LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY

Finally after 9 hours, we reached our destination and home for the coming 3 nights. From Daraga, we entered the city via Lakandula Drive, that immediately led us to Legazpi Airport area. The EZ Map of Legazpi City came very handy as it guided us very well on how to orient ourselves within the city.

The city was divided into two portions : Albay District (which mostly covered the adminstrative establishments - the provincial capitol, city hall, the cathedral ) and Legazpi Port District ( the tourist hub - malls, public market, hotels, restaurants and the city port).

We headed for Casablanca Hotel, located along Penaranda Avenue in the Port District. It was quite easy to navigate around the city, as people around the streets were very friendly giving as directions as well.

But our stomachs were churning from the long drive - and besides it noon time already. Its time to have a first taste of Bicol food.

And luckily, the first food place I had in mind (from what I've read from other blogs) - Waway's - was along the same street as our hotel. We found the hotel easily and decided first to eat before checking in.

Waway's was a restaurant that sold typical bicolano dishes - laing, bicol express, pinangat, etc. Inside, it was spacious and waitresses eagerly approached us to ask for our orders after we chose our table. The dishes were all displayed in metal pans, so it was a delight being able to see what we are about to order.

We settled for Pinangat (taro leaves in coconut milk), Kinunot (malunggay in coconut milk), and Adobado (chicken with ginger and coconut milk). It was the start of our love affair with the coconut milk, or gata. The food wasn't that spectacular, and the heat from the spice was tolerable - but for hungry men - they sure tasted enough to fill us up. The food was reasonably priced, and we immediately felt the tiredness from the trip right after.

We then headed for the hotel to be checked in - Casablanca Hotel. The rooms that we got were standard twin rooms - each room with two single beds. Each room priced at P1,700. But prior to leaving Manila, I already made reservations and deposited half of the total amount of our bill in their bank account, and faxing them a copy of the deposit slip. It was the 2010 Magayon Festival, and I feared that we may have some difficulty if we just walked in. I was previously informed that they have no elevators - and our rooms would be on the 3rd floor.

The rooms were pretty decent - enough to have a good sleep for the nights to come. Working air-condition, check. Working television w cable, check. Bathroom w shower and hot water, check. Ample and safe parking, check. Then thats all we need. Well, the tv had no remote control, so we were quite stuck watching just one channel.

We unpacked, took showers, freshened up, and did a bit of a power nap. But my adrenaline was still way up - and I just couldn't resist wasting the afternoon - so after having enough rest, we then hopped on back to the car and do some city touring.