Naga City, Camarines Sur

Like Vigan in the north, Naga (aside from Legazpi) is the progressive town of Bicol. with wide range of accommodation from cheap pension houses, lodges and hostels to fancy 4-Star hotels, Malls, vibrant row of  bar and restaurants along Magsaysay Avenue, home of great schools like Ateneo, Nueva Caceres, Sta.Isabel and a lot more.

Naga is also home to the largest Marian pilgrimage in Asia, thus the city was dubbed as the pilgrim city.

photo credit: www.philippinecountry.com 

Naga City is located 377 kilometres (234 mi) southeast of Manila. located within the province of Camarines Sur in the southeastern tip of Luzon. The City is also known as: the Queen City of Bicol, Residents of the city are called Nagueños.

This is my first trip to Naga City. My friend Peach and I took a night trip bus from Manila, It was a pleasant 8-hour ride.normally travel time takes 8-9hours. Upon arriving at the Naga central terminal, we hailed a trike going to our hotel (Sampaguita tourist Inn) where Brenn is already waiting for us.

Sampaguita Tourist Inn: Located in the heart of the city with affordable room rates.The very strategic location makes it a good base for us (for first timers and even nth timers tourist)

After eating breakfast, we started to tour the city. The city instantly caught my heart. If naga city is a Man, I will marry him in a heart beat! 

Photo-Essay of our NagaCity tour:

A place constructed at the heart of the city, built in honor of the 15 Bicol martyrs. (plaza Quince Martires.)

See that "maogmang naga"? truly, iba ung saya when Im in naga! :)
this is located sa rotanda ng Public Market.

 Just across plaza quince martires is the San francisco Parish.

Solemnity

Lighting a candle. Offering some prayers.

inside San francisco Parish

You can never leave Naga City without paying a visit to these century old church. Located just a few steps from the Centro, one of the oldest cathedrals in the Philippines, built in 1595 during the time the Diocese of Nueva Caceres was established.

 

 Naga Metropolitan Cathedral

 

The Naga Metropolitan Cathedral is a prominent Latin Rite Roman Catholic cathedral located in Naga City, was erected on August 14, 1595. source:Wikipedia

The Porta Mariae or the Marian Gateis a triumphal arch commemorating the tercentenary of the devotion toOur Lady of Peñafrancia. with 18 metres (59 ft) wide, 4 metres (13 ft) deep and 11 metres (36 ft) high, is surmounted by a 10 feet (3 m) tall brass image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and two angels on each side. The main portal’s two small gates each accommodate three persons, while the central portal accommodates at least eight persons. source: wikipedia

Another Church that you should visit is the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore where the Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is enshrined in her sanctuary. 

vast area for meditation, some even jog inside the church vicinity. beautiful place to see the sunset. really :)

you will fall inlove with these vibrant colors!

Be reminded: In times of insurmountable madness, annoyances, and revolt, what would Jesus do? Pray,he will not forsaken you.

Naga city is also the home of the famous and ohhh so yummy KINALAS!  Bicolano dishes are often characterized as spicy, because of the frequent use of chili pepper in their dishes, and "gata" or coconut milk). In Naga city, a famous dish called Kinalas is making name and a reason why tourist and locals flocked to Dayandang street (a street where Kinalas stores can be found). Kinalas is a noodle dish similar to mami except for a topping of what looked like a Pansit Palabok sauce, and the meaty dark soup made from boiling a cow or a pig’s head until the flesh fell off. Hence, the name kinalas. Oh people this is a must-try! 

 too delish not to try!

Another must-try once your in Naga is thier toasted siopao.

the ohh so yummy toasted sioapao which you can partner on your so cold sofdrinks or even the hot and spicy kinalas! perfect match!

If Manileño enjoys fastfoods like McDonalds and Jolibbe, Nagueños fave place would be BIGGS! actually Biggs is all over Bicol region, ika nga tatak bicol :) American dish, pasta, fries and shakes to sandwich and other delish foods can be found here, tough price range is a bit higher compare to other resto, but it tatse delicioso! :)

 One thing i love about Biggs diner is the rock'roll ambiance.

for our snacks

For those who just love the night life, Naga has something to offer you. Magsaysay Avenue is home for accommodations and restaurants catering to travelers and locals. Businesses are open till late at night with some shops also open 24/7. Fastfood chains and restaurant and bars are all over the area.

If you are up for a night bonding with friends with beers and sound, you can drop by at the ever famous "borahut" in francia.

Cheers! :D

Before leaving The Maogmang Lugar, try visiting the Public Market for Pasalubongs. not only you can find the best picks, but you can also haggle the price. and who know's you   can even have souvenir items for free. *nalibre kami ng isang iloveBicol hat from one of the souvenir shop* lucky us! :)

Showing off our NAGA shirt! :)

Another thing i love about Naga city is their Grand terminal. its like a convenient store na bukas 24-oras, ala kuya germs, walang tulugan! :)  The Terminal is near SM-Naga, wide, clean and safe.

Back to Manila

XoXo

If your planning to visit Naga City one of these days, This might help you a bit. :)
enjoy and have fun, indulge and burp and savor the tastiest cuisine of Bicolandia. You'll be asking for more of Naga once you had the taste of the city. The City that captured my heart. :D

Where to Stay:

Golden Leaf Hotel

Location: Misericordia St., Tinago, Naga City, Camarines Sur

Contact Nos: (054) 472-6507 / (054) 811-5118

Website: http://goldenleafhotel.multiply.com/

Rates

Single – P450

Double – P600 (1 bed)

Twin – P650 (2 beds)

Triple – P800

Family Small – P1,000 (good for 4 persons)

Family Medium – P1,600 (good for 7 persons)

Family Big – P1,800 (good for 8 persons)

Sampaguita Tourist Inn

A nice and clean hotel with a large selection of small but well-maintained rooms. It serves reasonably priced food in its in-house restaurant and has free WI-FI access in its lobby. Good hotel that offers good value for your money.

Location: Panganiban Drive

Contact No: (054) 473-8896 /  473-2158

Rates: Panganiban Drive

·Single Occupancy – P150-500

·Double Occupancy – P350-550

·Triple Occupancy – P-450-700

·Family Occupancy – P1000

·Additional Person – P100

*eto pa lang ang dalawang hotels na na try ko. :)

XoXo

Have a safe trip! :)