Let’s Be Cool in Bicol: A Food-Tripping, Church-Hopping and Beach-Bumming Adventure

Wazzup Pilipinas!

What is “Summer”?

Summer is obviously the warmest of all the seasons because it is usually associated with hot and dry weather. The date of the beginning of summer varies according to climate, tradition and culture. Schools and universities typically have a summer break to take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days. In almost all countries, children are out of school during this time of year for summer break. Activities such as traveling to the beach and picnics occur during summer months.

For most of the students, summer means “relaxation”. To me, summer is a “family tradition”. One of my most favorite family tradition is summer. Why? Every summer without fail, my family and I explore and travel. Summer is always so exciting for me. Traveling during summer made me think that the world is still beautiful and interesting.

This year, I had another fantastic summer adventure! My family and I went to Bicol and explored it for one week. We decided to travel by car to know how long it takes to travel from our place and to enjoy the scenery. Guess what? We traveled for about 13 hours! It was my first time traveling by land in more than five hours.

Road Trip with the family

Family photo

Bob Marlin Seafood Restaurant of Naga City

Food Tripping at different restaurants

Traveling makes us hungry so… Food Trip! We ate at different restaurants. Their food tastes so interesting and good! We tried eating all of Bicol’s traditional native food.

At a beach resort in Bicol

It’s summer, so we went to the beach as well to go surfing and swimming. It was so much fun!

Church-hopping in Bicol

We also went to a lot of churches in Bicol especially in the “Pilgrim of Destination”, Naga City. To see the churches in Naga City was the first of the many things one can do after setting foot on the progressive city of Camarines Sur. Naga city is really famous for devoted Catholics in the Bicol region.We went to Tobaco church, St. Michael Parish church in Caramoan Peninsula and a lot more. It was my first time church-hopping and it was a good experience.

Another one of the churches we visited

Still more churches during our trip

My dad really loves to fool around with family shots

When we talk about Bicol, the most popular place will be Mayon volcano. It was my first time seeing Mayon volcano and the Cagsawa ruins. It’s really different to see it personally than only seeing it in pictures. It is so amazing!

Playing around again with camera effects

 

At Hoyop-Hoyopan cave

We also went to caves. One of the caves we’ve been is the popular Hoyop-Hoyopan cave. That cave is a Japanese military hideout during war times. Going inside the cave feels like an adventure in a big maze! It’s like I was time slipping to history. It is a great gift of nature. Even the quarts, stalagmites and stalactites are so interesting. Some of them form images.

An amazing sunset in Bicol

Group pic with the Mayon Volcano as backdrop

Bicol is fun and interesting. Words cannot explain how I really spent my summer. The adventure and food were so fulfilling. That was how I spent my summer. I hope next time I can go farther, maybe outside the country.

Summer is something I look forward to. It’s because my summer is always an exciting adventure. How about yours?


Contributed by Marissa Gattoc