Baler 2016

My First Baler Trip (Summer 2016)

When people hear of Baler, immediately what comes to mind is surfing. But the place itself offers more than weekend waves, but relaxing and panoramic scenery.

A place to visit is Dicasalarin Cove. Probably an hour of boat ride from the town. It offers a small natural beach pool and breathtaking like cinematic cliff side views.

The cove or the beach is a nice place to relax and swim. The water is clear but not that pristine. The place itself is very secluded so you could enjoy some quiet time for yourself.

The way to the cliff is a short hike but well worth your effort. I forgot if it was a short hike that was tiring or a relaxing one.

More pictures around Dicasalarin Cove....

After taking some pictures, we went back down and swam a little bit and had lunch. It was then time to go back to Baler town.

Next day was for surfing. The instructor taught me the basics and helped me to surf the Baler waves. It was P400/hour that includes the board rental and the surfing lessons.

It was a whole morning of activities like surfing, swimming and of course eating. Next destination was the mother falls, Ditumabo Falls.

The way there was well worth it. The water was very cold just the perfect way to end your hike. The feel of the water was cool and refreshing. Quick photo ops and then back again to the parking lot. I must have slept but when I woke up we arrived at the famous Balete Tree. It was a big tree with multiple branches and networks that felt like a maze. It is said that the tree is about a few hundred years old. You could climb up the tree as well.

This was our last stop. I had fun even though it was just an overnight trip. I met some people and we all had fun together. Joining these kinds of trips takes away the stress of city living even if it was just a weekend trip. Sure it was very tiring but it was a good kind of tired.

You can join weekend trips like these by searching DIY TRAVEL Philippines. They have a Facebook group where you could join weekend getaways like this one.

This won't be my last trip and I'm looking forward to more weekend trips like this one.

Apo Reef (2014)

To end my 2014 travels, my last stop was Apo Reef. Located 3 hours by boat from Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro province, it is the second largest coral reef sanctuary in the world and the largest in the Philippines. It wasn't easy going there due to the 3 hour boat ride but totally worth it because of the blue waters and the pristine powder white sand of the Apo Reef island.

Upon arriving in San Jose, we went to the bus station that will take us to Sablayan. From there, we took a tricycle to Sablayan Tourism Office where they also arranged for the boat we would rent. Had lunch and bought other supplies and food for the night's dinner before taking our 3 hour boat ride to Apo Reef Island.

Official Welcome!

We're not the only ones in the island

Sunset view

We didn't swim though, we just explored the beach and the watch tower on the island.

Watch tower, view from below

View from above the scary stairs of the tower

Lagoon on the island

We headed back to the camp for dinner. It was almost nightfall by then when we got back. Day 1 was spent mostly on traveling to the island. Next day is a long day ahead of us, Island hopping!

I promise you that the sand is really white and powdery. 

Sunset...

Sunset hitting the beach...

Day 1: Manila - San Jose Mindoro: APO REEF
5:00 AM	NAIA 4, Check In
6:05 AM	ETD Manila
7:00 AM	ETA San Jose Mindoro
7:15 AM	Tricycle Airport to Filoil
8:00 AM	Bus San Jose to Sablayan
12:00 PM	Arrival at Sablayan Tourism Office
1:00 PM	Departure for Apo Reef
4:00 PM	Arrival at Apo Reef, register, set up Camp
6:00 PM	Departure for Lighthouse
6:40 PM	Arrival at campsite
7:00 PM	Dinner

Morning of our Day 2 was first spent on exploring the lagoon we saw yesterday. Mangrove trees surrounded the area. 

The way to the lagoon

Lagoon..too bad we couldn't stay longer

We spent less than an hour going to and exploring the lagoon and then going back to the beach. We encountered some "minor setbacks" that I would have loved to forget. If you're going to rent a boat, make sure the people in the boat that you are with don't have some psychological or egotistical issues. :) 

We left the island I guess around mid-morning to do some snorkeling and island hopping. 

Loner fish

Couples! 

Giant clams

Flowery-looking corals

Our last stop was Pandan Island. We checked-in late in the afternoon. The rooms were native and quite homey. I did some more swimming and some snorkeling...

Picture is not that clear but that is a Pawikan :)

Upper left you can somewhat discern a lion fish

Buffet dinner on the Pandan Island Resort was delish! Yeah, that's how I remembered it. Day 2 was very tiring and stressful because of some "minor inconveniences" but that didn't let it dampen my day. :)

Day 2: APO Reef
6:30 AM	Watch Sunrise/Breakfast
7:30 AM	Hike to lagoon
8:30 AM	Camp
9:00 AM	Snorkel, Dive
12:00 PM	Lunch
2:00 PM	Breakcamp
2:30 PM	Departure from Apo Reef
5:30 PM	Arrival at Pandan Island
	Check-in Pandan Island Resort

Third day was half day for chilling in Pandan Island and half day of travel to San Jose for next day's flight to Manila. 

Cloudy day then light showers :(

Pretty...

Last glimpse of the island's corals

Resident Parrot

It was about afternoon when we arrived in San Jose and checked-in to Sikatuna Beach Resort. It's also a short ride to San Jose airport. 

Sunset view from Sikatuna Beach Resort

Sunset view from Sikatuna Beach Resort

Desserts for the night!

Day 3: Pandan Island
6:00 AM	Breakfast
7:00 AM	Pandan Island, Sight Seeing
12:00 PM	Lunch
2:00 PM	Travel to Sablayan
2:30 PM	Tricycle to Bus Station
3:00 PM	Bus (Sablayan to San Jose)
6:00 PM	Tricycle to Accommodation
	Check in Accommodation
	Dinner

Day 4 is our last day and then back to work. :) 

Day 4: Manila Bound
5:45 AM	Check Out
6:30 AM	Check In Airport
7:40 AM	ETD San Jose Mindoro
8:30 AM	ETA Manila

Expenses: This is for a group of 6

Day 1	Per Group	Per Person
Tricycle from Airport to Bus Terminal (Another option to walk down main road to get standard tricycle about 10/person)		50
Bus/Van from San Jose to Sablayan		150
Boat to Apo Reef (two way)	8500	1416.67
Apo Reef entrance fee		225
Tent for three persons (2 tents)	600	100
Snorkel Set		150
Fins		100
Life vest (free of charge)
Apo Reef Guide (for 8 persons)	1000	166.67
food: 150/per meal * 3 = 450/person		450
-> lunch and dinner day 1, lunch day 2
Day 2:
Pandan Island Accommodation: 2 Budget Rooms @ 800/night	1600	266.67
Dinner buffet: Pandan Island Requirement for guests staying at least one night		470
Day 3:
Breakfast on Pandan Island		220
Lunch on Pandan Island		200
Transfer from Pandan Island to Sablayan	450	75
Tricycle to Sablayan Bus Terminal (30 for 3ppl)	60	10
Dimple Star bus to San Jose		150
San Jose terminal to hotel		15
Sikatuna Beach Hotel: 2 Twin Bed Rooms @ 1350/room and 2 extra beds @ 300/each	3300	550
Dinner		150
Day 4:
Transfer to airport: Free courtesy of resort
Approx Total:		5000

Lost in the mountains (2012)

One of my other Holy Week travels. Thank you for the holidays and long weekends. This time I got "lost" in the Mountain Province.

This is another one of the travel tours organized by Viajero. :) Their tours are affordable and it doesn't feel like a tour...more of one big barkada outing/adventure :)

Day 0:
We left on a night bus from Sampaloc, Manila bound for Banaue. We took the then operational Florida Bus. In fairness to their bus, sure it was kinda cramped but the air-con was just too cold...too cold. We mostly slept on the way and with some bathroom breaks along the way.

Day 1:
I think we left around 9:30 PM and arrived Banaue around 6:00 AM

We had breakfast and then hopped on a private jeep going to Batad. Batad is just one of the villages in the Mountain Province which have the rice terraces. Now this is where you'll see postcard worthy scenery of the famous Philippine Rice Terraces.

It's not easy to get here..no it's not. From the Saddle Point (drop off point of vehicles) it's about a 2 hour walk or 1.5 hour walk if you're fast going to the Tourism Office. From there I think it's another hour going down to the heart of the Rice Terraces. It's pretty scary to go down because there are rocks and if you fall I think you might break a few bones or you'll fall into one of the many rice paddies. Hell, even grandmothers are laughing at us city kids as going up and down the Rice Terraces is like going up and down a regular staircase.

And after the walking/hiking/stair climbing/workout we've reached the house :)

Inside the house, bf by the window...so dark!

Day 1 was a lot of work, lots of walking/trekking/scary-moments-going-down and etc. But the view, when you see the actual view. It's all worth the pain :) Reality hit us that we would be going up the same way the next day. T_T The owners of the houses we stayed in cooked for us. We had traditional Tinola (Chicken soup) and man...the chicken was also traditional...very chewy. :) Also, had their rice wine...strong..not too bad..one way of falling asleep. :)

Day 2:
We woke up early since next spot for the Mountain Province tour was Sagada.

We arrived around mid-morning (I think) in Sagada. It was raining and combined with the climate....cold...T_T was just cold...

After settling our stuff in our hostel, weather became warmer and we were able to explore the park behind the main church, Echo Valley. Please see pictures below.

The trees of Echo Valley

More pine trees

Jagged stones

 It was around afternoon when we would be going to Sumaguing Cave for some caving/spelunking.

We took the shorter caving experience. Going down the cave was kinda scary because you have to watch where you are going, watch out for rocks or where you're stepping. I fell on my arm...so you really need to be careful and listen to your guide. :)

Entrance to Sumaguing Cave

Our guide showing me where to step

Quick picture!

Squeezing my way into the nook and crannies of the cave

After spelunking, we headed back to our hostel to wash up and then walked around Sagada for our dinner. :) We ate at this Igorot Hotel/Hostel where they served up buffet that costs less than P200. Sweet!!! End of Day 2.

Day 3:
I think we were supposed to go to the falls but we were just too tired from the spelunking the day before. Whole body hurts. :( So in the morning, we went walking around Sagada, bought some pasalubong and then we were off to Bontoc for the festival :)

Bontoc Festival

Stop over at Banaue Rice Terraces

My background is the Rice Terraces background that can be found on the 1000 Peso Bill

It was night time that we left for Manila via Bus. We arrived around 6AM in Manila. Right now, there are private van tours and other group tours that offer Sagada-Batad trips. No need to ride the bus and no need to wait. Van tours may be cramped but at least you can go with your friends and no constraints for following bus schedules and renting out jeeps.