Baler: Camp, Bike & Surf (Journeyingjames Tour)

This month, we decided to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary in Baler again so we joined journeyingjames' budget tour and it was, in fact, our second (and hopefully not the last!) time to visit Baler. We were hyper-excited! 

For only 2,800 PHP each, we were able to enjoy a weekend of fun activities such as camping, surfing, biking and trekking! The tour included private chartered service Manila-Baler-Manila (AC),1 hour surfing lesson, 4 meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch), 1 night accommodation at Tent City, Baler (Non-AC, Kubo-style cottage and tents), guided Bike Tour of Baler Town and a visit Ditumabo Waterfalls and Balete Tree!

Camp & Surf

Jm & I used to camp even before we started taking traveling seriously. It was refreshing and somewhat sentimental to experience something that we used to do before (oh yes, it's been a looong loong time).

our love nest. haha

After setting up the tent, Jm decided to surf (he's always talking about surfing and how he wanted to be good in surfing). As usual, I was the "photographer". He only started surfing this year and I can honestly say that he improved quite well.

He loves this!

Because I don't know how to use a bike, it was Jm who joined the biking tour. They visited the Hanging Bridge, Museo De Baler and Aurora Quezon's House.


The "Boodle Fight"

Boodle fight is a style of eating where long tables are prepared and food are on top of banana leaves. You have to eat using your hands! It's a fun way to meet new friends while having lunch together. 


Ditumabo Falls and a trek to the new falls

We were supposed to visit Ditumabo falls on our last day in Baler but the local authorities said the path to the falls was closed due to heavy rain. A local suggested another option and according to him, it is the newly-discovered falls in Baler. 

Crossing the river!

On our way to Ditumabo Falls... not! 

The "newest" falls (I forgot the name!)

According to our local guide, it will only take around 10-15 minutes trek to the "newly-discovered" falls, however, it took around 30 minutes for us to reach the falls and mind you, the way to the falls is really very steep!

Meeting James of Journeyingjames.com

And finally, this year won't be complete without meeting the love of my life, er, I mean, my favorite blogger, James Christel Betia. As most people know, this "young" and "very charming" traveler has traveled around Philippines for 100 days. I guess he's been to every single islet and island in our country! It's been such a pleasure to meet him and sure as hell I'll be joining his tours in the future!

ayeee yeee yeee!!!!

Thanks James my dear for such a wonderful experience! See you sooner!

For other information about journeyingjames tour, like his page:
https://www.facebook.com/journeyingjamesFB?fref=ts




PS: I personally feel the need to improve my writing skill, so if there's anything you can suggest or if you happen to know any writing seminar/workshops, please e-mail me at franciscojoni@gmail.com. Thanks!

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Quezon Series: Batis Aramin Resort and Hotel in Lucban, Quezon

 

Batis Aramin Resort and Hotel is perfect for a quick out of town trip with family or a weekend company team building. It is located just a few blocks away from Kamay ni Hesus. It has a lot of facilities and activities to offer like camping, biking and trailing.

The entrance looks so inviting.

Hotel Lobby

Resort map.

The room that Ate Karla reserved for us was a posh Victorian-ish style bedroom with two double-size bed, a balcony and a crystal chandelier attached to the ceiling!

Victorian-style bedroom

Balcony

Chandelier

double-size bed

 I love this flat screen TV!

Complimentary drinks, nice.

 Bathroom.

 modern-ish mirror & sink.

 hot & cold shower

Toiletries-- I love!

The resort has a lake where you can do boating, adult and kiddie pools (with slides, yey!), adventure camp (wall climbing, biking and camping), function halls and a view of Mount Banahaw. Honestly, I was really excited to see the different activities that you can do in this place. 

Over there!

View of Mt. Banahaw

The lake.

The adventure camp.. reminds me of Caliraya. 

The colorful bridge.

Love to cross this bridge!

The pool!

Kiddie pool!

There's actually a lot of things this place has to offer. We went here last June 2013 and the place was jam-packed with visitors. Service is "not really that good" since we experienced some problems getting our complimentary breakfast and checking-out. I really love the style of the room. The resort itself is clean and really big-- safe for kids.

Credits to Ate Karla & Ate Meg for inviting us! Thank you!

For more information about the rates, visit their website: 

www.aramin.ph

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Accommodation: The Circle Hostel in Zambales

The Circle Hostel is a budget-friendly accommodation located in Sitio Liw-Liwa, San Felipe, Zambales. Sitio Liw-Liwa in San Felipe, Zambales is known for surfing and skim-boarding.

How to get there:

Ride an Iba or Olongapo bound Zambales bus at the Victory Liner Terminals in Cubao or Caloocan.

If you take the Iba-bound Victory Liner bus, it will pass through the town of San Felipe. Tell the bus driver to drop you off at the Bobulon Elementary School in San Felipe OR at the San Felipe Public Market. From there, you can ride a tricycle to Sitio Liw-Liwa (2 kms. away).

If you ride an Olongapo-bound Victory Liner bus, the last stop would be at the bus terminal in Olongapo City. From there, you can either take the San Felipe ordinary bus or Iba-bound buses (Victory Liner). Tell the driver to drop you off at the Bobulon Elementary School OR the San Felipe Public Market.

Cubao to Olongapo - 207
Olongapo to San Felipe - 61
Tricycle - 30

It'll take about a five or six hour bus ride from Manila to San Felipe. The tricycle ride from the public market to the hostel will take about 10 minutes.

Rates per night:

Bunk bed (w/ mosquito net) - 350/head

Hammock (w/ built-in mosquito net) - 250/head

Pitch a tent - 250/head

There's actually a co-ed single dorm bed and a female single-dorm bed. For the tent, you have to bring your own. :)

the hostel

reception area

tent and hammock

lockers

bunk beds

There's also a common area where you can charge your batteries or drink with friends and meet new people! (Remember, there are no strangers!)

There's a shared bathroom. (3 shower area, 3 toilet)

The hostel offers surfing lesson:

With surfboard and instructor - 400

There's "karinderya" or food store just across the hostel:

Food costs from 60-100+ pesos.

The beach is 2-3 minutes walk from the hostel.

 huge stones!

mountains!

lagoon! (it's hidden!)

no waves yet!

Cost of damage (without surfing):1278

Air-con Victory Liner bus (Cubao to Olongapo) - 207

Ordinary Victory Liner bus (Olongapo to San Felipe) - 61

Tricycle from Bobulon Elementary School (San Felipe) to the Circle Hostel in Sitio Liw-Liwa - 30

Bunk Bed - 350

Dinner - 90

Breakfast - 70

Tricycle from Hostel to San Felipe Public Market - 30

Ordinary V. Liner from San Felipe Public Market to Olongapo terminal - 80

Lunch - 60

Air-con V. Liner Express bus from Olongapo terminal to Manila - 300+

For more information about The Circle Hostel:

www.thecirclehostel.com/

Victory Liner Website:

www.victoryliner.com/

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Panguil River Eco Park

The eco park is located in the province of Pangil, Laguna. It is a couple of hours away from Manila. The place is perfect for campers and family outings. If you plan to go on a camping, swimming, water tubing and trekking, I highly recommend this place to you.

There are two ways in which you can reach this place: through buses from EDSA and through jeepneys/fx van in Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.

How to get there:

Vans going to Tanay - you can find the terminal going to Tanay on the left side of Starmall, Shaw Boulevard. It will cost you PHP60 per person. It will take about 1hr and 30 mins to reach Tanay market.

Jeep from Tanay Market - when you reach Tanay Market, ride a jeepney that goes to Siniloan Market. Jeepney drivers usually wait for the passengers before they leave Tanay Market. The fare is about PHP30. (Sorry, I lost my notes!)

From the Siniloan Market- you can either ride a jeep (but you have to wait for more passengers) or take a tricycle going to Pangil Eco Park. As for us, we took a tricycle and paid approx. PHP80. (Trust me, it’s less than P100!) The tricycle driver will drop you off at the entrance of Panguil River Eco Park.

admin's office

From the park, you have to pay the entrance fee at the admin’s office (just beside the entrance). As for us, we paid PHP45 each, and another PHP300 to rent a tent (2D/1N).  Don’t worry because there’s a guide that will assist you once you get inside! If you plan to have just a day trip, you can rent an open cottage located on the riverside. 

this place has a lot to offer.

cottages for day use

There’s a big open function hall and the lights were open at night. There’s no electricity problem in the place. However, they don’t allow people to bathe (or even stay near) in the river after 6PM. There are stalls near the entrance that sells fruits and ihaw-ihaw foods. In the morning, my loves and I had to go out of the park just to eat our breakfast at a nearby carinderia. (YES, we didn’t learn from our Majayjay experience!)

 river

 pool

Because my loves insisted that we go on trekking, I had no choice but to say yes and ask the guide if we can join other groups in trekking. We were given a life vest and and paid PHP90 each. Trekking to the Ambon-Ambon falls was tiresome. We have to ride a balsa and walk through huge rocks in order to reach the falls. We also did some sliding in the Bollero Dam (I have never been this close to a Dam before!) and it was very fun!

 Bollero Dam

trekking to the falls

long long way to the falls

I have a little complain though. The public restroom for campers needs to be developed. I was really dismayed because the restroom was just too dirty. The pool was very crowded with kids.

Going home, we rode a tricycle going to Siniloan market, and then from there, we rode the jeepney going to Sta. Cruz. We stopped by at Greenwich to eat our lunch. From Sta. Cruz, we rode a bus going to EDSA.

Overall, it was still a great experience for me.

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