieties of ingredients that makes this dish tasty. Actually there are different kinds on how to make this dish be tasty, some are mixed with young coconut milk to make it more tasty, in this restaurant they offered typical kind of Kinilaw, that made our lunch complete.

COCONUT JUICE

 DIVISORIA

I know most of the Filipino are very familiar of the place DIVISORIA located in Metro Manila, an old time Cabisera of manila decades and century have passed but still on market, often over crowded, since most of the product can be buy here in an affordable price.

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EL KABAYO 2

As i mentioned in my earlier post, El kabayo have two cascading waterfalls, this is the second falls 30 meters away from the first waterfalls and for about 5 meters in height.

It is really inviting to take a dip on its cold water, where the water source is coming from the thick forest and preserved mountain areas of Subic, Zambales.

This waterfalls were usually did several events of pictorials and movies within the area, mostly explored by foreigners who love nature.

Inside the Subic there are plenty of waterfalls awaits to explore. Somewhere, somehow if i have another opportunity to come back here, i will spend more time to challenge the adventure of the beautiful nature of Subic. Also i would like to acknowledge and thank my friend Oscar Gador, who accompany me 'til the last minute of this another great travel... First waterfalls Here

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EL KABAYO

After my visit from the work assignment, I was able to take this side trip into El kabayo waterfalls located inside the Subic. It was 4:00 pm I went there, a good time and enough light to take pictures.When i saw this waterfalls i can't help myself but to dip right away to the water and set my tripod, can't wait  to have a shoots. The nature is very inviting...

So far this is one of the most convenient and accessible waterfalls I've visited, it is easy to go here, just a 10 to 15 minutes hike from the jump off or a parking area.

El kabayo have two cascading waterfalls, this is the first falls in about 3 meters high, where you can dip on its shallow dip water.

This waterfalls lays within the heart of forested area of Subic, where u can go anytime of the day. As per the care taker, in order to preserve the area it was converted as picnic ground, entrance fees collected from the visitors is used for maintenance purposes.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Manila you can take a bus in Cubao, Victory Liner serves the Olongapo route via SCTEX, this is fastest way to go Subic it has one stop only via Dau, Pampanga, fare is just P 235.00. As well as Genesis and Saulog bus, but most of it via service road and may take you longer travel time, make sure to ask for via SCTEX route. Within Subic area you can take a cab to El kabayo waterfalls. If you bring your own car, you can safely leave your car into there parking area there's a kubo there, it is just located near the main road, actually it is the entrance where you have to hike for about less than a 15 minutes.

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