Wandering in Baler

Last month I've been to Baler, Aurora together with my two closest friends. It's my first time going there and it amazes me. I've been to many beaches and I should say this beach is beautiful with its own allure and attractiveness. The vibe is very pleasant and welcoming. We really enjoy the morning swim. We've got there on a weekday but there are couple of people who are soaking in the water. It's pretty much exciting seeing those who are learning to surf and those who are accustomed to surfing the waves of Sabang beach in Baler.

some fishing activities at the beachfront

Here are tips I could share to you going to Baler:

We commute from Manila to Baler. Our original plan was to rode the bus that fetches from Manila directly to Baler, but we got late going to the bus terminal so we opted to take the ES Transport bus going to Cabanatuan. Bus fare is 185 pesos. We left Cubao at 7:00 AM and reaches Cabanatuan City at 10:00 AM, then we rode another bus (Aurora Bus) which we paid 247 pesos for the bus fare and traveled for 5 hours from Cabanatuan to Baler. We reached Baler past 3PM

our bus ride to Baler

From Baler Central terminal we hire a tricycle for 15 pesos each which brought us to Sabang Beach and settled at Ballon beach resort. We chose to stay in a Kubo (nipa hut) which charges us for 900 per night. We cooked our own food at the resort so they charges us 200 pesos per day using there cooking utensils and gas.

fresh catch of the day

By the way, we bought rice, fish, veggies and other ingredients at the market because we wanted to fresh food for our dinner. We had fried fish, pork adobo, fresh fern salad and rice for our dinner. also bought water and instant coffee to complete our meals.

our dinner plate, fried fish, fern salad and pork adobo

The next day we toured around town. We visited the infamous Balete tree, hanging bridge, Baler museum, the Dona Aurora ancestral house, Baler church, Ditumabo falls, Daguisit falls, Ermita hills and Daguisit lighthouse. We paid 800 pesos for a tricycle driver/tour guide for this tour.

Dona Aurora Ancestral House

Museo de Baler

statue of President Manuel L. Quezon

Baler Church

Every place we visit required and entrance fee, a parking fee for the tricycle we are using and even the using the toilet has a required payment every time we used it.

Hanging Bridge

the hundred year old balete tree

Ditumabo Falls

Ermita Hill, this is where they found refuge during a tsunami that struck Baler

Daguisit Falls

Daguisit Lighthouse

at the top of the lighthouse

I tried surfing so I paid 300 pesos and 100 pesos tip for the guy who teaches me to do so. Too bad I didn't have the courage to stand on the surf board. I felt exhausted just after 3 tries in maneuvering the surf board. It's so easy to look at but its so difficult to stand on the surf board. Maybe next time I can have courage and do it.

morning at Sabang Beach

hanging at the refuge of the surf board

and finally flank at the waves