Above: Rolling hills as we approach Legazpi; the perfect cone of Mt Mayon was shrouded in cloud and wasn’t worth the shot.
I walked to the ATM after breakfast. There were still people sleeping on the streets. In the taxi to the airport, street kids (about 10 years old) peered into the vehicle; I put my hand on my bag handle and locked the door. The taxi driver told me off for not locking it earlier.
Departing from Manila, the flight was delayed due to air traffic congestion but we got to Legazpi on time. It appears the airline build in ground delays in their schedule.
I took a tricycle from the airport to the bus terminal where I managed to get on a van to Donsol’s town centre. I then needed another tricycle to get to my hotel, the Shoreline, further out. The scenery along the way was very idyllic with many coconut groves. It seemed like a paradise until we saw the aftermath of an accident with a bloodied elderly man lying dead on the roadside.
The hotel and its compounds looked terrible compared to the others. I had booked it online and the price was very good. The room itself was good and clean and it had air-conditioning for a little more than fan rooms at other establishments.
I then made arrangements for snorkelling with the whales-sharks for tomorrow. Following that, I enquired about diving at Manta Bowl. The divermaster manning the desk was really good and told me to leave it for a few days as the weather hadn’t been the best.
Sunset at Donsol.