Bicol Isarog Transport | Manila - Legazpi - Manila | Skybus with CR

ABBEY: Instead of flying to Bicol we chose the 12-hour bus ride and it is with Isarog Bus (Skybus with Comfort Room). Don’t ask why Skybus when it is only a bus. We preferred to board it at PITX than in Cubao; anyway the fare to PITX is free at the time of this writing and PITX is a newly-built transport hub. 

Not that much feature on the bus aside from USB port, lazyboy-type seat, and CR. But you’ll definitely be able to sleep in comfort. Please do bring your own jacket or blanket. There are stopovers for you to stretch and buy quick snacks. A good feature of the bus is that a beep will sound whenever the speed reaches 80-90kph. With this you’ll be assured that the bus will cruise at recommended speed. 

The 6PM timing really worked for us. It allowed us to sleep almost the whole duration of the trip and woke up refreshed and ready for our Bicol day activities.

Bicol Isarog Transport | Manila - Legazpi - Manila | Skybus with CR 

Bicol Isarog Transport | Manila - Legazpi - Manila

LUXURY VACATION IN BICOL REGION PHILIPPINES! Condotel and Beach Resort in Albay and Sorsogon!

WILL: There are two ways for people from Manila to reach Bicol Region… by plane and luckily we can also travel by land. Why we chose land? The simple answer is, it is somewhat hassle free. The early arrival and late departure to and from Legazpi is perfect for us to see and immerse ourselves in the beauty of Mayon Volcano and Sorsogon’s Beach.

So how’s the bus? It is comfy and enough room to recline your chair and fall asleep. The problem is, the air conditioning is too cold for my liking. As in it is shivering cold. The bus has a water closet. It is small, not dirty but there’s a strong smell of urine. So still not advisable to use for ladies.

Will I recommend to pay again more than the plane ticket to ride a sleeper bus? Hmmm. Let me think again. Haha!

***

Bicol Isarog 

Skybus with CR -- Php3,000.00 PITX to Legaspi (Roundtrip) -- 10-hour ride 

(W) https://bicolisarog.com/

LUXURY VACATION IN BICOL - Gloria Tree Mayon & Park View Residences Condotel

ABBEY: This is our stop at Albay; a condotel. They picked us up from the bus terminal and straight to Gloria Tree. A few moments after we were given our rooms (2 storey, 2 rooms, 3 baths, kitchen and living room) they served us breakfast. This is super early checkin at 5AM. We just thought to drop in the bags and come back later but lo and behold, we have the whole house to ourselves. 

The sheets are clean and smooth. They can improve with their amenity kits though; the soap is thin and the toothpaste tube won’t last you a couple of brushes. The place is adjacent to a park so you can jog or have a brisk walk in the morning. You can snap a good view of Mayon at the rooftop. 

Our bill costed us for 2 days/1 night stay and breakfast add-on for our arrival. I must admit that this is not a first choice for our stay but with the service they provided before our trip, we preferred them over a hyped-resort.

LUXURY VACATION IN BICOL  - Gloria Tree Mayon & Park View Residences Condotel - 2nd room

LUXURY VACATION IN BICOL  - Gloria Tree Mayon & Park View Residences Condotel - Receiving Area

LUXURY VACATION IN BICOL  - Gloria Tree Mayon & Park View Residences Condotel

LUXURY VACATION IN BICOL  - Gloria Tree Mayon & Park View Residences Condotel

WILL: We like to have an accommodation that will give us peace of mind and relaxation while we are in vacation, we want that the breakfast should be included, an almost a travel-agency-like that will provide us what we needed during our travels and yet still budget friendly. Gloria Tree Mayon has it all. 

I am a bit skeptic about Gloria Tree Mayon, hard to find an online review on them bit when I called the given phone number and the owner answered my querries, it is the sign for me to book the place.

The two-storey cost Php8,000 with free breakfast and free van transfer from Bus Terminal (Isarog from Manila). The house consisted of 2 airconditioned bedrooms with 1 queen size bed and 1 sofa bed. 1 extra sofa bed on the staircase area, 1 bunk bed, 3 bathrooms and airconditioned living and dining room. We also booked their van for our day tour which is Php500 cheaper than people who organised group tours.

Gloria Tree’s employees always make sure that we were satisfied with our meals and we are well served with our inquiries regarding the place. We really do feel that we are more than welcome in this establishment. Love that feeling so much. We will not forget that. Haha. 

Climb their 4th floor and you’ll be awed by the unobstructed view of Mt. Mayon.

***

Gloria Tree Mayon & Park View Residences 

Php8,000 2 - Bedroom with free breakfast and hotel transfer 

(F) https://www.facebook.com/gloriatreemayonandparkview

(A) Kalayaan Park Purok 1, Barriada Road, Brgy. 38 - Gogon, Legazpi City

(T) +63 922 846 5301

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE

ABBEY: This is one of the places I planned to visit when I went back to Philippines. I was captivated by its karst landscapes. You need to book and pay a fee of Php 1500. The Masungi Georeserve will contact you to confirm your reservation. We chose Discovery Trail as our path. 

We were there as early as 5AM. We don’t want our guide and the reserve to wait for us. It is a good 10-minute walk from the carpark to the reception area. This is a good time to take in the beauty of nature overlooking the city. 

The highlights of our trail are the “net” works or webbings. We got ourselves climbing them; worth the effort once you reach the top; like Sapot ni Rick and Yungib ni Ruben. You’ll just be awed for what nature has to offer. Be ready mentally and physically as the trail is challenging. Bring water and change of clothes. 

The fee comes with light refreshments. 

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE - Arch Bridge 

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE - With our Forest Guide

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE - Mossy Forest 

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE - Sapot ni Ric

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE - Stones and Falls

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE 

WILL: My eldest brother is a hiker and a simple man. How can I say he is a simple man? He always have this simple wish… simple prayers that you know can be easily achieved and one of those is for him to hike with his siblings. 

Abbey is a nature lover. He loves to walk in any Singapore Park and indulge in what the nature brings in and out of him. Watching people hiking Masungi sparked curiosity in him and Masungi Georeserve make it to his bucketlist. 

Kuya Ric’s prayers and Abbey bucketlist was answered and tick off in one plan. wink 

We arrived in Masungi Georeserve around 5AM. It was dark and the park’s gate is still close. When the sun rises on 530Am we were awed by the view and a sea of cloud rushing around us. It seems that they are really greeting us a good morning. 

It is a 5KM+ of hiking and climbing up and down the trails of Masungi’s magnificent beauty. We finished the Discovery Trail in more than 3hours. If you are on top of Tatay’s peak, Sapot ni Ric, Duyan and Yungib ni Ruben you will definitely stop for a while and linger on the beauty of this nature. 

So here are the MUST DOs: 

1. Book in advance. They are not accepting walk-ins. 

2. Better to rent a car than going for public transportation. 

3. Wear sunscreen and mosquito repellants. 

4. Respect and listen to your tour guide while he is explaining what’s in the surroundings 

5. Take nothing and leave nothing. 

6. Just have FUN!

***

Masungi Georeserve -- Php1,500/pax 

(W) https://www.masungigeoreserve.com

(H) Tuesdays to Sundays, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

(A) Kilometer 47 Marcos Highway, Baras, Rizal, Philippines, 1970, Marcos Highway, Baras, 1970 Rizal 

(T) 09088887002