Date of Travel: April 25-26, 2013; Thursday-Friday

 

Credits to Marianne Mapaye, Christine Santos and Jena Sevadera for the photos. I'm new to blogging, just want to try this out as memoir of my recent vacation trip with my college friends. 

I've read blogs about Baler, Aurora - researched about travel tips and expenses (mostly expenses) considering not only a very tight schedule but also tighter budget ('cause we're fresh grads currently searching for work lol). We availed a package deal from GOODVIBES TRAVEL AND TOURS with a Nissan Urvan vehicle costing only P1,200 inclusive of: Transportation (Manila to Baler, Baler to Manila), driver's fee, gas, toll and tour (Museums, Historical Spots in Baler, Souvenir Shops) instead of commuting - from what I've read costs P450 one-way trip.

It's my first time to visit Baler, Aurora. Thanks to my friend and classmate - Hera Dela Cruz for suggesting her province and organizing this trip. It was very hard to convince and insist all your friends to join, we eventually ended up having a group composed of 14 (including kuya tropa driver, kuya surfer and kuya Hero). We only had 2 days to roam around and get to places listed in our itinerary below. 

APRIL 25 THURSDAY: 1st day
12:00 am – Assembly at McDonald’s MRT-Qave
1:00 am – Departure from Quezon City
3:00 am – Stop over at Cabanatuan City
5:00 am – Sunrise picture taking Pantabangan Lake
7:00 am – Breakfast in Baler Tapsilog Express
8:00 am – Hiking and Rock Climbing to Mother Falls
9:00 am – Mother Falls (Swimming and Photo Ops)
12:00 pm – Lunch (Packed food or Foodtrip around Baler)
1:00 pm – TOUR [Baler church, Aurora’s house, Baler museum & Baler Tower]
4:00 pm – Surfing in Sabang Beach
6:00 pm – Dinner (Packed food or in Bays Inn RestoBar)
7:00 pm – Head home

APRIL 26 FRIDAY: 2nd day
5:00 am – Sunrise swimming and surfing
8:00 am – Breakfast in Kusina De Baler
9:00 am – Souvenir Shopping
10:00 am – Picture Taking / Picnic at Ampir Beach
11:00 am – Tree Climbing at Centennial Tree of Asia (Oldest and Largest Tree in Asia)
12:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm – Byebye Baler
7:00 pm – ETA at Quezon City 

I will cut to the chase and get down to the nitty-gritty of the trip. We departed from Quezon City at 12:30am then reached Pantabangan Lake around 4:40am more or less, unfortunately the skies were still pitch black that we didn't witness the scenic sunrise. So, instead of waiting for another hour we headed straight to Baler.

It was really a long 6-7 hours trip, my bum was really getting sore from seating for hours. (take every stop to stand-up and stretch to avoid sores). Finally we reached Baler, we stopped by Sabang beach to catch some sun before having breakfast at Baler Tapsilog Express - the usual tapsi food and price costing P55-65.

Trek to Ditumabo Falls or "Mother Falls"

Before hiking to Ditumabu falls, you will be given the option to walk or take a tricycle before ascending (We preferred to take the tricycle due to time constraint - grab on to whatever part of the tricycle you can hold on to because of the rough ride (akala ata ni manong highway yun rough road). I did not really set my expectations that high. But as we go deep into the luscious green forest plus the 3 small rivers we had to cross and a few mini falls, it was like "nature porn". Even more when we stumbled upon the "mother falls", water is near ice cold and crystal clear - breath taking, succinctly perfect.

The Hike

One of the Mini Falls along the Way

The Gang at Ditumabo Falls

Good Food, Low Price, Happy Wallet

It was time to get some grub after the hike. If you're looking for uncostly but good home cooked food, there are "carinderias" or rolling stores you can eat at. Despite of Baler gaining tourist-spot popularity, prices of food are still low which is a plus point for me.

Lovers in Carinderia

Moreno Hotel 

If like me, you're an avid fan of everything uncostly and reasonable but quality room accommodation, Moreno Hotel is the place (I'm not paid by Moreno hotel but I recommend it haha). The room rate is P1000/night, air-conditioned with 2 beds for 4 persons - actually, you can fit 3 persons in one bed - you have TV and Wi-fi to add it with. Very comfortable (cause there was only three of us in the room, and I get the bed all by myself haha) It's located near the public Market of Baler, accessible to sari-sari stores and carinderias.

Surf 'til You Drop (literally)

This is what we've been waiting for all along, Sabang beach with its' waves and shore  - it is definitely a surf haven not only for experienced surfers but also for beginners. The rates are per hour costing P350 with board, rash guard and the instructors (for beginners) and P200 for only the surf board and rash guard. They will guide you all throughout and push your board if your arms get fatigued or you're lazy to paddle (like in my case haha). They're really kind and patient and praise you (like a proud mom) once you get it right (but don't 'ya worry if you have a hard time balancing).

Surfing 101
 

Sunset Chillin' with 'em Dudes and Dudettes

Smile while You Surf

*kuya instructor on the lower right corner showing off his surfing moves

From 4:30pm to 5:30pm, all I see from my friends are smiles and grins from getting to stand-up and ride the waves (successfully or unsuccessfully). You could see everyone's stoked, elated for tomorrows chance to ride again.

Summer Lovin' Fun

It was a full moon, so we took pictures and stayed for a while as it added to the barkada-beach-front vacation ambiance. Another picture-perfect scenery of lucid Sabang beach with the Sierra Madre mountain range view, another picturesque stored in the memory bank.

Dusk

  From left-right: James, Marianne, CJ, Krizia, Sir Tobias, Gyeo, Jena, Me and Hera

Full-Moon-Lit Night Sky

We bought lechong manok and liempo for dinner on the way to our destined carinderia, planning on just buying rice to lessen costs for a delicious meal, we ended up eating at Foods Pa only ordering rice and juice.

Dinner at Foods Pa (Lechon Manok and Liempo Yummm!)

Mura na, Masarap at Mad... (Kidding, just a favorite saying :) )

The food is really affordable and delicious  

Back at Moreno Lounge

Moreno Lounge management is very permissive and lenient, you can bring in whatever food you desire (even liquor) and eat at their dining area without worrying you did not order anything from them. They also serve beverages such as coffee, beer and juices. We spent the evening playing uno cards (there was absolute injustice in the game!) while having shots and chicha at their porch  -their drinking/smoking area. I was pleased with the place, very peaceful at night, stores close at around 10pm, you can hardly see vehicles on the road nor people walking around. So, I decided to stroll around town for a few minutes to cherish the fresh air you won't find in the city.

*I'm wondering why we didn't take any photo of the lounge

'Nother Round of Surfing

I experienced minor body pains - I presume its because of yesterday's surfing. Nonetheless, it can't stop us from our second round. It's totally addictive, the rush you feel when you're riding the waves and wind brushes on your face 'til you reach the sands. You can see your friends doing the same thing over-and-over and never get tired of plunging in again to the sea with their cutie-patootie pink and green surf boards. 

Explicitly Stoked

Together with the Instructors

Thumbs-up for Baler Surfing!

You can see by these faces a satisfied customer/beginner/surfer :)

Museo de Baler

Dona Aurora House (Replica - what I've read from other blogs)

There's no entrance fee, you just have to register first for their records. The historical replica house is well maintained, and worth the trip and photo ops. Meters away from the house, you'll find the Baler Church, so might as well visit and pray:)

Baler Church

Ampere Beach

Our next stop was "Ampere Beach", 20-30min. travel from Baler. While my friends were at the Church taking photos, I stayed in the van instead, got tired of walking because of the jam-packed itinerary (mostly because I was sweating - darn summer heat). While in the van, Kuya tropa driver seems excited to take us there, describing the place and why it is a must see destination.

Ampere Beach Pebble Coast

It's kind of hard to walk fast here, better to walk slowly -rocks/pebbles are everywhere (including them maybe, joke! ;) ). This beach is just down the road where we parked as you can see below

Rock Formation

Now, I understand Kuya tropa driver's eagerness/excitement to take us to this beach. Another "nature porn" indeed. I really have a thing with beaches (not bitches), usually enthusiastic when I hear the sound of waves, this urge me more when there are rock formations to come along with it.

Rock Buddies

Conquering the Big Balete Tree or "Millenium Tree" -Claimed to be the oldest tree in Asia according to the locals there

The tree was larger than I thought (good thing there are no kapres haha). There is a stall near the parking area where you can buy junk food and drinks (and thirst-quenching palamig and halo-halo). Register your name first (if in case you fall or get swallowed by the soil or entities- the donations in box at the entrance is intended for covering your expenses haha just kidding).

The Happy Tree Friends

From left-right: Gyeo, Jena, me, Marianne, Krizia, CJ and Hera

I just can't resist to climb seeing the branches (I prefer to call it branches than roots - the kid who guided me already corrected me), I found myself stepping one-two-three on the rigid spaces of the branches. As I begin to ascend, it seems my grip tightens for every branch I hold gets me higher up to the point where I suddenly realized and said to myself "kapit-tuko na pala ako" haha. It was harder than I thought, climbing up got my heart beat faster (or maybe I fell in-love with the tree lol). Guides were climbing and swingin' like Tarzan, they commend their fellow guide, telling us he can reach the top in 10 seconds - Woah, way the go dude! Clap clap! They're really good climbers, jumping from branch to branch and one showed-off balancing himself on the narrow branch. All of us succeeded in conquering the Millenium tree, including our professor except our friend suffering from leg pains inflicted from surfing (oh really, haha joke ;-) )

From the Inside (Mga Diwata)

Balete Human Nest 

At the top, you can lay down, catch your breath and take a look around - I felt like we're waiting for mother bird to come and feed us her catch of the day *chirp chirp! Balete human nest can accommodate around 17 people at once (or maybe more). Tour guide Tarzans reiterate that you're safe once they sense you're nervous, every step up, they will instruct you on where to bulge in your feet and hands. Really safe climb, going down, there are two ways to descend - one is "chick-way" and the other "brusko-way" (I just made this up to contrast the two). Going down the brusko-way brings you to the outer-side of the tree, you have a view of the ground and parking lot while descending. In the chick-way, you'll be surrounded by roots going down (but not entirely all the way).

Thirst-quenching - Revitalizing Halo-Halo after the Conquering

After a good 'ol climb, there are sweets waiting for you at the bottom, Ate vendor will manually shred ice for your halo-halo delight (Nothing beats watching your halo-halo being made in front of you).

Off we Go to our Friend's Home

Afterwards, we headed to our friend's home and had buko juice party - fresh from the tree. Stayed for some time then off we go to a street food stall not far away before returning home.

Leaving Baler

We left Baler at around 6:30pm after eating at a nearby turo-turo, it was way beyond the day's itinerary which was supposed to be only until lunch time but extended until evening.

Thanks to Kuya Tropa Driver, Kuya Hero (RJ) and Kuya Surfer for the tour!

Far beyond business, They'll treat you like a barkada. Cheers to you sirs!

Overall, our trip was 11/10, we managed to enjoy every moment despite the limited time. I noticed, time seems to be very slow (Or is it just me?) Definitely I was enjoying that much to say the most. Baler, Aurora is a must-go destination, marking a check on my bucketlist. I would suggest this place, and will definitely go back sooner or later.

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Personal Notes:

I learn to love Baler in just a short period of time, brimming with beauty, I gazed a 360 degree, there I was, caught in the moment - leading me to tranquility. The scenery is irresistibly compelling which gratified my longing for serenity.

Sol : A Perfect Vantage Point

Things may not go exactly according what one imagined or expected, but it is that which makes it more exciting - having to find your way together with them to discover what all of you haven't yet discovered before. Finding new meanings in life

"You can relate to them because you share that bond. And that bond gives rise to a sense of worth and dignity. That bond can become a source of consolation in the event that you lose everything else." - Dalai Lhama, The Art of Happiness.

                    I spread my arms wide, my gesture of saying - I'll embrace You with all that I am

 

It's these moments you discover you're in your state of bliss, gust of wind run through your face and the sound of waves pamper and heal your senses, reviving your inner core leaving a serene heart and mind.

The breath taking scenery leaves you abysmal, restless and clamoring for more. In these moments, it's not about where you came from or where your destination is, it's the random circumstances you come across together with these people that make your bodacious journey momentous. Spread your arms wide open and embrace the moment, together with these people, you become infinite.

To my friends, I wouldn't trade this for any other. 'Til our next trip aspiring surfers! \m/