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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Review: Lola Nanny's Surf Retreat and Restaurant

Lola Nanny's is a budget-friendly accommodation located in Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union. It is owned by Lola Nanny, Luke Landrigan's (Billabong Surfer, owner of San Juan Surf Resort) mother.

Lola Nanny's Resort

We chose this budget-friendly accommodation because  we prefer a simple, clean and a beach front resort. A fan room w/ shared bath is 500 per night and 100 per hour beyond the check out time.

They do have aircon rooms w/ private bath, but I'm not sure about their rate. You can easily find this place because it is located just beside Hacienda Peter & Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa. You can just tell the bus driver to drop you off at Sebay or San Juan Surf resort and you can walk at the beachfront to find this place.

Common Area.

Our fan room.

Our fan room.

Shared bathroom.

Our room.

Check in is at 2:00 PM and check out is at 12:00 PM. Anyhow, I would still love to go back to this place again!

For more information about their rates, you can contact:
09154184034

Oh yes, Happy Surfing! (If there's a surf break! Haha!)

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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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Solitary Journey: The Circle Hostel, La Union

After my surf sesh in Baler, I decided to try another surfing lesson in La Union. I stayed at the Circle Hostel located along Mc Arthur Highway in Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union. The hostel is located behind Urbiztondo Grill (the grill is located across San Juan Surf Resort).

It was my first “solo” trip and I would really like to thank my parents for allowing me to travel alone.

Getting there:

Partas Bus Lines terminal in Cubao - Ride a Vigan bound bus and tell the conductor to drop you off at Urbiztondo Grill or San Juan Surf Resort in La Union (they already know where it is). The hostel is just right behind Urbiztondo Grill.

Cost: PHP450.00+

The Hostel:

I paid for the bunk bed which costs 400 pesos per night. They have separate dorm-type rooms for girls and boys. There’s also a common bath separated for girls and boys. The hammock costs 300 pesos. Even though I paid for the bunk bed, I decided to sleep in the hammock. Sleeping in a hammock was really uncomfortable because my legs were resting higher than my body. I really don’t know how James Betia managed to sleep in hammock during his trips. Hahaha.

They have the common area, where you can charge your cellphone or digicam battery, meet new friends, drink beer and just relax.

Meet my bunk bed!

"duyan" or hammock area.

shared bath (left side for women and right side for men)

 drinking with my surf instructor and Maribel, the hostel's receptionist (with my oily face)

drinking with the locals & Craig

Surfing:

There are surf lessons offered at the beach front. (Nasa kabilang side yung Hostel, so make sure you wear a cover up before hitting the beach because you actually have to cross the highway before you reach it.)

Cost: 200- 1 hour surfboard rental only

400- 1 hour surfing lesson w/ surfboard

my swimsuit and the surfing board! (something's not right with the color..)

I had my lesson at San Juan Surf Resort and Kuya Rey was my instructor. Sadly, no one was there to take pictures of me surfing. Kuya Rey taught surfing lessons in Club Manila East (Taytay, Rizal) before.

Sunday is the perfect time to surf.

Where to Eat:

ANGEL AND MARIE’S SURFER’S RETREAT

Blue Marlin Kilawin is a must-try! “Kilawin” is a Philippine exotic delicacy served with raw fish mixed with vinegar. It was my first time to eat raw fish (because my momma told me not to eat raw foods when I’m in a different place) and at first I thought I would not enjoy the dish. This has got to be one of the best seafood I’ve ever tasted. One serving costs around PHP170.00+. I shared this dish with another friend, Craig Pulsifer.

URBIZTONDO GRILL AND RESTAURANT

The foods were reasonably priced and they serve seafoods, as well. I spent around PHP 200.00 for the meal (grilled squid, rice and soda).

Total estimated cost of damage (in Philippine peso): PHP1700

Bus to La Union- 500
Lunch at Urbiztondo Grill- 200 (est.)
One night at The Circle Hostel- 400 (bunk bed)
Dinner at Angel and Marie's Surfer's Retreat- 200 (est.)
1 hr. Surfing Lesson- 400 

I didn't take the bus from La Union to Manila, because I did a side trip to Vigan (it's another story) before going back to the city. So, probably you'll be spending less than PHP2,500 for 2 days and 1 night stay in La Union.

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Our Cheap Accomodation In Baler

Near Baler Central Terminal

El Trophine Lodge

This place is just walking distance from the terminal. This place is located just beside Moreno's Lodge. We arrived in Baler past 12 midnight and this place was still open so they gave us the Family Room (1 double deck & 1 single bed) for P700/night (I guess the rate is for 2pax).

Reception Area

      

the room

 our toilet

 shower area

• This place is just a walking distance from the market.

• They were able to lend us a cup and hot water for our coffee. (You can actually borrow utensils.)

• They have a lot of rooms that you can choose from.

• There's a store located just beside the Lodge so you can easily buy something you need.

• We got the air con room for 700, sulit na sulit!

• We checked in at 12:30AM; the check out time is at 6PM. 

• At around 2AM, we were awaken by the noise from the next door. Guests are laughing boisterously that we weren't able to sleep well.

• Sorry, but the water in the faucet was really stinky that we just used bottled water to brush our teeth.

El Trophine Contact Information:

www.facebook.com/ElTrophineLodge
Brgy. Suklayin, Baler, Aurora
09193737575, 09387972080

At Sabang Beach

Secret Spot

The Secret Spot is a seaside resort located in Sabang Beach. This resort is just a few walks away from the Lighthouse in Parola. Tricycle from Baler Central Terminal to Secret Spot is 15 pesos per head. We got 750 for a fan room (1 queen sized bed). It's 1,500 for aircon room. Why Secret Spot? Find out by checking Lois' post here. 

Secret Spot, Baler!

our nipa hut

our room

our bed

toilet & shower area

hammock!

• The room/nipa hut has a feel-at-home atmosphere and the resort itself is located at the seaside. You'll experience the best sleep of your life here, ever.

• Lois and Tita Rose (Adi's mom, the owner of Secret Spot) were able to accommodate us well. We even had breakfast with them in the morning!

• No need to look for a Surfing instructor because Tita Rose knows someone who can really teach you how to surf well (Kuya Joel).

• The room is simple and clean. They need to add a table, though. Hehe.

• We checked in at around 1PM and checked out earlier at 10AM (work reasons. Hehe).

• They are still building additional rooms/nipa huts there to accommodate more guests.

Secret Spot Contact Information:

www.facebook.com/secretspotbaler
T. Molina St., Sabang Beach, 3200 Baler, Aurora
(Tita Rose) 09434898188, 09284531777

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2013 Destinations

On a Saturday afternoon, I had a time to discuss all my travel plans to my mom. 

Me: Ma, pag nakuha ko yung benefit ko sa SSS, maglealeave ako ng 3 weeks, lilibutin ko buong Pilipinas.
Mama: Ikaw bahala, malaki ka na. Hindi ka na alagain.

Hahahahahaha. Yes, I was dead serious when I told her that, but I think work won't allow me to leave for such a long time. While waiting for my "denied" SSS benefit (I was supposed to receive it last year pa, a few months after my cystectomy), I decided, why not make a list of destinations for this year? Who knows, I might be able to visit the places that I want to see & do the things that I plan to do.

First on my list is EL Nido, Palawan. Perfect for beach bumming. I'll celebrate my 22nd birthday here. ;-)

photo from gopalawan.travel

Second, surfing in Baler. (Still saving up for this, maybe one of these days..)

photo from traveltothephilippines.info

Third would be the Bangui Windmills in Ilocos Norte & the old Spanish houses in Ilocos Sur. I'll be traveling here for four days in August.

 photo from sulit.com.ph

photo from visitpinas.com

Fourth, climb Mt. Pulag. I want to be on top of the world! My dream proposal.. (EHEM! John Mark Bacay! tamaan ka sana hahaha)

photo from pinoymountaineer.com

Fifth, rock formation at Biri Island, Samar.

photo from imagesphilippines.com

Sixth, Calaguas Island of Camarines Norte.

photo from calaguasislandbeachparadise.com

Seventh, Mararison or Malalison Isalnd in Culasi, Antique. Antique is my father's hometown and whenever I talk about this island, my parents just laugh about it. Bakit daw amaze na amaze ako sa lugar eh napaka-common na yun sa kanila. Okay, kayo na mga taga-probinsya! Because my parents live nearby, all I have to spend for is the airfare and the boat to reach this place.

photo from papparaz0.com

Eight, surfing and diving in Siargao! Wow, finally, Mindanao! We plan to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary here (kung aabutin pa, hehehe, joke). Gusto ko sana sulitin ang stay ko sa Mindanao by visiting Davao and Cagayan Region too.

photo from pilipinaswow.blogspot.com

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