It's More Fun in Rapu-Rapu, Albay, Philippines: Pototan Cave's Stalactites

Photo Credit: Proud To Be Albayano

Rapu-Rapu

Rapu-Rapu is a third class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 35,875 people. The municipality comprises three islands: Rapu-rapu Island, Batan Island, and Guinanayan Island. Rapu-Rapu is 374 km southeast of Manila and 36 km east of Legazpi City, the provincial capital of the province of Albay. The small island of Rapu-Rapu and Batan lie to the east of Luzon and together with the islands of San Miguel and Cagraray, form the northern rim of Albay Gulf. Rapu-rapu is politically subdivided into 34 barangays with much of the population living in Poblacion.

Tourist Attractions

Visiting wonderful and unspoiled beaches of Rapu-Rapu is like discovering hidden treasures. Here, you can find powdery white sands comparable with the famous Boracay Island less the commerciality and crowds of course. These beaches include burad, maypajo, carogcog, guinanayan resort, to name a few. Most of these beaches are accessible by small outriggers or bancas only. You can rent bancas from local fisher folks for a minimal fee and request for them to take you to these beaches. You can have the entire beach all by yourself or exclusively for your family as you can be sure that there are no other people around that will spoil your fun. Swim to your heart’s content but just be careful though and take a pack lunch with you as there are no available restos within the area. You can try the Irrigation-a mini waterfall where the water coming from nearby mountain is cool and will refresh you from the hot weather. Moreover, you can also try cave adventuring for complete experience. Touring the three islands of Rapu-Rapu is also highly recommended. You can also request your bankero to take you to Pagol islands and have a souvenir picture there. Doing this will let you discover all the other hidden beauties of Rapu Rapu. Food tripping is also another way to enjoy the place. You can try out local delicacies like Bicol Express, Pinangat and Laing, Pili nuts, Kinunot, and Ibos. These foods will make you forget your name once you tasted it. I'm pretty sure that you’re gonna ask for more. And the most favorite activity of them all by previous visitors is waiting for the sun to set on the pier with the majestic view of Mayon Volcano in its backdrop. Seeing this beautiful sun set will make you appreciate that somehow life is still worth living despite all the trials. Whatever your reasons for coming here just keep in mind that you are here to relax and somehow find a temporary respite in your busy life.

The People of Rapu Rapu

One can attest to the resiliency, hospitality and piety of the Rapu Rapu people. At times, life in this municipality can be difficult with no other source of livelihood but farming and fishing. Add to that difficulty is the unpredictable weather. Typhoons are frequent and a destructive menace in the Bicol region. The eastern part of Rapu Rapu faces the Pacific Ocean and it’s where most of the typhoons are formed. But through it all, the people have remained strong and durable just like the Pili nut that is endemic in the area.

How To Go Here

If you are coming from Manila, there are two ways in which you can possibly go to Rapu Rapu island. You can either ride a bus or take plane. Either way, it’s your choice and your adventure. If you opt to have a bus then you’ll have to endure a grueling 12 hour ride. There are many bus line that are plying the route of Manila to Legazpi City. These are DLTB Bus, Cagsawa Bus Line, Peñafrancia Bus Liner, Philtranco Liner and Isarog bus. Most of these buses have their terminal either in Pasay or Cubao. There are also other buses that travels from Manila to Legazpi but these are regular mini buses and I am pretty sure that you don’t want to sacrifice your personal comfort in a 12 hour bus ride. The bus usually leaves at 6 in the evening passing by the provinces of Laguna, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and finally arrives at Legazpi City 6 in the morning the following day so all you have to do during the entire trip is to sleep, sleep and sleep. Fare ranges from 800 to 900 pesos depending on the type of bus trip. Another option which is faster and more convenient than taking a bus is, obviously, by plane. Domestic carriers like Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have regular flights to Albay which would take about an hour or so of your travel time. Regular air fare would cost around one or two thousand pesos or if you want to avail of a much cheaper air fare then you have to book your flight months ahead. Upon arriving at Legazpi City, if you still have time you can spend it either visiting nearby tourist spots, malls, or having a short stay at one of Legazpi’s hotels as the motor boat that will take you to Rapu Rapu Island departs the city at 2 in the afternoon. There are two trips from Legazpi to Rapu Rapu, the first trip is 7 am and the last trip is 2 pm, vice versa. The motorboat is docked at the Legazpi port which is near Embarcadero de Legazpi. A bit of advice though, go to the port much earlier than the scheduled departure of the boat as there are times when seats could be filled immediately and, of course, to choose a comfortable seat for you. Travel time from Legazpi to Rapu Rapu is approximately two hours so it is best to bring with you lots of patience and something for those who have sea sickness. The boat trip will give you a good view of the Mayon Volcano, the Albay gulf and various small islands. After 2 hours of sea travel, the boat will dock at the Rapu Rapu port located at Barangay Poblacion and one can have a good view of Pagol Islands.

It's More Fun in Rapu-Rapu, Albay, Philippines

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Pototan Cave's Stalactites

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