Food and Travel Guide: January 2015

It wasn't my first time to go to Baler. I was there last November of 2013. I decided to go back there because the waves were calling.

My boyfriend and I started planning the trip early January of 2015. We wanted to make a reservation at Aliya Surf Camp. One of the most popular resorts there in Baler. Unfortunately, the resort only accepts not less than a 2 week notice with down-payment prior to the date of your reservation. The time we had left came short, we were planning to be there in January 17 which is less than 2 weeks already.

We decided to just go to Baler without any reservation and just find a place to stay in once we get there.

For the transportation, since we don't have our own vehicle we took a bus to get there. The only bus line travelling directly to Baler is Genesis in Cubao, Quezon City.

Genesis' trip to Baler starts at 12:00 AM - ends at 3:00 AM via their executive buses called Joy Bus. The fare ranges from 635php - 800php. You can make reservations online through Genesis' website.

Regular aircon bus trips starts at 4AM - last trip is 7:30 AM. Fare to Baler is 450php per person. No reservation is allowed, strictly following the first come first serve basis.

Don't worry! If you weren't able to catch any Genesis bus to Baler, you can take a bus to Cabanatuan (Could be Five Star, Baliwag, etc.). Once in Cabanatuan, there are UV express vans and Aurora Buses there that'll also take you to Baler.

Going back to my travel story.. my boyfriend and I took the 7:00 AM trip of Genesis bus line in Cubao to Baler. The bus was neat and kinda new. Don't forget to bring your jacket because the air-con bus was freezing.

After 2 hours on the road, we made our first stop over at Nonglene Fast Food / Restaurant / Pasalubong Center.

I would suggest that you take a full meal prior to on boarding the bus or bring food since the stop over has 2 hours interval.

The bus will also stop by The Cabanatuan Bus Terminal where there's 711 and a small store after that where you can buy tupig, BBQs, hotodgs, and pasalubong. That was my favorite stop over. ;-)

We arrived in Baler at around 2:00 PM. A total of 7 hours land travel from manila.

There were a lot of tricycles waiting for passengers from the bus. The drivers will offer you a ride wherever and tour packages too! They were very nice, honest, and polite. A tricycle ride from the bus terminal to Sabang beach costs 15php per person.

We headed to the beach and tried finding a place to stay in for the night. As much as we wanted to stay somewhere fronting the beach, they were fully booked. T'was a long weekend because of the Pope's visit. Thus, I advise that you make a reservation prior to going there when you know it's within a peak season or a holiday.

We found ourselves in Mr. BENIGNO's transient house. It was about 3-5 minutes walk from Sabang Beach of Baler. With clean air-con, bed, bathroom, and balcony it wasn't bad at all. There were sari sari stores nearby too. The place costs 1,500php per night (pwede ka tumawad, 1,300php lang binayad namin).

After settling our stuff and resting for a couple of minutes, we headed to the beach and took photos. The waves were approximately 4 to 5 ft. high and t'was high tide. The waves were already touching the wall gates of the resorts there along the beach.

The wind blowing was so cold that I had to continue wearing a hoodie (o baka lamigin lang ako?). Because it was high tide and the waves were scary, we decided not to surf that afternoon. Yes, I was scared though it was my second time there in Baler and I know the waves are really that high. This is because I don't know how to swim and it's gonna be the first time I'll surf, ever..

At 6 PM we headed to the city proper to have dinner. There's a famous eat-all-you-can and drink-all-you-can place there called "Gerry Shan's". They serve various Filipino delicacies and desserts. We paid 199php per person and followed their house rules; 1. No sharing 2. No left over

Aidan, so happy and hungry. :)

After our dinner, we headed back to our place and rested for the night.

In the morning, we decided to go for the beach again while the tide is low and the waves aren't that scary. All suited up for the main event which is surfing.

The tricycle driver who helped us find a place to stay in also happens to be a surfing instructor and tour guide. He was a very nice guy (want his number? Send me a message!) We signed up at Micheal's Surf Shop (where the tricycle driver, tour guide, and surfing instructor works). 350php for 1 hour board rental and with surfing lesson with kuya tricycle driver, tour guide, and surfing instructor.

Rode the waves of Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora 3 times and me was already shouting, screaming, and cursing "Ayoko na po balik n'yo na ko!!!!" I almost cried. Hahaha. I had to ask my boyfriend to take my place instead. He managed to surf gracefully. As in with all the proper balance and standing. He enjoyed it. Photo's? None. Girlfriend too upset and had to light a cigarette. :-P

It was fun, YES! Maybe surfing isn't just really for me.. Or maybe, kulang pa ako sa lakas ng loob. I was so afraid since I didn't know how to swim at nakaka stress po mahampas ng alon sa mukha. Haha. But don't let me discourage you! Go surf! Go to Baler! :-)

After the surfing experience and some swimming, we went back to our place. Cleaned up, took a bath, and packed our stuff ready to leave.

Manong Benigno managed to get us a tricycle to take us to Genesis bus line to reserve a seat. unfortunately, they were fully booked. We decided to have lunch at Gerry Shan's again. After our heavy lunch, we went to the City's terminal Where you can also find their PASALUBONG Center! :)

After buying some goodies for our loved ones, we walked towards the terminal and we rode an Aurora Bus heading to Cabanatuan at 1:00 PM , 247php per person.

In Cabanatuan Bus Terminal, we took a 5 Start Bus to Pasay. 196php per person.

We arrived in Manila around 10:00 PM. A total of 9 hours land travel.

Such a nice and tiring trip to Baler! i had so much much much fun!

Just an additional information, if you're in Baler and you have morning to kill.. You might want to try their tour packages ranging from 700 - 900php.

Tour package includes the following sites to visit: