Haller Baler: sun, sand, surf, & shoot

I'm a certified beach lover but most of the time, I prefer calm and serene oceans than those full of strong waves. I don't usually admit it but sometimes I still shiver whenever I hear the waves crashing on the shore or  worse, the seawall.

My friends who were surfing enthusiasts would tell me that the bigger the waves are, the better -- of course, they would say that, they are surfers after all! My views changed when I tried surfing in San Juan, La Union.

READ: Surf's Up in San Juan, La Union

I tried to ride once again when we went to Bagasbas Beach, Daet, Camarines Norte. It was indeed a fun experience to ride the waves even if it entails sore muscles and bruises all over your body -- it was all worth it.

READ: Discovering Calaguas

That's why I was giddy with excitement when our friends invited us for a trip to Baler during one long weekend. By this time, Baler was already known for its surfing spots, especially Sabang Beach, but aside from that, the place boasts of other tourist spots such as rock formations, waterfalls, etc.

Day 0

It was my second time in Baler as we were there for a short but sweet stay for Marv's birthday in September but this time around, we'll be staying longer and for pure leisure.

Marv & I met lovebirds, Dinno and Dana, at McDo Quezon Ave MRT at 11:30AM, had lunch first before starting our travel. From NLEx, you take the Sta. Rita / Plaridel Exit and pass by Baliuag, Gapan, until you reach Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. From Cabanatuan, there are 2 ways how to reach Baler: 1) Bongabon Road 2) Pantabangan Road

Now, we were quite aware that Baler is also known for its super winding roads. From Jollibee Cabanatuan, the first Baler sign you'll see tells you to take a right turn -- this will lead you to Bongabon Road. Bongabon Road is much shorter but it's still under construction so expect extreme rough roads, bridges that have yet to be fixed, etc. I don't advice that you take this route during rainy days because of possible landslides or getting your car stuck in mud. Don't get me wrong, we've drove to so many rough roads before and this one really surprised me when we passed by during September, especially since we were only using an SUV as we don't own a 4x4. But those seeking for adventure or those coming from Dingalan, NE may opt to take this route -- or wait for construction to be finished hehe.

Bongabon Road

Bongabon Road

On the other hand, you can reach Pantabangan Road if you drive straight from McDonald's Cabanatuan to Talavera. Pantabangan is the usual route taken by cars and public buses going to Baler. Of course, it also has Baler's signature winding roads but has less rough roads compared to Bongabon. The longer drive won't bore you because of the different views you will see: mountains, rice fields, forests, lake, etc.

Our trip going to Baler took us 7 hours because of all our stopovers and because we had to drive slower since we were scared of falling of a cliff (see for yourself haha). All hotels / inns / lodges / transients in Sabang Beach were fully-booked because it was a long weekend. After having dinner at Bay's Inn  Restaurant (reco: Buttered Chicken), we were lucky to stumble upon a clean & cozy lodge right beside Baler Public Market in Brgy. Suklayin -- Moreno Lodge.

Before going to sleep that night, we contacted beach front inns/lodges/hotels in Sabang and luckily we were able to book a room in Desiree's Lodge/Transient (contact details at the end of this post). We'll be leaving Moreno Lodge and will be transferring to Desiree's the next day.

Day 1

Travelling with photographers (Dinno and Dana) only meant two things: 1) We'll be seeing awesome landscape shots and 2) we had to wake up really early to catch the sunrise

We left the lodge at 3AM to get to Aniao Beach, known for its gorgeous rock formations. While all of them set up their gear, I killed time by lying on the sand and gazing at the stars above. The soft sound of the waves and peaceful surroundings allowed me to reflect on everything happening in life (hahaha dramarama sa madaling araw).

I'd like to share you some photos taken during this time:

Photo by M

Morning Glory!

Photo by Dinno Sandoval
More of his amazing shots: Dinno's Flickr

We left Aniao Beach at around 7:30AM and looked for a carinderia for our breakfast. You see, we're no luxury travelers. Unlike other travelers, almost all of our trips are strictly done on a budget; hence, eating at carinderias / eateries, sleeping in homestays / lodges are not new to us.

We recommend a carinderia just across LBC Baler -- it offers "Swakto" Meals: viand + rice for PHP 25-35 & Combo Meals: 2 viands + rice for PHP 65. You can even ask for hot water if you're like me who always brings sachets of coffee or tea.

After breakfast, we checked out of Moreno's Lodge and went to Desiree's. Myra, the manager/caretaker, greeted us and told us that check-in time's 1:00 PM. Desiree's shouldn't be compared to bigger hotels like Bay's Inn and Bay-ler Hotel. It was a lodge/transient. Big groups can rent a whole house with its own kitchen, LPG, common area, restroom, and 3 rooms for PHP 5,000.

Has a sari-sari store -- buy toiletries, junkfood, booze, snacks

Common Area

Kitchen for those who opt to cook (especially those in big groups)

Common Area

They also offer rooms

Front House's rooftop for socials

Has the warmest and most accommodating staff / caretakers 

If you're going to Baler and is not quite picky with accommodations, I highly recommend that you stay at Desiree's. Very warm & accommodating staff (especially Myra) & they also give free toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, soap) and coffee for each person every night. They'll let you borrow utensils, hangers, etc -- such a homey place. And they also have WiFi, parking, and 24-hour security.

We decided to leave our stuff in the car, change into our rashguards and board shorts and start surfing! Since it was a long weekend, there were many booths for board rentals and surfing lessons at the beach area. We've chosen Charlie Does because of the positive reviews we read in the internet. Board rental was PHP200/hour and surfing instructor / lesson costs PHP150/hour.

My knees became numb when I saw how big the waves in Baler were, especially since we went there in November. What made it more challenging was that I could not admit that I felt nervous since one of my friends might get scared too and decide to back out. The four of us decided that we will not surf all at the same time since it was a good idea that there will be two who will watch over our cameras, wallets, etc. Because I was nervous, I forced Dinno and Marv to go first.

Waves in Baler are larger than what we've experienced in La Union and Daet. Charlie Does instructors will teach you how to stand up on your board as well as know what kind of wave to ride. I had to hold on to the board as tightly as I could or else I'd get thrown off every time a wave came.

By 3PM, all four of us were suffering from sore muscles and had a collection of bruises all over our bodies. But body pain never felt that good! Freshened up, had lunch at another carinderia, and then ended the night by having a few drinks by the shore (Desiree's has cottages beside the seashore). Good times!

Day 2

This was our last day in Baler. Dinno, Dana, and Marv woke up at 4AM for their sunrise shoot while I slept until 6:30AM.

Photo by Dinno Sandoval

Photo by Dana Mengote
So proud of my friend. View her other photos here: Dana's Flickr

I took a walk by the beach. It was such a pleasant sight -- some were doing their morning exercises, kids were playing by the sand, some were playing disc by the shore, and professional surfers were already riding the waves.

We had breakfast at Ram's Tapsilog -- it's known for its delicious tapsilog. What makes it different from other tapsilog meals? Tapa was so soft and perfectly cooked; definitely a must-try when you're in Baler (costs only PHP65). To go there from Sabang, drive to LBC and take a right at the street across it.

The rest of the day was spent riding the waves again. Baler waves will definitely make you feel addicted to surfing. Here are some of the pictures during our 2nd surf day:

Surfer Girl

We left at around 2PM since we wanted to avoid driving in Pantabangan during night time and we wanted to pass by the large Balete Tree on our way home. It was in Balete Park in Ma. Aurora. It was huge and people can actually go inside! We did.

It wasn't as picturesque as we expected it to be but the experience of being inside a tree was memorable. I felt like Alice (Alice in Wonderland), chos! Drive home took us 5 hours because we already knew the way and Dinno drove like a maniac haha! We only had two stopovers -- one was when we bought a walis tambo and suman (strongly recommended) and to eat at a Jollibee outlet in NLEx.

Baler is a good place for short trips, especially for those who want to learn how to surf. Good times!

Expenses

500/pax         Gas, Pasalubong, Toll, Food

• 1,500            Accommodation at Moreno Lodge for 4 people
• 2,000            Accommodation at Desiree's Lodge for 4 people
• 40-70           Per meal with softdrinks / coffee
• 200/hour       Board Rental
• 150/hour       Surfing Lesson
• 10-20/head   Entrance fee at Aniao Beach

Contact

Desiree's Lodge
Please look for Myra
Sabang, Baler
09999908450 / 09217518490 / 09204800978

Other photos taken during our first trip to Baler