Sunday, March 25, 2012

Mayon - Legazpi, Albay Day 3

Note: quick post, will edit later. :))


So I got dressed and was outside the hotel by 4am, but the moment I went out into the morning, i stopped dead in my tracks. It was raining. Hard. The sky was completely dark. And it's my last day. I debated whether to brave it and wait it out til the rain stopped but then I wasn't sure if it was safe to stay at the bay at such an early hour so I decided to go back into my room. Besides, it's not like I'd still be able to catch the sunrise, by the time time the rain stops, it would be too late. I watched tv and checked online and pray the rain would stop. 10 minutes later, good thing I thought of checking out my window. Voila! the rain had stopped! 


I decided to still drop by the bay though as expected, no glorious early am sunshine. But I was glad cos even though it was still drizzling, Mayon was still visible. After a brief stay at the dock, I headed to Lignon Hill. I was actually pissed off. I tried reaaaaally hard not to cos I kept telling myself no one is gonna ruin my birthday for me. BUT. I was pressed for time and actually wanted to consider going back to ____ black sand beach so I wanted to make my Lignon Hill stop as quick as possible. However, the driver took me on an hour long road trip. Evidently he forgot I told him to drop me off at the roadside going to Lignon and realized it too late and he decided to keep mum about it. The nagging suspension was confirmed when I was back at the same jeepney stop I was on before. I told another passenger to tell me when we're at the crossing going in to Lignon. Five minutes later, I was at the road side. Grrrrr!!! But okaaay, I'm not gonna stay mad about it. At the back of my mind, I crossed out XXXXX black sand beach..


The situation was same as yesterday. No public transpo going in on sight. I asked around and they said there's no motorcyle for rent anymore. So okaaaay, I said to myself. I'm walking then. I have no idea how far the deck is but from what I've read, it's a bit of a hike.


Resigned, I started my walk up and just consoled myself with the thought that at least I'll get to take pictures on the way up. Am just taking the long but scenic route so to say haha. So I was surprised when maybe not five minutes into my uphill walk, I turned into what seems to be a small welcome/entrance structure. I paid a P20 (was it P20? I forgot already ) environmental fee, chatted with the girl manning the station and that's when I found out you hire a driver/motorcycle in that area. Gosh! How was I to know? They were completely hidden unless you actually walk up hahhha. SO this was the lesson I was referring to from the post below. Seriously, they need to post up a sign at the roadside lol.


And was I glad I was able to hire a driver cos the climb was loooonggg and uphill so had I walked all the way up, I would have been so drained of energy I don't think I'll ever get to enjoy the view waiting for me. It was magical when I reached the deck, I guess it was too early for most cos it was totally deserted. After the driver went on his way after dropping me off. I was the only one up there. And since it had just rained, the view was phenomenal. Framed by yellow flowers, Mayon offered a different view from the one in >>>>. Everything was fresh, crisp, clean, beautiful. I took some pictures and then the problem of who was going to take my picture. Good thing some people arrived maybe 20mins later, and I got to talk to one of the driver who as it turned out, moonlights as a guide and who showed me photo albums of the ATV trek up Mayon. I told him next time cos my flight is at 1pm. So he took my pictures, then I left to pack up my things.









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