The Backpacking Ballerina

My first adventure together with my childhood friend Michelle. I availed of another travelfactor tour (http://travelfactor.org/) Check out their website for their tours and rates. So far I’ve tried one local tour which is this tour and the other was the international tour Backpacking Thailand. I preferred the international tour more but this tour wasn’t really bad. It was just the travel time that was tiring.

We took a 12 hour bus ride from Pasay station to Legazpi and we were soon brought by the sea and around the area to tour the churches and to have our own adventures. They usually leave you to explore the areas yourself so If you are the type of person who likes to go around and view things yourself then this is a good tour for you. We were brought to the Cagsawa ruins, Lignon Hill and Daraga church before we headed to our hotel in Donsol by the sea. This tour actually was specifically made to go to Donsol but they toured us around Legazpi before we made our way to Donsol to swim with the whale sharks.

We weren’t able to get a clear view of the Mayon volcano but nonetheless it was really beautiful. We also tried a lot of different kinds of food in Bicol. Some Chili Halo halo ( REALLY GOOD), Bicol express, other seafood and all kinds of fruits. Bicol’s specialty I think is their Chili since most of their food there have chili in them. I am not a fan of chili, in fact I really hate spicy food but they are good in incorporating all their spices into their dishes so as not to make the food super spicy. I really enjoyed the food that they served during this trip and we really did eat, A LOT.

That same night we went to the firefly river cruise. This was what I think was the highlight of our tour. Millions of stars and thousands of Fireflies shining around the trees. It was one of the most peaceful and breathtaking moments of my life. I cannot even begin to describe how beautiful everything was on that boat cruise. I was so happy that night and everyone on the boat I think felt the same thing. We were all quiet, this is what I love about life in the province. The dark, the tranquility and the simplicity of everything becomes so beautiful.  I wish that I could have taken some pictures but I guess you can say…. “Beautiful things don’t ask for attention.” The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The next day was just devoted to Diving with the Whale sharks. Unfortunately we weren’t able to see any whale sharks that day due to the bad weather. Which was really sad but I do intend to go back again.  I really do want to swim with the whale sharks someday. Then when we got back we just swam and ate some more Bicol food and then headed to Legazpi for another 12 hour bus ride home. It was really a great vacation out of the city. Despite mostly just eating and sleeping along the roads I really enjoyed this trip. Although next time I think I would stay longer in Legazpi and just travel there by plane and not by bus. Dios mabalos ❤