Baler, the capital of Aurora is known for its beach as one of the surfer's paradise in the country. It is about 230 kilometers northeast of Manila and can be reached via bus or private vehicle. The surfing scene from the movie 'Apocalypse' was filmed here. Once finished, the crew left their surfboards to the locals, triggering the popularity of surfing. There are also tourist spots in Baler and on the nearby towns which will be featured in this post.
How to get to Baler, Aurora:
- Via private car. Enter North Luzon Expressway. Take the Sta. Rita exit. Pass through the towns of Baliuag, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, Gapan, then Cabanatuan. There are 2 routes to get to Baler - the Pantabangan and Bongabon routes. I highly recommend to take the Pantabangan route where the road is better and safer. Bongabon route will take you to the rough, narrow, steep and zigzagging roads. From Cabanatuan City, take the Maharlika Highway and pass through the towns of Talavera, Rizal, then Pantabangan until you reach the Aurora border. Pass through the towns of Maria Aurora, San Luis, then Baler. Travel duration is 5-6 hours.
- Via bus. Genesis Transport Bus in Cubao has a direct route to Baler. They have 2 types of bus.
- Regular Air Conditioned Bus. The first trip is 3AM with 1 hour interval and last trip is 7:30AM. To make sure, call their hotline for the updated trip schedule. Fare is P404 and estimated travel duration is 6 hours.
- The executive coach JoyBus. It has an onboard comfort room, blankets and pillows. Fare is P695 and travel duration is 5 hours. Trips are limited so better reserve your seats via http://www.iwantseats.com.ph/.
In our case, we rented a van for P14, 000. Not bad for a group of 10 since we also used it during the tour, instead of renting 3-4 tricycles that costs P800/tricycle good for 3 pax. We just hired a tour guide and paid him P500.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
This marked my 3rd province on a 3-consecutive-week trip (after Batanes and Talipanan Beach in Oriental Mindoro).
It was past midnight when husband and I arrived at our meeting place in EDSA Cubao. Tops and his cousins - Michelle, Espie and Vans were already there, while Karen, Arcy, Aljoy and Maya arrived around 12:30 AM.
I was sleeping most of the time, but I’m certain that we took the Bongabon route since the road was really scary – unpaved, no homes, nor establishment, nor street lights and the possibility of a landslide. It was a 7-hour-butt-numbing ride before we reached the town of Baler.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
This marked my 3rd province on a 3-consecutive-week trip (after Batanes and Talipanan Beach in Oriental Mindoro).
It was past midnight when husband and I arrived at our meeting place in EDSA Cubao. Tops and his cousins - Michelle, Espie and Vans were already there, while Karen, Arcy, Aljoy and Maya arrived around 12:30 AM.
I was sleeping most of the time, but I’m certain that we took the Bongabon route since the road was really scary – unpaved, no homes, nor establishment, nor street lights and the possibility of a landslide. It was a 7-hour-butt-numbing ride before we reached the town of Baler.
We booked their 'mini dorm' that is good for 10 pax for P2000. The owner said that the maximum capacity is 20 (I doubt it would fit since it only has 5 double decks) and additional P200/pax in excess of 10. It only has 2 stand fans and you'll be using the communal toilet and bath. For travelers who are not choosy, then Baywalk Tent is fine. You can bring your own tent and set it up here for P100/pax or rent theirs for P150/pax.
Dorm-type accommodation in Baywalk Tent City & Cottages
Tip: If you are going to Baler during summer, make sure to book your bus tickets and secure your accommodation at least a month before the trip.
Check-in time in Baywalk Tent City is noon, so we return to the central town for breakfast. There are several rolling stores to choose from. We just settled on the one with available seats for a group of 10. I spent P50 for my breakfast. The food was ok, just don't expect too much.
Karen and the rest of the group plan to take a rest in the morning, surf on the afternoon, then city tour on the following day or before going back to Manila. I changed mine so I can make full use of my time. During the 1st day, I plan to visit Dicasalarin Cove first, then proceed with the countryside tour, and lastly, spend the remaining hours in Ditumabo Falls, while I allot Sunday morning for surfing.
Together with my husband, I met our tricycle / tour guide after breakfast. We’re discussing my itinerary and almost ready to leave when Karen approached me and asked us to just join them on the tour. They changed their itinerary since they cannot go back to Baywalk Tent City to check-in until noon. A local (itago na lang natin sya sa pangalang Kuya Erick) approached them and volunteered to be the tour guide. I didn’t have the second thought of joining them, remembering how cool these people are, plus, the convenience of touring Baler in an air conditioned van.
At 8:30 AM, we were on our way to Ditumabo Falls in the town of San Luis. I’m not sure how much they paid for the van parking fee.
If you were not on your trekking outfit, you may want to change on the available restrooms near the parking area. Just pay P5.
Ditumabo or Mother Falls is one of the main attractions in the province of Aurora. You'll encounter river trail, streams to cross, lush vegetation, wooden footbridge, boulders, and small waterfalls. Depending on your pace, you can reach mother malls after 30-40 minutes.
let the trek begin
oh so cooooold
1st mini-falls
one-way traffic
2nd mini falls
Ditumabo Falls
After enjoying the cold water of Ditumabo Falls, we headed back to the town for lunch. Most of the eateries including the famous eat-all-you can Gerry Shan’s Place were either full or no more rice to serve, so we ended up in Yollie’s, just beside Gerry Shan’s. We had their yummy bulalo for P450 good for 4pax.
Our next stop was in Balete Park & Millenium Tree in the town of Maria Aurora where the 600-year-old balete tree and said to be the largest tree of its kind in Asia resides.
The 600-year-old Balete Tree
Next on the list - Aniao Islets.
We stopped by at Ermita Hill. Here, you can find sculptures portraying the people who went up Ermita Hill to escape the tsunami. They made it as their temporary community and called it 'Kinagunasan', meaning 'the place of devastation'.
My travel buddies were already tired and sleepy, so after Ermita Hill, the group decided to go back to Baywalk Tent City. Time check, 3:30 PM.
We still haven’t visited Dicasalarin Cove, Diguisit Falls, Dona Aurora-Aragon House and Baler Museum. I asked our tour guide (Kuya Erick) to pick us up on the following morning for a trip to Dicasalarin Cove. We agreed on the price of P400 for motorcycle rental and guide fee. After that, husband and I ride a tricycle going to the plaza.
Our first stop was the Dona Aurora-Aragon House. The house was re-build in the honor of Dona Aurora, wife of the late President Manuel L. Quezon.
Doña Aurora Aragon House
Doña Aurora Aragon House
Just across Dona Aurora-Aragon House is the Baler Church, built through the initiative of Dona Aurora.
Baler Church
Not far from Baler Church is the Quezon Memorial Park and Baler Museum.
Quezon Memorial Park
Baler Museum
It was just 5PM when we finished the tour and headed back to Baywalk Tent City. Most of my travel buddies were sleeping so we spent our time watching people surf.
huli ka Soya (my officemate)! andito ka din pala!!!
At 7:30 PM, we started looking for a place to dine and ended up in Yellow Fin Bar and Grill – the awful experience we had in Baler. They have great food and cozy ambiance, but, the worst customer service I encountered so far. We waited for more than an hour for our food to be served. Oops! I forgot....They didn't serve our food. We waited for them to finish the grilling and served it ourselves.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
It was 6:20 AM when I started to call and text Kuya Erick. While waiting for him, I went to Costa Pacifica, one of the luxurious hotels on Sabang Beach to secure a guest pass for Dicasalarin Cove (if you happen to check-in at the resort, I believe you only have to pay P100 for the guest pass instead of P300).
20 minutes have passed and I still haven’t got an answer from Kuya Erick, so I contacted another guide (itago natin sa pangalang Kuya Clifford na kausap ko the night before going to Baler, just happened na may tour syang iba kaya binigay nya ko sa iba). Luckily, he’s available and agreed to meet me at Baywalk Tent City.
Call his name and he will be there :)
Husband is still sleeping (he’s not willing to pay P300 just to see the cove, too expensive for him) when I left. Same with my travel buddies. So, I ended up going solo.
Kuya Clifford wasn’t able to borrow a motorcycle so we just used his tricycle. Dicasalarin is a secluded white sand beach owned by Senator Angara, and, is 30 minutes away from Sabang Beach. Only 4x4 and motorcycles are allowed to enter the perimeter. There are 3 security gates to pass through before reaching the cove.
It was 7:20 AM when we arrived at the first gate.
The receptionist from Costa Pacifica told me that gate to Dicasalarin is open at 6AM, but when we reached the first gate at 7:20 AM, the guard on duty did not allow us to pass through. According to him, visiting hours starts at 8AM (hindi pareho ang schedule ni Costa Pacifica at ng mga gwardiya ng Dicasalarin, tsk tsk). And since tricycles are not allowed to enter the area, we rented his motorcycle for P200.
At 7:40 AM, he let us pass and told us to stay at the guard house, which is also the second security gate. Going there is another 5-minute ride.
You can already see the cove from the second security gate.
Near the gate is the entrance to PAGASA radar station.
I went inside the station and make my way to the roof top for another view of the cove.
I went inside the station and make my way to the roof top for another view of the cove.
From the second gate to the third gate of the cove is another 5-minute ride on a very steep, narrow and zigzagging road.
We parked the motorcycle when we reached the entrance and started to walk towards the beach.
You'll see several cottages on your way to the beach.
After a 2-3-minute walk is the stunning view of the beach.
We trek to reach the top of the cliff. From there is another view of the cove and a very uncommon structure (not sure what that is).
You'll pass through these rocks going to the top
If you are after on a picturesque view of Baler, then Dicasalarin Cove should be on your list.
Halfway to the top
View from the top
and another..
and another...
such a real beauty, huh
I am not sure what this structure is for and what they call it
From Dicasalarin going back to Sabang Beach and along the national road is the Diguisit Falls. I asked my tour guide to stop here so I could take some pictures.
Diguisit Falls
The good thing also, that I bought ‘pasalubong’ at Nanay Pacing Homemade Pasalubong Store before heading back to Sabang Beach since they were already closed when we went back in the afternoon. It is along the Genesis Bus Terminal, near the public market.
I love their peanut butter and macapuno balls.
When I arrived at Baywalk Tent City, I immediately searched for husband and went our way to the beach. Most resorts offer a surfing lesson for P350/hour or board rental for P200/hour. There are also stand alone kiosks like Mahusay and Panatag offering the same services.
I was not able to consume the 1 hour-surfing lesson. I got tired (wala kasi workout and exercise) after 30 minutes of trying to stand on the board (which I did 2 times, yey!!!)
Tip: If you only have an overnight to spend in Baler, leave Manila at midnight. You have at least 6 hours to sleep on the bus or van. Once you arrived, have your breakfast in one of the rolling stores in the plaza. Hire a tricycle and start your trip with Dicasalarin Cove, which will take a maximum of 2 hours of your time (travel and tour). Followed by Aniao Islets, Diguisit Falls, Ermita Hill, Balete Tree, then the attractions near the plaza (Baler Museum, Dona Aurora Aragon House, Baler Church). Lastly, the trip to Ditumabo or Mother Falls. Spend the following day for surfing. Then voila! Explore and surf on a weekend. You can even leave Baler and go home as early as 10AM.
Special thanks for these people for extending their invite especially to Karen, Arcy and Tops.
From L to R (Aljoy, Me, Tops, Karen, Maya, Vans, Michelle, Espie, Arcy)
Summary of expenses:
Contacts:
Michael Andy Juego - Baywalk Tent City & Cottages
(63) 9478898156
Facebook Page here
Genesis Transport, Inc
(02) 7090803, (02) 4211425
http://www.genesistransport.com.ph/
JoyBus - http://www.iwantseats.com.ph/
Kuya Clifford Yambot
Tour / Trike Guide
(63) 9166304022
