| Gubat, a 25 minute drive (19 km) from the City of Sorsogon
Rizal Beach, a long and white sandy beach is close to the City of Gubat.
You will meet locals and visitors here. You can walk a kilometer into
the water and still be standing in only hip deep water. But you should
not go any farther, because after that the reef drops to a depth of 24
meters.
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Map of Bulusan Natural Park |
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Barcelona – One hundred year old ruins and the church of Barcelona
The church of Barcelona was built in the 19 th century by Spanish
colonists. It is probably the oldest and best preserved church in the
entire Province, with a few little changes in the inside. The massive
stone walls of the church, including the bell tower, are still in the
original state and well kept up to the present. The bell tower is a little
lower than in the old days, due to an earthquake, which destroyed parts
of the old tower. In order to fix this, the original bell was connected
to the remaining tower. Inside you can still recognize the slots through
which the colonists defended themselves with firearms in times the church
served as shelter against opponents. The senior locals remember Barcelona
being attacked regularly by Muslims and the inhabitants seeking shelter
in the church. Looking toward the ocean, you can recognize remnants of
stone structures. These were the court, ??? (Kastell) and a school building,
all built entirely from stone. The story says that during the Spanish
period, the rocks used for building the walls were stuck together using
the white in the eggs and “Tuba”, a local coconut wine and
limestone. The large blocks were taken from the ocean and set one upon
the other to erect a massive wall.
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Church of Barcelona |
Church of Barcelona |
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Ruins close to the Church of Barcelona |
Ruins close to the Church of Barcelona |
Bulusan Lake Natural Park
Mount Bulusan Natural Park, one of several natural parks in the country,
was established to protect its ecosystem and natural beauty. The park
covers an area of forests, mystical lakes and rivers, natural wells and
the still active Mount Bulusan, that reaches a height of 1523 meters above
sea level. The lake itself has a shoreline of over 2000 meters and is
situated at an elevation of 625 meters above sea level on the slopes of
the volcano. Bulusan Lake is a very popular destination, especially with
visitors who wish to communicate with nature, or do a relaxing and nice
loop around the lake. You can easily do the round trip in 45 minutes.
The lake is a protected area for rare animal and plant species. Many Philippine
hardwoods are found here, including Nara - a redwood, the Dau tree, Balete
vines, that strangle their host tree to death, as well as the hardest
and largest bamboo species, called Tangman by the locals. The park is
also a refuge for the “Luzon Bleeding Heart” an endangered
bird species, as well as several migratory bird species like the Heron.
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Lake Bulusan
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Lake Bulusan, Mount Mayon in the background |
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Lake Bulusan |
Lake Bulusan |
Palogtok Falls, Bulusan
This is a comfortable 20 minute hike on a water buffalo trail.
Along the trail you can see a 50 year old Pili tree - a local nut tree,
and Karagumany plantations – their raw material is used to produce
straw mattresses. In the areas covered by water buffalo grass, you can
discover water holes in which the water buffalo are taking a bath to cool
themselves. There is a man made swimming pool that is nourished by a little
waterfall, bringing bubbling water from a few feet height from the mountain
side. It is really just a tiny waterfall, but the cool freshwater is very
refreshing. The locals often take a bath in the pool.
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At the Palogtok Falls |
Swimming pool at the Palogtok Falls |
Hot springs of Mateo, Irosin
The resort, with its dorm like rooms, showers, change room and
a swimming pool with warm and hot water, is located in Barangay Monbon,
in the area of Irosin. It is very relaxing to lay in the warm water and
it is said to have healing power. The hot springs have been flowing from
the Bulusan Volcano since the resort was built at its base. In the middle
of the area there is a 250 year old Dau tree. Superstitious people believe
visitors must bite its roots to escape the anger of evil spirits.
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Hot springs of Mateo |
Hot springs of Mateo |
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Nagsurok Cave, Prieto Diaz
Surok! Surok is Philippine and means to crawl. Nagsurok Cave
got its name, because you literally had to crawl to get into the cave.
The entry is so tight, that only one person at a time sitting on their
behind can get in, also because there is something like a slide following.
Inside
the cave is hollow, with an underground river, that flows through the
entire length of the cave. The total length of the cave is about 800 meters.
On a stretch of 600 meters you are able to stand up. The stalactites and
stalacmites inside the cave are amazing
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Trail to Nagsurok Cave |
Entrance Nagsurok Cave |
Bat Cave
In only 12 minutes walking distance from Nagsurok there is another cave
called Bat Cave by the locals. It has a 3 meter high entrance and a diameter
of 30 meters inside. Millions of Fruit Bats are hanging from the ceiling.
You literally walk on the faeces of the bats. Already 30 meters from the
entrance you can smell it and are warned!
Rompeolas, Sorsogon City
At the dock of Sorgsogon the “Rompeolas” is found
– a Spanish word for “where the waves come from”, the
old and still known name. And indeed, here at the arrow shaped dock, where
the boats land, the waves really crash ashore. This is a nice shoreline
with a fresh breeze from the ocean, especially in the mornings. Here you
have a wonderful view of Mount Bulusan. People also come here in late
afternoon to watch the sunset, when the red and orange fireball disappears
behind the Pinalucan Islands.
Cagsawa Ruins
The ruins are from an old bell tower of the Church of Cagsawa,
that was built by Fray Fransisco in 1724. The church was buried under
rock and lava after an eruption of the Mayon Volcano on February 1st in
1814. The inhabitants tried to find shelter in the church and the 300
people whom had gathered there were buried alive. From here you have a
nice view of Mount Mayon Volcano with its very characteristic cone shape.
You can find many souvenir and flower (orchids) shops close to Cagsawa.
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Cagsawa Ruins with Bell Tower |
Mount Mayon, Legaspi |
Back to "snorkelling
with whalesharks"
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