Sagnay, Camarines Sur

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This is another view of the coast from Sagnay View Deck. The road here is very slippery. A lot of water coming down from the mountains. There are also kids who play around in the streets so you have to be careful while driving through. Most of them ask for money.

Coastline View, Camarines Sur

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You can see this view if you go through the mountain ridge of Camarines Sur going back to Naga City. This is a 1 hour drive, very windy road. Very few vehicles travel this route. This beach is connected with the Pacific Ocean.

Wonderful Rivers

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The route from Camarines Sur to Legazpi City is full of wonderful rivers for canoeing. This is just one of them.

Scenic Routes, Albay

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Ok, despite the terrible city section, the countryside of Albay has magnificent views. The mountains provide a lot of rain for lush vegetation in the area.

Black Sand Beaches in Albay

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Due to Volcanic eruptions, Sto. Domingo, Legazpi City is famous for its black sand beaches. The waves are strong and its not advised to swim especially during bad weather.

This resort is called Black Sand Beach located in Sto. Domingo, Legazpi City. It's 30-mins away from city proper. Amenities include conference hall, swimming pool, luxury rooms.

Potpot cave

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According to history, the Potpot cave was a Japanese hideout for soldiers and ammunition during WW2. Tour guides ask for some donation to visit this cave. The cave exit goes through the next barangay. Be careful visiting caves as there might be some bomb traps that have not been detonated yet.

Mayon Volcano

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The world's most perfect cone-shaped volcano is covered with clouds in this picture.

The Slums of Legazpi City

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Legazpi City is the dirtiest, oldest, eeriest city I have ever seen in my life.
1. There are absolutely no clean public toilets, even the toilets in restaurants and petrol stations are pathetic.
2. There is only on internet wifi hot spot.
3. All hotels seems to be old hospitals.
4. The Mayon Volcano view deck in Lignon Hill is poorly maintained. I saw a lot of graffiti and trash in the premises.
This shot is taken from a 4-storey hotel.

Here are a number of hotels I visited:
1. Magayon Hotel - Php 700 per room
- Looks like a hospital inside (the interior and the architecture)
- Nothing in the toilet is working but at least there's water
- There is a tv but you can't get a channel
- There is aircon but you can't use the switch to regulate temperature
- The floor is better than the bed
2. Hotel Casablanca - Php 1600 per room
- Definitely looks like a hospital in terms of architecture.
- Feels eerie. You think you're checking-in into a hospital
- Toilet tiles are 4 x 4, bathroom seems newly renovated but still feels weird and dirty
- 20 year old hotel
- Comes with free breakfast but who knows if it will be served with a metal plate and a urinal
3. Alicia Hotel - Php 1850 per room
- Quite presentable hotel, close to airport
- Very basic beddings
- Small tiles (huge turn off)
- Nothing better than Magayon Hotel
4. Hotel Venezia - Php 1800
- Inside an exclusive village
- Rich area near airport
- Hotel is under renovation but they offer some units for a night's stay
- Decent place, smaller rooms, big tiles
- This is probably one of the cleanest inside but the outside premises don't justify the rate
5. Hotel Xandra - Php 700
- Don't even enter

Naga City

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Naga City is relatively newer. There are common franchises around like Max's, Mocha Blends, Shakey's, KFC, Jollibee, Tokyo Tokyo, Chowking in the town proper. It is considerably populated, a lot of people out in the streets.
Picture on the left is the Naga City Market. It's a wet market, 3 storeys high.

Bicol Region Facts

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Province		Capital	Population (2000)	Area (km²)	Pop. density (per km²)
	Albay	Legazpi City	1,090,907	2,552.6	427.4
	Camarines Norte	Daet	458,840	2,112.5	217.2
	Camarines Sur	Pili	1,551,549	5,266.8	294.6
	Catanduanes	Virac	215,356	1,511.5	142.5
	Masbate	Masbate City	707,668	4,047.7	174.8
	Sorsogon	Sorsogon City	650,535	2,141.4	303.8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicol_Region

Road Trip to Bicol Region

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From Lipa City, Batangas to Albay, in the Bicol region, it is a 12-hour drive. Lipa -> Lucena -> Quezon Province -> CAMARINES SUR.

The picture here shows Ragay, Camarines Sur.