Labo, Camarines Norte Photo Diary.

I've been here a lot of times but never documented once. But since this has twisted my perspective from believing that “We travel to see beauty.” to a possibly be more meaningful “We travel to create Beauty.”  And having a camera on hand to take photos and stories, then I thought this is worth a page.

Unlike my many other trips, this one is not meant to see places or tourist spots neither a trip to hunt for the best food house in town. Unlike my many other trips, this doesn't have an itinerary and list of things to do nor an expense budget plan. So What this trip is for? Nuh! nothing just experiencing the best of being in our grandparents place in Labo Camarines Norte! So how's life in Labo?


TRANSPORTATION:

We boarded from Cubao since it is more accessible from Pasig City. We went and checked DLTB Co. Bus Company, their price is higher compared to Superlines but they have more comfortable air-conditioned buses per experience. What’s best is that they are equipped with Wifi so you won’t get bored if you’re not into long hours of travelling (the password is pasted in the frame of their television set). We arrived at Labo Camarines Norte at around 10:30PM, This trip is quite longer than usual considering that we left manila at exactly 1:15PM. Travel time usually runs from 8-9 hours.

 

Three more on top and one at the back - then that's how they normally do it.

We spent over night at Labo Camarines Norte and went early to Tulay na Lupa Camarines Norte, heading to my Grand Parents' house. That was actually the first time I noticed how tricycles here can overly do the top-loading. I regret not to have tripod and a good lens with me as I thought that it’s just so adorable to miss.


PLACE:



Nothing much has changed; it is the same old remote place I'm used of visiting. No high structure and fancy places like resorts and restaurants, though the entire place is a big priceless spot where you can always enjoy the serene rustic life.



Great beaches are boats away that will surely be worth the visit, but while in here, you can always check some cold and clean spring that locals enjoy for free.

Abundant fruit trees that you can freely climb and pick some fruits.



Blooming floras that joyously spread their vibrant color and beauty around the place.

This is a Tambis fruit tree. Tagalog's usually call this Macopa

but Bisaya knows that it is a totally different fruit though they belong in one family.

FOOD:



The place of the BEST HOME-COOKED DISHES! You know I am biased to that, but we know that Bicolanos are best known of its dishes that has coconut milk and gabi - to imagine a Filipino cuisine without those dishes is impossible.



Ginataang Paksiw na Tanigue – one of my favorite. Trust me they do it differently than those of regular paksiw we can have around the Philippines. (Photo grab from my Instagram) 





Bico – this is very close on how we do it in Mindanao. Less the vanilla and brown sugar instead of the white one but this definitely has the bragging yumminess of its own.



Pinagong – a milkier and a heavier version of monay. Brought this along the way from Sariaya Quezon Province. Not from Labo but my Aunt says its one of their favorite pasalubong. (Photo grab from my Instagram)

 



Minatamis na Pinya - Camarines is known not only for Pili nuts and coconut farming but also with their sweet pineapples which are very suitable for a Pineapple Jam like this homemade one from my aunt.

SCENE:

The bus vendors – they may not have the best of what local delicacy can offer but they have the very affordable and practical products that let me experience the local food especially when I'm travelling by bus whose just passing by one place to another. A good way to start making the journey as the destination it self.

The little kid that was at the window side of the bus the entire time. She seemingly pasted her self there while watching, observing and asking things about the scene outside.



With this old couple that we may never have grown up with but had made us feel the tight tie of our bloods – our grandparents.



Meeting the gentlest man I have ever met.

The beauty of love seen beyond the usual scene of couples exchanging vows at the altar but through the scene of the couple continuously proving and holding the promise that in good times and tough times they’ll be with each other's sides.



We travel to see beauty – but we might only find little of these or worst not found any at all. But isn't it that beauty is in many things around us? Appreciate and see things beyond the conventional perspective and will surely be able to create a beauty that is  far from what you have ever imagined of finding.

–End–