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...