Bicol Trip

It's actually my first time in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur. And so does my little girl. Honestly, it was a bit difficult having a one year old in our week-long out of town. Lalo na hindi naman talaga kami traveller. This was on the 3rd week of July pa where it was raining due to moonsoon rains in the north.

 

My little girl even travelled from the North up to Bicol. I just met them in Ayala Avenue Makati at around 11 o'clock in the morning and then drove off to Sta. Elena Camarines Norte on the first night. Yes, super layo pala talaga by land that we arrived at exactly 7 o'clock in the evening. Tahimik and peaceful even though we were at the town proper. Cellphone reception was weak nga lang but that was fine with me. 

 

I can't help but wonder how beautiful and simple their lifestyle is as we go town by town in the next few days. Staying over night in a house and on wheels again by the next day, off to another relatives' place. It reminds me of my childhood. I grew up in a small baranggay. Napakapayak. And truly a beauty to see the whole trip in green. Mountains. Twin Falls. We even stopped one time for a fresh buko juice along our way to Panganiban. Sarap ng fresh buko. At mura for 15 pesos each only. And 5 pesos naman ang dahon ng gabi for laing. Freshly picked pa.

 

Sabi ko nga, kaya kong tumira dito. Hahaha. Kahit na walang cellphone signal. Yes, there were so many dead spots. Hindi naman crowded. Halos wala ngang mga bahay.

 

I can retire in a place like that with a house in the middle of the fields, a little backyard to grow my veggies and herbs, and a dog as my pet. But of course, more than that, I still need a steady source of income for all the other needs. Hahaha. These are exactly my thoughts when I was there. Now I can fully understand those few individuals who decided to leave the city and live their lives outside of it. The air is fresher. Lifestyle is simple. Social lives is not based on Internet but by neighbors having a quick conversation while doing an errand. The bayanihan because a house is full of guest and needs all hands to cook, feed, dish out and clean the mess every now and then because kids just got to eat and eat and run around the place.

 

We've find our way too to Cagsawa to view the Mayon on one day, unfortunately since it was cloudy and drizzling, we haven't seen even a small portion of Mayon. We also have to squeeze our time to the hot spring at the foot of Mt. Isarog and the wakeboarding at the CWC. But of course, with my little girl in tow, my activities were very limited. My priority is still her. And yet, I am still the happiest during the trip because the vacation has given me more quality time with her.

 

There are still so many places to see but with only 5 days there it was not enough. Yes, 2 days was for travelling back and forth to the north. So we were planning that maybe by next visit, we will have to do it by air. It is just that the airport is in Naga. We will see.

 

Well, the trip was a refreshing one. Fun filled. Good natured. And lovely to bond with the whole family and the nature as well. On the side note, trips like this should be thought of carefully for itinerary, allotted some chunks of the budget for the entire family, and of course be on alert for anything that comes up just in case of changes with the plan. A checklist with the things brought is a must since we were moving from one place to another. And we do not want to leave a piece of our important items because the probability of going back is very small as the trip from one town to another will take another 2 hours with a zigzag road.

 

Nonetheless, it was all fun. Thank God for the safe trip and the wonderful experience.