Chris and I took the sleeper bus from Manila to Naga, which took around 10 hours. We were prepared with trousers, socks, jumpers, and our sleeping bag liners, to help keep us warm, having suffered on the previous night bus. From Naga, we caught a tricycle over to the minivan station, where we found a minivan leaving for Legaspi. Two hours later we arrived.
We spent some time searching for a room, and after an hour or so we settled on a small, below average room, at Magayon hotel. After a quick freshen up, we were starving, so we walked to the main town area to find food. We came across a fast food restaurant, and went for their sizzling dishes. The plates did arrive sizzling hot, with pork chop for me, and Pork Sisig for Chris. Pork Sisig is a popular Filipino dish made from chopped pigs face (snout included) and ears, with generous amounts of chicken liver. Some even add in pigs brain! Not my cup of tea! All for the bargain price of less than £4 for the two of us.
We had stopped by Legaspi to visit Mount Mayon, known for being the most perfectly shaped volcano in the world. It is your typical volcano you would draw when you are younger. From our hotel we could see Mount Mayon, but the clouds were covering its peak. Chris had read that it is best to see it in all its glory early in the morning. So we decided to spend the afternoon looking around Legaspi, and tried a famous Pili coffee. Pili is a local nut, and added a very nice taste to the coffee.
Working out the jeepneys, we found our way over to where the carnival was that evening. We had dinner at a lonely planet recommended restaurant, 'Small Talk Cafe', but neither of us particularly thought our meals were great. Chris had the most popular Bicol Express spaghetti, whilst I had the Bicol Express with garlic rice and veggies.

Alarms set for 5.30am, and on a jeepney just after 6am, making our way to Cagsawa ruins, where the remnants of an 18th-century Franciscan church sits. It was built in 1724, but was destroyed by the eruption of the Mayon Volcano in 1814. We arrived before the vendors, so it was hassle free. Just us and one or two other families, with a spectacular view of all of Mount Mayon. It was totally worth waking up early for, as it was perfect. A few clouds in the sky, luscious green rice paddies, the ruins, and the most picturesque mountain in the background. Wonderful pictures!
Lucky we arrived when we did, as soon after the heavens opened, and we had to take shelter to eat a fruit salad we had bought with us. Chris had also read about a chilli shake, only available at Mount Mayon, so of course he had to try one. He opted for coconut and chili, which was the combination of cool and refreshing, followed by a warming sensation.
We waited for the rain to calm down, before catching the jeepney back to Legaspi. Still hungry, we found a street food vendor for a very cheap hotsilog (hot dog, garlic rice, fried egg). It was then back to the hotel, pack up, and find our way to the minivan station, to head down to Donsol.