TX Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Between the flat coconut-and-rice plains of the Bicol River valley and the Pacific coast, tucked into a small volcanic basin approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Naga City, sits the quietest and least-published stop on the standard Camarines Sur affluent-visitor circuit: Iriga City — the compact inland community that lends its name to the 1,196-metre Mount Iriga stratovolcano to the north, and that serves as the gateway to Lake Buhi, the freshwater lake southeast of the city that hosts the sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis), the world's smallest commercially-harvested fish at approximately 1.25 centimetres adult length. For the affluent visitor building the substantive Camarines Sur week — CWC and Naga on the west; Caramoan on the east — Iriga delivers the quiet inland cultural stop that most Bicol trips skip. This is the guide for the visitor with the time and the temperament to sit down at Lake Buhi and pay attention. Iriga City Iriga (population approximately 110,000) sits in the western Camarines Sur inland corridor, approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Naga and equidistant from the Rinconada Lake system. The city's cultural distinction rests on being one of the country's substantive Agta and Tabangnon indigenous-community homelands — the historic Rinconada region's mixed-ethnic cultural register. The Rinconada language (spoken in and around Iriga) is one of Bicol's minor languages, distinct from the mainstream Central Bicol. Iriga's affluent-visitor register organises around three primary experiences: Mount Iriga trekking, Lake Buhi visits, and the small-city Rinconada cultural encounter. Mount Iriga The 1,196-metre stratovolcano rises directly north of Iriga City. Classification: potentially active (last recorded eruption cycle predates instrumental observation). The mountain's southeast flank collapsed during a documented major landslide event in the early 17th century, contributing to the formation of Lake Buhi. Trekking register — Mount Iriga offers a moderate-difficulty day-hike, typically completed in 4-6 hours round-trip from the Buhi-side trailhead. Views from the summit take in Lake Buhi to the south, the Bicol plains to the west, and Mayon Volcano to the southeast on clear days. Guides are required; the local government maintains a registered guide roster. Lake Buhi The freshwater lake southeast of Iriga City (approximately 15-20 minutes by van from Iriga proper) covers approximately 18 square kilometres at an elevation of approximately 105 metres above sea level. The sinarapan — Lake Buhi's international claim to fame is Mistichthys luzonensis, the sinarapan, a small goby species considered the world's smallest commercially-harvested fish. Adult size approximately 1.25 centimetres. Harvested traditionally in fine-mesh nets and prepared in Bicolano cooking as a savoury protein. Sinarapan populations have been under conservation pressure across the past three decades from overfishing; sustained community-based recovery efforts are ongoing. Visitors interested in the sinarapan should approach with awareness of the fish's conservation status. Visitor register — Lake Buhi offers small-scale boat tours around the lake, floating-cottage lunch experiences, and community-based cultural encounters with the Buhinon (Buhi lakeside community). The tone is quiet, community-scale, and unhurried — the register that rewards the affluent visitor seeking substantive Camarines Sur rather than the busy CWC-plus-Caramoan compressed week. The Rinconada Cultural Register For visitors interested in the country's regional cultural registers beyond the Metro Manila and Cebu mainstreams, Iriga delivers substantive material: Rinconada language and community — the minor Bicol language distinct from Central Bicol. Agta-Tabangnon indigenous heritage — the historic mixed-ethnic community heritage documented in local museums and cultural interpretive materials. Rinconada cuisine — the Iriga-and-surrounds culinary sub-register within the broader Bicolano cuisine framework. The Iriga City Cultural and Historical Center delivers the pre-visit orientation. Where to Stay Iriga's hospitality is modest and pragmatic — most affluent Camarines Sur visitors day-trip to Iriga from Naga (approximately 40-50 minutes drive) rather than overnighting. Small city-tier hotels and boutique inns are available in Iriga proper for the fully-immersive visitor. For the affluent-comfort-tier base: stay at Naga's Avenue Plaza Hotel or Villa Caceres Hotel and day-trip to Iriga. Getting There By air, Manila to Naga (Camarines Sur) — Cebu Pacific operates daily service (~50 minutes). Naga to Iriga — approximately 40 kilometres southeast; 40-50 minutes drive by van. By air, Manila to Legazpi (Albay), then land north to Iriga — approximately 2.5-3 hours drive from Legazpi. When to Visit December-May — the dry-season window; ideal for Lake Buhi and Mount Iriga trekking. June-November — the wet season; Lake Buhi remains accessible but Mount Iriga trekking best avoided. Related — All Properties Under Bicol Travel Guide Parent thread: Bicol Travel Guide: Mayon Volcano, Whale Sharks & Caramoan Bicol siblings — Mayon Volcano & Albay (Bicol): Cagsawa Ruins & Legazpi City · Donsol: Whale Shark Watching Season · Caramoan: Island Hopping & Survivor Filming Sites · CamSur Watersports Complex & Naga City Related Pinned Parents — Palawan Travel Guide · Bohol Travel Guide · Cordillera Travel · Cebu Travel Guide Your turn. Mount Iriga trek reports — favourite trailhead approaches, best-view summit windows. Lake Buhi floating-cottage lunch experiences. Sinarapan tastings and conservation observations. Rinconada community encounters. Iriga City Cultural Center visits. Naga-base day-trip logistics. Extended CWC-plus-Iriga-plus-Caramoan Camarines Sur substantive-week itineraries. Share your visits. — Bizman Quote Link to comment
TX Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 Must SEE! 1. Ilian Hill 2. Mt. Iriga 3.Emerald grotto 4.Inorogan Shrine 5.Sarikaw 6. Rafflesia (Irigaense)- worlds largest flower, the smallest specie is found in Iriga 7.Gawag Kalinga Project Quote Link to comment
TX Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 sarap dito!super! Quote Link to comment
wyette Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 (edited) nainlove na sa Iriga City si TX! malamang may naiwan ka dito noh. http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/myonee/mcm.jpg can't help but post this too. Edited February 15, 2008 by wyette Quote Link to comment
OnglO69 Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 indeed this is a nice place.. this is my fathers home town.. ive spend half of my childhood days there... life is so simple, so serene, no worries and pressure compared to life here in the metro... rated as a second class city since people there relied mostly on agriculture. kung may "habal-habal" sa mindanao... dito ka naman makakakita ng mga tricycle na kayang isakay ang may 15-20 katao sa isang biyahe on the way to far-flung barangay.. image hehe. yet scenery is great, famous for their 'cold springs' masarap na laing at bicol express with regards sa mga chicks sus dami magaganda dito... most of them mga 25% may dugong kastila... naging stronghold kasi ng mga kastila ang iriga during the spanish era kaya dami mestizo at mestiza... may isang skul dito na parang ceu ang dating la consolacion university na ata yun known for pretty chicks..hehehe been a while havent been back there... try to visit this place.. people are nice and accomodating Quote Link to comment
wyette Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 @onglo69: i might know you sir. or you might know me too. anyway, it was so nice of you to have good words about Iriga City. I will always call this home. http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/myonee/bukfamdental/S4030532.jpg one taken a few months back. Mt. Iriga is at the background. Quote Link to comment
wyette Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/myonee/bukfamdental/S4030472.jpg one of the most famous spring resorts. Quote Link to comment
wyette Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/myonee/bukfamdental/S4030432.jpg http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/myonee/bukfamdental/S4030431.jpg http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/myonee/bukfamdental/S4030428.jpg Church at the foot of Mount Iriga aka Mount Asog Quote Link to comment
wyette Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/myonee/bukfamdental/IMG_2421.jpg The Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, di na namin nalapitan. Quote Link to comment
Magaling Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I'm planning to visit this place during the summer vacation together with my family. My grandpa was actually from this place.... Would you guys know if there are any golf courses around the area??? Contact numbers so that I may inquire whether they are exclusive to members OR if they allow non-members to play??? I've been trying to get info from the web (even the Camarines Sur website) but there's not much info regarding golf. Does this mean wala? Quote Link to comment
owstlga Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I'm planning to visit this place during the summer vacation together with my family. My grandpa was actually from this place.... Would you guys know if there are any golf courses around the area??? Contact numbers so that I may inquire whether they are exclusive to members OR if they allow non-members to play??? I've been trying to get info from the web (even the Camarines Sur website) but there's not much info regarding golf. Does this mean wala? i think wala po. wala lng po ata sa website. pero prang meron im not sure though kung san banda Quote Link to comment
wyette Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I'm planning to visit this place during the summer vacation together with my family. My grandpa was actually from this place.... Would you guys know if there are any golf courses around the area??? Contact numbers so that I may inquire whether they are exclusive to members OR if they allow non-members to play??? I've been trying to get info from the web (even the Camarines Sur website) but there's not much info regarding golf. Does this mean wala? Sir, there are no gold courses in Iriga. sorry. Quote Link to comment
TX Posted February 20, 2008 Author Share Posted February 20, 2008 wyette-ehem ehem dami magaganda ehhehehe @Onglo69- yup sir! sa la concolacion marami chix! hehehe Quote Link to comment
TX Posted February 20, 2008 Author Share Posted February 20, 2008 ganda ng view ng mga nakatira sa Gawad kalingaimagine ito makikita mo evrytime na gigising ka sa umaga!talo mo pa view ng mga mayayaman! heheh WWW.iriga.gov.ph email @: irigatourism@yahoo.com Where to stay: Lemar's Hotel Bayanihan Hotel Betania Retreat House Parkview Hotel Masuso Spring Resort Salog Spring Resort ++++++++++++++++++++ Where to dine: Desny Grill MCM Restaurant Bayanihan restaurant LC fastfoodBiggs DinerD'Nadals RestaurantJulie's bakeshopJoker's bakeshopAtlantic BakeryAM BakeryKilwit Fastfood Jollibe Iriga Quote Link to comment
Magaling Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Sir, there are no gold courses in Iriga. sorry. What about neigboring towns (Naga etc)? Or kahit sa may bandang Albay since I'd be bringing a van anyway. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.