Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nachos (P85). Free wi-fi.
Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun
9am-9pm.
Graceland
Ziga Ave
T
052 487 7000,
W
graceland.ph.
Opposite the jeepney terminal, this is one of Tabaco's better
places to eat, offering cheap and cheerful dishes including
pork adobo (P65), baby back ribs (P199) and
lechon
Bicol
Express (P125); there's also an attached bakery selling
cakes (P165).
Daily 6am-10pm.
Sorsogon province
A toe of land with a striking volcanic topography and some little-known beaches,
lakes, hot springs and waterfalls,
Sorsogon province
, south of Albay, is the easternmost
part of mainland Bicol. The province is best known to tourists for the chance to
snorkel with whale sharks off the coast near
Donsol
, but it's also a great area for
activities such as hiking and caving.
Sorsogon City
makes a good base for exploring
the area's many lovely beaches - the nicest stretch of sand being
Rizal Beach
, in the
barangay of Gubat to the east of Sorsogon City. There are many pristine coves to
explore along the coast around
Bacon
, while south of Sorsogon City
Mount Bulusan
is
a climbable, active volcano.
Driving through Sorsogon province you will pass many stalls selling items made from
abacá
, the fibre of a species of banana tree and one of the major products of the
province. Sometimes known as Manila hemp, although it also grows in Malaysia and
Indonesia, it is processed to make everything from banknotes to teabags.
4
Donsol
The area around the sleepy town of
DONSOL
is best known for one of the greatest
concentrations of
whale sharks
in the world. The number of sightings varies: during
the
peak months
of January to April there's a very good chance of encountering these
gentle creatures, but on some days (particularly early or late in the season, which
stretches from December to early June) you might see none.
Swimming
with these
colossal creatures as they sedately glide through the clear waters, their enormous
mouths opening more than 1m wide to gulp down huge quantities of plankton, is a
truly unforgettable experience, but remember that you need to be a good swimmer and
a decent snorkeller to get into the water with them.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
DONSOL
By bus
Philtranco has a daily bus from Manila (12hr).
Buses travelling between Sorsogon City and Donsol (every
15min; 1hr) arrive at Junction Putiao (see below).
By jeepney
Jeepneys and a/c minivans arrive at a
terminal on the southern edge of town. For Sorsogon City,
catch a jeepney towards Daraga and ask the driver to let
you get off at Junction Putiao (every 30min; 1hr; P60),
from where the buses leave.
By van
There are regular vans to Legazpi (hourly; 1hr
30min; P75).
By ferry
Ferries from Masbate arrive at Pilar port, 15km
south of Donsol by jeepney (every 30min; P15) or tricycle
(30min; P250). There is one daily roll-on-roll-off ferry
(departs Pilar 4am-5am depending on the tide; 4hr; P230)
and three fast crafts (daily 8am, noon & 4pm; 2hr; P396).
INFORMATION
Tourist information
The Visitor Centre (daily 7am-6pm;
T
0927 483 6735,
W
donsolwhalesharkecotour.com) is
northwest of Donsol among the resorts in the barangay of
Dancalan, P40 away by tricycle from the centre of town.
You'll need to check in here if you want to swim with the
whale sharks (see box, p.234).
ACCOMMODATION
The
resorts
are about 2km northwest of the town centre and many are closed outside of the whale shark-watching
season
(Dec-June). The town itself is becoming more tourist-oriented as locals aim to capitalize on growing visitor
numbers; although there are few hotels, there are numerous
homestays
. Contact the Visitor Centre for an up-to-
date list.
