Ro-Ro Experience the Bicolandia way: Aboard MV Regina Calixta

May 2014 seemed to be the month for Ro-Ro (Roll-on, Roll-off) vessel experiences for me. 🙂 And I will share with you what I consider as my most pleasant Ro-Ro experience, while aboard the Regina Calixta vessel. 🙂

Regina Calixta vessel, bound to San Andres Port

Unlike the other Ro-Ro vessels that I have embarked on which charges standard fees, the Regina Shipping Lines charges different fees for air-con and non-aircon areas in the ship. They also have ship attendants, who check on the purchased tickets and monitor the passengers. You will have that feeling of security while inside.

A/C Regular ticket

With comfortable headrests

It was an ordinary day when my client and I boarded the ship at Tabaco Port; not that much passengers are bound to Catanduanes. The air-conditioned area is not full of passengers. There are numerous sockets on the wall so that passengers can charge their electronic gadgets. There’s a huge LCD monitor so that passengers can watch movies and concerts.

I was surprised how comfortable it is inside. I love the seats and the dim lights. It’s like being inside an airplane.

Inside the air-con area

Since it was a sunny, summery day, the ride to Catanduanes is very smooth. Travel time is almost three (3) hours. According to my client, the vessel that we rode is one of the newest vessels of Regina Shipping Lines, which explains the quicker travel time and the modern amenities.

During the journey, I went out of the air-conditioned area to take a look outside. And I was surprised that even though we were already in the middle of Lagonoy Gulf, I could still see the Mayon Volcano. 🙂

Picturesque Mayon while aboard

After almost three hours of waiting, I went out on the open deck and I got my first glimpse of the island province of Catanduanes. 🙂 So green and beautiful. 🙂

The mountainous island province of Catanduanes

This one is taken when disembarking at the Port of San Andres in San Andres, Catanduanes. Look at the skies.

Port of San Andres

Toploading. A normal view while at the Port of San Andres. 🙂 These passenger jeepneys will take you to the towns in Catanduanes, at Virac, Bato, or in Baras, the surf capital of Catanduanes. Why more fun to topload in Catanduanes? Well, the road towards the towns of Virac, Bato, Baras, Viga, and other towns would involve zigzag roads and scenic spots. It would be quite an adventure while traversing the zigzag roads, and a feast to the eyes when crossing scenic spots like the Bato Bridge and Bato River.

Toploading. More fun in Catanduanes.

After three days in Virac, Catanduanes, I was once again going to board the MV Regina Calixta, this time early in the morning. We were inside the vessel before 8 ‘o clock.

The sea is calm and serene that morning. It would undoubtedly be another smooth ride. 🙂

Port of San Andres

This one was taken before we embark the ship that picture-perfect morning. 🙂

Calm waters that morning.

There were no turbulent waves during our journey, and while there are more passengers this time, still, the air-conditioned area maintained its cozy atmosphere. There is also a snack bar inside, with instant noodle soups, crackers and other food to keep the passengers full during the journey.

And again, after almost three hours of another pleasant Ro-Ro vessel experience, we are back at the Tabaco Port. 🙂

Back at Albay. 🙂

Unfortunately, the Mayon Volcano was hidden by the clouds when we arrived at the Tabaco Port. But I was able to take a glimpse of its perfect cone barely an hour after we left the Port of San Andres. 🙂

Mt. Mayon as seen after barely an hour travel time from Catanduanes

Exploring the town of Virac by foot

It was the 22nd day of May 2014 when I first saw the mountainous island province of Catanduanes.

This is the panoramic view that greeted me while aboard the Regina Calixta vessel.

Port of San Andres in San Andres, Catanduanes

I was fetched by my clients from Port of San Andres and off we went to the town of Virac. We passed by zigzag roads, mountain ranges and green fields. At long last, we arrived at Virac, Catanduanes. I was billeted at a simple but lovely pension house located near the province’s Capitol Building. This is the Marem Pension House.

Marem Pension House

After resting, I decided to go out of the pension house and to explore the town of Virac. As I have mentioned awhile ago, provincial Capitol building is just walking distance from the pension house.

The Catanduanes Capitolio

On my first night, I asked the front desk at the lobby of Marem’s where to eat, preferably an airconditioned restaurant, since it was very hot that day. They suggested that I try the Fin Bar & Grill, which is located at the Center Mall, which is also located near the pension house.

The Fin Bar & Grill, at the Center Mall

sizzling chicken

Being a chicken lover, I tried the 2-piece sizzling fried chicken with java rice. For 99 pesos, I had a hearty meal of two pieces fried chicken with sumptuous gravy, and the java rice is so Bicolandia… with bell pepper and chili. I love it!! 🙂 There’s also iced tea that goes with the chicken meal. That’s all for 99 pesos. So rare nowadays to get your 99 pesos’ worth. 🙂

The next day, my clients and I went to have lunch at Sea Breeze, an outdoor restaurant near the Virac Port.

It’s so refreshing to have lunch when you have this view:

Seaside view from our table

This is how the tables look like at Sea Breeze. 🙂

Al fresco dining at Sea Breeze is one of the activities that I definitely miss! 😦 There’s nothing like dining with a great view of the sea, and the sea breeze softly touching your skin. 🙂

I was also able to drop by, pray, and give thanks at the Virac Cathedral.

Virac Cathedral

For the renovation of Virac Cathedral

That late afternoon, after resting at the pension house, I explored Virac again by foot. After all, it’s my last night in Virac. 😦

While walking, I came upon this building, which used to be the provincial Capitol building of Catanduanes.

This used to be the Catanduanes Capitolio.

After searching last-minute for additional souvenirs, I went to search for Blossoms Restaurant, which was recommended by one of the staff at Marem’s pension house. Of course, I got lost while searching for it, having a lousy sense of direction. But the locals are kind enough to point me towards the place. 🙂 I was enchanted the moment I saw the restaurant from across the street.

Blossoms

You would feel more enchanted inside, with the homey ambiance, the pretty lights, elegant wall decors, and country-style furniture.

Inside Blossoms

I ordered pasta and cake at Blossoms Restaurant. I liked the mango cream pie better than the baked macaroni that I ordered. But the ambiance of the place more than makes up for the dining experience. 🙂

It was a fun, liberating experience for me to explore Virac by foot. I was excited at the prospect of exploring, guided with tips from the warm manoys and manays (that’s how they call each other)… Getting lost was not a scary experience as I knew that I am in a safe place with friendly, hospitable people. I love the simplistic way of life in Virac, and I cherish having visited the local malls and restaurants. I am hoping that I will get to visit this island again in the future, with my hubby. 🙂

The allure of the scenic town of Bato, Catanduanes

After attending a hearing in Virac, Catanduanes last May, my clients took me to a side trip to Bato, Catanduanes, where the century-old Bato Church is located. I knew that I would be seeing an old, charming, heritage church. But I didn’t expect that along the way I would be enthralled with marvelous sights.

As we traverse through the coastal town of Virac, I could not help but take photographs of the shoreline.

As we approach the municipality of Bato, I saw a placid river amid the mountains. According to my clients, it is the Bato River. They told me that the Bato Church will be just across the river. And with that I saw the long bridge that we have to pass in order to get through the municipality of Bato. It was breathtaking to see the bridge, the river, and the mountains.

The Bato Bridge

While I am at loss for words to describe what I felt when I saw the bridge, the more that I am at loss for words to define the feeling when we were actually crossing the bridge.

Crossing the longest bridge in Catanduanes

Time seems so quick for me to actually grasp what I felt when were crossing the bridge. I could not decide whether to look to the left or to the right. Everything’s so beautiful. The skies are clear, the mountains are abundant with trees, the river is calm and serene. And after crossing the bridge we turned right. And then the vehicle stopped. They said we have arrived at the place where the Bato Church is situated. But again, I am caught off-guard. I got amazed with the view when I got out of the vehicle.

The Bato River. No filter.

I just have to take a picture in order to preserve this view in my memory. 🙂

After basking in that beautiful sight, I turned and saw an archaic but charming edifice in front of me: the Bato Church or the St. John the Baptist Church.

St. John the Baptist Church of Bato

This is the facade of the Bato Church.

The church was closed when we went there. Even if I was not able to go inside, I felt contended having seen the Bato Church from the outside. There is that feeling that the church has witnessed so much, and that despite its age, it is still magnificently intact. The Bato Church is worth crossing the distance. Besides, you would not get bored along the way due to the interesting sights that will marvel you. 🙂