2019 Bicol Road Trip: Day 3

Day 3: May 23, 2019

Exploring Camalig

2019 Bicol Road Trip: Day 3

For today's itinerary, we'd be exploring my dad's hometown of Camalig in the province of Albay for the whole day and then call it a day in one of the hotels in Legazpi City. 

Quituinan Hills / Quituinan Ranch

It's a great place to take photos

...and also fly.

We left my father's house quite early and drove towards our first destination for the day which was Quituinan Hills in Barangay Tinago. We parked in the part of the hill that is known as Quituinan Ranch. This place has a wide clearing which has a beautiful view of the majestic Mayon volcano. We were very lucky that during our visit, Mayon Volcano did not hide behind the clouds and we were able to see fully its beauty. We took this opportunity to take photographs of this famous volcano for our social media accounts.

Going in Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave

Look at all those stalactites

Everyone seems to be enjoying this cave spelunking adventure

Going deeper into the cave

Crossed the man-made bridge

We then drove to our next destination which was Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave in Barangay Cotmon. This was my second visit to this popular tourist spot. However, it was the first for my wife and daughter. It was a very memorable spelunking for us as not only did we enjoy exploring the cave, we also learned a lot about its natural features and its history from our guide.

 

Road to Solong Eco-Park

Welcome to Solong Eco-Park

Pororo Bridge

Going up the hill inside Solong Eco Park...

Our next stop was at Solong Eco Park in Barangay Solong. Since it was almost lunchtime, we ordered food which they promised to be cooked and served after we explore the eco-park. Our exploration started with a 10-15 minute trek up a hill. When we reached the store/rest area on what was supposedly the top of the hill, we were surprised to discover that from there, there were still two activities to choose from and do. The first was a spelunking activity in Solong Cave AKA Crystal Cave and the other was another hike that leads to a much higher hill. We chose to do the first one. 

...Then went down the side of the hill to Solong Cave

My brave explorer and I are going inside the cave

To reach the cave, we had to descent on the other side of the hill. This takes around 3-5 minutes. When we reached the cave entrance, the young guides stationed there gave us a quick briefing before guiding us inside the cave. However, it was only my daughter and I who decided to push through as both my parents and wife were still tired from our spelunking in Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave. Ella and I only went 50-meters inside the cave as that's the allowable distance for kids. 

Now we're heading to the hill with a panoramic view

Check this photo-worthy installation

Gotta have a solo

Lovebirds in the nest

After our father-daughter bonding, we hiked back to the store/rest area then proceeded to hike to the higher part of the hill. The 2-3 minute hike brought us to an area of the eco-park which has an amazing view. There were installations there which added backdrops and props for photoshoots. Of course, we didn't miss the photo opportunity. We then rested in an open-air hut on the peak of the hill for about half an hour before going back down for lunch.  

We rested a bit while waiting for our lunch to be served

Ms. Beth Marino of Solong Eco-Park shows my mom how to make Blue Ternate tea

Blue ternate turns purple when mixed with kalamansi juice

During lunch, we met the owner of Solong Eco Park. We had a fun time chatting with her. She even shared her knowledge of local plants that could help cure certain illnesses. She even went out of her way and gave us a free taste of the blue ternate tea which she personally brewed.  It didn't end there though before we left, she even gave us seeds of the Blue Ternate and Rosel plants. 

On the way home

Home sweet home

From there, we drove back to my father's home and had some siesta. That afternoon, we headed to Legazpi City and checked in at La Granja Boutique Hotel Resto Bar and Cafe which was located at Benny Imperial Street, West Washington Legazpi City. 

La Granja Boutique Hotel Resto Bar and Cafe

!

Dinner time at La Granja Botique Hotel 

After dinner, I finalized our itinerary for our road trip tomorrow. For the 4th day of our 2019 Bicol Road Trip, we'd be exploring the nearby province of Sorsogon. A province that I have not yet explored...

Read more:

• Quituinan Hills
• Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave
• Solong Eco-Park

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Next: Day 4