As soon as sem break started and typhoon Ofel left the Philippine Area of Responsibility, we went ahead with a getaway that Edison, Czhar, Moore and I had planned over lunch during one of those stressful days in school. Joining us for the trip was Ace, Eds and Moore’s friend from college.

We had an open itinerary and no transportation and room reservations when we headed out. But we had rules: (1) bring only one backpack (we were going to be in transit a lot), and (2) wear your most fashionable travel clothes (because this was, among other things, also a photoshoot). Combine all elements and you have me climbing onto the roof of a jeepney in a short dress, trekking around a lake in said dress, seeing two beaches — one with black sand, another with pinkish sand — in two provinces in one day, and having a rough and awesome weekend with friends who are just as awesome.

Albay and Sorsogon in three days: Our itinerary as it happened

1. Go to Legaspi from Cubao in a 2×1 bus.
2. Day 1: Drop off at Daraga and see the Cagsawa ruins.
3. Head to Legaspi and have lunch at Embarcadero de Legaspi.
4. Take a van to Bacacay.
5. Go swimming and spend the night at a resort in Bacacay.
6. Day 2: Head back to Legaspi the next morning and take another van to Sorsogon City.
7. Take a jeep to the town of Matnog.
8. Hire a boat to Subic Beach on Calintaan Island.
9. Swim, take pictures, cook dinner and sleep.
10. Day 3: Head back to Matnog town proper. Have breakfast.
11. Take a jeep to Irosin.
12. Hire a tricycle in Irosin to the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park.
13. Trek around the lake.
14. Take the tricycle to Bulusan town proper.
15. Take a jeepney bound for Gubat.
16. Drop off in front of Barcelona Church in Barcelona. Take lots of pictures.
17. Take a jeepney to Gubat. Take another jeepney to Sorsogon City.
18. Take an early dinner and shop for souvenirs in the market.
19. Take a bus to Alabang.
20. Spend the night getting awakened by the bumpy bus ride. Go home. Sleep for six hours straight. Blog about the events of the past three days.

Our Travel Budget

	Actual Cost	Cost Per Person	*
Expenses
Cagsawa Ruins entrance fee	10	10
Accommodations: Bacacay	1150	230
Jaass Resort
1 double room + 1 extra bedding
Boat: Matnog port to Calintaan Island	2000	400
Subic Beach environmental fee	50	50
Accommodations: Subic Beach	1000	200
Calintaan Subic Resort Corp.
1 bungalow (P800 + tip)
Bulusan Volcano Natural Park entrance fee	10	10
Bulusan trekking guide fee	150	30
Total: Expenses	4370	930
Transportation
Bus: Cubao to Legaspi	920	920
Cagsawa air-con 2×1
Jeep: Daraga – Cagsawa Ruins	8	8
Jeep: Cagsawa Ruins – Embarcadero	15	15
Van: Legaspi to Bacacay	35	35
Pedicab: Bacacay	60	12
Pedicab: Bacacay	60	12
Van: Bacacay to Legaspi	35	35
Van: Legaspi to Sorsogon	90	90
Jeep: Sorsogon City to Matnog	90	90
Jeep: Matnog to Irosin	35	35	**
Tricycle: Irosin – Bulusan Volcano Natl Park – Bulusan town proper	300	60
Jeep: Bulusan – Barcelona	15	15	**
Jeep: Barcelona – Gubat	15	15	**
Jeep: Gubat – Sorsogon	35	35
Bus: Sorsogon – Alabang	755	755
DLTB air-con 2×2
Transportation: Total	2468	2132
TOTAL (minus food, medicine, toiletries, toilet fees)	6838	3062

* Cost per person: certain expenses were split five ways. It helps to have travel companions!
** estimated cost (i.e. I forgot the amount, but it was around P15/P35)

***A special hat tip to Nina of Just Wandering for inspiring me to create travel spreadsheets 🙂

As for food, I think each of us spent around P1000 in those three days. Add to that the pasalubong, overpriced junk food at bus stations, and my (regrettable) Starbucks tea latte at Ali Mall, and I’d say my vacation cost me around P4600. Almost half of it went to transportation.

Worth it? Oh yeah.

Part 1: The elusive Mayon and the black sands of Bacacay
Part 2: The long and winding road to Subic Beach
Part 3: Bulusan and Barcelona, Sorsogon

And before I forget: there’s a video! Edison put the scenes together. I’m both amused and impressed.