The road from Tabaco to Tiwi, about 30 min by jeepney, offers
a nice rural vista of a deep blue sea behind extensive rice paddies.
Tiwi is a small quiet town which used to be known for its hot
springs and pottery. It has a supply of red clay which provides
the raw material for the local pottery industry. However, the
town has be-come dominated by the presence of an im-portant geothermal
energy plant. The steam from the natural hot springs has been
har-nessed and developed through some of the latest methods in
modern technology, as a major electric source. Its geothermal
field of over 100 wells supplies power to the Luzon grid. However,
the plant has somewhat diminished the original natural attractions
of the area.
Lake Naglagbong boils and fumes while at Banyo there are cool
swimming pools and a few hot spring resorts operate where honeymooners
from Legazpi frequently seek privacy and solitude but they are
small and simple. One can take a tricycle to them from the Tiwi
market.
At barangay Cale, on the other hand, atop a geothermal field
the residents complain of the pollution and feel that they sit
at the mouth of hell.
Hot Spring Resorts
Manantial de Tiwi Resort & Youth Hostel in Banyo Tiwi;
rm 90-200
rest, swpl (entr P 7); simple, basic
Tiwi Hot Springs Resort - in Banyo Tiwi
rm 150-190; 17 rms
swpl (entr P 7); simple, basic
