Monday, August 2, 2010

Cagsawa Souvenir Shops [My World-Tuesday]

Who could resist souvenir shops?  When you're visiting a place, it's hard not to buy some mementos to bring home to family and friends.  These stores are a few of the  many stalls inside the Cagsawa Ruins selling Bicol shirts, hand-crafted bags and home decor products made from natural fibers, and other local gifts and flavors.  Bicol is famous for their spicy flavors--carved chili pepper key chains and magnets were a hit to my family and friends.


the belfry at Cagsawa Ruins
a cloud-capped Mayon Volcano, known as the world's most perfect cone

Naturally, you need to visit Cagsawa Ruins first before you hit the souvenir shops.:p   Cagsawa Ruins is located in Daraga, Albay, an 8-hour bus ride from Manila or a 55-minute flight from Manila to Legazpi City.  It is the remains of Cagsawa town and surrounding areas which were buried in lava during the 1814 eruption of Mayon Volcano.  About 1,200 townfolks persished and only this church belfry survived the devastating fury of Mayon.

20 comments:

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Good Morning Sweetie...
What a beautiful share today. Oh my gosh is that church belfry ever beautiful. I love it. How amazing that is still stands.

Now that shirt from the souvenir shop is quite interesting. I have never heard of bicol. I will have to google and do a little research. I do so love the shirt.

Love the clouds in your last photo. Just breathtaking.

Thank you for sharing with me this morning. I have so enjoyed my visit.

Country hugs sweetie...Sherry

Sylvia K said...

Marvelous look at your world, as always! Love the souvenir shop and the T-shirt! The old belfry is fantastic and it is indeed amazing that it survived the volcano! Hope you have a wonderful week!

Sylvia

kri said...

Hi, thank you very much for sharing these beautiful pictures ... I really would love to explore the souvenir shop. terrible catastrophe where so many people perished. did there survive some people in the church?
greetings from kri

Kim, USA said...

Oh I like that shirt "hot na hot"!! Happy Monday!

Waterdrop

Mª Zélia said...

Que lugar encantador...Adorei conhecer as ruínas do campanário, um verdadeiro símbolo de persistência e resistência ao tempo. O vulcão passa-nos um ar de mistério... Na loja de souvenirs ficaria horas, pois adoro comprar lembrancinhas!
Boa Semana!

SandyCarlson said...

An incredibly beautiful place, and no doubt about it!

Photo Cache said...

Love, love, love that t-shirt. It's hot!

Indrani said...

I am crazy of souvenir collection, I often try to pick up one tiny bit atleast if I find them too expensive.

Unknown said...

Cagsawa Ruins is a timeless masterpiece.

escape said...

years back this area was devastated because of the heavy rains.

nice to know that it's there again.

Penelope Notes said...

It is tragic lives were lost due to the erupted volcano. Right now in BC (as in other parts of the world) fire can spread like lava. Although Mother Nature is out of our control, I wonder how many forest fires are caused during the dry weather from careless smokers and campfires.

GalleryJuana said...

Definitely looks like a fun souvenir shop to visit.

great shots of the volcano and ruins.

Gattina said...

I probably would also buy a souvenir ! Just to prove to my neighbors that I have been to the Philipinnes, lol !
Must be a very beautiful country !
Meanwhile I visit through your blog !

BraCom said...

Thanks Miranda

Beautiful series on the shirt I thought my name was on it :-)

Greetings, Bram

Anonymous said...

Love the T shirt. And the mountain veiled in clouds is superb!

Megan said...

That belfry is amazing - I love old ruins like that.

EG CameraGirl said...

I guess it pays to pay attention to an erupting volcano! How awful that so many people perished! Too bad the cloud is hiding the volcano!

FilMasons NSW said...

Great post & pictures, love themessage on the shirt. I only buy quality souvenirs, waste of time buying run of the mill ones... best to take photos...

Eden said...

Great photos. I haven't been there and love to visit one day. Great photos.

witsandnuts said...

I remember during my first visit there, I bought a lot of things. Until now, those stuff still exist.