The day after Christmas we took a little vacation-within-a-vacation to Legazpi City, the biggest city in and administrative center of the Bicol region. It’s not nearly as big as Manila or Cebu, but it’s probably for the best. After a couple of days, I definitely feel like I’ve had enough Manila, but I could hang out in Legazpi for a while. It’s touristy and urban enough that there’s nice places to stay (for way cheaper than comparable accommodations in the US) and eat but it is definitely an actual living, breathing, working part of the Philippines, so you’re not missing out on any of the “Philippines experience.”

Embarcadero, Legazpi City

The Embarcadero is a seaside mall sort of thing that has, unfortunately, seen better days. The city had ambitious plans to make it their version of Manila’s Mall of Asia, but there’s two or three pretty big malls downtown (and another even bigger one under construction) so I can’t imagine how a city this size can support one that’s sort of out of the way. The end near the street is pretty busy with shops and restaurants, but farther in it’s largely empty.

Mayon Volcano from the top of Lignon Hill

According to another couple we talked to, the view of Mayon from Lignon Hill is just as good as the one you get from the expensive ATV tour, and it only costs 20p to walk to the top of Lignon Hill. You can drive, too, for a higher entrance fee or pay a guy to take you up in his sidecar (sort of a stripped-down tricycle). There’s a little souvenir shop/cafeteria/visitor center at the top but really what you’re here for is the amazing view of Legazpi City and Daraga on one side and Mayon on the other.

Mayon from Lignon Hill

Legazpi City and Daraga from Lignon Hill

Mayon and surrounding fields from Lignon Hill

I’ve got some more photos from Manila and Taipei coming.