Touring
Legazpi City
Tourists
who travel to Philippines would probably best remember Albay,
especially Legazpi City, for the majestic Mayon Volcano that serves
as the city’s northern boundary. The magnificent, perfect
cone-shaped volcano towers 2,462 meters above sea level and is no
doubt Legazpi’s greatest tourist attraction. However, if you think
this is all there is to Bicol’s pride, you are likely missing a lot
from your travels to Southern Luzon.
Legazpi
City, as well as the entire province of Albay, holds a great number
of treasures for every tourist, whether local or foreign. Below are
some other potential places that you might find interesting the next
time you come around.
Legazpi
Boulevard
Savor
the sea breeze coming from the Pacific Ocean just to the east of the
city. You’ll find the Albay Gulf and the islands of Batan and
Rapu-Rapu between Legazpi and the biggest ocean in the world, and
these areas help to protect the city from threats of tsunamis coming
from the vast seas.
If
you’re looking for a good place where you can blissfully pump your
lungs with the Pacific breeze, Legazpi Boulevard would be a wise
choice. It is a coastal road situated just a few walks away from the
city’s center. You can easily ask a local for directions and get a
correct answer 99% of the time (although the term “Embarcadero”
may be more familiar to others – this, however, refers to a
waterfront development which is located at the same area – to be
discussed later).
Legazpi
Boulevard provides one of the best spots to view the Mayon Volcano,
the Kapuntukan Hill (also known as “Sleeping Lion” because of its
form), the Albay Gulf, and the neighboring islands. Kapuntukan Hill
especially resembles a crouching lion when viewed from afar. It is
one of the most prominent landmarks that you will get to see while
approaching the city on a boat, either from Rapu Rapu or from Batan
Island.
This
stretch of more than four kilometers is also a good spot for joggers,
bikers, and just about anybody concerned with physical fitness.
During early mornings just before sunrise, you’ll find it usually
teeming with people of all ages dressed in exercise outfit. Then, a
shift seems to occur by afternoon. During this time, couples and
families could be seen occupying the benches or are simply by the
side of the road watching the usually peaceful sea while the sun sets
to the west. Groups of friends also frequent the place to hang out
until evening, chatting and trying out the variety of food offered by
vendors.
Embarcadero
de Legazpi
This
place is found in Legazpi Boulevard, and it remains to be the city’s
biggest development ever since its opening to the public last July
2009. Since then, the place has had many added facilities and
establishments to make it more and more appealing to the public. The
commercial area that spans 12,000 square meters holds different
sections for great shopping, food, sports, entertainment, and more.
Lands beside the area are also being continually developed to build
an Information Technology park and a convention center.
If
you’re into some wild adventure, you can try the Embarcadero de
Legazpi zipline. It’s a 350-meter experience of flying while
suspended in a cable from a height of as much as 30 feet (which is
the height of the lighthouse you’ll have to climb to get to your
zipline starting point). The climb might turn off some individuals,
but it’s all worth it when you get to swing yourself above the sea
of Legazpi. Yes – the cable stretches across a portion of the sea
and the view is really panoramic, not to mention the breathtaking fun
of a zipline ride. Others that you can try are go karting, Segway PT
(personal transporter) rides, jet ski, and more.
Ligñon
Hill
After
you have finished touring the seaside, you can check out some great
land attractions nearby. Ligñon Hill has always had a charm for both
locals and tourists because of its height, which gives a clear and
wide view of the entire Legazpi. From the city’s center, say LCC
Mall (which is very close to Embarcadero), a passenger jeepney ride
would take around 15-20 minutes to the foot of the hill. Make sure to
ride the Daraga Loop 1 jeepney, which is a bit rare compared to the
majority of jeepneys roaming around. To be sure, you can ask the
jeepney driver or you can opt to ride a tricycle that will especially
bring you to the place.
Entrance
to the hill is free. You will first see a tennis court at the foot of
the hill before you really start the challenging trek upward. This is
also a favorite of many fitness enthusiasts who prefer to trek the
hill in the morning before sunrise. At this time, the air is cool and
the experience is deeply refreshing. Trees and various plants abound
the sides of the path, which goes around as you move upward. Then,
the magnificent view of the city slowly unravels, showing its
neighboring places that include huge green farmlands, islands, and
the vast blue sea beside it.
At
night, the hill offers an even more delightful experience. From the
top of the hill, you’ll see the entire city glimmering with
different lights. Cars could be seen like slowly moving patches of
orange and yellow. On a great night, you’d even feel that the city
is trying to mirror itself against the black sky due to the hundreds
of stars on display to the naked eye. Plus, you get a bonus if you
see the mouth of Mayon glowing like the tip of cigar of some giant.
Everything is breathtaking.
Albay
Park and Wildlife
Just
a few walks to the right of Ligñon Hill is Albay Park and Wildlife.
It’s a great place for nature lovers as it holds more than 400
animals ranging from birds and reptiles to mammals. As expected of a
wildlife park, the place is frequented for viewing rare animals that
can be truly fascinating, especially to children. Families often
choose the place for bonding time, and teenage groups also frequent
the park. It has a lagoon and offers boat rides, calesa rides, and
bicycle rental.
Mayon
Resthouse
Next
in the list will have to be the Mayon Resthouse right on the
northwestern slope of the Mayon volcano. It will take at least an
hour trip and the travel duration really depends on your mode of
transport. You will have to rent a vehicle to reach the place,
although you have a lot of route options (and vehicle options) while
you’re still not on the slope. The place is almost halfway to the
peak of the volcano and it also serves as a research and observatory
area to the Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
The
Mayon Resthouse stands 762 meters above sea level and is the starting
point for climbers who wish to reach the peak of the volcano. On the
way to the resthouse, the roadsides are full of various plants that
will give you a hint of the land’s fertility. The occasional wild
orchids and ferns are truly a pleasure to plant lovers, and they
appear more and more as you travel further upwards. You also get to
spend some time with the clouds, although they might prove to be a
hindrance in showing you the beauty of the scenery.
A
planetarium also stands in the Mayon Resthouse, which has an exhibit
of historical and scientific information involving the majestic
volcano. A film showing is even done for groups of visitors,
discussing previous eruptions and related occurrences. For additional
thrills, you can try the zipline and do some wall climbing when you
reach the area.
Legazpi
City and the entire province of Albay hold a lot more places worth
visiting. You can do further checking to experience these places and
the adventure that they offer.
