DAY 2: August 25, 2013 (Sunday)
Waking up at 4:00 AM via my cellphone alarm, I then prepared myself to attend the 6:00 AM Holy Mass at the Baler San Luis Obispo Church.
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| Baler San Luis Obispo Church |
This is a historic church constructed from stone and brick. Originally constructed in 1611, the church is dedicated to San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and is known as the site of the Siege of Baler, which took place from 1898-1899 shortly following the end of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. The current church was built in 1939 but authentic original details may be seen inside, including the old bell, La Campana de Baler. There are markers that indicate the locations where events connected with the Siege of Baler took place.
After the Mass, we went to the Sabang Beach area to eat breakfast at the Bay-ler View Restaurant. Most of the breakfast meals were worth Php 120.00, and I ordered Tapsilog. By the way, beef in Baler is very tasty!
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| Tapsilog @ Bay-ler View Restaurant |
With stomachs already full at the start of day, most of the gang went straight to the beach proper to finally experience what Baler really offers…SURFING!
Along the shore, with several surf schools nestled side by side, they “hired” the Panatag Surf School to be the ones to teach them how to perform this most famous activity here in Baler.
Since this was their first time to surf, it was but natural that they would encounter several falls from the surfboard before they finally mastered the correct balance. Alas, most of them were successful in the end, which they were able to stand on the surfboard, while the rest just could perform it standing on their knees.
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| Yup...a new form of surfing! |
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| Good surfing posture! |
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| The best surfing posture! |
Surfing lesson rate was Php 350.00 per hour, inclusive of trainer fee and board rental. Board rentals alone cost Php 200.00.
All I could say was that, they super duper enjoyed the experience!
After that unforgettable undertaking, we went back to AMCO to freshen up and check-out, and then we proceeded towards the famous Gerry Shan’s Place for lunch.
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| Gerry Shan's Place |
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| The Php 185.00 meal was worth it! |
The owner, Chef Shan Gao, originally from China, came to Manila in 2000, and to Baler a year after, where he ended up opening his own restaurant in 2005.
This venue is well-known as an eat-all-you-can restaurant with free drinks for an affordable price of only Php 185.00. There were loads of choices and the food tasted great!
As we left our lunch venue, before we formally departed from the town of Baler, we decided to drop by at the Baler Pasalubong Center, located at the back of the Baler Public Market, to buy shirts, ref magnets, and the like.
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| Baler Pasalubong Center |
Next on our itinerary was the trip to the Ditumabo Falls, also called the Mother Falls, situated in San Luis, Aurora, the largest waterfall in the province of Aurora.
When we arrived at the jump-off site to the falls at past 2:00 PM, we were given the option if we would be trekking to the said site on our own, which would take around 2 hours, or avail of a tricycle to take us nearer to our target site, which would only entail us to trek for less than 30 minutes (1.3 kilometers). Obviously, we chose the second option haha.
The driver told us that his fee was Php 100.00 per head for a 2-way trip, and if we want him to be our guide, just add an amount na lang daw.
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| Tricycle Ride |
Alighting from the tricycle at another jump-off point, we crossed a long bamboo bridge, registered ourselves in a small hut, and started walking towards our “dream” destination.
The trail had loads of nature written all over it.
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| A trail of nature! |
Due to the “ingenuity” of some folks around the trail, they constructed bamboo bridges for tourists who would not want to do water crossings with a fee of only Php 2.00 (2-way).
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| Bamboo Bridge |
The hardest part of the trail was the large water crossing portion, wherein in order to cross the other side, you would be trudging on knee-deep level of water, coupled with slippery stones along the way, which could inflict foot injuries. The tricycle drivers, our guides, greatly assisted us during this part.
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| Water Crossing |
After that arduous undertaking, we saw a baby waterfall, and after a few minutes, lo and behold, right before our very eyes was the spectacular view of the Ditumabo Falls. It was majestic indeed!
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| Ditumabo Falls |
When we arrived back at the parking area, each one paid their drivers and with additional tips to boot.
We then sped off to the last destination of our entire trip, which was the old balete tree, found in the Balete Park, at Quirino, Aurora.
Before you enter the said park, there is a donation box at the entrance, wherein you can give any amount, which would be used for the maintenance of the place.
The park contains a 600-year-old balete tree that was designated the official “Millennium Tree” of The Philippines. It is the largest tree of its kind in Asia, and it would take 60 grown men, holding one another at arm’s length, to encircle its gigantic trunk.
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| Millennium Tree |
Due to its age, the tree’s thick roots have grown above ground, such that caves have formed under various sections of the trunk. This unique tree has generated national media attention and is now the most visited tourist spot in Aurora.
After several wacky shots within the area, we bade goodbye to the province of Aurora.
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| Wackiness on the Balete Tree! |
Yes, Baler was really a wonderful place to visit especially for water activity enthusiasts and nature lovers as well. In addition, nature photographers would definitely have a field day once they experience this popular place in Aurora.
For those who have not been to this area in Eastern Luzon, a 6-hour trip from Manila is definitely worth it.
Big thanks to the following who made this trip a success:
- Ed Amparado
- Grace Dela Vega
- Glea Bautista
- Aiza Macabitas
- Ginger Opulencia
- Diony Palis
- Maurice Reyes
