Donsol: Three Hours in the Sea

Donsol town in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines.

We spent three hours in the sea waiting for the whaleshark to drift by. Gone are the days when there were no tourists  as many as today. I saw butanding (whaleshark) effortlessly way back year 1999 when our college group researched about the existence of butanding in Donsol town. This year, I went back together with my family, what I saw are plenty of tourists and motorized boats. Only one butanding was seen and we were not able to come near due to the crowded area where the big fish surfaced.

BIO stands for Butanding Interaction Officer.
Every motorized boat is manned by a boat operator and a BIO.

I learned that there were about 20 boats released by the local government of Donsol during our visit. So far, Donsol has the most organized tourism activity in town. Bad weather was attributed as the cause why we find it hard to see whalesharks - current was strong and it was raining too. Nevertheless, I am sharing some photographs I took during our visit. What matters to me was the company I spent with my family during my short vacation.

A public utility van brought us to Donsol from Legazpi City. The van has to be full before leaving, however, you can pay the rest of the remaining passenger seats if you want to leave ahead without waiting for other passengers to come. The van dropped us at the local fire station upon my request. It is a must for me to drop by the local fire station whenever I happen to visit a faraway town of the country as I am a one of those officers of the fire department.  From the fire station is a Catholic Church, where we dropped by as well before heading to Barangay Dancalan.

St. Joseph  Parish Church is few meters away from Donsol Fire Station.

Dancalan is the barangay where Donsol Tourism Office is located. It is where the tourists come to register and pay before joining the whaleshark interaction activity. Upon arrival, a video about the ecosystem has to be shown as well the rules that must be followed. After watching the video, tourists have to be assigned to a designated Butanding Interaction Officer who will bring the tourists to their designated boat. 

There are available gears that can be rented within the complex to be used during the interaction. The boat operator provides only life jackets; you have to bring your own goggles, fins and the rest of the swimming gears. You can eat before leaving or bring food in the boat. Reminder: never throw waste in the sea; Donsol sea is a protected area.

Nostalgic Donsol.

Donsol is always beautiful especially if the environment is continuously protected by the community and the tourists alike.

Scenic Legazpi City Airport

The most scenic domestic airport in the Philippines is located in Legazpi City in the province of Albay. As passengers alight from the plane, they have time for the selfies with the plane and world's perfect cone volcano at the back, Mayon Volcano. Mayon Volano is an active volcano while Albay is the gateway of Bicol region. Legazpi City is accessible by plane from Manila and Cebu and by land travel as well.

For Regulars and First Timers

Cebu Pacific flies to Legazpi City for at least 4 times a day.

Mayon Volcano, world's perfect cone, greets tourists and locals upon setting foot in Albay.

Legazpi City airport is one of the five operating airports in the Bicol region.

Of the many airports that I have been to, I find Legazpi City airport special. Some rush to alight the plane while some hurry to take a picture of the beautiful scene at the back, world's perfect cone Mayon Volcano. As a native of the place, I never get tired of getting a picture of it every time I get home. I have seen it for countless times in my life but I would always love to take a photograph of it in all angles I could. It is always relaxing to see Mayon Volcano in full view every moment the plane touches the ground of Legazpi City airport.

Once There Was A Train

Let me say once there was a train. Yes, once there was a train to Bicol from Metro Manila. The latest trip was on October 2012. Until now, I long for the train to be back.

The train to Bicol was so friendly to local tourists. It takes about 12 hours from Tutuban terminal to Naga City. My last stop supposedly is Legazpi City. Until now I am still hopeful that one day, train from Metro Manila will be able to reach Legazpi City - the Mayon Volcano country.

My family sleeper couch.

Naga City Railway Station

When the Philippine National Railways' trains are still available Bicol-bound, I tried to board the family sleeper. It was a couch for a family of four with two double deck spaces. I counted the number of stones thrown to us as we passed by slum areas totaled to more than 10 before we reached Laguna. It can be noted that one will not enjoy sightseeing because the windows are screened as protection from stone-throwing.

Inside the train that I long to ride again.

Despite the sounds of stones that I feared might pierce through the windows, I enjoyed the ride. The train was so clean and so cold inside. Two police men were on duty roving during the entire journey. Alcoholic beverage is not allowed. 

I was disturbed by a group of 40 local tourists who did not sleep in the night but just enjoyed jamming inside the train. Nevertheless, I understood that they were just having fun as it was the only longest train journey in the country during that time. 

Now, I long to have the train back. I hope that I can try the executive sleeper. Indeed, train system boosts tourism and I wish that we can have it back soon.