Surf Ridin' In Baler

Since surfing is becoming so popular here in the Philippines, I decided to give it a try. I was a little hesitant to ask my partner to surf in Baler, because he has a big tummy and I thought he wouldn't be able to carry his weight on the surfboard. He proved me wrong!

GETTING THERE

There's an executive coach bus called Genesis Joy Bus that goes directly to Baler and it'll only take 5 hours of travel. BUT, you have to reserve 2 weeks prior to your trip, as the slots are full one week before the bus leaves. They have 2 trips everyday 1 am & 4:30 am. 

Regular aircon bus (Genesis) have trips from 12 mn to 7:30 am. I suggest you to be at the terminal an hour before the bus leaves.

As for us, we took the Cabanatuan route. We rode Baliwag Transit at 3 pm and arrive 4 hours after. AND, Baliwag Transit doesn't go straight to Cabanatuan Terminal, you still have to ride a tricycle to get to the terminal. If you're traveling in the afternoon, take ES Transport bus because they have free wi-fi and a reclining seat (which we didn't experience in Baliwag Transit) AND they stop at the terminal, mismo. 

Cost: 440 (includes tricycle from Cabanatuan to the terminal) for 2 pax

From Cabanatuan terminal, there are vans that goes straight to Baler Central Terminal (operating 24 hrs). It'll take another 4 hours.

Cost: 400/ 2pax

IN BALER

Since we arrived past 11pm already, we decided to stay at El Trophine Lodge. I'll have a different blog post about this, laters.

Cost: 700/night, AC room

our room (near Baler Central Terminal)

In the morning, after checking out, we went to Sabang Beach to find Secret Spot, managed by my friend, Lois, who is also a travel blogger. I'll have another blog post for this one, too.

Cost: 750/night, Fan room (1,500 for AC room)

our room

There are many resorts to choose from, but during summer season, most of them are fully booked.

SURF RIDIN'

Tita Rose, Adi's (owner of Secret Spot) mom introduced us to Kuya Joel, our surf instructor.  Kuya Joel has taught surfing lessons to Anne Curtis before and other stars. He's very down to earth and really okay kausap . Don't worry because most resorts in Baler offer surfing lessons. On our 2nd day, our instructor was Kuya Ronaldo from Aliya Surf Camp (click for more info).

Cost: 350/hour per person (includes surfboard rental & instructor) = 700/2pax

Cost: 350/2pax (day 2; 30 mins. each)

 I highly recommend Kuya Joel!

 sure kang kaya mo yan, honey?

Boinks! Nice try! 

success! tuwang-tuwa!

If it's not your first time to surf, you can have 30 mins. of lesson, and your partner can have the other 30 minutes.

 it's my turn!

falling gracefully! 

 never quit!

sa sobrang tuwa, napasayaw ako. 

ngunit subalit datapwa't..

Day 2: Kuya Ronaldo,  our instructor

my partner did prove me wrong! 

eto lang ang nangyari sa akin, high tide 

best-worst shot

WHERE TO EAT

After our first surfing lesson, we decided to eat at Gerry Shan's Buffet. I don't usually complain when it comes to food. I can only say, MASARAP at NAKAKABUSOG talaga sa Gerry Shan's. Buffet comes with unlimited drinks too. Tricycle to Gerry Shan's is 12/head. You won't get lost, this place is very popular.

Cost: 185/head = 370/2pax

Nom nom nom!

We had our last lunch at Bay's Inn. I ordered Carbonara and my partner ordered Tenderloin with rice (I don't know how they call it). Also, I ordered Iced Tea shake and my partner had Rocky Road shake. This resto is very popular among tourists because the food they serve is very delicious. The downside is, the won't take orders anymore pag madami na ang orders, even though there are still vacant tables in the resto. Bay's Inn is in just around Sabang beach.

Cost: est. 500 for the 2 of us

iced tea shake

Yellowfin Bar & Grill is just around Sabang beach too. If you want to drink and just chill out on a windy night, this is the perfect place to go to. T.Ice is just 35 per bottle. Pork barbecue is just 150/ 8 pcs. The food choices are limited, though.

Cost: 290/ 2pax

Other Activities:

You can go to Casapsapan beach in Casiguran (white sand beach), Aniao Islet, Diguisit Beach, Museo de Baler, surf at Cobra Beach, trek at Ditumabo Falls, Ampere Beach, Bulawan Falls, Maria Aurora watershed, Dicaslarin Beach, Cunayan Falls, and Digisit Rock Formation.

estimated cost: 5,000+ (including transpo to Manila)

Happy Surfing!

**I just crossed out one item in my bucket list! YIZ!**

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Manila: Partying The "Pubcrawl" Style

I have heard of Manila Pubcrawl through my blogger-friend Lois who had so much fun attending this party. So when I had the chance to join this party without spending any bucks, I immediately grabbed the opportunity.

All I have to do was to follow the mechanics in Lois' post, and then the Pubcrawl people will randomly choose 3 winners in Facebook and Solesisters. Tadaa! I was picked and got a free pass to this party! FREE! (I just saved 990 pesos!)

DJ Yabis from dreameurotrip.com and Julia Clarete

I missed partying so much that I never rejected any of the drinks offered to me. They had super fun games, as well. From all the bar hopping that I've been to, this was the definitely most unforgettable one. Heck, I'm not gonna turn 22 without experiencing an orgasmic party like this!

Manila Pubcrawl is a "pinoy-style" partying and bar-hopping. I consider this very unique because they use "jeepney" as their mode of transportation in their bar-hopping. They had it in Boracay before, but now they're in Manila in Quezon and Makati City, the best cities to party.

Included in this party are the free rides with the party jeepney, free entrance to 5 clubs (you'll save bigtime on this one), 10 FREE shots, 2 for 100 drink specials in each bar, Manila Pubcrawl shirt (best part!), get-to-know games, new friends and Manila Pubcrawl membership! 

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to party hard and have fun! I'm telling you guys, it's all worth it!

For more information, you can visit Pubcrawl's site: 

http://www.pubcrawl.ph/

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Backpacker's Guide to Alona Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol

Alona Beach is located in Panglao Island, south-western part of Bohol. One reason why I got so attracted to this place is because of it's powdery-white sand. 

GOING THERE

inside the Weesam express ferry

Anyway, at around 8:30AM, we rode a cab in Fuente Circle (Cebu) en route to Pier 4. When we got there, we saw Supercat ticketing office pero we decided to buy at Weesam Express (a few blocks away from Supercat). The next trip to Tagbilaran is around 9AM so naki-usap kami kay ate cashier kung pwede humabol pa, since it was already 8:45 that time. She said yes. 

Once we got inside the ferry, there was already a designated seat for us. It took about 1hr and 30 minutes (or less) to reach Tagbilaran Port. 

Tagbilaran Port

Because my boyfriend was very friendly at that time, she met an old lady in Pier 4, who was also going to Bohol that time. This lady, whom we called "mommy Ping" is a government employee in Tagbilaran City. She offered to take us to Tagbilaran Market, where we can find tricycles going to Panglao, Bohol. It was mommy Ping who talked to the tricycle driver (her driver knows the tricycle driver) and she haggled the price from 350 down to just 250. The tricycle driver also agreed to fetch us the next day at around 5AM.

ACCOMODATION

Lots of resorts to choose from

It was roughly 30-45 minutes of biyahe from Tagbilaran to Panglao Island. Once we reached Panglao Island, there were "marketers" who tried to offer rooms but since we want a beach front room, the tricycle driver helped us find a room. We got one at Jahsz Bar and Restaurant, it's a beach front, for 1,500 per night (that was the cheapest that we got). No TV, but there is a hot & cold shower AND aircon, which was good enough for us. There's one ATM machine in the area (BPI).

Unfortunately, after we get in the room, the receptionist asked for 100 pesos, "commission" daw. We were a little pissed dahil akala namin, nag-volunteer yung tricycle driver, yun pala, may bayad. Hahaha. 

FOODS and ENTERTAINMENT 

Sinigang

There were "tons" of restaurants to choose from. One meal would cost 75+ to 150+. The meals that they serve are mostly Filipino (sinigang, tapsi, etc.), Western and European dishes (pasta, etc.). In the afternoon, they would start selling sea foods that are a little costly. It's a little lively at night, parang night life sa Puerto Galera. There were singers in the bar and fire dancers. 

 Costly sea foods

Band Singer

 Fire dance!

 

PEOPLE

Medyo na-nose bleed kami, kasi most of the tourists were foreigners. There were only very few local tourists when we went there. Some are friendly, and some blue-eyed blonde babies refused to take pictures with us. Hahaha. I don't know why. "Local marketers" will try to offer island tour for 1,500 and diving lessons for 2,500. 

PLACE

There were grasses in some parts of the beach but you won't be disappointed with the powdery-white sand. Rocky? Not that much. Crystal clear water? Yes. Not that fully developed yet. Needs to be cleaned=)

buwis-buhay

Rawr.

 

GOING BACK TO CEBU

Since the ferry will leave at 7:30 AM, we had to rush and get there before 7AM. UNFORTUNATELY, hindi sumipot yung tricycle driver. BUTI na lang there was another tricycle driver (kagigising lang niya) and we just asked him if he can help us reach Tagbilaran Port, immediately. He agreed and we paid him 300. You have to be there 40 minutes before your departure time because there were lots of people lining up and buying tickets. The ferry leaves at the exact time.

COST OF DAMAGE

Ferry (Cebu-Bohol-Cebu) - 1200 (600/pax rountrip promo)

Tricycle (Tagbilaran to Panglao) - 250

Room (A/C, 2 single beds) - 1500

Commission ng Tricycle driver - 100

Food for lunch (Sinigang, Tapsilog, RC, 3 rice) - est. 350

Food for dinner - est. 400

Tricycle (Panglao to Tagbilaran) - 350

4150 for 2 na yan!

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