I only saw it on post cards, now it is a reality. It was a dream come true that the photo I used to see on postcards and elementary history textbooks is now before me.

Being a first timer, I can not say even a single word because I was speechless. I am so much fascinated seeing the ruins and how it served to be a religious center of this place hundred years back. The Mayon Volcano was just so powerful that it has made the church now into a ruin.

Albay Heritage

Well who won't be amazed with the glory and majesty of the perfect cone Mayon Volcano? 

I was able to capture Mayon Volcano during sunset with a reflection to the well-watered, well-irrigated wet farms of Ligao City in Albay province, the Philippines. The active volcano is standing majestically while emitting a smoke the seems like the standing authority to all the communities, municipalities, cities and villages that surround it.

Albay Natural Wonders

On my way to Cagsawa Ruins, we in fact crossed this river and there is no other way to go there aside from taking this path.

A man with his carabao is also crossing the river. At the back is the majestic Mayon volcano. At the river, I have noticed that the river bed is dark and it inserted to my mind that this could be an effect of lava flows from the volcano that might have flown in this outlet. There are also a lot of volcanic rocks around which gives me the sign that I am just around a Volcanic region.

The scene I have seen gives me a picture of an amazing countryside experience that is beyond compare.

Albay Destinations

I think I was not just lucky enough to see a hot spring in Tabaco City, Albay because the night came on a rush without giving us the chance to see the destination.

The photo above is our accidental tour guide we have hired from Legazpi City. He is just an ordinary citizen who sells Pili Nuts at the Grand Terminal of Legazpi who just happened to memorize the tourist spots in Albay.

He has been guiding us to see a hot spring in the dark. We were able to reach the destination but of course it is no longer worthwhile because the  place is already very dark and who would enjoy seeing view of total darkness?

We even took the trail of the woods at night and parked our bus near a residential house asking them to arise from sleep and fix their power lines because our bus can not park with the low-lying power lines. It was such a hassled tour. We were just crazy looking for a place that in the long run can not be seen.

Adventure Albay

I was at the Mayon Resthouse in Tabaco City, Albay and I am very amazed and the view I was seeing was just unbelievable.

I was with a friend and the photo above was just stolen.

The sun is about to set and in a great opportunity, I was able to capture a photo of her in a random position.

It looks great for an amateur point and shooter like me. I really love the sunset and I am still at an elevation leveled with the clouds. Just a little hike and you'll reach the crater of Mayon. At some points, we were actually above the clouds literally.

Albay People

Nurse Lakwatsero was able to climb halfway the Mayon's crater to the Mayon Resthouse and what I saw at the final destination is a mixed emotion. 

It was amazing since the view of the Mayon Volcano up close was just fulfilling and on the other hand, my heart melted when I saw kids selling bonsai plants for a living. One look at the kids, signs of poverty are evident. They wear dirty shirts and their skin is untidy too. But who am I to judge them because it is the only way they can do to survive.

They sell bonsai plants to tourists for 50 pesos and they keep chasing after us hoping to find their luck to sell their products.

I pray that may God bless them even more and that these children will be able to survive the obstacles in life and have a better life in the future. It is not their fault because they are just children and their are working for their family at a young age. They are out of school. If our government will continue a culture of corruption, I think the future of this child is not so bright and might continue this job for a life time.

Albay People