The mistake that led us to Busay Falls
Posted on 04-19-09 · The Mommy Journals Tags: Albay, Busay Falls, food, pili nuts, Tabaco City, travelWe had two choices for our next destination. Tiwi Hot Springs and the famous halo-halo or a place called Bacacay Falls, the latter recommended by someone at Dhio Endheka. The driver said it would take an hour to get to Bacacay, two hours to Tiwi. We chose Bacacay. And a huge — HUGE — mistake that decision turned out to be.
We drove and drove and Sam noticed a sign that we passed, one that says “Busay Falls” and she pointed it out to me. I just nodded since we were supposed to go to Bacacay, not Busay, Falls. We entered a barangay where we had to pay a toll fee.
Whether we were paying corrupt barangay officials or NPA revolutionaries, I had no idea. What was certain was that we couldn’t get to our destination unless the darned toll fee was paid. Anyway, so we entered the barangay and, well, there were dill hedges so pretty I could almost forgive the toll fee.
Dill, you know, the herb. I use dill for cooking and almost every house in that place had hedges of dill. I don’t know whether the Albayanons use dill for cooking but if they do, I swear they have abundant supply all year ’round.
On and on we drove and I could glimpse the sea. And I started wondering if we would have to ride a boat to get to an islet somewhere to see the falls because I don’t know of any falls on the seashore. I mean, that’s geographically impossible.
If you look at the photo of Speedy and me in a previous entry, there’s a sea on the background. Well, the sea in the photo above is the same sea. We’ve traveled that far to view the falls that I had no idea where we’d find.
Finally, on our prodding, the driver started asking the locals for directions (the driver was a local so we were really amazed that he didn’t know where the falls was located). Then, the most astounding thing happened. The locals said there was no falls in Bacacay — only swimming pools. So the person that recommended the place meant Bacacay pols? And why should we be interested in swimming pols when we’re staying in a resort with a mountain spring pool?
It was hot, we were frustrated, we were desperate. We wasted a lot of time searching for the Bacacay pols. But there was the sign that said “Busay Falls” that Sam noticed earlier so I said why not go there instead? It wasn’t that far. And so we did. And I wished I had just kept my mouth shut. Click the link to page 3.
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Sassy, I hope you’ll go back to Bicol someday and check out Camarines Sur! It’s too bad that resort you stayed at in Albay was kinda crappy compared to the review you had read on it prior to your trip.
If you ever decide to go to CamSur, lemme know and I can definitely tell you where to stay/go!
Thanks! I’ll remember that. Maybe, I should have done that prior to the trip — posted an entry and asked for recommendations from readers who hail from Albay.
funny and interesting story….well,at least you were rewarded by those yummy pili nuts…
“Bacacay pols?” hahahaha! tawa kami ng tawa ng manager ko habang binabasa namin ito.
I can already imagine you saying “Dapat nag halo halo nalang ako!!!” (eyes rolling, deep sigh)
Next time, listen to Sam
Oh yes, the halo-halo in Tiwi rocks! These are nice photos of the goodies. I usually splurge on slippers and bags whenever I visit, but it’s better to buy these things in Daraga or Legazpi (cheaper and more variety). Tabaco is known for scissors and I guess knives, at least that’s what I heard from local artisans. I ignore the pili candies. I like the nuts fresh from the shell.
Waaaah and I missed the halo-halo for Bacacay pols.
Hi Connie,
Natawa ako ng Bacacay pols mo
Anyway, I’ve been reading your blog abt your trip to know where to go and avoid. We only have a day for Legazpi so I need to know where to go.
Hope you get to visit Cagsaua. Catch a spot that isn’t too crowded to get a real feel of the place. Almost eerie.
Ha! That beer comment is funny.
Bacacay pols, LOL.
RE: waterfalls near the sea. I heard from our grandpa (when he was alive), that there is a waterfall, small one, in the island of Atulayan, which is a white sand beach in Nato, Sagnay, Cam. Sur. Guess what it’s called–ihi nin daraga
HAHAHAHA Even if I don’t speak any Bicolano language, I can understand that.
Ms. Connie, I was in highschool when I heard that and I remarked to my dad, gee, the oldies should learn the art of subtlety.
Why do I get the impression that the name of the falls was coined during a drinking session? hahahaha
Ms. Connie, siguro nga, e in our province, people who live near the sea are known to be hardcore drinkers.
I’ve been to island of Atulayan twice but never heard of water falls… maybe I can ask where the “Ihi nin daraga” is? We are also going there for 2 days and maybe I can ask around. Connie, you should visit that island….it’s a perfect get away place tsaka walang tao except for locals.
Nakuuuu, that’s the way I like it. Virgin beaches and sans commercialization. The very reason I didn’t like Boracay.
kakahya naman ang naging experience mo dito sa amin sa Albay. Dapat nag stay ka sa Legazpi instead of Tabaco.
Ang Maganda ditong pasyalan ay yong CAGSAWA RUIN, although pangit ngayon since nasira ng SUPERTYPHOON REMING., I mean yong ibang stracture na dinivelop dati dyan. Yong Linon Hills medyo ok ang view kahit di pa siya tapos. Pagkababa mo sa Linon Hilss pwede kan dumaan sa Wildlife park, Again it used to look much better before the Super Typhoon.
Beach here are not so good dahil Volcanic ang soil nya as in Black ang itsura. Sorsogon has a better beaches than us or the Camarines Sur`s Caramoan area.
Sa pili nuts , You should go to Locsin Pilinut. Try the MAZAPAN de PILI..
and Lastly, You can not help but Admire MT MAYON. She is really pretty. we use to climb up there kaso medyo unstable na sya kaya climbing is medyo delikado na.
Pasensya ka na sa nangyari sayo dito. my apology in behalf of taga Legazpi.
Nakarating kami ng Cagsaua; hindi pa lang na upload yung pics at nasulat yung kwento. Nag-enjoy kami nang husto doon kahit sobrang init. Sayang at may naglagay ng viewing deck doon sa open space — nasira yung panoramic view ng Mayon.
And, yes, I brought home A LOT of mazapa de pili. Hindi pa nga ubos eh.
Hi Connie,
Hindi mo na kailangang mag drive papuntang Tiwi for halo halo. Malapit sa Tabaco City hall named Ice Blink serves the best halo halo I ever tasted.
Hi Sassy,
First time to comment after a loong time. I’m from Tabaco and stayed in Legazpi for years. I could have helped you with the right directions, sayang.
Anyway, there’s one non-commercialized falls in Tabaco called Vera’s falls, but it’s hard to reach, long trek and all that. But once you’re there, it’s all worth it. There’s also that hotel/resort at the middle of Mt. Mayon, view’s terrific.
The churches in Bacacay, Daraga, Malinao and Tabaco are really old, huge cathedrals made from stone and honey. The view at Daraga church is magnificent, it was built around 16th century, raided and burned by Moro pirates but survived.
Vera Falls was among those originally recommended. Sayang nga we listened to the people we talked to when we were already in Albay. We were able to see the church in Tabaco though.