NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED! | Misibis Bay Resort It’s Marks birthday and we’re going to Misibis Bay Resort! This is a beautiful Resort on Cagraray island in Bicol. But did it live up to its hype & expectations? ##misibis #bay #resort #itstonybaby (at Misibis Bay Resort) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeS3_mKL2KW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ‘tong mga dinaanan naming mga matitirik na daan at muntikan pa kaming maaksidente sa sobrang precipitous ng road na para bang nasa roller coaster ka, maka uwi lang 🤢 and may mga parts ng road na linakad nalang namin dahil hindi na kayang e-cycle pa ng bike kaysa naman sa masiraan kami sa daan. the journey was worth it and the experience became a life-learning lesson for us. but most of all, i will never forget the compelling vista of bacacay, albay especially the islands surrounding the province. i definitely shall return (again) to witness its beauty - and maybe give myself the chance to swim again in one of these islands 😍 #albay #ilovealbay #misibis #bacacayalbay #nature #naturelover #photography #cycling #cyclinglife #cyclinglifestyle #connectingwithnature 🍃🚴🏻♂️ (at Bacacay, Albay) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIN_n5mAxZ-/?igshid=1wkwm9wfz9v2q
During my first visit to the exotic island paradise of Misibis Bay Resort three years ago, I stayed and explored several of their luxury villas and was quite content just staying in bed all day and eating my way around the resort. This time, after checking in at their new and zesty Pacific View Wing (Read: Misibis Bay Introduces Colorful and Upbeat Pacific View Wing), I could really feel the energetic and modern vibe of the resort, so I decided to step outside my beautiful seaside room and experience the many sports and water activities Misibis Bay has to offer.
But before all that, the best way to start an eventful day at Misibis Bay is with their buffet breakfast which is served daily from 6:00am to 9:30am at Spice Market, the resort’s all-day restaurant and cafe. This is usually included in their various accomodation packages, with some that even include full-board meals. So I woke up early the next morning, stepped outside my balcony to feel the gentle ocean breeze on my face, and got ready to fuel up for the many activities lined up for me that day.
Spice Market comes with a casual and friendly ambiance during the day, especially with its high ceilings and bright natural lighting. It also serves an all-day a la carte menu, with buffet offerings during weekends and holidays. Bringing in outside food is not allowed in Misibis Bay, but everything you need will be available at the restaurant.
Breakfast starts with assorted breads and jams which you can also have toasted if you like. The egg station lets you choose from sunny side up, scrambled, or omelettes and these will be prepared right in front of you. I had them cook a pair of fried eggs for me which I like putting on top of my rice.
Freshly-made pancakes and waffles are also available for those who like American-style breakfasts instead of local dishes.
I prefer having a big savoury breakfast so I got some of the Papel de Liempo, deep fried slices of pork belly which are a crispier version of the bacon. I also added the beef tapa and fish fillet on my plate together with a cup of hot chocolate.
Fresh fruits and juices plus a few desserts are also included in the breakfast buffet. Now isn’t that a great way to start the day?
But for those mornings when you find it so hard to leave your soft and fluffy bed, one glamorous option is to have your breakfast come to you with Breakfast in Bed! Spice Market also offers Room Sevice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner which is just a call away.
I ordered the Filipino Breakfast (P616) which has a choice of Angus Beef Tapa and bangus or Longanisa and dried fish. This is served with steamed or garlic rice and two eggs served however you like. I also added a cup of Hot Chocolate (P161) to complete my meal.
Now it’s time to make the most of my stay in this gorgeous resort and explore the many activities that are available. Of course, the first thing to do is to take as many photos and selfies as you can, and it’s so easy with backdrops as beautiful as these.
Being a private resort, it really feels like I have the entire beach all to myself. I can just enjoy sitting on the sand in my bikini and frolicking in the waters of Misibis Bay. Taking bikini photos can get a bit awkward when I stay at city hotels and other busy resorts, but here at Misibis Bay, I can find my own private corner of the beach and bring out my best island poses.
Remember this spot? I tried to recreate my pose during my first visit here where I stayed at their One Bedroom Premiere Villa overlooking the lagoon (Read: Misibis Bay, My Luxury Playground). This is one of the most picturesque areas inside the resort so make sure to take some photos here as well.
To make it easier for guests to explore the resort, Misibis Bay offers free shuttle services for guests to various points around the property. After my short “photo shoot”, it was time to do some water sports activities which guests can book at the Beach Club. This is located at the other end of the private beach strip and is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Various options are available including both motorized and non-motorized activities for an additional fee, depending on your room package. First, we paddled around the beautiful coast of Misibis Bay on our double kayaks.
Then we decided to leisurely explore the waters surrounding the islands of Cagraray with their 4-seater Hobie Cat. This is the first time I have tried this type of sailboat and it was such a breaktaking ride! The ocean water was spraying on our faces while the cool breezy wind powered the boat through the bay. Our friendly guide also showed us the neighboring islands during our 30-minute sail before we headed back to the resort. Hobie Cat Sailing is available for P2400 and is good for up to four persons.
If you want to experience a really powerful ride then go and rent their Jetski (P2600) which is good for 30 minutes for up to two persons. Other exciting activities are also available including Windsurfing, Stand-Up Paddle, Snorkeling, and even Scuba Diving.
After all those fun water sports. we were all ready and hungry for lunch. But Misibis Bay Resort seems to have something more special planned for us as we boarded their private speedboat.
This was not just any lunch but a private picnic lunch that was set up at the nearby Pinaghulogan Island. We all felt like royalty as we headed to our destination just a few minutes away.
Now this is the life! Guests of Misibis Bay can request a special private Picnic Lunch (P11,388) at Pinaghulogan Island which is good for up to ten persons. The staff will take care of the entire food and beverage setup on the island so all that your family or group will have to do is to arrive in style.
A big Boodle Fight lunch was waiting for us when we arrived on the island, and we could not have had it any better. This Filipino way of communal eating is just perfect for this beach ambiance. We had our fill of grilled lamb chops, steaks, crabs, salmon, shrimp, chicken, barbecues, and all the rice that we want. They grill the meats and seafood right there on the beach so it is served fresh and hot.
Desserts, fruits, and cold beverages are also available so you can actually enjoy eating and drinking while sitting on the water. This is probably the best view you can ever get while enjoying a boodle feast.
Guest who want to experience these activities can simply look for Misibis Bay’s Guest Activities Coordinator who will be more than happy to curate an itinerary according to their adrenaline preference. Those who live near Legazpi can also avail of their Weekend Buffet every Friday and Saturday until August. For only P2,888 net per person, this package includes scheduled transfers to and from Hotel St. Ellis in Legazpi City to Misibis Bay; day tour and lunch buffet plus use of facilities, pool, and beach inside Misibis Bay; and a dinner buffet at Hotel St. Ellis.
If you are not the outdoors type, don’t worry because the resort also has a few indoor activities for their guests. Have fun away from the sun at Sitio where you can play billiards and table tennis with the kids. Have a quick workout at the Fitness Center, or sing your hearts out at the air-conditioned KTV Room on the second floor.
After a long day of activities, the best way to end the evening is with a rejuvenating treatment at Misibis Bay’s Essenses Spa. Their services combine traditional massage techniques with the ancient Filipino art of healing called Hilot. I decided to have the treatment done in my Pacific View room instead which is better as I can simply fall asleep right after the massage. The Essences Signature Massage (P1.200) is good for one hour. I felt so relaxed and slept like a baby afterwards.
It was our third and last day at the resort but I really didn’t want to leave yet. Despite our 11:00am scheduled transfer to Legazpi airport, there was one more thing I wanted to experience to complete this dream vacation. I first rode an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) during my previous trip to Legazpi (Read: ATV Mayon Lava Trail & Legazpi City Tour) but I really wanted to do it again here at Misibis Bay. So we scheduled an early morning ATV Tour that would take us from the resort to the Cagraray Ecopark and all the way up to the hilltop.
The ATV Tour to Ecopark (P1500) is one of the featured activities guests can do while in Misibis Bay. The main attraction at the Cagraray Eco-Energy Park is the scenic Ampithether which also happened to be a major pitstop during the Amazing Race Asia Season 4. This Stonehenge-looking ampithether is sometimes used as a venue for events and even weddings. It does have that strange peculiar feeling about it.
I wanted to do the full ATV route so I opted for the ATV Tour to Hilltop (P3800) where we had to go through rugged and mountainous terrain to the top of the hill. It was a bit tough on my body, and my friend Gerry’s ATV even got stuck on some rocks, but we were able to make it. That’s girl power for you! We were rewarded with a majestic view of the Albay Gulf and Pacific Ocean.
If you are not so adventurous, you can just do the Misibis Bay Ecopark Tour which only costs P150 per person. The resort van will drive you to the Ecopark where you can also see the hanging bridge and the beautiful but seldom-used chapel overlooking the bay. My three-day Misibis Bay adventure turned out to be one of the most exciting and exhilarating vacations I have ever had. If you haven’t visited this wonderful luxury resort in Legazpi yet, their new Pacific View rooms should give you a great excuse to finally try them out. Thank you Misibis Bay Resort for this magical experience! Until next time!
