Melo Villareal
Previous Article : Bicol Adventure It’s More Fun in Sorsogon – Day 1
Bicolandia is now one of the top tourist destination in the country because of its popular beach destinations in Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and some heritage sites in Albay.
Tikling Island
On our second day of our Bicol Adventure, we visited some unpopular but equally beautiful sites in Matnog Sorsogon. Matnog is widely known as a ferry terminal to Allen, Northern Samar, on the Maharlika Highway that passes the San Bernardino Strait but than just the RORO terminal, Matnog is also the home of some of the most beautiful beaches in Bicol.
Matnog Port
Bicol Adventure: It’s More Fun in Sorsogon – Day 2
For our first stop, we visited Tikling island. Tikling Island is a relaxing getaway that is only 30 minutes away from Matnog Port. With its white sand beach, lush vegetation, coconut trees and a tree house, Tikling Island is now on my list of Philippines Best Beach Destinations.
Casava Roll
Together with the Town Mayor and tourism staffs, We had the whole beach for ourselves. The sky started to get cloudy when we arrived in the island but we still managed to enjoy eating local sweet potato cakes and fresh buko from the islands towering coconut trees.
Tikling Island in Matnog
After our morning merienda, we started swimming at the sea shore. Though its not powdery fine, the sand in Tikling Island is also white. The long stretch of beach was really beautiful, a perfect example of a real tropical paradise. We spent almost an hour playing with the waves then we proceeded to our next destination, the Juag Lagoon and Marine Sanctuary.
Lighthouse in Matnog
Juag Lagoon Marine Sanctuary is located in a secluded lagoon with a beautifully structured viewing platform that is made from bamboo. I was really amazed when I saw the Giant Clams, school of fishes and gigantic lobsters in one of their fish net protected sanctuary.
Juag Lagoon Fish Sanctuary
It started raining as we left the marine sanctuary. As we head towards our final stop for our lunch and program in Subic Beach, we saw some interesting caves, rock formations, fish sanctuaries and a small lighthouse located at the middle of the sea.
Beach Cottage at Subic Beach
The rain and the wind got wilder and everybody was already feeling tired but we were beyond excited to see the beauty of Subic Beach. Upon arriving in the island, we were welcomed by local kids giving us garlands made from local sea shells.
Beautiful Subic Beach in Matnog Sorsogon
The island itself is beautiful and no amount of rain will change my first impression about this beach. I just simply love this beach and its natural charm. It must be love at first sight.
Steamed Lobster
Similar to Santa Cruz Island in Zamboaga, sands in Subic Beach are also powdery pink. What makes their sand pink? The color of the sand was transformed from white to pink due to the rock, mineral and coral in the area. Pink sand usually has either rose quartz mixed in, eroded conch shell and red colored dead corals, all of them makes the sand pink when mixed.
Bulusan Lake Marker
After meeting the local officials and watching couple of performances from local entertainers, lunch was served. Our lunch reminds me of Seafood Buffet Festival were the only thing needed is more stomach space to accommodate the overflowing food courtesy of the town mayor of Matnog.
Kayaking in Bulusan Lake
After our lunch, we had to rush and leave the island for our next destination. Our visit in Matnog was really quick, I wish I can go back very very soon to swim, relax and take more photos.
Our next stop was at the Bulusan Volcano National Park still in Sorsogon. We visited the tourist center which is right next to the beautiful Bulusan Lake. It was raining hard when we arrived in Bulusan Volcano National Park. The area outside the tourist center are all wet but the place is undeniably beautiful and well maintained.
Bulusan Volcano Natural Park is a 3,673-hectare (9,080-acre) protected area of rainforest surrounding Mount Bulusan.
Philtoa Bicol Fam Tour Participants in Subic Beach
We were supposed to Kayak in the lake but the weather is really not cooperative during our visit. While in the Gazeebo, the tourism staff discussed some of the tour packages that they are currently offering to travel agents and as well as walk-in tourists.
After our short visit in Bulusan Lake, we proceeded to Oriental Hotel in Legaspi City for our late check-in. The entire activity on our second day was a little bit exhausting but it was also fun at the same time.
Our Sorsogon Bicol Adventure visit is part of our 5-day Media Familiarization Tour organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) in preparation for the 24th Philippine Travel Mart 2013 to be held September 6-8, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia Pasay City.
Philippine Travel Mart aims to provide quality and affordable tour packages featuring famous and emerging tourist destinations in the Philippines.
The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Inc. is an organization of tour operators and allied members actively involved in the advocacy of responsible tourism. For more information, visit www.philtoa.org
