To the ‘Moon’ and Back

I have always loved getting on the road and discovering new places away from the monotony of the familiar. That’s why I try to seize every chance that comes my way to go to places I’ve never been to. Often, even in the least well-known of destinations, there awaits a wealth of experiences. Last Saturday, our gang of misfits (Yona, Leonel, Peach, BT and Lyn) literally went to the ‘moon’.

Nope, not Earth’s satellite but the town of Bulan in Sorsogon (the Bicolano word for the moon is bulan). The trip almost didn’t push through because of last-minute hitches but our gung-ho group could not be stopped. With the goal of venturing into the treacherous San Bernardino Strait and on to the unspoiled Tikling and Calintaan Islands in Matnog, we journeyed on to Bulan, our first stop, even as a thunderstorm threatened. We arrived at Bulan early Saturday evening and trooped right away to the ancestral house of Yona’s mom.

Bulan is a surprisingly charming town with wide, well-lighted streets laid out in an orderly grid pattern. The place is very clean and tidy -- no wonder Bulan was feted as one of the cleanest and greenest local government units. The town feels like it is in the threshold of urbanization but still holds on to the leisurely and unhurried pace of provincial life. There’s even a quaint seaside park complete with hole-in-the-wall restos, promenades and cottages.

But what is definitely memorable about Bulan is the food. Because it is a coastal town facing the teeming fishing grounds of the Ticao Pass, Bulan is rich in marine products especially fresh seafood. At dinner, we couldn’t get enough of the huge steamed kasag (crabs) and inihaw na buraw (grilled mackerel) that Yona’s aunt prepared for us. The seafood was so good that the bulalo and chop suey (with shrimps) were all but ignored. We must have eaten too much kasag and buraw because we were pretty much stoned for the rest of the night. Haha.

We capped the night with a few beers and calamares at Sabang Resort, Bulan’s seaside park and a round of videoke back at Yona’s place. We all had a great time in Bulan and I definitely want to go back even if only for the seafood! :-)

Here are some more snapshots from Bulan: