Philippines: Bicol Region, A Gift of Nature
Daraga, Albay As our plane approached Bicol International Airport, I felt a surge of excitement at the thought of seeing the famous Mayon Volcano with its perfect cone shape. I'd been warned that it’s often shrouded in clouds, but with two weeks in Bicol, I was optimistic about getting a clear view of this natural wonder. Upon arriving and settling in Sorsogon, our first major excursion was to Daraga, Albay. Here, we explored the Cagsawa Ruins, a poignant historical site where the remnants of a basilica, originally built in the 1500s, stand. The church was buried when Mayon Volcano erupted, and today, the belfry still stands, with the majestic but elusive Mayon Volcano in the background. During our visit, Mayon was, predictably, hidden in clouds. Despite the cloud cover, we made the most of our day. We embarked on an exhilarating ATV ride around the tourist area, which gave us a different perspective of the lush landscape. For lunch, we met up with some family friends, sharing s