On the weekend of Halloween this year, 2008, my officemates planned a trip to Bicol. Two of them hail from the province on the southern part of Luzon. They invited us to join them for a short vacation where we can even bring our children with us. And so the trip was set.
We left Manila an hour before midnight on Thursday, October 30th. Backpacks were filled with sporty outfits and a few pairs of swim wear since Bicol offers a lot of sights and beaches. We also had our bags full of bottled water and chips and cookies. I even brought two of our most comfy pillows for the long drive. I have to make sure these things are covered during long trips because I have two kids to take care of all by myself.
And so the 12-hour journey began. We hit the South Luzon Expressway which looked far less than a midnight drive because of all the other motorists taking advantage of the Halloween weekend. A good number could be driving down their hometowns to celebrate the Filipino tradition of All Soul’s Day. For Filipinos, Halloween is not the typical Treat or Tricking in costumes but a time to camp overnight to their loved ones’ graves. Growing up, I experienced neither.
Our first pit stop was in Lucena, Quezon. It was a lively pit stop since there’s a bar on the side of the Total Fuel Station and people are indeed rockin’ it! It was interesting. But then I headed right back to the van not because I am sleepy but I am feeling dizzy already.
Reaching the National Park in Eme, Quezon was sad because it was too dark to appreciate the beauty of the winding road amidst the flora! Well, better luck next time.
After finishing the movie Charlie Bartlett, I am then ready to rest my eyes before I even feel further nauseous. Making sure my kids were all bundled up and comfy, I too found a comfy nook in the van and took my mobile sleep. (Yawn!)
Light was starting to show when we had our next stop. We were already in Camarines Norte – the last town before the more famous CamSur. Please don’t expect me to mention the names of the towns because I was not even paying attention. All I know is that we were going to Bicol. From here on, I was awake to appreciate the land I have never set eyes on. The roads of Bicol were much like the roads of going home to our province – in Isabela. While gazing through the endless sight of coconut trees and homey cottages, I cannot help but miss going back home up north. I must say though, that Bicol, just from what I saw during the drive was beautiful. The mountains were like painted by a first-grader – perfectly-shaped and perfectly green. The rice fields were even reminiscent of a typical Filipino painting. The gloomy and cloudy morning was sweet in the scenery I have never seen before. I was already enjoying my first hour in Bicol.
I think I was still able to take a short nap before we reached my officemate’s own home. We will have breakfast here and meet his own parents. Nothing can beat breakfast amidst the famous Mt. Mayon – Philippines’ pride and Philippines’ perfect cone volcano. It just rained the night before hence Mariang Magayon would shy behind the thick clouds every once in a while.
After breakfast, we then hit the road back but made a quick visit at the Cagsawa Ruins. There, we were able to appreciate the Mayon Volcano better and took better photos. It would have been the best photos had the sun not been a little stingy and at least showed up even for a little bit. But it’s all good. Seeing the enchanting beauty of Mt. Mayon and setting foot on the ruins of Cagsawa were more than enough an experience.
And so we proceeded with our last leg of the long trip. We will finally reach our destination – Sorsogon. We all cannot wait! After another couple of hours and another last pit stop, we were finally in Sorsogon. Hearty home-cooked lunch was already waiting for us. Fresh crabs, giant squid, crunchy greens, and freshly grilled fish. Talk about a big treat for a long, grueling drive! ;-)
We just took a little rest, set up our stuff in our cottage in a resort nearby and the kids were then itching for a good swim. And the grown-ups won’t let them still. We drove another half an hour first to visit a lagoon off another beach’s shore. The kids can’t get enough of fun! After nearly two hours, we headed back to the resort where the kids continued their big itch for the waves of Bacon, Sorsogon. The waves were mighty yet fun. The joy and the excitement in the kids’ faces are priceless. The photos are an immortal proof.
I thought the spaghetti and bread that was served was good for dinner already. But it was only an afternoon snack. The real dinner should be awaited for, I tell you. Dinner was indeed as hearty as lunch – special dinuguan, grilled pork belly, laing, and of course, fish. Nobody can’t get enough of food to eat – you will well know you are in vacation alright! ;-) We ended the night with a bottle of light beer each and a good cold shower.
The next day was not enough for us to visit the scenic places around Sorsogon. But after lunch, when we thought we cannot carry our big bellies anymore, we jam-packed the van and hit the road to see more of relaxing Bicol. We stopped and took photos of Rizal Beach. The sand was so fine and there are Dippin’ Dots all over the shore! It was so cute! This was made by the tiny crabs digging tiny holes all over the beach and throwing the little balls of sand back to the ground. And the whole shore – it does not seem to end like the blue horizon before us. Before finally going back to our seats, there were two old ladies selling souvenirs – of course we bought some. They were not only ingenious in design but they are indeed cute!
After another hour or so, we were now up in the mountains. It is driving through a rain forest where the giant ferns greet you on your way up to Bulusan Lake. Though the skies were cloudy and actually gloomy, we never stopped taking pictures still. Thank man for built-in flash, our faces were still seen in the photos! ;-) Bulusan was serene and certainly has a calming effect. It’s like being in the Sudan (not so sure) Mountains from the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Though my body didn’t fly and float in the magical forest, my spirits were none the less gliding serenely through nature’s own gift.
Before we head back, we visited one of their friends in that town. And I must say that for two days, we were never made to feel like strangers yet. Filipinos are indeed very friendly and hospitable. They even cooked local pancit for us and served us freshly-brewed coffee and soda for the kids. When dark set in, we hit the road back to Bacon. Dinner was yet to come but we first paid a visit to our hostess’ in-laws. They are the friendliest and the loveliest in-laws you could imagine. Not to mention the prettiest too. It is like meeting in person a used-to-be famous celebrity couple. Seeing their old pictures on display, I had to catch my jaw drop for they are the most beautiful people I have met in person. You can just think back how not-pretty you are. Haha!
So we headed back to our hostess’ lovely home for dinner. You guessed it right - dinner was superbly awesome – squid, grilled chicken, crabs and veggied young jackfruit, and sweet and sour Lapu-Lapu fish.
After a little rest, we walked through the old church to the cemetery to say a short prayer for their loved ones’ who have already passed away. During that short walk, we did not only try to scare ourselves, but we also reveled in the cloudless dark sky studded with all the stars the naked eye could witness. It was the loveliest Halloween evening. This was enough for us to retire for the night and get a good rest for our trip back home the next day.
And so the heartbreaking day has come. We woke up and packed our cluttered stuff back to our backpacks, took a shower, put our sunglasses on, and went to have breakfast first. During breakfast, the kids caught up for Halloween and got dressed in their own costumes. They wore these get-ups until we were done with breakfast, and until we were done making our series of stops to say our temporary goodbyes to their relatives. It was already almost lunch time before we really hit the long drive home. We also stopped by to buy pasalubong (presents) and bought local lanterns that are just beautiful in their lively colors! We had lunch a few towns away at our other officemate’s house.
The sun was at its peak when we hit the REAL drive home. I was accompanied by two movies while on this drive. But I liked (re)watching the second movie I popped in my computer – Because I Said So. It is a very entertaining movie. Gabriel Macht never misses to infect me with his full, heartfelt smiles. He melts me. ;-)
And then I was starting to feel nauseous again when I decided I should take a nap before breakfast and lunch spray all over the car. Woops, did I just gross you out? Sorry! :-p
It was already dusk and we were still in Bicol soils. We had an 8o’clock dinner somewhere in Quezon Province. And right after that, me and my kids slept all the way through. Instinct or what-not, I woke up right on time to remind myself on telling my sister what time we should be picked up! Photo finish, it was. We were dropped off in Alabang around midnight. After a quick drive-thru the ever dependable Uncle Ronald McDonald, we finally drove home.
It was one in the morning, and our stories cannot wait until the next day. Hitting the bed at around half past two in the morning, feeling tired was unknown. With smiles on our faces, we slept with the fun memories of Bicol.
Donsol for whale watching is definitely next on the list, the springs and water falls, and forest trekking we missed out on. Wakeboarding in CamSur, boating, and more surfs to jump in. The lovely photos we could take in Caramoan. These and those yet to be discovered. So many sights, so many things to do, so little time for Bicol. We will thus see her again.
Mabuhay!
