They say Mayon Volcano only
appear in its full glory only when it likes you. I guess, during my first and
second visits here, the mountain wasn’t fond of me. On this trip though, she
clearly showed her approval as she appear naked all throughout. With patches of
thick clouds quickly passing the tip of her perfect cone-shaped peak, the Mayon
blessed us with her presence, as we romped over the lava hardened soil beneath
her. Aboard ATV vehicles, we crossed streams of water and careened up and down
muddy trails to the echoes of jubilant screams of "Yahoo".
Quick Escape to Girlfriend’s Hometown of Legazpi
I was in Legazpi to accompany
my girlfriend attending a wedding of her childhood friend. Post-wedding, we
allotted a day to explore the city. We went to the beautiful Daraga Church, hiked
all the way up Lignon Hill—while carrying her adorable one-year old nephew
Ababou—and an ATV ride near Mayon.
It was a memorable week
highlighted by our afternoon adventure on the wide expanse of the foot of
Mayon. I’ve driven a few ATVs before but none more magnificent than the trail
here. From rock-strewn to sandy to muddy and even grass covered trail, we rode
over them all at ease—thanks to the power lift of the toys we’re riding.
There were parts along the route
when I thought I’d be hard-pressed to pull off, like the steep terrain dotted
with gravels or the knee-deep rivulets. Each time though, with just a mild cry
from my ATV’s engine, its horsepower kicks in to a higher gear therefore
pushing me through the tricky landscape with ease.
We call those portions of the
trail as level-up obstacles where I and Monette would ecstatically cap with a
celebratory holler each time we pass through.
The whole ride lasted for a
couple of hours, just enough time to feel all the adrenalin and rush of
wheezing through the landscape sculpted by numerous eruptions of Mayon. It began
with a brief orientation at the booking office of Bicol Adventure ATV—the
outfitter of ATV rides in Mayon, as well as other activities like zip lining
and guided hikes—and ends back there with a refreshing drink.
Over-all, the ATV ride in Mayon
is a great way to experience a thrilling activity while enjoying the great
outdoors of Legazpi, Albay. Pray that the weather cooperate and the clouds not
to cover Mayon like a curtain, because riding an ATV with the volcano as a game
spectator makes the experience a whole lot better.
How to get to Mayon Volcano in Legazpi, Albay
Manila to Legaspi: Bus trips
starting from Pasay and Cubao take you to Legazpi in about 9-10 hours.
Flights from Manila to Legazpi
are also available via Cebu Pacific Air.
