2019 Bicol Road Trip: Day 2

Day 2: May 22, 2019

Naga City to Camalig

2019 Bicol Road Trip: Day 2

I woke up to a very fine morning here in Naga City.
Well, apparently they're all busy at the moment...

 The plan was to wake up early to take a stroll around the hotel and visit the nearby churches and plazas. However, everyone seems to have enjoyed the comfy bed, so in the end, I was the only one who went through with the plan. 
Long-time no see Jorge!

 I did a quick visit to the nearby Barlin Plaza to give respect to the country's first Catholic bishop. The plaza is very small and one won't be able to do much except read the historical marker placed there. 
The Porta Mariae

The Naga Metropolitan Cathedral as seen from the Porta Mariae

Black is the new color for the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral

Breakfast at White Bean Cafe

 I then doubled back and headed to Naga Metropolitan Cathedral to revisit the church and the Porta Mariae (arch) and also attend the morning mass. After the mass, I received a text from my wife that we should already prepare as we'd leave after breakfast. Speaking of breakfast, we ate at White Bean Cafe which was located on the ground floor of the hotel. For breakfast, I tried the local dried fish called badi and discovered that it was quite similar to the tuyo that we buy in Manila.
Goodbye Naga, hello Ocampo!

 We checked out of Naga Land Hotel at around 9:30AM and proceeded to the side trip destination that I added to our itinerary last night. For today's side trip, we drove to the sleepy town of Ocampo which was still in the province of Camarines Sur to see the Ocampo Deer Farm. 

Hello deer, it's been a while! 

Oh, deer!

It's pretty hot here doe...

Thank God I got this sweet photo on my fawn.

 Despite the challenging road network going to the deer farm, I could still say that the trip was worth it. I love the fact that the entrance is free, the deer are domesticated and love the cameras, and most of all the interaction with these animals made me reminisce of our trip to Nara Park in Japan a few years back.
 
Where could we eat? Hmmm... Oh! There!

 After the photoshoot with the deer, we continued on with our trip to my dad's hometown in Camalig, Albay. We had our lunch stop at Chowking in Xentro Mall in Polangui, Albay. 
Great view!

We reached my dad's house in Bantunan, Camalig at around 2PM and took some well-deserved rest before checking out the tract of land that he bought at the back of the house. We did a bit of planting as well. 
Was lucky to see Mayon's outline

 That night, we spent our time chatting with my 90+-year-old grandmother. It was an amazing sight to see my 7-year-old daughter listening attentively to the stories of her great grandmother Lola Piling. 
It's really nice to see you again Lola Piling

 We ended the second day of our road trip here. As for our plan tomorrow, we're set to explore the tourist spots of the town of Camalig. So, please join us on our 3rd day in Camalig. 

Location: Ocampo, Camarines Sur, Philippines

Comments

  1. SimplyriiseNovember 18, 2019 at 10:42 PM

    Looks like you had a great time. I love getting up close and personal with animals.-Cherise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 10, 2019 at 12:14 PM

      Thanks Cherise! We did had a great time. I hope you could visit Bicol someday too.

      Delete
  2. Trent A PeekNovember 19, 2019 at 12:43 AM

    This looks like a fantastic place to visit. I have always wanted to visit this country, and this makes me want to go there even more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 12, 2019 at 7:17 AM

      I'm happy that my blog inspired you to visit the Philippines. I hope you'd get to visit this year.

      Delete
  3. CurvylogicNovember 19, 2019 at 1:50 AM

    I cant wait to see the spots for tomorrow! Thank you for sharing your trip with us!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 12, 2019 at 7:18 AM

      You'd love Day 3 of my adventure in the Bicol Region. =)

      Delete
  4. RomanNovember 19, 2019 at 12:46 PM

    Ocampo Deer Farm looks freaking amazing, awesome pictures!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 13, 2019 at 1:16 PM

      Ocampo Deer Farm IS REALLY freaking amazing! Please come visit. You'd love the place.

      Delete
  5. JoannaNovember 19, 2019 at 6:15 PM

    The deer farm looks so cool! It's amazing that the deer are so friendly and come post with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 13, 2019 at 5:47 PM

      That's true. They reminded me of the deer at Nara Park. Cool animals.

      Delete
  6. patientandkindloveNovember 19, 2019 at 7:07 PM

    Those pics with the deer are so cool, I can't get over how tame they are!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 13, 2019 at 5:48 PM

      You'd fall in love with these creatures. =) Come visit Ocampo Deer Park

      Delete
  7. play2winappsNovember 20, 2019 at 12:15 AM

    greats pics. thanks for sharing your travel trips with us

    ReplyDelete
  8. Farah Al ZadjalyNovember 20, 2019 at 12:50 AM

    This looks like such a lovely trip :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. BethNovember 20, 2019 at 9:03 AM

    It looks very pretty there! How wonderful that your daughter was able to enjoy the stories from her great grandmother! I hope the rest of your trip is just as awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 16, 2019 at 9:23 AM

      It was Beth. It was truly a memorable road trip. You should check out Day 3 of this adventure. =)

      Delete
  10. aisasamiNovember 20, 2019 at 9:18 PM

    Wow, this seems like a great place to see wild animals and see beautiful sights! Glad you enjoyed it with your family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 6, 2019 at 2:33 PM

      It is a place to see deer. =) We really did enjoy our second day of adventure.

      Delete
  11. Blair VillanuevaNovember 20, 2019 at 10:08 PM

    It's been years that I haven't visited Naga. Maybe we will check it and, visit the deer farm too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 17, 2019 at 7:22 AM

      Oh, yes please. You'd be shocked how different it is already.

      Delete
  12. bye:myselfNovember 21, 2019 at 11:27 PM

    This is very interesting - and touching. But it doesn't say in which country you were - and I've never heard of these places before....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 17, 2019 at 7:23 AM

      Oh these are all in the Philippines. =) You should come visit this wonderful country.

      Delete
  13. JaynayleeNovember 22, 2019 at 12:26 AM

    Wow these photos are beautiful and breathtaking! That’s for sharing this adventure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 17, 2019 at 7:24 AM

      You're welcome. Thank you for visting my blog as well.

      Delete
  14. UnknownNovember 22, 2019 at 8:56 AM

    This looks like such a good time! I can't believe the deer didn't run! And what a blessing for your grandmother to reach over 90!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 17, 2019 at 7:25 AM

      We had a blast.
      How I wish I'd also reach that age.

      Delete
  15. Jenn ➳ onehoppymomma.comNovember 23, 2019 at 6:45 AM

    Looks like a greate option for taking a family road trip with kids.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 7, 2020 at 8:03 AM

      It is! You should bring your family along. =) Come visit this awesome province.

      Delete
  16. Shimaa saadNovember 23, 2019 at 7:15 AM

    Amazing! Looks like u had a alot of fun.

    ReplyDelete

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