Unveiling Albay's secrets

MANILA, Philippines – Bicol’s remarkable natural attractions – an active volcano, spectacular waterfalls, and even the world’s biggest and smallest species of fish – make it an absorbing destination.

The famous Mayon Volcano and rolling hills covered with coconut plantations, rice fields and patches of forest dominate Albay’s terrain. Legazpi is a bustling commercial center sitting in the shadow of Mayon Volcano, majestic with its perfectly shaped cone. Taking its name from magayon, or beautiful in the Bicolano dialect, the volcano has erupted more than 45 times, and a wisp of smoke still plays around the cone’s top. I had the pleasure of viewing the crater of Mount Mayon in a helicopter, and the vibrant shades of red and orange lava formations inside the crater were breathtaking.

Hotel Venezia, Legazpi City’s premier boutique hotel, offers a menu of tour activities for visitors to Bicol, including volcano tours.

Raintree Misibis Bay, a new tropical hideaway in Cagraray Island, is built on a private, pristine stretch along the southern tip of the island. Cagraray is a 481-square-kilometer island off the western coast of Albay. It is made up of one big island, one satellite island called Namanday and 11 islets. Tabaco Bay and the Sula Channel, which run along Cagraray’s entire northern and eastern coastline, separate it from the mainland, and its northwestern coastline is on the Logonoy Gulf, which flows south through the Nagtapis Strait to become the Albay Gulf.

Seamlessly merging land with sea, the alluring resort blends contemporary architecture with historic and stunning surroundings. Worlds away from the bustling metropolis, the secluded resort is a short distance away from Mayon Volcano, illuminated fireflies and interaction with the world’s biggest fish.

We took the 20-minute scenic speed boat ride from Bacacay across the Sula Channel to Barangay Sula. If you’re in a rush, the helicopter transfer can take you from the Legazpi airport to the resort.

Guests are greeted with a welcome dance from the award-winning Ibayon festival number. Raintree Misibis Bay’s guestrooms have high ceilings, large terraces, sun decks and direct access to the beach or the pool. The large glass windows create a subtle transition from indoor living space to the spectacular outdoor environment. Imagine waking up with an unhindered view of the Pacific Ocean from the picture window of a beachfront villa.

As proud as they are of their rooms, Raintree Misibis Bay encourages guests to spend time outdoors. Take a barefoot stroll on the exclusive one-kilometer beachfront, or swim in one of the resort’s lagoon-shaped pool recreating the natural current of the nearby river.

There are also outdoor activities to enjoy, including jet skis, banana boat rides, water volleyball and basketball, or learning more about the environment around the resort on an all-terrain vehicle around Cagraray Island. There are numerous biking and trekking routes, although most are accessible only to the very determined and able.

A new attraction called the zip line gives you a bird’s eye view of the other hilly side of Albay, with Mount Mayon as backdrop. You are securely tied to a safety harness from one hilly part of the peninsula and pushed down on a zip line to opposite end.  

No trip is complete without food, so head to The Spice Market and DeLaPlaya beach grill. At the Spice Market, I had a sampling Southeast Asian cuisine designed by chef David Pardo de Ayala. You may also take pleasure in buying freshly caught seafood, and have them cooked to perfection at the DeLaPlaya grill. Try their version of Bicol Express, or test your chilli tolerance with their Laing Pizza.

While Cagraray is not yet a full-fledged jet-set destination, a smattering of yachts could be spotted along the waters off the island. The secret that is Misibis will not be secret for long.