Back from Bicol
I got what I went there for, except the Donsol part. We were told that we needed at least a day to see Donsol, and the boss would have none of it. If it was up to me, I would have gone seeing places first before doing fieldwork. (I am just kidding, future employers. I am a model employee, cross my fingers.)
I also learned that butanding season is from November to May, so I guess we were there at a wrong time. I wasn’t sad at all because the boss said we’re going back there some other time. I’m pinning my hopes on that. Maybe then I’ll get to play with butandings (ha!), and maybe I could go wakeboarding in Camarines Sur (as if, you can’t even swim without a lifejacket).
Jester, I tried the authentic Bicol express, minus the San Mig Light. I took a picture in case you doubt my honesty:
I didn’t even need the pitcher of cold water that I prepared. I’m a brave girl. Tehee.
I’m told the dish in the photo has less sili than the usual. Whatever. Man, that dish was prepared in Sorsogon. It must have the right amount of sili, right? Right.
While in Sorsogon City, I found out that they charge a thousand and five hundred pesos if you fall prey to pickpocketeers. Or is this sign I saw a joke, a vandal to scare unsuspecting tourists?
I love the air in Bicol. It doesn’t bite the cheeks when you’re speeding on a motorcycle. Here in Cebu, the heat and dust hurts, and my cheeks end up burnt.
The best treat was Mayon Volcano. It was a sight to behold. It wasn’t like any mountain I’ve seen. It was so huge, it was visible from several towns away, and it dominated the Legazpi skyline.
They say Mayon isn’t perfect like it used to be, but to me it still is. I was overcome by reverence when I saw it. It looked like it was shaped by someone’s hands. It felt good standing there, in the presence of a natural wonder of the world, way, way better than what I felt standing on the skydeck of the world’s third tallest building.
I think it’s a good idea that they built the Legazpi airport where Mayon is very visible. Tourists can see it right away when the plane lands, and they can meditate on it in the lounge while waiting for their departing planes. They can even see it during take-off.
I apologize for the less-than-stellar photos. I swear I am going to get that Nikon D40x this year.
We dropped by Manila but I decided not to stay for the UP Centennial. I didn’t have the foresight to tell the travel agency earlier that I intended to stay behind for four more days. So, I needed to rebook, which cost a couple more thousand pesos, my personal expense this time. I thought it was unnecessary expense. I could watch videos of the celebration on the web anyway, so I decided to fly with the group. I’m changing, I’m changing.
(I know I owe Roanne and Jen and my beloved blockmates some pili nuts. I have them here. I’ll be back in Manila first weekend of July. Will the nuts be spoiled by then? I could replace it with some fake pili nuts from the grocery, or I could just bring dried mangoes and danggit, if you like. :D)
Comments
i. hate. you.
(it’s best with Pale Pilsen, not that horse pee Light stuff.)
I love that dish! 5 out of my 13 companions in the mission were from the Bicol Region. This one, aside from laing, would be one of my constant requests when its my companion’s turn to cook.
that looks delicious! funny find about that “fine” …
been to Bicol only once … but that was eons ago! lol
jester-in-exile: where are the pats on the back?
markus: i didn’t try laing. i thought it was an ilocano dish, and i didn’t like it the few times i tried it. maybe the authentic laing (prepared the bicolano way) tastes good, but i’ve no idea.
maiylah: it was good. i single-handedly finished the dish, which was prepared for two.
Bicol express at ROOTBEER! YUM!!!
good luck sa tiyan mo.
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something to think about when you go back over there:
this and this.
(i. still. hate. you.
)
bwahahahahahahaha. *rolls on the floor*
you’re a loser!
i’m telling my charley about you.
aba, aba. naghahanap ba ng kakampi?
bicol express…BAWAL SA ATAY!
healthy pa man ko og atay, dili pareho himo. bleeeh.
nice! how was the bicol express? was it i-want-to-die-right-now hot?
i don’t think the pili tarts will go bad. it can wait till july. yay!!! thank you thank you!
me and my friends are planning to go to bicol to wakeboard, too!!! kung gusto mo at di ka pa nakapunta, sama ka? not sure when we’re doing it though. sabihan kita. one of my college buds hails from bicol kasi.
it was tolerable, and ang sarap nya. naubos ko yung dish.
sige, sama ako sa cam sur! just let me know when.
may kasalanan pala ako sayo. ang tanga ko na lang. pili nuts ang dumikit sa isip ko. when i read your comment again, pili tart pala sinabi mo..ngayon ko lang na-realize. i did buy some pili tarts pero pinakain ko sa office. masarap daw talaga. i hope makabalik kami sa bicol soon so i can make it up to you.
the laing made from bicol are really great! Sad to say my bikolano-ilokano dad cant cook delicious laing heehee but he can cook sumptuous bicol express that’s for sure!
hmmm. maybe i’ll try it sometime. di kasi masarap yung unang lain na natikman ko eh, but that was in manila.
huwag abusuhin ang ATAY. go veggies!hahahaha…mukaon ko bicol express minus the meat and gata.
that’s for you. i’m healthy.