Exploring Bicolandia

**Disclaimer: This is waaaaay too over due. Forgive me for not posting this real time. This was just sitting in my drafts since April.

My weekend has exponentially changed when we visited the Bicol region. Even though we had this trip planned for more than a month, a lot of things happened at the last minute. I almost didn't make it because I have a severe pain in my lower right abdomen, but I'm still grateful that I'm okay and that I was able to travel with my friends to Bicolandia. Some of the folks couldn't come because of personal reasons and my boyfriend couldn't go because his leave application was denied. Since I've wanted to visit Bicol since I was in elementary school, I'd say that going on this trip is a fulfillment of a dream.

April 24, 2015.

Call time in Caltex Pasong Tamo is at 5 o'clock, and I was waiting for my friend's pals to arrive. We chose to drive to Bicol at around 7 o'clock. I would say that the drive was really long because it took more than 8 hours. We were overjoyed to see the "welcome to Bicolandia" arc in the highway and hoped that the actual beauty of the region will soon be revealed.  Little did we realize that getting there would take a few more hours. Due to the sporadic coverage, we don't have a GPS or Waze, but we can estimate how close or how far we are from our meeting spot thanks to the Jollibee signage. Oops, I forgot to mention that we planned to meet in Jollibee Daet because some of my friend's friends were taking the bus. We arrived in Daet by cockcrow, and the second batch soon followed. Great memories, new friends, and travel buddies.

There is no need to worry about this trip because my friend's friend already arranged an arrangement - a Calaguas tour package - before that day. We enjoyed the most delicious breakfast while staying at Serge's (Dexter's agent). Who could possibly turn down the mouthwatering giant crabs and extra-large tiger prawns in butter and garlic sauce, together with the sweet and flaming red watermelon? Ahhh! That's a good way to start our day. 

By 9am, we had arrived at the port in Vinzon, waited for other local tourists, and then we were on our way to Calaguas!

At Vinzon's Port

Look at the blue ocean and that fine white sand! Who wouldnt want to see this beauty anyway? 

Lunch time with Patrick Star :)

Our Tent :)

Splash in a flash! 

We have witnessed God's magnificent, almost phantasmagorical, creation. The pristine cyan sea, the Calaguas group of Islands' white, fine sand, the fresh scent of the greens, the grandeur and natural beauty of the Mayon Volcano, even the reminiscence-inducing Cagsawa Ruins, and the joyful expressions on the faces of the people we met. All of this 600+ kilometer travel is worth it.  I've made some new pals that have made this journey even more extraordinary.

We drove back home on Monday and I crawled into bed feeling exhausted in the best, most satisfying way.  When you live days to the fullest and find yourself happy-tired as the sun goes down, there's nothing better. There just isn't.

xx
Ash