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womanlalaboy · 5 years

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Byaheng Baler: Womanlalaboy's Travel Guide to Baler, Aurora

SUMMARY

Type of Travel: DIY Date of Travel: most recent visit is Feb 2019 Duration: 4D 3N Budget: P4, 200 - P6, 000 Where we stayed at: Rushie’s Point

I've been to Baler a couple of times and I have to admit: I haven't seen everything there is to explore yet. It's so massive and rich in natural resources, activities, interesting people, culture and history, you'll never run out of treasures to discover and experience. Nothing less to expect from a place nestled by the mountains of Sierra Madre and touched by the Pacific Ocean.

Most travelers visit Baler for 2 days and a night just to try surfing and of course tour around Baler and it’s neighboring towns. A few would stay another night to maximize their visit, but we always visit Baler for 4-days and 3-nights to chill, surf and catch up with the local friends we’ve made there.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY 0

7:00 PM - Boarded a bus from Imus, Cavite to Genesis Terminal Cubao 9:00 PM - ETA at Genesis Terminal Cubao 10:00 PM - Travel from Cubao to Baler Terminal

DAY 1

5:30 AM - ETA at Baler Terminal, check in 6:00 AM - Breakfast at El Teodoro 7:30 AM - City Tour

Town Proper (LT. James Gilmore Marker)

San Luis Obispo Parish (Baler Church)

Museo De Baler

Doña Aurora Ancestral House

Quezon Memorial Park

11:30 AM - Lunch at Rolling Store 12:30 PM - Back at Kuya Danny Boy's 1:30 PM - Tour to Century Old Balete Tree 3:30 PM - Went to the market to buy food 4:30 PM - Socials with the locals 5:30 PM - Grilled and cooked food 7:00 PM - Dinner and socials 9:30 PM - Late night drinking and karaoke with local friends 11:30 PM - Went back to Kuya Danny Boy's

DAY 2

6:30 AM - Breakfast at Kuya Danny Boy's 8:30 AM - Surfing at Sabang Beach, socials 11:00 AM - Went to the market to buy food for boodle fight 11:30 AM - Travel from wet market to drop off by the bridge, trek to the waterfalls 12:10 PM - ETA to the falls, cooked and grilled food for boodle fight 1:00 PM - Boodle fight, drinking session with the locals and swimming 4:00 PM - Went back to Kuya Danny Boy's 7:00 PM - Dinner and drinking session with the local surfers

DAY 3

6:30 AM - Breakfast at El Teodoro 8:30 AM - Surfing at Sabang Beach, socials 11:00 AM - Lunch at Nalu Surf Camp 1:00 PM - Tour

Caunayan Falls

Ermita Hill

Diguisit Falls

Diguisit Rock Formations

Baler Fish Port

Baler Hanging Bridge

5:00 PM - Went back to Kuya Danny Boy’s 7:00 PM - Dinner at Yellow Fin 10:00 PM - Rented a pool and karaoke for our despedida, drinking sesh with the locals

DAY 4

7:00 AM - Took a bath, Pack up, socials 10:00 AM - Boarded an Aurora Bus to Cabanatuan 1:00 PM - Boarded bus from Cabanautan to Cubao 5:00 PM - ETA at Cubao 7:00 PM - ETA at Imus, Cavite

Long itinerary, I know. We did the tours on our first stay in Baler, but the next few visits were mostly filled with surfing, road trips, drinking and eating. The friends we’ve made there were just so fun to hang around with that we always treat them to drinking; we always end up laughing and singing the nights away. So, needless to say, most of our budget went to food and drinks which we could simply cut had we restrained ourselves from abusing our livers.

HOW TO GET THERE

Primary route: Genesis Transport Service Cubao > Baler Terminal

Alternate route 1: Any bus from Cubao bound for Cabanatuan Central Terminal, Nueva Ecija (Five Star Bus, Cubao Terminal, ES Transport) > Cabanatuan Central Terminal > Baler Terminal

From Cabanatuan Central Terminal, you can board any of these buses: D-liner, Lizardo lines, PUVans, Maria Aurora bus lines, Ma. Aurora Express, Genesis transport

Alternate route 2: From Baguio City, board any of these buses: D-liner, Lizardo lines

Genesis Transport Service offers various bus transport options. They have the standard air-conditioned buses, commonly called as Genesis buses that travels for 7 hours with 3 stop overs for P450 fare. They also have luxury buses, commonly called as Joy buses that travel for 4 to 4 1/2 hours with no stop overs, but they have toilets inside. The price would depend on class:

Deluxe: P750/trip with free water, snacks, morning kit, blanket, pillow, and WiFi Semi-deluxe: P630/trip with free water, snacks and blanket

We basically went for the cheapest way to get to Baler and that is to take the standard Genesis bus from Cubao. We had to endure 7 hours of travel that could get at around 4 hours had we chosen to ride Joy bus. All was well, though. We spared some money that we can splurge on food and drinks. On our way back, we chose to board an Aurora Bus bound for Cabanatuan and from Cabanatuan, we boarded a bus to Cubao. That route proved to be cheaper than boarding a bus straight from Baler to Cubao.

SAMPLE BUDGET

900 - Transportation (depends on where you'll come from and what type of transportation you’ll avail) 375- Tour (will depend on how many tours you’ll get and how many are you in the group) 1600 - Accommodation per head (room for 4D 3N for 3 pax) 700 - Surfing lesson (2 sessions) 1000- Food and beverages ________________________________

4375- TOTAL

The budget is easy to play around with. Basically, you have a fixed allocation for your main transportation and your accommodation. Your budget would depend on what type of room you’ll get, for how long you’ll choose to stay, how many tours you’re gonna get, how many surf lessons you’re gonna avail, and how many are you in a group. Lodging by group proved to be the most sulit way as you can get rooms at a price you can divide among each other. The same goes with food, drinks and tour packages. Most inns and hostels have shared kitchen so you can just buy your food in the market or straight from fishermen and cook your own food. We do this with our boodle fights and breakfasts.

GENERAL FEES AND CHARGES

Entrance fee to Sabang Beach, Baler is free.

Surfing Lesson is P350/hr and a digital copy of your photos can be availed at P200

Surfboard rental is P200/hr and P400 for half day

Tour via tricycle for half day is around P300 to P400 good for 3 pax. A day tour would be around P800 for 3 pax

Motorcycle bike rental is at 800/day

Tricycle fare is usually at P15/head

Entrance fee to Balete “ Millennium” Tree is P20

Entrance fee to Mother Falls (Ditumabo) is P30

Entrance fee to Museo de Baler including Doña Aurora House is P30

Entrance fee to Banawag Hot Spring is P20

Donation to Hanging Bridge is minimum of P5

Entrance Fee to Ermita Hill is P15

Cottage fee at Daguisit Beach is P100

Entrance fee to DIcasalarin is P300

Adventure trail-4X4 off-road driving experience is P5,000.00/half day for 3 pax

Tour guide for mountain climbing is P500

WHERE TO STAY

A friend referred us to someone who dealt with our accommodation. We first stayed at Rushie’s Point- a beach front lodging with a bar/pub, and a few huts. We went on an off-season so we only had to shell out around 1, 600/head for 3pax for 4D 3N. Contact them directly for rates and reservation policy.

We then made a friend with someone who has a kubo and a few surf boards for rent so on our future visits, Kuya Danny Boy’s kubo became our go-to place.

There are so many other lodging options around the area, but I’ve listed a few sulit options:

Rushie’s Point

Address: Querijero Street, Baler, 3200 Aurora Contact #: +63 939 262 0831 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RushiesPointBaler/ Messenger: m.me/RushiesPointBaler

Check-in from: 02:00 PM Check-out until: 12:00 PM Reception open until: 06:00 PM Daily parking fee: Free

Good stuff:

Bar/Pub with live bands every Saturday

Beach front

BBQ facilities

Daily parking fee: Free

Circle Hostel

Address: Buton Street, Brgy. Sabang, Aurora, Baler Contact #: +63 917 505 4329/+63 917 501 0235 Website: http://baler.thecirclehostel.com/ Email: [email protected]

Beds: P550 Hammock: P450 Room for 2: P1300 Extra Bed: P550

Check-in from: 02:00 PM Check-out until: 12:00 PM Reception open until: 06:00 PM Curfew: 01:00 AM

Good stuff:

Skate fee for non-guests: P20 from Tuesday to Thursday

Shared kitchen

Smoking area

BBQ facilities

Daily parking fee: Free

Balai Surf Baler

Address: Alley 2, Barangay Sabang, Baler, Aurora 3200 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalaiSurf/ Contact #: +63 917 303 6082 Messenger: m.me/BalaiSurf Email: [email protected]

Regular room rate: 2K per night for 1st 4 pax, 500 per extra head.

Blue Coco Baler Beach

Address: Poblacion, Baler, Aurora Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balerhomestay/ Website: http://bluecocobalerbeachhouse.simplesite.com/ Contact #: +63 939 920 7418 / +639175401234 Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Check-in from: 10:00 AM Check-out until: 12:00 PM Reception open until: 08:00 PM

Good stuff:

BBQ facilities

Smoking area

Wheelchair accessible

Coffee/tea maker

Daily parking fee: Free

Nina's Transient House

Address: Purok 2, Brgy. Sabang, Baler, Aurora. Contact #: +63 908 418 1438 Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NinasTransientHouseAndRoomForRent/

Good stuff:

Wi-Fi

Cable Tv

Hot and cold shower

Also available: Surf Board for Rent w/ Instructor

Service Vehicle for Local & Long Distance Tour/Travel

Also offers tour package

Go Surfari House

Address: GoSurfari House, T. Molina, Brgy. 5, 3200 Baler, Aurora Website: https://gosurfari.com/go-surfari-house/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoSurfariHouse/ Contact #: 09054991982 Email: [email protected] Instagram: www.instagram.com/gosurfari/

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Sabang Beach

This long stretch of shoreline facing the Pacific ocean is probably the most visited place in Baler. Friendly to newbies in surfing, most travelers conquer their fear of riding waves at Sabang. We usually surf in front of Tower (Near Nalu) and in front of Frus Oyat.

Century Old “Millennium” Balete Tree

Found in the town of Maria Aurora, you can marvel at the largest Balete tree in Asia that is said to have existed for more than 600 years now. It’s so enormous that you can go inside its tangled maze.

LT. James Gilmore Marker

At the corner of San Luis St. and Rizal St. stands the Lt. James Gilmore marker. He was the commander of the USS Gunboat ‘Yorktown’. He and his men were captured by insurgent forces save two (2) who were instantly killed and two (2) mortally wounded. Lt. James Gilmore and the survivors were taken to Nueva Ecija and then to Northern Luzon where they were later rescued by American forces and taken to Manila.

San Luis Obispo Parish (Baler Catholic Church)

The Baler Catholic Church is the site where the Siege of Baler happened. Filipino revolutionaries laid siege to the fortified church manned by colonial Spanish troops in the Philippines for 11 months, or 337 days.

Museo De Baler

The town proper is filled with reminders of the past and Museo De Baler is definitely a place to visit. Several artifacts are to be found in the museum- from riffles used by the Spaniards, journals , military uniforms of both the colonizers and the FIlipinos, letters, books, drawings. The museum also features the cold cast facade made by sculptor Toym Imao, the son of National Artist for the Visual Arts Abdulmari Imao.

Doña Aurora Ancestral House

The fee for checking out Museo De Baler includes a pass to Doña Maria’s ancestral house. The province of Aurora is named after the beloved first lady, Aurora Antonia Aragón Quezon who was born in Baler. Photos of the President Manuel L. Quezon, Doña Aurora and their family is preserved in the ancestral house as well as some old furniture.

Quezon Memorial Park

Manuel L. Quezon has a replicated nipa hut in Quezon Memorial Park. It also features the presidential car he used during his term and a 230-kilo bronze statue of him by Julie Lluch at the center of the park.

Ermita Hill

When the tsunami called Tromba Marina devoured Baler, the survivors went up to Ermita Hill situated in Mt. Dibudalan at Sitio Dicaloyungan, Barangay Zabali, Baler, Aurora. This place has a view of Baler Bay, Dima-Dimalangat and Aniao Islets.

Caunayan Falls

This gem is located in Pimentel, San Luis, Aurora and requires to be trekked, but compared to Ditumabo, the time you’ll spend trekking towards the falls is relatively smaller. If your guide knows the place well, he’ll be able to drop you off somewhere closer.

Diguisit Falls

A few minutes away, you’ll be able to sample Diguisit Falls at Sitio Diguisit, Barangay Zabali, Baler, Aurora. It’s right beside the road and has to be climbed first. It can get really slippy and muddy at times so people are advised to be very careful when climbing Diguisit Falls.

Diguisit Beach and Rock Formations

We had a picnic here when we celebrated Dan’s victory at the 11th Aurora Surfing Challenge. He won the long board division and celebrated by Diguisit Beach. I’m not sure if we got a discount, but we only got a cottage for P100.00

Baler Fish port

Baler Fish port can be found in Barangay Zabali, Baler, Aurora- the perfect place to chill at.

Baler Hanging Bridge

This bridge was originally made to accommodate the students of ASCOT. For a minimum donation of P5, you can see the view of Tibag-Sabang River and bring with you the bragging right of literally crossing a river.

Dicasalarin Cove

We’ve never been here yet, but we were told that there’s a fee of P300 per person to experience this privately owned cove by the Angaras. The road towards Dicasalarin is also a fun-filled one since you’ll be able to see the sea while you’re on your way to the cove.

WHERE TO EAT

We ‘re really used to doing boodle fights and cooking our own food whenever we can, but there are times when we’re just too tired to go to the market and cook, so we always visit the same places to eat. Basically, our go-to breakfast is either El Teodoro for their Tapa flakes and Nalu Surf Camp for their breakfast meals. If you like a huge variety of options, try Rolling Store, a series of karinderias or turo-turo located in the town proper. We’ve also had dinners at Yellow Fin- a little pricey, but every order can be shared within a group of 4.

NOTES

Be responsible with your trash. There aren’t many trash bins by the beach so it’s best to bring your trash with you and throw them in a bin once you get to your hotel/lodging.

Baler people are the most hospitable and most humble people I’ve ever met. Make friends with the locals and hear their stories.

Listen to your instructor/s.

Do boodle fights.

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