FAST FACTS
WHEN THE LOCAL HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF MANILA IS MAKING YOU BORED AND YOU JUST WANT TO LEAVE THE CITY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS TO RELAX, BICOL REGION HAS JUST THE RIGHT MIX OF CULTURE AND NATURE ADVENTURE DESTINATIONS THAT CAN HELP YOU UNWIND. ONE OF WHICH IS THE PROVINCE OF SORSOGON, LOCATED AT THE SOUTHERNMOST TIP OF LUZON. FORGET ABOUT WHAT SOME SAY THAT THE PLACE IS TOO RURAL. GOING RURAL ON A WEEKEND DRIVE IS ONE OF THE BEST BREAKS ANYONE IN MANILA CAN HAVE.
HERITAGE TRAIL
Contents
1 FAST FACTS
2 HERITAGE TRAIL
3 NATURE ADVENTURE
4 FOOD TRIP
5 LOCAL FINDS
6 BOARD AND LODGING
7 GETTING AROUND
8 TRIVIA
From Manila to Sorsogon Province is a good 10 to 12 hours away. If you are commuting, buses (Peñafrancia tel. no. 054 8118595 and Philtranco tel. no. 02 8518077 are available in Pasay and Cubao. Ordinary fare costs Php 430.00 and Deluxe fare costs Php 1,300.00. The trip will take you through several provinces so it is advisable to take a pit stop usually at the Lucena Grand Terminal in Lucena City. There is only one major thoroughfare in the Bicol Region - the Old National Highway, so getting lost while driving is not a problem.
Once in Sorsogon, the first town you'll see is Pilar. If you want to go to Donsol for whale shark watching, look for the Putiao junction and turn right. Whale shark watching is a major tourist attraction in the province and getting there is easy because signs pointing towards Donsol are aplenty.
If you are coming from Legaspi in Albay, vans near the malls (Pacific Mall and LCC Mall) are available going to Donsol for Php 1,000.00. Upon arriving in Donsol, look for the Donsol Visitors Center where you can first check if there are whale sharks in the area. Best go there during summer when its peak season. Better check with the Regional Tourism Office in Legaspi and if you are lucky, pay the registration fee of Php 100.00.00 and a boat which carries 7 persons for Php 2,000.00 watch a mini-documentary and off you go. The place follows certain environmental regulations so be sure to act appropriately while there. Snorkeling gear is the only gear you can bring. A waterproof camera is also allowed. Scuba gear is not allowed.
The next place I drove myself to was Sorsogon City. Along the way, winding roads with contrasts of rice fields and mountains provided a scenic view prompting me to roll down the windows for a breath of fresh air. In Sorsogon City, you might be thrilled with the comforts of the city. Try visiting the Capitol Building and its adjacent park in Rizal Street for an architechtural treat. The building houses the provincial office of the local government. It was built during the American Period. Its doric columns are much like what you see in Luneta. The park is equally stunning with a collection of old trees which provide a natural breathing space in the city.
The last stop of my road trip was Matnog, which is 30 kms away from Sorsogon City. Matnog is one of the RORO jump-off station to Samar.
And Pilar for Masbate to Cebu. The road conditions are moderately good and the surrounding scenery is captivating. 15 to 20 kilometers away is the town of Irosin where a church above the hill is located and was built during the spanish era.
NATURE ADVENTURE
The geography of Sorsogon makes it a unique vacation spot for weekend travellers since there is a lot of mountains and volcanoes that make driving a bit challenging. However, road conditions have improved over the years because Sorsogon is now the jump off point for the Eastern route of the Philippines Nautical Highway. Sorsogon is also blessed with terrain that appels to trekkers and drivers alike.
While in sorsogon, go to the Mt. Bulusan National Park in Bulusan and visit the Bulusan Crater Lake which is accessible by road 18 kms from Sorsogon City.
Jeepney rides at the Irosin-Bulusan route costs Php 200.00 - Php 300.00.
Along the Crater Lake you will find a foot path which locals refer to as Lovers Lane. Also inside the park is Masacrot Spring near San Roque town. The spring is perfect for a pit stop after a long walk in the afternoon.
For lodging, you may want to stay at the Bulusan Mountain Lake Resort. Eco-tours are arranged by the Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Council in Sorsogon City call 056 2121573.
In Donsol whale shark watching is a sure tourist pleaser especially during the peak season of January to May.
If you are out of luck, try the firefly watching in Donsol costs Php 1,250.00 for 6 persons. There are a lot of accommodations in the area since the tourism industry in Sorsogon picked up.
FOOD TRIP
Bicolandia is known for its spicy foods. Most dishes have chili and coconut milk. You might want to try the Bicol Express (pork in spicy coconut milk) of Jane's Fast Foods in Sorsogon City. You may also want to sample dishes at Balcon, also in Sorsogon City.
If you want to eat ang go, try the pili based local favorites like Linusak, Hinagorn, and Puto Lanson, which can be found practically anywhere in the province. Another specialty in Sorsogon City are the fresh catch blue crabs which you can buy in the public market or in the roadside open-air restaurants. Have them cooked in the way you want
LOCAL FINDS
The cottage industry in Sorsogon has been on the rise in the past years. Necklaces, key chains, and bracelets are available in the public markets in Donsol and in Sorsogon City.
The stores usually gice discounts when you buy in bulk. Also available in all things pili: pili tart, pili candy, pili patillas, pili polvoron etc.
Road side stalls also dot the Donsol Sorsogon City roads so check them out
BOARD AND LODGING
In Sorsogon City, Fernando's Hotel telephone number 056 2111317 across the capitol building offers a peaceful and quiet place to stay.
The hotel also showcases rooms decorated with abaca for around Php 1,100.00 to Php 1,600.00 per night.
You may also want to try out Villa Kasanggayahan along Rizal Street telephone number 056 2111275, also in the city for a watered down budget below Php 1,000.00 per night where the rooms can be quite big but the view is a bit disappointing for a weekend break.
In case you want an even more affordable lodgings go to Mahogany Lodge along Narra St. telephone number 056 2111370 for Php 300.00 a night for a non air-conditioned room.
Once in donsol, you might want to check-in at Giddy's Place which have comfortable rooms and is the only place in Donsol that accepts credit cards. Call 02 4252627.
GETTING AROUND
Daily buses going to Sorsogon are available from Cubao and Pasay Peñafrancia and Philtranco Bus Stations.
TRIVIA
Philtranco is the first bus company to service the Bicol region
Bicol's specialties are seafoods, laing, and pili nuts
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