Semi Retired Foamer: Pio Duran

For over four decades I have been a rail and bus photographer.

However, during this time I have aimed the lens at other subjects, be they different transportation, scenery, buildings and other bollocks.

Given these do not really fit the scope of my other sites, I felt compelled to set up a new site so as to inflict my other photographic garbage upon the world.
While primarily Philippine and Australian content, there will be the occasional forays into Fiji and Hong Kong. Perhaps other locations should the current pandemic ever allow it.

So sit back and enjoy, or hate, even be indifferent. That choice is purely up to you.

Official Home Of the 'Brad N Virls Adventure Series' - Images are copyright, so contact us if you would like to use any photos on your site/video! (We don't bite)

Showing posts with label Pio Duran. Show all posts

Sunday, 15 January 2023

PIO DURAN - ALBAY - PART 2

Hello/Kumusta

Welcome to our first posting for 2023.

This time we finally get around to the second half of our visit to Pio Duran (Albay) back in August 2022.

I pretty much covered much about the location in the first part of our coverage, so there is no point going through it all again.

So sit back and enjoy a few more photos taken at this fascinating little port town where fate would see us stay for 12 hours awaiting on the next ferry to Masbate City.

Philippine Ports Masbate City.

The waiting room for those awaiting island ferry services.

View from the balcony of the nearby accommodation.

You can just see the water in the distance.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Port of Pio Duran.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Exploring some back street to pass time before dinner..

Photos: Brad Peadon

Pio Duran college.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Iglesia Ni Cristo church in Pio Duran. Though far from the massive church they have on Commonwealth in Quezon City, it still is an attractive stucture.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Almost bordering on a copyright infringement is the large chain of burger stands called Big Mak :-) .

However, the name is where the similarity ends.

The hotdogs are the preferred choice should you find yourself there.

If after something more substantial, there is a great restaurant opposite the 'Grand Sapphire Store' on the south side of the main road on approaching the port.

There are a couple of roadside carinderia on the north side right at the port, the food looking pretty awesome also but sadly some rather abusive young kids lurk there and get rather abusive if you don't give them funds.
I often help, but will not tolerate violent verbal abuse in order to try to get it from me.

This isn't an issue in the restaurant opposite the Grand Sapphire Store and I totally recommend it.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Pio Duran at night.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Balconty view again, this time at night while awaiting the ferry.

Photo: Brad Peadon

About 10pm and we finally get the call to come and board the ferry.

Our ferry was the M/V Don Eduardo (on right). I think the one on the left was a slower service to Masbate City. I stand to be corrected on that fact.

Some bad weather was moving in, lightening beginning as we departed port, and some very rough weather on the way to Masbate City.

This will be covered in future posts, as well as some video on 'Semi-Retired Foamer TV'.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Pio Duran (Albay) - Part 1.

Sunset Villa (Lantangan Masbate)

Lantangan: Masbate Paradise

Grand Sapphire Store - Facebook

Video: Plaridel Buses & National Park Drive

Video: Philippine Airforce Museum

Video: Aussie Slang in Quezon City

Wednesday, 19 October 2022

PIO DURAN

Pio Duran (Bicol Region, Philippines) is a reasonably sized port town to the south-west of Legaspi, though it is most easily accessed by road from Ligao. It is served by a number of ferry companies and is one of the primary transit points for car ferries to Masbate Island.

Indeed, it was a trip to Masbate that saw us there on this occasion.

If planning on using the ferry services out of Pio Duran, I strongly recommend allowing plenty of time.

There are a number of operators, mostly varying greatly in service, whether the trip or customer service in general.

Before leaving for Pio Duran, we were told there were services every four hours. However, we arrived at midday, only to be told that the next trip would be at midnight.

To be fair, there were smaller ferries, mostly not for carrying cars, and the four-hour frequency may have come out of confusion with my question.

Kav's Ferries

A big shout out to this company who responded quickly to all enquiries made. While their service was limited and didn't fit into our schedule on this trip, I can certainly recommend their customer service.

Montenegro Shipping

On the other end of the scale, they ignore all forms of communication, whether on Facebook or via their 20+ email addresses. Yes, I tried every email address in every port.
Their website only half works and, much to my disgust, must have been hacked and was showing adult content at one stage.

Santa Clara Shipping Corp

I was unaware of this operator when first arriving at Pio Duran, but they were to be the operator we travelled with to Masbate.

Our ferry in both directions was the impressive M/V DON EDUARDO, a very large car ferry that, while second-hand (built in 2001) is maintained in very good condition and made for an enjoyable trip, despite running into a storm while en route to Masbate.

I will be covering the trips on this ferry in a later post, however, if you are looking for more information on them, check out their Facebook page.

It wouldn't be a port without a bangka or fifty.

McROLAND approaches the port from whatever it has been doing.
Photo: Brad Peadon

A Filo grasshopper.
Photo: Brad Peadon

One of the friendly locals out for a walk along the waters edge.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Population 2020 - 49,070

Households 2020 - 9,452

Region - Bicol

Province - Albay

Land Area - 133.70 square kilometres

A stroll down the main street.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Pio Duran was named after the Filipino Lawyer and Legislator, Pio Saceda Duran (1900-1961) .

Photos: Brad Peadon

Pio Duran locals.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Superlines #1197 turns around at the port after arrival.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Another unidentifiable bangka.
Photo: Brad Peadon

A lineup of trucks sitting at the port. From the aroma, it is suspected that they were all for conveying fish to markets around the region.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Bus awaiting a load of passengers at Pio Duran. It was to have quite the wait for the next ferry.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Antonina Inn was our home for the 12 hours we were waiting for the Masbate ferry.

If you find yourself in the same situation, this is a lovely clean place, with friendly management and staff.

Could have happily stayed way longer.

Facebook Page

Photo: Brad Peadon

With everyone hungry, it was time to head down to the local Mcdonald's to grab a Big Mak (without the two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, onion or tomato).
Photos: Brad Peadon

An unidentified little old ferry sitting at the port.
Photos: Brad Peadon

Having just arrived from Naga, 'Son of Bongo' has a rest at the port. The whopping big thing on top is a karaoke machine that we were ferrying from Manila to Masbate.
Photos: Brad Peadon

This fascinating building was located across the road from the hotel we stayed in. Going off the markings around the balcony wall, it looks to be a former Caltex service station.
Photos: Brad Peadon