HALER BALER!

Yey~ Summer is here! My first stop is BALER! ^^

I really wanted to visit Baler, finally!!!!! THIS IS IT! ^^ HALER BALER!

HALER BALER - Day 1 (Day Tour)

HALER BALER - Day 2 (Dicasalarin Cove)

HALER BALER - Day 2 (Surfing at Sabang Beach)

Baler is located in the province of Aurora, also known as "Surfing Capital of The Philippines".

Are you ready to go surfing?

Yes!!!! This is the first thing that came in my mind whenever I heard BALER. As I wanted to challenge myself or learn something new this year, so surfing is definitely on my list.


How to reach Baler, Aurora:

It is 6 hours drive from Manila via Genesis Transport located at Cubao. The fare is 450php, the first trip is 3:00am however it can be as early as 1:30am if the JoyBus (executive coach bus) were already filled up. As listed in their website last trip is 3:00pm. The JoyBus fare is 700php, it has no stop over with wifi, a sleeper bus with blankets, pillows and snack. Visit their website for schedule: http://www.genesistransport.com.ph/

At Genesis Baler Terminal, the last bus to depart is 12noon. If you failed to catch the last trip you have option to take alternative route, by taking a VAN bound to Cabanatuan, and then ride a BUS bound to Pasay(Manila). 

Where to stay in Baler:

Niña's Transient House
Ate Evelyn
Contact #: 09084181438
Facebook: Niña's Transient House

We stayed in a room good for 6 persons for 1,500php. The room is clean, well air-conditioned, wifi is good, walking distance from Sabang Beach. There is free coffee and Ate Evelyn is so nice to arrange our tour or if we need something. I highly recommend this transient house.

Ate Evelyn of Niña's Transient House

*above pictures from Niña's Transient House facebook account.

Baler Tour:

If you are traveling in a small group (2-5 persons), you can tour Baler via Tricycle. The rate is 800php, we have Kuya Adel, his contact # is: 09487359656.   But if you are traveling in a big group, you can also rent a van that cost 2,500php.

The tour covers:

Museo De Baler

Hanging Bridge


Ermita Hills


Dimadimalangat Islet


Aniao Islet

Diguisit Waterfalls

Biggest Balete Tree

Mother Falls


For Dicasalarin Cove, we rented a van for 1,500php.
Kuya Junell
Contact #: 09475886190

For your ultimate Surfing experience:

Ate Evelyn of Niña's Transient also offers surfing lesson for 350php per hour with instructor.

Where to eat in Baler:

If you're in a tight budget, rolling store/eatery (carinderia) is just around the corner. We tried Gerry Chan's Place (eat all you can restaurant) for dinner, but we did not enjoyed it. I'm really disappointed, this was featured in "Byahe ni Drew" and to some blogs. They don't re-heat the food, don't visit this place for dinner, anyways it's your choice and just my opinion. I would not recommend this please, try some restaurant.

Just recently Gerry Chan's Place was also featured in "Ang Pinaka: Yummy in Baler" , I can't believe it is in number 1 position! No comment :)

You might want to try: (from "Ang Pinaka: Yummy in Baler")

1. Gerry Chan's Place - Gerry Shan's Place bestsellers: Pako Ensalada, Seafood Tofu in Hot Pot, Crispy Pata, Steamed Whole Fish, Ginataang Hipon with Paco.
   Gerry Shan's Place is located at Quezon St., Brgy. 2, Baler, Aurora/0939-939-0881, 0908-622-2944
2. Baler Surfer Grill - Baler Surfer Grill bestsellers: Bulalo BBQ, Grilled Fish, Liempo BBQ, Baby Back Ribs, Chicken BBQ, Grilled Sausage
   
   Baler Surfer Grill is located at Baywalk Area, Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora/0920-973-4408
3. Trencher's Kitchenette - Trencher's Kitchenette bestsellers: Bicol Express, Pork Sisig, Laing, Sizzling Pusit, Bukundoy
   
   Trencher's Kitchenette is located at #40 Aurora Center, Quezon St., Baler, Aurora/0908-683-9334
4. Bayler View Restaurant - Bayler View's bestsellers: Seafood Soup, Seafood Sisig, Bayler Supreme Pizza, Bagoong Balayan Rice, Chocnut Turon, Ice Cream
   
   Bayler View is located at Bayler View Hotel, Buton St., Brgy. Sabang, Baler, Aurora/0919-286-3105
5. Kusina Luntian - Kusina Luntian bestsellers: Daing na Bangus Da, Adoy Chicken Adobo, Daing na Pusitive, Akaw Longganisa, Wapang Wapang na Liempo 
   
   Kusina Luntian is located along Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora/0916-178-9424
6. Fermina's Snackhouse - Fermina's Specialties: Lomi, Palabok, Chami, Puto Cake, Cassava Cake
   
   Fermina's Snackhouse is located at Zamora St. cor. Carrasco St., Brgy. 3 Baler, Aurora/0999-419-9287/0909-150-4813
7. Shane's Eatery - Shane's bestsellers: Beef Steak, Lechon Paksiw, Crispy Dinuguan, Sweet Adobo, Ginataang Yellow Fin
   
   Shane's Eatery is located at Brgy. 1, San Luis St., Baler, Aurora/0999-349-4542
8. Yellow Fin Bar and Grill - Yellow Fin bestsellers: Blue Marlin Steak, Grilled Yellow Fin, Inihaw na Pusit, Sisig, Grilled Chicken 
   
   Yellow Fin is located at Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora/0999-843-6176, 0939-924-5836
9. Foods Pa - Foods Pa bestsellers: Lomi, Beef Mami, Palabok, Puto Cake, Halo-halo
   
   Foods Pa is located at: Quezon St., Brgy. Suklayin, Baler, Aurora/0921-301-6655, 0912-209-0846
10. Ram's Tapsilog - Ram's bestsellers: Tapsilog, Beef Mami, Chicken Diablo, Hotsilog, Loangsilo, Tortasilog 
    
    Ram's Tapsilog is located at Angara St., Corner Mabini St., Baler Aurora/0928-945-3202

Budget/Expenses:

Bus Fare (round trip)                                                                           900
Accommodation (1500php per night)                                                   300
Surfing lesson (1 hour with instructor)                                                   350
Dicasalarin CoveTrip (1500 rent - van, 5 pax sharing)                          300
Dicasalarin Cove entrance fee                                                              100
Parking Fee at Dicasalarin Cove (50php for 5 pax sharing)                   10
Baler Day Tour (2 Tryke with tip = 1700, 5 pax sharing)                      340
Entrance fees/donations                                                                       100
Food                                                                                                   500
Pasalubong                                                                                          300
TOTAL                                                                                             3200 


So this summer 2014 try to visit BALER :)

HALER BALER - Day 2 (Surfing at Sabang Beach)

Haler Baler!

Your BALER experience wouldn't be complete if you didn't try SURFING! For our last few hours stay in Baler, our last activity is learn how to SURF!

At first I'm scared to do surfing because I cannot swim, but according to my research it's not necessary. And because it's just a beginners course, you will only surf on low part of the beach (with low waves too).

We are ready! ^_^

Along the beachfront you'll see "shop & surf lesson" and for 350php you'll have 1 hour surfing lesson experience. To my previous post, at Niña's Transient House they also offers surfing lesson (with the same price).

Sabang Beach

How to surf:

My instructor is Kuya Enrick, he first discuss the part of surf board: 

• Nose - The front tip of the surfboard
• Tail - The back part of the surfboard
• Rocker - The curve applied to the nose and tail
• Rail - The shape of the sides of the surfboard

After being familiar on the part of the board, next is how to surf or stand on the surf board. 

1. Wear your leash. Its already attached to the tail of the board. That way you can easily pull your board.
2. Lie on the board. In prone position or lying downward the board. A couple of inches between your feet and tail.
3. Hands on the rail. Have a hold on the rail.
4. Position. When your instructor says "Ready", position your both hands on the rail (your chest part) and your right leg ready to tuck.
5. Push up and stand. Push your self upward with some force to stand first with your right and then your left , with a bit distance.
6. Bent. To maintain your balance, keep your knees bent with your arms loose and extended.

Kuya Enrick shows first how to do it and then I tried too, seems pretty easy. 

Ready

Here we go!

Your instructor will guide you for 1 hour of surfing lesson. I thought its easy to surf, my first attempt........ FAILED! ^^

"Try and try until you succeed" this is my motto for the day ~hehehehe~

This is me nagging to Kuya Enrick ~hehehehe~ "Bakit di ako makatayo Kuya"

After several attempts, finally I did it! PROUD!!! :)

YES!!!!

Of course all of us did it, surfing is so fun! 

Yey Loser Toyei finally did it :)

Feeling like a PRO Nice :)

My dongsaeng with a sweet smile :)

Why so serious Mhay? :)

Happiness overload! 

We really enjoyed the 1 hour surfing experience here in Sabang Beach (Baler, Aurora). I never thought this could be so much fun. 

I LOVE BALER!

After an hour of surfing!

Thumb's Up :)

Kuya Enrick says "QUALITY" :)

I LOVE BALER! I LOVE SURFING! :) Baler is definitely perfect for your summer get away! I'll be back here the soonest if possible!

HALER BALER - Day 2 (Dicasalarin Cove)

Haler Baler!

Second day here in Baler! Our first stop for the day is Dicasalarin Cove, it was featured in "Kris TV", truly it is a PARADISE!

Wonderful Dicasalarin Cove

Dicasalarin Cove one of the amazing place in Baler, privately owned by the Angaras'. We hired a van going here that cost 1,500php. Entrance fee to the cove is 100php each, parking fee of 50php. 

Here's the video on our way to Dicasalarin Cove: 

map at Dicasalarin Place

Nipa Hut Cottages

our infamous jump shot!

And here is the beautiful Dicasalarin beach!

Time to explore the cove! On our way here we see the lighthouse, but we need to climb up, its pretty steep but I'm telling you now, its really worth the climb!

As we go up we are all amazed with the beautiful scenery, it is truly breathtaking! 

Picturesque Cove

The Lighthouse

Again our jump shot! ^^

Is this place safe? In my opinion it's not safe especially for children, take extra careful because there is no fences here, nor sign at the edge of this cliff. 

Buwis Buhay shot for the nth time

You don't wanna fall on this, right? 

 And this is me trying to be brave ^_^

SURVIVOR BALER

Artist Village

We were also curious about this "Artist Village", what's inside this place ? hmmmmm

That's it for Dicasalarin Cove, it's really a lovely place, too bad that we didn't have a chance to swim (maybe next visit). It's so nice here, Baler is such a good place for this summer vacation. I LOVE BALER!

Good bye Dicasalarin Cove