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!

Read More

Majayjay Experience

Majayjay is a municipality located in the province of Laguna, Philippines. My boyfriend and I went to Majayjay on my 21st birthday (April). It was our first out-of-town trip together.

How to get there:

Bus from Cubao to Sta. Cruz - Less than P200 each- 3 hours
If you're travelling on a weekend, it would be better to leave before 1PM. We left Cubao at around 3PM and we reached Sta. Cruz at 6.30PM.

From Sta. Cruz to Majayjay - P250 - approx. 30 minutes
Since the jeepneys from Sta. Cruz to Majayjay operates until 6 only, we decided to take a tricycle from Sta. Cruz to Majayjay town proper. (Costly, eh?)

From Majayjay town proper to Taytay Falls - P250 - less than 30 minutes
There are tricycles available when you reach Majayjay town. (See, it's really costly. So better leave Manila early!)

Taytay Falls - we have to pay PHP90 in the Barangay Outpost (the tricycle dropped us off at the barangay outpost, walking distance to Taytay Falls) for the tent and the guide to Taytay Falls. There's also a PHP20 environmental fee to pay. According to my bff, there's a small store near the barangay outpost that offers oil lamp rental for PHP20.

Majayjay falls.

another view.

Since we arrived before 10PM and we have no idea where to borrow a lamp or flashlight, my boyfriend bargained and paid the guide PHP100 for him to lend us his flashlight for the whole night.

trekking to the falls

We trekked for about 10-15 minutes going to Taytay Falls. The tour guides were the ones who set up our tents. Mind you, it was really cold there even at night, the water from the falls was "ice" cold.

 the tent.

ice cold water

The place was crowded, since we went there during summer time. The place itself was “rocky” so it was very hard to find a place where we can pitch our tent. The water is very clean but mind you, I noticed that the campers (definitely not us!) don’t really clean their trashes when they leave the place. At night, there’s no electricity so better bring a flashlight or rent a lamp. AND, bring insect repellent! The good thing is, you can set up a bonfire there! Nice!

very clear water.

water from the falls.

Since we didn’t bring any rice or food, we trekked our way outside the camp site just to eat our breakfast.  Rice meals cost around PHP60 to PHP120.

hanging bridge (closed)

for breakfast.

It was easy to go back to Sta. Cruz that morning since the jeepneys were already available. It took us 2 jeepney rides going to Sta. Cruz. From Sta. Cruz, we rode a bus going to Manila. It was a very memorable experience with my loved one.

A budget of 1, 500 each is more than enough for this trip. It was indeed a very "memorable" experience.

Read More