“A hill and not using a hilltop” sounds intriguing ain’t it? I puzzled myself how the summit seemed like. Albay have all the time been identified for Mt Mayon. For an space with excessive volcanic exercise, it might be pure that the encompassing panorama would have dramatic land types too. Kawa-kawa Hill and Pure Park in Ligao, Albay, stands simply 236-meters above sea stage and is simply round 5.8 km away from the foothills of Mt Mayon. Except for its intriguing hilltop, it’s a well-known web site 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 all the time been identified for its magnificent age-old church buildings however 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 like the massive painted glass home windows. The inside structure virtually seems like an amphitheater.
What drew my consideration although have been the foot and hand prints on every brick used on the stairs. It seems individuals can donate a P1,000 and have their mark on the church. It was actually a individuals’s church as this was constructed by the neighborhood.
Stations of the Cross
Previous the aspect of the Divine Mercy Monastery is the beginning of the pavement walkway to the summit. Except for a number of stalls promoting memento objects 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 like the forest cowl within the space. Towering bushes remained and the pavements even adjusted to make solution to some bushes. 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 could be slippery when moist and there are sections with steep ascents.
Nonetheless, it was a nice climb relying in fact 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 is dependent upon your stage 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 title “kawa”. I 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 could be discovered. Together with this are wonderful views of the encompassing areas from Ligao, Mt Masaraga and summit of Mt Mayon.
Personal Kawa-kawa Hill
It was one gratifying hike and I used to be ecstatic to identify a number of birds right here. Amongst them are the frequent yellow-vented bulbul, striated grassbirds, collared kingfishers and brown shrike. I acquired to take residence a lifer! A reasonably frequent 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 get pleasure from. They actually did job to maintain the ecotourism web site clear and arranged. Now I do know one other attraction within the space other than Mt Mayon the place individuals can take a non secular journey, for birdwatching or just take pleasure in its the pure environment.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning journey photographer, author and blogger. His works has discovered print in publications comparable 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 Youngsters and World Imaginative and prescient, contributing high quality photos for his or her advertising and marketing supplies.
