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Kayangan lake Coron Philippines

Philippines: Coron island-hopping tour (Part 1) – Siete Pecados, Kayangan lake

Date: 31st May 2013

I woke up today morning feeling quite hungry. I was going to be swimming and snorkeling a lot later today, so I needed some energy.

Bacon eggs breakfast Coron
I had a filling bacon, eggs and baguette for breakfast

After that, I was picked up by the tour operator for my island-hopping tour.

Tour boats docked Coron Palawan
We boarded our tour boat docked at Luahati Park
Tourists boat tour Coron
But it was a long wait before we departed because we were waiting for some more people
Tour guide Coron island tour Palawan
Eventually we did set off and begin our tour. This was our guide for the day.
Sleeping giant island Coron Philippines
This is the “Sleeping giant” island, not too far from Coron’s shore
Siete Pecados marine park Coron Palawan
Our first stop was at the nearby Siete Pecados Marine Park
Siete Pecados Marine Park Coron Philippines
Siete Pecados Marine Park is a snorkeling site
Snorkeling Siete Pecados marine park Coron
I took out my underwater camera and jumped in

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Mayon volcano Legazpi city aerial view

Philippines: Aerial view of Mount Mayon; arriving at Coron

Date: 30th May, 2013

Today was my last day in Legazpi. I had to head to the airport for my 12:40pm flight to Manila.

Backyard Legazpi coconut trees
Woke up to a view of the backyard not too different from what it’s like back home at my village

After breakfast, I checked my e-mails, packed my bags, said my goodbyes, and hired a cycle taxi to take me to Legazpi airport (I could take it easy as I had the time). Legazpi airport, like most regional airports isn’t very big and they weren’t even beginning the check-in procedures 1.5 hours before the scheduled flight time.

Legazpi airport Mayon volcano background
From the departures lounge I got to see Mt. Mayon… cloud-free
Magayon volcano smoke Legazpi Philippines
Still smoking
Legazpi airport runway Mayon mountain
At the time of check-in, I specifically asked for a window seat on the right-hand side of the plane, so that I could see Mt. Mayon at take off
Flight take off Legazpi
To head to Manila, the plane takes off…
Legazpi aerial view
And then turns around
Legazpi city aerial view
Wait for it
Mayon volcano Legazpi city aerial view
There she is!
Mount Mayon volcano full view from sky
Truly the world’s most symmetrical volcano
Magayon volcano full view from sky
I guess seeing it from an airplane is obviously the only way one can see Mount Magayon in its entirety

Here’s a video I shot:

Mount Mayon aerial view from plane
Goodbye epic mountain I had a tough time photographing without the clouds

I landed in Manila at 1:45pm and I had to then make my way to the next gate for my connecting flight to Busuanga Airport (Busuanga is the main airport serving Coron island). I had lunch from the airport itself as my flight would only depart at 3:15pm.

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Cagsawa church ruins Legazpi Philippines

Philippines: Lignon Hill Park, Cagsawa Ruins and Mount Mayon

Date: 29th May, 2013

Today I woke up to the sad sight of morning rains. Sad because I hoped for clear skies. Today I would focus entirely on Mt. Mayon (also known as Magayon volcano) — the main reason I came to Legazpi, and quite literally, the region’s biggest attraction.

Albay wet road Philippines
By the time I stepped out, the rains had reduced to a drizzle and the sun was coming out again

I took two jeepneys (cost me ₱10+₱8) to get to Lignon Hill, which I was told is a great view point to see Mt. Mayon.

Entrance Lignon hill park Legazpi Philippines
Lignon Hill is a bit out of town
Lignon hill park road
There’s an uphill walk ahead
Lignon hill nature park map
Lignon Hill has other attractions, but all I was interested in was getting to the top
Lignon hill road bend Bicol
If you have a private vehicle, you can ride it uphill as there is parking facility at the top
Lignon hill road curve Philippines
It did get a bit challenging when the steep stretches began — and that too in this heat!
Legazpi airport runway Philippines
You get a panoramic view of Legazpi airport’s runway from up here
Legazpi airport Cebu Pacific takeoff
It’s a great place to see airplanes take off
Lignon hill climbing up
15 minutes later, I sensed I was getting close
Arriving at hill peak Lignon
And I was!
Steps Lignon hill park
Although I was tired of climbing, I felt higher the platform, better the view
Lignon hill park zip line Legazpi
They have a lot of zip lining going on here as well
Mt. Mayon cloudy Legazpi Philippines
As for Mount Mayon… sigh, clouds?

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