Friday, May 7, 2010

Sky-watching at Cagsawa Ruins

No trip to Bicol would be complete without seeing the majestic Mayon Volcano. After spending the Lenten holiday in Caramoan, we traveled back to Naga on Easter Sunday and made a side trip to Legaspi for our pilgrimage to the Cagsawa Ruins. It was more than a three-hour bus ride from Naga to Cagsawa, and clouds already veiled Mayon when we arrived. Vendors told us that the best way to see Mayon is early in the morning. But we didn't give up and waited for a glimpse of its perfect cone.
This was my second visit to Cagsawa Ruins---the first was a few years ago during one of Mayon's hiccups. To witness an actual volcano eruption was both frightening and breathtaking, and the danger was very real. Mayon Volcano is the most active of the active volcanoes in the Philippines, having erupted over 49 times in the past 400 years. Its last eruption was in December 2009. Famous for its perfect cone, Mayon was included in the New Seven Wonders of Nature top 10 list in 2008.
The Cagsawa Ruins and its surroundings are the remains of communities buried in lava during the 1814 eruption. The church belfry was the lone witness of the devastation and tragedy---more than a thousand people sought shelter in the church and no one survived.

Posted for Sky-watch Friday

29 comments:

Chubskulit Rose said...

Nahomesick tuloy ako wahhhhhh.. Thanks for beringing me home through your photos sis..

Sylvia K said...

Marvelous post and wonderful photos! A sad, scary history, but such a beautiful place! And beautiful skies! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Sylvia

Unseen India Tours said...

These are some really beautiful and fantastic shots !!GReat post !!

Dee said...

Beautiful! Never been to Bicol , but it sure is one the places I would love to go to. :)

escape said...

to see mt mayon as a whole is really challenging. maybe i should stay there for a month to get a chance to glimpse it at its full form.

i miss legaspi.

http://graceolsson.com/blog said...

the second one is s imply divine.congrats
http://graceolsson.com/blog/2010/05/simply-myself/

Serline said...

Those first 2 pics are almost Fuji-yamaesque... Have a blessed weekend!

~Cheryl said...

Beautiful photos! Thank you for including such interesting facts, too.

Anonymous said...

Stunning place with the clouds hugging the vulcano. Sad story about the people who didn't make it. I liked the first pic best. Happy SWF!

magiceye said...

oh wow! awesome captures!

Marites said...

i've been here last year and it was really memorable for me. great captures!

My skywatch is here.

Regina said...

Amazing Mayon Volcano!
Beautiful skies and captures Miranda.
Have a great weekend.

Gattina said...

Beautiful pictures ! I would like to see that live !

Anonymous said...

The ruin, the mountain, the dramatic clouds.. what a fantastic place!

Glennis said...

The ruins are great reminders of the past, but do carry a very sad story.
Very dramatic clouds to make a great photo.

Sidney said...

Bicol has a special place in my heart ! :-)
Great pictures!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Miranda: What a wonderful place to capture the sky, neat mountain and tower.

Lina Gustina said...

Amazing views...

Thanks for dropping by :)

syel said...

i've always wanted to go to Albay but never had the chance. you've captured the Mayon volcano beautifully with the clouds!

Verna Luga said...

di makita si perfect cone ... cloud capped ... love the scene..

God Bless The Philippines
Sansevieria kirkii

Kim, USA said...

This is the place I wanted to visit given a chance. So pretty and majestic. Happy weekend!

SkyWatchFriday

Photo Cache said...

this is a fantastic side trip. glad you didn't give up easily on seeing mayon's famous cone.

Mona Sweden http://fotoentusiastenfotoblogg.blogg.se said...

Wonderful photos! I love the clouds.
http://fotoentusiastenfotoblogg.blogg.se/category/skywatch-friday.html

Tanya said...

Thanks again for stopping by my blog. Your photos are just wonderful!! My favorite is #3. Have a great weekend!

Ebie said...

The perfectly coned shaped is still standing tall in its beauty.

Love those old churches!

Kaori said...

They may be ruins but are beautiful just the same. And you picked a great day to go! Happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Fantastic shots! Love the volcano and the clouds and the cool ruins! Happy skywatching!

eden said...

Beautiful set of pictures. I would love to visit this place one day. Thanks for sharing

shaker said...

It's a great series !