ALBAY, BICOL 2022: PART TWO

Hay salamat nakisama ang panahon!

By 9:30 AM nasa Mayon SkyDrive ATV Adventure na kami in Daraga, Albay. Napili namin ang 8-km Combo Trail for P999/pax. Since walo kaming adults na magda-drive ng ATV, they assigned us 3 guides and 2 of them would take our photos. 

Nag practice muna kami for 5 minutes before our much-awaited adventure!

Me!

JD and Cy

group photo

Our ATV adventure lasted for almost an hour and a half. Nagpa-print ng photos ung iba samin tapos binigyan din kami ng soft copies of our pictures galing sa camera nila.

The Combo Trail is a combination of the Grassland, Snake, Forest, and River Trail (my favorite part). Hesitant pa nung una sina Ate Gigi at Ina pero sila pa ang nasa harap ng pila namin. Haha

Had so much fun sa ATV Adventure! Lagay nyo na to sa bucket list nyo if hindi nyo pa nasubukan. Sulit ang bayad.

Cagsawa Church behind us

Mayon SkyDrive is just across Cagsawa Ruins, a famous historical landmark in Albay. Hindi pwedeng wala kang picture dito kapag dadayo ka ng Bicol. Maswerte ka kapag walang takip na ulap si Mt Mayon during your photoshoot here.

sili ice cream and some snacks

Syempre we tried the sili ice cream. Sakto nagutom ako after our ATV adventure. Yung nabilhan namin they sell sili ice cream with 4 levels of anghang. I got level 1 mango flavor and Cy tried the level 4. Ayos!

Our next destination was Sumlang Lake where Socorro's Lakeside Restaurant and Grille is located. Doon kami kakain ng lunch.

Sumlang Lake

finally, a clear view of Mt Mayon

You need to pay P100 per person bago makapasok dito pero yung kalahati naman nun consumable pag nag dine in ka sa Socorro's.

So far masasarap ang mga pagkain na natitikman namin in Bicol. It's not just the places that you should explore in Albay, you need to also experience the food! Even during weekdays puno ang Socorro's kaya I suggest making a reservation bago pumunta dito (if they allow it).  

tambay muna after lunch

iced latte time!

After lunch tumambay kami saglit in one of the open-air huts sa tabi ng Sumlang lake. May coffee and ice cream stalls sa malapit kaya nagpa-lamig muna kami and drank iced coffees while waiting kina Ina and Ate Gigi magtingin-tingin sa souvenir shop.

We were supposed to go to Daraga Church and Albay Park and Wildlife after this pero hindi na kami tumuloy dahil pagod na yata ang mga bata. Dumiretso nalang kami sa last part of our Day Two Itinerary: FarmPlate. 

the red barn

You shouldn't miss FarmPlate kapag pumunta kayo ng Albay because this is one of the best places to relax and have fun especially kapag may kasama kayong kids and young at heart.

JD & CJ

For only P75/pax (adults) and P50/pax (kids), you'll get full farm access and free use of picnic mats & kites. Ang lawak ng lugar with scenic views, gorgeous restrooms, plenty of seats, hammocks, and food stalls to choose from!

the smallest chapel in the Philippines

Hindi man kami nakadaan sa Daraga Church, some of us were able to pray in the little chapel located din inside FarmPlate. 

pet cemetery

Behind the chapel was the pet cemetery. Bigla akong nalungkot kasi someday Roti and Biscuit will leave us. I hope they live a long life. :( Dogs are great companions, let's be nice to all dogs regardless if may lahi or aspin. Let's respect all animals okie dokie?

CJ, JD & Zed nagpapalipad ng kite

Since free gamitin ang mga kites, nagpalipad sina CJ, JD, and Zed. Tuwang-tuwa sila sa ganap! The kids play while kami namang mga adults nagpahinga kung san-san. Nagkalat ang mga hammocks dito.

Ina and Ama

buko juice!

So happy na may fresh buko juice dito! Bumili kami ng 11 pieces for P35 each. Salamat kina Ate at Kuya na nagbukas ng mga fresh buko. Hindi sila naghahatid ng order sa table mo, kelangan mo hakutin kaya kanya-kanya kaming bitbit ng buko pabalik sa table. If you want the coconut meat, ikaw din mismo ang mag scrape nun. Hehe.

Madaming food stalls dito that serve rice meals, pizza, beers, wine, and even Ramen. You can also buy Smores Kit kasi may pa-bonfire sila from 6 PM - 7 PM. Kung nag stay pa kami dito until gabi maabutan namin ung live Saxophone music.

Smores kits

pugon-baked pizza

group picture while drinking buko juice and eating pizza

Around 4:30 PM nakabalik na kami sa Tribal Village kasi gusto ng mag swimming ng mga bata. Kami din sana mag-swimming sa pool kasi buong araw kaming nasa galaan, malagkit na pakiramdam ko. Sarap sana magbabad sa tubig kaya lang pagdating namin kakalagay lang ng chlorine tapos bagong semento ung ibang part ng pool area. Hay.

Nag shower nalang kami agad ni Cy at nagpahinga.

Bandang 5:30 PM nagpakita na ulit si Mt Mayon sa tinutuluyan namin.

Anyways, we were hoping na makapag Smores kami that night. Pinagbigyan na sana kami sa bonfire at 7 PM kaya lang biglang bumuhos ang ulan. Kakaloka! Pero kelangan parin natin gumawa ng paraan kasi gusto natin happy ang mga bata. 

Naalala ko na may dala nga pala akong two birthday candles at posporo. Why not gawin ang Smores party sa balcony ng Cabana. Super liit lang naman ng mga kandila tapos nakatirik sila sa mga mamon. Hihi

Ang saya ng Smores session! The kids (at ako din) really did enjoy mag-toast ng marshmallow sa apoy and make DIY Smores. In fairness nakarami kami ha.

Mission accomplished!!!

Tapos eto na nga. Around 9 PM nag setup sa Tribal Village ng bonfire! Hanggang 8 PM lang un allowed kaya I assumed mga owners ang nag initiate nun.

Bitbit namin mga natirang marshmallows and sticks sa bonfire area at dun namin na-realize na kelangan mo ng mahabang sticks kasi sobrang init!!!

After makailang attempt may nagbigay samin ng long sticks... at may hotdogs pang kasama. Thank yoouuuu!

Our last night became more memorable.

leaving the Tribal Village

The following day maaga kaming nag checkout sa Tribal Village para makadaan kami sa Vera Falls bago tuluyang umuwi pabalik ng Tagaytay.

Around 12 noon kami nakarating sa Vera Falls where we were greeted by Mang Boy. He was friendly and accommodating kaya right then and there we felt secured. We paid 10 pesos each for the entrance fee plus the parking fee.

si Ina

Pababa sa falls you need to take more or less 150 steps sa hagdan then pagdating mo dun may mga available cottages (400-900 pesos), tindahan, and shower rooms.

ang mag tito

Yung tubig ang lamig at napaka-linaw! Hindi naman sya super lamig na halos di ka na makapag swimming, sakto lang. Even the kids nag enjoy. Ang sarap lumangoy dito, refreshing!

Cy

They also maintain the cleanliness of the area at in case na umulan sa Mt Malinao, they will inform you right away para maiwasan ang sakuna. They also sell beautiful orchids kaya napabili si mother-in-law. Hehe

Me and CJ

Grateful for the memories we had in Albay. :)