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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Hotel Review: Gran Tierra Suites

I stayed in a single room (matrimonial bed) during my Cebu trip. It costs 789 pesos only. I really like the modern atmosphere in this hotel. The room was spacious enough and once you check-in, the hotel staff will give you 4 pcs. of complimentary bread and water. Winner naman ang ensaymada nila e. 

What I didn't "quite" like is the shower. There's no hot shower so I was kind of shivering when I took a bath.

Single Room (reserve in advance!)

The hotel is two to three blocks away from Larsian in Fuente Circle and two blocks away from the hospital. It is 30-45 minutes away from Mactan International Airport. I like how quiet and peaceful the location is. This hotel offers free wi-fi, too! 

The staff are accommodating but be sure to speak a little Cebuano when you talk to them, they are not quite familiar with the Tagalog language.

For more information:

Address:

#207 Don Mariano Cui

Cor. Don Jose Avila

Capitol, Cebu City, Cebu

Contact Numbers:

+639176341839

+639996882816

+639235929369

Website:

http://grantierrasuites.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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Let's get started

who is the traveling babe?

I always wanted to travel. Time & money didn't let me to. Working as an online teacher for Koreans, it's really difficult to ask for a leave because attendance is important to them. that sucks, right?

Anyway, I met this fine, young lad. I used to ignore him in class (still in college). He was VERY persistent in pursuing me. We belonged to the same clique in school. So, after a year of being consistently pursued, I finally gave him a chance "of a lifetime." Char. Now, he's been my partner for more than a year.

Isn't that sweet?

I'm afraid of traveling alone so after giving him the "chance of a lifetime" I knew he was the perfect match. Don't get me wrong there, but isn't it nice to travel with someone? So yes, we started traveling.. seriously.

Although I must say, we haven't traveled all over the Philippines yet. Since we just started backpacking early this year, I thought it would be nice to share my experiences to all of you. 

What makes this blog different? I am very particular with the itinerary. The time, budget, and places. I'm a compulsive planner. I want everything well planned-- from the things to bring, the undies haha, the shoes, the time, the budget-- even the smallest things.

I read blogs, a lot.. I really like backpackingphilippines. I hope I can join Tutubi.. if there's an opportunity.

Anyway, I won't talk about myself anymore... I just want share a lot of things that I know.. through this blog.  AND, this isn't just about travel (but mainly focuses on places), this is also about.... everything-- from food, shopping, relationships, fashion & other stuff.

I'm not keen when it comes to grammar, so please forgive my future errors.

So God and bloggers, I hope ya'll help me promote this blog. 

Thank you!


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on facebook: 
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