The 12-Hour Albay Escapade

Planning phase pa lang, sobrang excited na kami. We chose Kawa-Kawa Nature Park and Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave as our destinations ‘cos it’s two of the best and not to mention, two of the cheapest ecotourism sites in Albay. And another brownie point, they’re very accessible. So perfect!

Right after breakfast, we boarded the jeepney that will take us to our first destination: Kawa-Kawa Nature Park. It will take us almost an hour to reach Ligao where we will ride a tricycle going to our destination. So we spent the time by chikahan and just fooling around. We haven’t reached our destination yet pero sobrang enjoy na kami!

A Hill Without A Hilltop

We finally reached our destination after 1.2 hours. Weather is very good though it’s not as windy as I expected. The hike to the top is not really that easy. We had several stops and photo ops while walking. After 20 minutes or so, we reached the top.


We first find a cottage to take a rest. And besides, it’s very hot pa to take a walk. While having their rest, I walked around to practice my photography skills (if there’s any). I had several sorry attempts until I captured these two shots. What you think?

Before we took a walk on the trek, the Yoo brothers decided to leave their marks in the cottage.

The Korean’s first visit in Kawa-Kawa – Yong Ki Yoo

Thank you my Filipino friends. Joy is hungry. – Seul Ki Yoo

The view is really breathtaking. It was my third time here but the view never fails to amaze me. The place is beautiful and quiet. We are lucky ‘cos di ganun karami yung tao when we got there.

We didn’t go down the “kawa” because of the scorching heat. Umaatikabong sunburn ang aabutin namin ‘pag ganun. XD We settled on another cottage instead to eat our snacks. I advise you to bring your own food ‘cos the foods there are pricey. Mahirap daw i-akyat. Loooooool.

After ½ hour of exploring and 1 hour of pahinga (looool!), we went down the hill to each lunch. Gutom na gutom na kami. We ate at La Terraza. In fairness, the place is very cozy and the staffs were nice and attentive. I’m impressed!

All in all, we ordered four kinds of dishes (Adobadong Manok with Gata, Sweet and Spicy Bicol Express, Chicken Estofado and 2 servings of Humba). Almost all servings are big enough for two to three persons. Prices range from Php160-250. Yeah, very affordable!

For an affordable price, I’m not expecting much. Surprisingly, the foods exceeded my ecpectations. The foods are freshly cooked and flavorful. Kudos to their cooks!

Their Sweet and Spicy Bicol Express deserve two thumbs up. Sobrang yummy! It’s the best version of Bicol Express I’ve ever tasted.

As much as I wanted to consume all the foods in my plate, my stomach can’t bare it. Sobrang busog na busog ako! Another worth mentioning is – Seul Ki paid for our bill. He’s such a generous young man.

La Terraza Restaurant and Function Hall
Kawakawa, Tuburan, Ligao City, Albay
(052)821-2097/09274840931
www.facebook.com/laterraza.ligao

We took a rest muna before we leave La Terraza for our next destination: Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave. Actually, my mom warned me not to go there ‘cos it’s dangerous daw, considering that we’re graduating students. I think you know naman the pamahiin that graduating students are prone to accidents. So if my mom will ever read this, I'm dead.

To reach the place, we rode a jeepney going to Legazpi. Sa Camalig town center kami bumaba. Once there, we rented two tricycles going to Brgy. Cotmon. I was with Seul Ki and Yong Ki. Fare is Php 30 per head. Travel time is less than 30 minutes.

On the way to the cave, I asked Manong Driver how we can go back to town. He said that from the drop-off point wala nang dumadaang tricycle/jeepney. We can walk though from the cave to the highway but it will take us 3-4 kilometers. Effort pa yun so it became a dilemma for us. Luckily, the driver of the other tricycle offered to wait for us FREE OF CHARGE. Siya pa ang kumausap kay Manong Driver na hintayin na din kami. I love it!

First look pa lang, very creepy na!

We reached the drop off-point. From there, we have to walk at least 500 meters to reach the cave’s opening. There we met Kuya Jessie, our tourguide (09301817532). He charged us Php 400 for the tour. He’s very nice and he is good in speaking English. So, I really recommend him.


What are we waiting for? Let’s start spelunking.


The cave has three levels, bongga diba? Going down the first level alone will take you 3 freaking hours. Fortunately for us, only the second level is allowed for public viewing. Thank God!

See the photo above? We were surprised when Kuya Jessie said that it’s the entrance to the third floor. We’re like “seriously?”. My toothpick-thin body is bigger than the entrance and it seemed impossible to pass. But like what I said, it is not open to the public.

Siya si Moses!

There are lots of beautiful rock formations. All of us can’t help but appreciate the scene.


It is important to stop. Never walk while staring at the ceiling. The way is quite slippery.

Kuya Jessie said that the cave was once submerged in water. As a proof, he pointed coral-like formations inside the cage. Very interesting! At this point, I stopped taking pictures. I need to concentrate on the path. One wrong step and my head might hit a sharp stone.

After 45 minutes of exploring, we’re out of the cave unbruised. Kahit sobrang pagod, we extremely enjoyed it!

There’s a souvenir shop besides the opening. I bought a crystal keychain and so does my friends. Seul Ki bought a lot. Pasalubong niya daw sa friends niya in Korea.

Before we left, Kuya Jessie promoted another cave to us. If we love adventure daw, we must visit Kalabidongan Cave. In the opening pa lang, you have to swim na. I think it’s very challenging! With Kuya Jessie’s description of the cave, I have to visit and experience it for myself.

We are all freaking tired but ‘cos it’s still early to go home, we decided to go to another must-see place: Lingñon Hill. From the cave, we rode the tricycle again and got back to town. We boarded a jeepney that will bring us to Bañag, Daraga and from there we rented a tricycle going to the base of the hill.


Among the three places that we’ve been to, Lingnon Hill is probably the most famous. This has been part of the Phillipine leg of Amazing Race Asia Season 4. Astig, di’ba?

It sounds easy to you but bear in mind that it is an uphill climb. And considering that we’ve been to two places that all requires walking, we’re starting to feel the cramps. But then, we decided to continue. Saying naman if we’ll back-out pa.

We have to stop once in a while ‘cos nakakahingal. I didn’t feel tired that much ‘cos I was busy taking pictures of them and the view.

At last, after 2.4 kilometers of uphill climb, we reached the top. Yahoo!

If ever na magutom kayo, don’t worry, there’s a Chowking there and a number of kainan but we opted not to eat. Sobrang dami naman nung kinain naming nung lunch.

The Yoo brothers got excited when they saw the zipline. I learned from them that sobrang expensive ng zipline in Korea. It will cost you Php 2000. Shikes! Eh dito Php 250 lang and it comes with a free picture pa.

Seul Ki and Yong Ki tried the zipline and seeing their wide smiles I can tell that they enjoyed it – a lot! Too bad, my lens didn’t capture it ‘cos it malfunctioned. Bad trip!

We rested there for a while. Talking, drinking and just enjoying the scene. Sobrang saya! At 7pm, we went back to Tabaco. I made a very sound sleep that night. Sobrang pagod!

This travel is the best I’ve made so far. I consider this as a travel ‘cos I’m one of the organizers though the trip is quite disorganized. Looooool. Never mind if the place that we’ve been to are just in Albay. I never thought that I can do this, to visit three places in a span of just 12 hours. It’s very fulfilling.

Now, I can say that my 2011 has officially started.