“A hill and not using a hilltop” sounds intriguing ain’t it? I puzzled myself how the summit seemed like. Albay have at all times been recognized for Mt Mayon. For an space with excessive volcanic exercise, it might be pure that the encompassing panorama would have dramatic land varieties too. Kawa-kawa Hill and Pure Park in Ligao, Albay, stands simply 236-meters above sea degree and is simply round 5.8 km away from the foothills of Mt Mayon. Apart from its intriguing hilltop, it’s a well-known website for pilgrimage flocked by hundreds particularly throughout holy week.
Divine Mercy Monastery
On the jump-off to the highest of the hill is the Divine Mercy Monastery of the Carmelite Nuns of the Holy Trinity. Bicol have at all times been recognized for its magnificent age-old church buildings nevertheless it’s good to see trendy ones like this which was constructed in 2014. Supplies used have been trendy however the arches are traditional in design. I really like the massive painted glass home windows. The inside format virtually appears like an amphitheater.
What drew my consideration although have been the foot and hand prints on every brick used on the stairs. It seems folks can donate a P1,000 and have their mark on the church. It was actually a folks’s church as this was constructed by the neighborhood.
Stations of the Cross
Previous the facet of the Divine Mercy Monastery is the beginning of the pavement walkway to the summit. Apart from a number of stalls promoting memento gadgets and snacks there’s a life-size statue of the “Final Supper” which is the prelude to the occasions on the stations of the cross.
I really like the forest cowl within the space. Towering timber remained and the pavements even adjusted to make solution to some timber. The pavement extends from 400-500 meters in winding and ascending design. There are a number of slim shortcuts although parallel to the primary walkway. Higher to slide a footwear which have traction. The pavement might be slippery when moist and there are sections with steep ascents.
However, it was a nice climb relying after all in your tempo. Six of the 14 stations of the cross are discovered alongside the ascent. The remaining eight stations are on the summit rim.
No Hilltop Hill
The climb to the highest is pretty straightforward. However nonetheless this depends upon your degree of health. It solely took me lower than 20 minutes to succeed in the hilltop. It was fascinating as the middle is depressed. The pure formation is sort of a cauldron, therefore the identify “kawa”. I really like that the place nonetheless feels pure with all of the thick vegetation within the space. There’s a pathway alongside the rim of the summit the place the opposite 8 stations might be discovered. Together with this are superb views of the encompassing areas from Ligao, Mt Masaraga and summit of Mt Mayon.
Non-public Kawa-kawa Hill
It was one pleasurable hike and I used to be ecstatic to identify a number of birds right here. Amongst them are the widespread yellow-vented bulbul, striated grassbirds, collared kingfishers and brown shrike. I received to take residence a lifer! A reasonably widespread blue-tailed bee-eater which I noticed for the primary time strolling alongside the rim of the summit.
Your entire Kawa-kawa Hill and Pure Park is privately owned and managed by Albay Rep. Fernando Gonzalez and his group of builders however stored it public for pilgrims and nature lovers to take pleasure in. They actually did job to maintain the ecotourism website clear and arranged. Now I do know one other attraction within the space apart from Mt Mayon the place folks can take a non secular journey, for birdwatching or just indulge in its the pure environment.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning journey photographer, author and blogger. His works has discovered print in publications similar to Singapore Airways’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airways’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has additionally lent his experience to varied organizations just like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Basis, Save the Kids and World Imaginative and prescient, contributing high quality photographs for his or her advertising supplies.
