145
PHOTOS: LESTERLEDESMA (LEGAZPI); RAYMONDCALACDAY (NAGA); SAMUELDELEON (VIRAC)
philippines
trip journal
VIRAC
NAGA
“NagaCity folkaresimple,
yeturbane; theyalsohavea
deepsenseofreligion.The
peopleand thespicy foods
certainlymakevisiting
worthwhile.”
“Icamehome from
Catanduanesenthusiastically
tellinganyonewhowould
listenabout the funhikeup
toBalacayPointand theclear
watersofMaribinaFalls.”
GeewanonP. BurgosStreet is a
must-visit for itspinangat and laing
(PHP60each), not tomentionahost of
other Bicolanodishesguaranteed to set
yourmouthonfire.
Visitors should
notmissBasilicaof theNuestraSeñorade
Peñafrancia, anoldbut finelybuilt church
that has fantastic stained-glasswindows.
Getting inandaround the city is a
breezewithall the jeepneys and tricycles
roaming the streets.
DropbySundayBlossoms, a restaurant
where servings arehuge, andeverything is
tastyandaffordable. Enjoy their
sisig
rice
(ricewithbits of pigheadand liver) for
just PHP70-80per order.
If you’reup
for the challenge, takea20- to 30-minute
hike to reachBalacayPoint, where from
the top you’ll enjoyawesomeviews of the
ocean.
Weather is veryunpredictable in
Catanduanes, sobe ready for amixof rain,
strongwinds and sunshineduring your visit.
AREACODE
+54
TOUCHDOWN
NAGA
AIRPORT
GETTOTOWN
TAXI, JEEPNEY
AREACODE
+52
TOUCHDOWN
VIRACAIRPORT
GETTOTOWN
TRICYCLE, TAXI, JEEPNEY
LEGAZPI
“Whowouldn’twant tobe
greetedbymajesticMayon
Volcanoasyougetoffthe
plane?There’ssomething
aboutLegazpiCity thatwill
makeyouwant togoback.”
For unique treats, head to 1st
ColonialGrill for a scoopof the sili
ice cream (PHP79) and toSmall Talk
Café for
laingor Bicol expresspasta
andMayon stuffedpizza (PHP300).
Start thedaybyexploringMount
Mayon’s lahar-covered roads andgreen
lavabedswithBicolAdventureATV,
and cap it offwithavisit to theCagsawa
Ruins.
Bicolano cuisine is known for
its ampleusageof chillis, sobeprepared
for some serious heat.
AREACODE
+52
TOUCHDOWN
LEGAZPI
AIRPORT
GETTOTOWN
TAXI, TRICYCLE,
RENTALVAN
DawnArdel
A.Buban
Publishing specialist
FritzArabit
Lawyer
KriskaChen
Lawyer
