Baler

This wasn't a planned vacation at all although we've been wanting to visit this place for quite sometime now. Nevertheless we went anyway for the sake of our ate Therese's surfing competition.

We took off from Manila around 12mn and arrived in Baler after 9 hours, YES! It's not 5, not 6, nor 7 and definitely not 8 but NINE (9) hours... All because of Mr. Kabayan. If you don't know him you may inquire from PAGASA. 

Basti getting ready to party!

Touchdown!

We had breakfast in a small "karinderia" a few steps from "Baler" landmark and since our moms were with us, everything felt like back packer picnic style trip.

We really don't have any itinerary and we just went along with whatever may happen and on our way to the resort we saw Maria Aurora Quezon's house.

Aurora Aragon Quezon's House

We checked in at Desiree's Lodge and Transient House and our first day was more of like recharging loss energy during travel. Everyone was either asleep or half asleep!

Rejuvenated, next morning was a smack! Baler is a well known surfing haven so expect people enjoying waves the whole day but this time it was special because a competition hosted by Aliya Surf Resort is happening. It is the 3rd Annual Stoked Inc., Philippine Wahine Classic wherein our ate Therese Lumdang will compete! 

We filled our tummies and geared up for the event.

Ella together with Ate Therese and Ate Joana

Ella & Basti enjoying the beach

Aliya Surf Resort's Pool

Us while waiting for the event to start

Therese with her long board

Therese's Fans club waiting in anticipation

Waiting patiently for that perfect wave

Heat #1

Lola Est & Lola Jean with ate Therese after the 1st round

While the competition continues Ella had her surfing lessons with a Pro!

That part where you paddle and paddle...

Meet Michelle Wolfe

Our moms decided to have lunch in Aliya Surf Camp resto while waiting for ate Therese's next round. Then after, Eve took a free surfing lesson together with Ella while we end the day playing with the kids along the shoreline of Sabtang Beach.

Lunch @ Aliya Surf Camp

Wifey taking her Surfing review with Ella

The next day we decided to have a morning walk and we were amazed that as early as 5am people were already flocking the beach! 

The family that walks together stays together

Lola Jean & Co.

Sunrise @ Sabtang Beach

On our way back to the resort

Much to my surprise, my wife actually arranged a tour and secured a guide that instant. We were told that instead of leaving on Oct 5, we will need to be back in manila a day earlier. So that's why! 

Given that we only have a few hours left we started a Baler day tour with the following itinerary.

Our first stop was Ampere Beach located in the town of Dipaculao. It was like a mini Boulder beach in Batanes.

Ampere beach

Leave footprints...

Bring memories...

Clarisse, Joana & Ate Jes and the rock formations

Next stop was the biggest Balete Tree in asia. See for yourself!

read carefully

Massive 600 yr old balete tree

The family tree

Then we went for a walk to reach Ditumabo Mother Falls. The journey was challenging especially carrying the kids but once you're there you will forget everything and only remember how cold the water was. There was an on-going road construction here and the locals mentioned a proposed zipline which would really help tourist a lot!

Kick off spot!

Not a walk in the park

Mother Falls

On our way back, we took a break along a bamboo bridge that offers drinking water, changing area and toilet.

On our way back

Bamboo bridge stop over

Our next destination were Ermita Hills and Tromba Marina. In Ermita hills you will have a 180 degree view of the north pacific ocean and on the other side you will have a perfect view of Sabtang Beach. In tromba marina there is a life-sized sculpture depicting the event in 1700s wherein a great storm hit the area.

Ermita Hills

View of Sabtang Beach

Sabtang Beach

View of Pacific Ocean

Life-sized sculpture of locals climbing Ermita Hills during 1700s

Our last stop was Diquisit Beach Islet and Nanay Pacing's homemade pasalubong store. We were fortunate to meet both owners of the resort and store in person!

Diquisit groufie

Mrs Lozano

Meet the owner of Diquisit Beach Resort

Ella enjoying fresh buko juice

Nanay Pacing and the team

We traveled back to Manila, evening of the same day after the tour and it only took more than 5 hrs.

And that's how our Baler story ends...

Siquijor

Today is the day! I mean who would want to visit the mystical island Siquijor? Although most would hesitate because of the many stories heard about the place, to us it's just another unexplored territory...

During the Spanish colonial period, the island was called "Island of Fire". I've seen an episode in the animated series Blade where they featured it. So you should check it out if you're interested. 

We started off from San Carlos and traveled to Dumaguete by Bus and it took almost 5 hours to get there because of the stops we made to get passengers.

inside the Bus on our way to Dumaguete

We arrived around 11am and left our things in the hotel so we can immediately head to the famous Sans Rival Bistro along Rizal blvd.

Go Hotel Dumaguete

San Rival Bistro

Brunch time! Silvanas over hot coffee? Perfect!

We went back to the hotel for siesta and agreed to buy boat tickets to Siquijor and explore Dumaguete in the afternoon.

Rizal Blvd

Dumaguete Port getting our tickets

Had a light dinner in Hayahay tree house where they serve fresh fruits and grilled seafood.

Hayahay Treehouse 

Dinner time

The tickets that we bought was scheduled to leave the port by 5am the next day and since port was just minutes away from our hotel, there wasn't any trouble making it on time.

Port of Dumaguete check-in

The weather that time was perfect and we didn't experience turbulence like those posted videos online about people's travel to the island.

Boat to Siquijor

We arrived safely and what caught my attention right away was the shoreline along the port. It felt like I will have a great time here! 

Port of Siquijor

Our driver/guide kuya Hercules (Kuling)

Shoreline along Port

We took pictures of St. Francis of Assisi Church and had lunch just a few blocks away.

St. Francis of Assisi Church and Bell Tower

Basti's "Peace" sign @ Manukan

Next stop was the Larena Triad Coffee Shop where you will experience a 180 degrees view of the ocean.

view atop Triad coffee shop

groufie

Next were St. Vincent church within Larena town and Mt. Carmel Church in the town of Enrique Villanueva

St. Vincent Church

Mt. Carmel Church

Our next stop was the famous Salagdoong Beach and we believe we came here for a purpose... like jump off a cliff maybe. The place was actually owned by the government and we're hoping they spend money to preserve it. I'm telling you guys, this is one of the few beaches you should visit during your lifetime. If you're not convinced then look at the pictures below...

our little girl having the time of her life

wondering what's behind Eve?

This is it!

jump n drop!

Next stop. Our Lady of Divine Providence and San Isidro Labrador Church

Our Lady of Divine Providence

San Isidro Labrador Church

San Isidro Labrador Convent

I guess we're done going through the list of churches here so it's time for another adventure! Our next destination was Cambugahay Falls and our time here was really awesome! Just a few steps down from the road you'll see it. The only question is will you fall for it?

view just a few steps from the road

Cambugahay falls

Hang n drop!

another jump 'till you drop experience

Last on our list was the Enchanted Balete Tree. Our experience here was really fun since everyone sat down while feeding our toes to the fish.

Enchanted Balete Tree

Eat all you can dried skin!

It's almost time for the Sun to set so we hurried to the resort where we will spend the night during our stay in the island.

The fine sand along the shoreline of San Juan town was like that of Boracay and Bohol. I just hope they keep it this way!

Sunset by the beach

Basti's moment!

Our next day activity was to just define and experience relaxation.

Breakfast out of bed!

Sun Lounge courtesy of Coral Cay Resort

Chillaxation by the hammock

Shoreline of Coral Cay Resort

Pool amenity

Restaurant

Early afternoon we went back to Siquijor Port and had lunch while waiting for our boat ride to Dumaguete. Again, the ocean was really calm and the weather favored us.

Simple lunch on a near Karinderia beside port

boat ride to Dumaguete

Upon arrival to Dumaguete we headed back to our hotel and packed our things. We had dinner in Robinson's Mall and went to Panda Ice Cream house after to taste some fried ice cream.

Dinner @ Robinson's Mall

Panda Ice Cream house

It was another successful vacation for the family and although we're settling down as our tour ends, we will definitely "on a high" on our plane back to Manila literally! IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES! 

Dumaguete Airport