Postcards: Albay In A Glimpse

Where do I begin? 


The butt-numbing 14-hour road trip. Lia’s record-breaking, three-day, in-car vomiting spree. An epic fail of a trip to Pilar, Sorsogon. Major facial sunburn.

Sumlang Lake, Camalig

They are misadventures, alright. But they are misadventures I love to keep, because they were found on a land that tugs the heartstrings in all the right places. 

I don’t know about Xian Lim, but to me, Albay is one of those places that keeps surprising you no matter how many times you’ve been there – and one I’d be more than happy to promote.

Matnog fields, Daraga, Albay.

It’s a bewitching province that’s perfect in every sense. It’s cold enough for the summer, yet distinctively tropical in charm (read: sprawling grass and coconut trees everywhere). In each town, there’s a natural attraction or two tucked away from mass consumption; yet they’re accessible and near each other, it won’t pain you to get there from point A or B. 

Joroan Church, Joroan, Tiwi.

And, and, whether you’re in the city center or in farther Camarines Sur-bound Tiwi, you’ve got captivating Mayon in the blue horizon.


While I’m still swimming in my daydreams of perfect cones on sunny afternoons, here’s a sampler of our recently concluded 6-day jaunt in the province of the most magayon. 

View from roadside view deck in Tiwi.

Foothills of Mt. Malinao.

Vera Falls, Malinao.

Life on the field, Matnog.

Quitinday Green Hills Formation, Camalig

9th Station of the Cross. ‘Round the rim of Kawa-Kawa Hill in Ligao.

Sunset at Kawa-Kawa Hill to cap off a trek.