Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Baler

Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Baler

By:  IE Sindayen

Whether you're looking for a sweet swift trip or a long vacation, Baler is definitely a destination to consider for a lot of reasons. Let me tell you the top 10 reasons why (in no particular order.)

One. Accessibility

Going to Baler is one easy 6-hour JoyBus ride.

JoyBus is the deluxe bus line from Genesis. The terminal is located in Cubao among the rows of bus lines along EDSA. These deluxe buses have lazy boy chairs with recliners, a washroom cubicle, sit 10 people, cost Php730.00 per ride and leave at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 in the morning.

They have semi-deluxe buses too with normal airconditioned bus chairs and a washroom cubicle. These semi-deluxe buses cost Php650 per seat and leave at 1:00 and 5:30 in the morning.

Both deluxe and semi-deluxe ride services will provide you a wool blanket to keep you comfy through the cool ride and give you biscuits and water so you can have a snack before you sleep - yes, we all know we're gonna sleep.

If you opt for a cheaper travel option, Genesis has regular buses going to Baler for Php450 that will get you to the destination in about 8 hours. The time of departure is unsure though. If you don't chance up on the regular Genesis ride, don't despair. Just a 2-minute walk from the Genesis bus terminal in Cubao, you'll be able to find FiveStar which has buses leaving for Cabanatuan regularly. Walk going south on the northbound lane. Ride costs less than Php200.00 and will take four hours to get to Cabanatuan. From Cabanatuan market, you may take a van to Baler for a 4-hour ride that costa only around Php200.00.

It takes a 15-peso tryke ride from the bus station to get to Sabang beach - and almost anywhere else in Baler.

You can even book a tour by tricycle for yourself and two of your friends - which brings us to the next item on this list:

Two. The 800-peso tricycle tour for three

Tours in Baler do not cost a fortune. It's an 800-peso tryke ride for three - provided that the three of you can fit in one tricycle, that is.

This includes a ride to the Museo de Baler, Dona Aurora House, Baler Church and Baler Municipal Hall -which is around the same area and are walking distance from each other.

If you're like me though and would want to spend more time at these spots than socially normal, (yes, i want to hear my people say "aye!") you have the option to visit these places on your own by going on a 15-peso tryke ride to the museum and walking to the other spots nearby.

The hanging bridge is a few kilometers from the municipal hall - I suggest you take the tour for this, as well as for the Balete Tree, Ermita Hill, Ditumabo Falls (what they call: Mother Falls,) Diguisit Falls and Islets. These spots are not in close proximity of each other and a tryke ride will definitely make things very convenient. It also ensures that we support the local economy.

Each spot is a reason on its own on why you should visit Baler yet after going to all those spots, know that Baler offers more.

Let  me tell you about what I bought at the stores near the Balete Tree which is comprises the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th reasons why you should visit Baler.

Three. Bignay Aurora Wine

I bought my first Bignay bottle near the stores by the Balete Tree but it is available at the Baler Market at a lower price.

I got the Wineberry Bignay Aurora Red Wine. It’s sweet and crisp and doesn’t get you over-the-top drunk. It’s perfect for chilling around on a cold Baler night by your hotel or by the beach.

It’s a good idea to bring a bottle or two home for family or friends to drink after dinner using your favorite goblets too.

Four. Food.

The pacumbo made and sold near the Balete Tree should not be missed. The pacumbo is made of sweetened fried strands of coconut flesh. They have this packed too if you want to bring it as pasalubong. We bought ours freshly fried and it was delicious; a sweet and soft tryke ride treat. It’s dirt cheap too at ten pesos a piece.

When you talk about dirt cheap dining at Baler, it will be fail not to mention the buffet at the Picnic Bay. Entry to the buffet costs Php200.00 per person inclusive of a pitcher of juice or iced tea and a variety of dishes which includes beef caldereta, beef stroganoff, pata tim, nilagang baboy, calamares, sinigang na isda and dessert like leche flan and cassava cake to name a few.

Picnic Bay is by the beach but is far from the beach break. The owners also operate near the market at Gerry Shan’s Place. Tricycle drivers are familiar with both locations so you can take a tryke going to either.

If you’re hungry but you refuse to leave the beach break area, a few restaurants at the beach break have ventured into offering buffet meals as well - but I haven’t been in one that’s worth mentioning so feel free to comment below if you’ve been to one you recommend.

After your buffet lunch, you’ll probably have enough until nightfall. So let’s skip to the light breakfast.  A great morning treat is the Suman de Baler or the purple suman. It is sold by peddlers near the beach, at the market and at the terminals too. This is another must try and is perfect for pasalubong It is made with purple rice grown locally and makes for a good meal paired with coffee.

A freshly made batch of Suman De Baler can last up to five days and makes for good pasalubong – which brings us to number five.

Five. Pasalubong

I’m not really the key chain, ref magnet and location shirt pasalubong-giver since I feel that these are more for people who have been to the place than for people who haven’t. Like a key chain from Baler with your house keys will mean ‘Baler’ you while a key chain from Baler with your friend’s house keys will mean ‘something from you’ to them.

We can agree to disagree on that of course and Baler does offer a variety of key chains, ref magnets and location shirts for your personal and pasalubong needs.

I opt to bring food as pasalubong and by now, I’ve mentioned three: the Bignay wine, pacumbo and the Suman De Baler but it doesn’t end there. Among the other favourites are: toasted pastillas, peanut butter, coco jam and tablea.

But hold on, we’re not leaving yet! Enough with the touristy stuff and let’s head to the heart of the matter. The beaches.

Six. Dicasalarin Cove.

This is a secret. The Dicasalarin Cove is a reason on its own to go to Baler but not everyone who goes to Baler knows about it possibly because it is not as accessible as the other destinations and going there may be quite pricey.

There are two options on how to get to Dicasalarin Cove; one is by sea and, the other, by land. By sea, it will cost you Php2000 for a boat that can handle up to four passengers. The ride will take about 30 minutes and will give you a good view of Baler coast.

By land, you'll either need around P2500 for a van or around P1200 for a tricycle plus P150 each for a habal ride for each passenger. (We rode a tryke going to the entrance and rented single motorcycles for the road from the gate to the cove.)

Prepare Php300 for the fee to enter the Dicasalarin Cove. And if you’re going by land, make sure that you prepare lots of guts as well.  Yes... Definitely, lots of guts.

The road to Dicasalarin Cove are steep – and I mean, steep – upward and downward slopes. If you’ll be riding habal like us, prepare to need to stop yourself from squeezing the driver too hard.

If you don’t like the idea of the ride as much as I did though, know that when you get to the beach, you’ll find that the ride, and all the expenses, was all worth it.

Dicasalarin Cove is a secluded white sand beach with clear blue waters and an art centre, a lighthouse and a cave nearby.

Going up to the lighthouse may be another challenge but the view of Dicasalarin Cove and neighbouring beaches will make every step of the ascend through the man-made paved stairs leading up the hill very much worthwhile.

After the ascend, travellers must descend through the same stairs - best to head to the cave under the hill to soak in the cool water before heading back for a swim at the beach.

Bring lunch and drinks as refreshments at the restaurant at the cove are quite pricey – as expected.  And don’t forget your sunblock, shades and sarong.

Make sure you allot one whole day for the Dicasalarin Cove. It might not be a good idea to stay until nightfall because of the roads but it’s a worse idea to leave before you should.

Now, that you’ve learned about the secret, let’s head back to where all things Baler started.
               

Seven. The Sabang Beach.

The Sabang  beach should always be the first stop when you get to Baler so that you can hear the waves say: “Welcome to Baler.”

The water and dark sand at Sabang Beach are clear and moss-free and is great for a morning jog or afternoon walks. If you’re not into jogging or walking on sand however, the Sabang beach break offers a paved road for joggers, strollers, sight-seers and people-watchers.  You’ll see a lot of restaurants where you can eat your meals by the beach too. As with most destinations, weekdays offer more peace and space than weekends.

Most times, the waves come fast and crash over each other as though they’re angry but take it as though the waves are just frantic to see you.

They may be kind of scary at first but you’ll find out that the waves are your friends through number seven.

Eight. Surfing.

Baler has gotten famous for the surfing. You may visit Baler from October to February to catch the better waves. Other months, you can still surf but may need to wait a long time for fat waves to come.

Fat waves are those waves that can offer you a sweet ride to the shore and if you’re a surfing newbie, you’ll need a good instructor to find those fat waves for you.

There will be a dozen surfers and non-surfers that will offer you surfing lessons at Sabang for Php300-400 an hour. For newbies like me, know that it’s best to get the surfer – they’ll know to choose the right waves.

How do you know if your guy is a surfer? At first look, you won’t be able to. It’s a quite difficult guessing game. So, top tip, if you get a surfer instructor, save his number – you might want to text him before your next visit to check if the waves are great and might also be handy if you have friends or family going to Baler who wouldn’t want to go for the guessing game.

If you don’t want to go for the guessing game yourself, just leave a comment and I’ll email you my instructor’s number.

Now, after all the adventure, you’ll want to spend a relaxing evening at a hotel of your choice – which brings us to number nine.

Nine. Accommodations.

Baler has accommodations for every mood and budget; from simple hotel rooms to the extravagant resort hotels.

Most accommodations are located near the Sabang beach break and a typical air-conditioned room for two in Baler costs around Php1500-3000.00 depending on proximity to the beach and, yes, I noticed, hotel design and structure.

The extravagant beachfront Costa Pacifica with its two outdoor pools offers a Pacifica Room with a view of the Sabang beach through their floor-to-ceiling glass windows and can accommodate 3 adults for around Php8000.oo.

Being a solo traveller to Baler most times, I prefer to stay at Baler Pleasant Valley Guesthouse. It is quite far from Sabang beach break and is about 100 meters from the beach but does provide the quiet and comfort of a vacation in the province with its pool and hammocks.

They have a range of accommodations perfect for any group size. For the solo traveller, they offer the small kubo as well which is only at Php800.00. If you’re travelling with one friend and are on a budget, you may opt to share this too. If you’re doing fine on the budget, you may opt for other bigger rooms. The largest they have can accommodate as four people for Php2000.00.

All rooms are air-conditioned and have ceiling fans on the porch where you can hang out, people watch or wait for the owner’s dog to come to play.

The owner and the caretaker of the resort are kind too. But I haven’t really encountered anyone rude in Baler, and that’s number ten.

Ten. The People

The people of Baler are generally amazing. From the tricycle drivers, to resort staff, to people you meet on the street and yes, down to travellers - because you’ll stick out like a sore thumb if you act unbecoming in Baler.

The locals don’t have the tendency to overprice so travellers don’t need to worry about needing to haggle for costs. Travellers don’t feel the need to be aggressive or on guard.

Seriously, the environment will inspire you to be kind. Staying in Baler will make you let go of your aggressive metro-ways and bring back your faith in humanity, I tell you. (Just make sure that you keep the kindness but restore your guard when you get back to the Metro.)

Also, there is no local dialect so everyone converses in Tagalog. To me, that’s a plus since I don’t stick out like a sore thumb talking in Tagalog with the locals.  I feel more at home; I feel like I belong – and the people will definitely make you feel that you do.

That rounds up my “top ten reasons why you should visit Baler” and you know what? I’ll give you an eleventh: Knowing that you'll always want to come back.

So after that rundown of reasons, it’s time to realize that, if you haven't visited Baler, the question is not why you should visit Baler. The real question is: Why haven't you?

See you there!

Zola - Gone Salty?

I've been to a Baguio a few times and I've always made it a point to go to Zola.

The first time I went to Baguio, Zola was still a small dark ground floor restaurant on session road. Now, it's located on the second floor and is significantly bigger and better lit.

I've always ordered their Baby Back Ribs. Can't remember if it is the same price as before but my pocket does feel like it is. It's at Php199 today.

I was with a couple of friends in Baguio last weekend and we were looking for places to eat. I mentioned Zola and went to their facebook page to score a few photos to show my friends. Unfortunately, what I chanced upon were a few bad reviews on their page about the quality of food and, what's this? Racism.

Apparently, there is a ban on black tourists from dining at the establishment.

I went to Zola to get word from the source.

I ordered the usual Baby Back Ribs to-go and asked the waiter what was the news about the ban about.

The crew didn't know about it and said it's not true. But when he asked the other waiters, he found out that there IS a ban.

He mentioned that the ban was caused by multiple instances when drunk black guys got involved in brawls inside the establishment.

I asked what would happen if I had a black guest. The waiter was comforting and said it will depend on who was guarding and I have the option to look for him and just vouch for my guest's good behavior. He sounded reassuring.

I went back to the hotel with my to-go ribs and as I started eating, I thought about solo black foreigners who have no Filipino friends to vouch for their good behavior.

And then, I noticed the ribs. It was about the size of my palm rubbed down by sauce. The texture was noticeably inconsistent with most parts less tender than I prefer.

For the taste, the ribs definitely had that tinge of spice that I like. Unfortunately, however, the rib seemed to have been overwhelmed by salt and was, similar to the establishment's relations with black guests, too salty for my taste.

Cafe in The Sky - Baguio

Happy New Year, everyone :)

Let's start 2017 and this blog with a piece from a place near the heavens.

Tagged as a place "where heaven meets Earth," Cafe in the Sky is - as expected - definitely dreamy.

Set on the mountains of Santo Tomas, getting to the cafe is an upward ascend where private vehicles are not allowed.

We coordinated with the cafe directly beforehand and was picked up at 5:45AM and were at the cafe about 10-15 minutes later, greeted by clouds and a view of the city sleeping below.

I'm used to traveling solo but this would be one of the places I wouldn't want to go to alone for the first time. Maybe on the 2nd or 3rd, if I can contain my emotions then. The view was so spectacular, I wanted to hug someone.

If you plan to go solo though, I think the Ate's and Kuya's at the restaurant may agree to a hug. If they won't, as a last resort: bring an extra jacket, put it on the chair next to you and hug it - by then, the crew will probably oblige to a hug.

Fear not - noone will judge you because there will probably be noone else there. - Yes, I don't even know whether to be sad or happy about it.

I was with two friends. We stayed at the Cafe from 6 o'clock to 10 o'clock in the morning and we only saw two other customers visit the cafe.

The cafe boasts a view of the whole of Baguio save for really cloudy days. On our trip, it wasn't that cloudy. We saw how the sun shines on the land. Would love to go back for a chance to be there on a day when the view of the land below is covered by clouds - I promise not to attempt to walk on the clouds.

Cloud-covered or not, the temperature on that 6 o'clock January morning was at 18°C and gusts of wind definitely had me thanking the shopper in me for getting such a trustworthy hoodie.

We ordered hot coffee and later hot milk but both got cold after a few selfies because of the weather.

The cafe serves coffee, fresh milk, nachos, burgers and rice meals. Don't leave without trying the hot milk - absolutely creamy and definitely not something you'll find anywhere else.

Cost is a notch lower than Manila prices. For caramel macchiato, hot milk and onion rings for three, our bill was only at less than Php900.

It's nice to have the place to ourselves but it's sad to see too few people in such a wondrous place.

Apparently, a lot of people thought that the cafe is already closed because of the tourist ban on Sitio Pungayan - also known as ABSCBN's Forevermore Series fictional town: La Presa - which is a few kilometers up from the cafe.

The tourist ban that was enforced in December 2015, however, does not only cover Sitio Pungayan but the whole Sto Tomas forest reserve. The ban is more concerned about illegal mountainside farmers clearing land to plant and sell "La Presa vegatables" than people who want to drink coffee at dreamy cafes.

Just the same, it's good to know that a checkpoint was established to control the number of visitors and ensure that it is within the location's carrying capacity and you will not be allowed to bring your private vehicle to the cafe - no matter how much effort you put in driving up the mountain.

So leave your vehicle parked in the city and be sure to coordinate with Cafe in the Sky directly to ensure that you get to where heaven meets Earth.

I'll just leave this link and info here:
https://m.facebook.com/cafeinthesky.radar?pnref=lhc.recent
Transpo from junction: P800 (max 4pax)