Around Baler

Our second day at Baler was for touring around the place. We went to Ditumabo Falls first. We had to trek around an hour just to see that beautiful falls. It was actually worth it. Though our outfits for the day was not intended for trekking, we're still on the go just for adventure! Unfortunately we didn't tried swimming at the falls since we don't have any extra clothes -- bottomline: we're unprepared for the trekking and swimming stuff.

With my friend, Cib :)

Clear water!

 Ditumabo Falls. How lovely! Clean and clear body of water!

 Our ride. Rocky road going to the start of the trek so we had to get out of the tricycle!

We headed to the Balete Park and climb the big 600-year-old Balete Tree. It was my first time to climb a tree and it was fun! The kids who assisted us climbing looks "sanay" so I felt safe along the way.

Yay! Going down the tree!

We dropped by to have pictures with these! Welcome to Baler, Aurora! Hahaha! We also checked the Museo de Baler, however it's under renovation.

I remembered the movie Baler in 2008 when I visited the Church. Baler was really historical (I thought) after watching that movie. The renovated Church looked like the old on an architectural basis, I guess, but personally I did not think it looks old by the way it was painted and designed right now.  It looks modernized that's why my historical-mood-at-Baler moment declined a little. Nevertheless, Baler trip is not complete until you visit the Baler Church.

All these in half a day! After the tour, we headed back to the resort to have lunch and packed our things to head back to Manila. I didn't expect the tour would be so much fun! 

Surfing in Baler

They said, having a mole on the feet signifies opportunities for travel. I, even not knowing such saying, do loves to travel. And yes, I'm a type of person who can't stay at home for a long period of time doing nothing. Last June, because I really wanted to travel, my friend and I went to Baler via Travel Factor. They have a schedule of trips / organized trips for the rest of the year, so we just signed up to join their trip entitled SURFvivior Baler.

We left Manila at 12 midnight and arrived Baler at exactly 6 in the morning. Sunrise was really one of the best object to capture however, we're still on the road and I just can't miss a second watching the beautiful sunrise. Upon arrival, we had our breakfast at Amco Hotel, where we stayed. We immediately proceed to Aliya Surf Camp to begin our surfing lessons. Sabang Beach was really beautiful. Bagyong Butchoy was just leaving the Philippine area at that time, yet I can see a sunny weather during our stay at Baler.

Amco Hotel at around 8 in the morning. Sunny day ahead of us! :)

Look how amazing Baler is! :) 

Aliya Surf Camp. Super peaceful ambiance since it's not yet the surfing season! Surfing season is usually during October. Hoping to go back there on their peak season! :)

 Trying to get up! Yay! :)

 With my friend Cib, and one of the owners of Travel Factor, Ms. Tikoy Tan. 

Ms. Tikoy lend us some bodyboard to try! It was so fun! More relaxing than surfing since we didn't put much effort on this ;)

 Grilled Tuna in Lemon Butter Sauce. Me and Cib shared this as our lunch for the day. Healthy living eh? :)

 Walking through the shores of Sabang Beach after having lunch. Hahaha! Ooohh, sun burn!

Surfing at around 5 PM! :)

Surfing was great! I fell in love on this sport at that moment I learned how to stand up on the board and do the surf stance! :) The waves are not that big when we had our lessons even though there is a "bagyo". My surfing instructor said that the waves were just right for beginners. But as time goes, I crave for more - for bigger waves and try how awesome surfing is. They also said this is really a good sport and I can burn much calories. Hooray for that! :)

But wait, there's more! My surfing instructor said that Franco (he's on vocals on his band called Franco) was there so I grab the chance to have a photo with him (for the second time around). Haha! Indeed, nice body! Hahaha! :p

P.S. We had our sumptuous buffet dinner at Gerry Shan's Place just a tricycle away from the beach. It only costs P 150.00 for a sumptuous buffet and unlimited iced tea, good deal! There are many dishes to choose from, complete from the soup to the fresh fruits for dessert. A Baler trip isn't complete without trying at Gerry Shan's.

The group! Though we didn't got the chance to bond further, I learned a lot from some about their experiences as a traveller. One of the best weekend of this year! ♥

Travel Factor: http://beta.travelfactor.org/

More pictures on my FB here.

Gear Up for Water

I may not be a very very good swimmer or athlete in terms of water sports, but I'll always be in love in doing it. Since I've already tried snorkeling and island hopping, I found out that aqua shoes are really a good gear instead of using flip flops or rubber shoes specially in snorkeling. This is used to protect our feet whenever we go through rocky sands and even under the sea. If you're the stylish type of person, aqua shoes comes with different styles and colors too, just check out stores that offers sports-related stuff.

The aqua shoes was a gift for me. Yay! I've been wanting this and asked my aunt a couple of months ago to buy me this from the U.S. (though you can also find it here in the Philippines). Finally, wish granted and I'm really excited to use this on my adventure! :)

Bow and Arrows

Last week, we finally used our voucher at Gandiva. We bought this voucher at Metrodeal that entitles 50% off for one hour archery session + 10% discount on food and drinks at Gandiva Cafe and Archery Range. I had my first archery session at Gandiva, Mall of Asia way back 2009. Then they moved to Ortigas last year. Archery is a unique sport which can't be usually seen in streets that's why I was really excited to try it the second time around. Their place today is much bigger than their previous archery range at MOA. They also have Gandiva Cafe so people can chill before and/or after their session. Gandiva is an indoor archery facility with 9 lanes, 18 meter range.

Vain pictures while waiting for our turn!

Gandiva Cafe. We didn't get a chance to try their cafe since we're on a 'broke mode' day. 

We didn't waste our time for the one hour session of archery so this photos were taken after the archery session. :)

9 lanes, 18 meter range.

We accidentally had a small talk with Mr. Tim Bismark, and he asked us this question: So why archery? My mind was stunned for a moment and I just said it's unique. He said something like archery is in our DNA but we forget it. He is an archer for 5 years and had suffered 2 strokes before. According to him, archery is one of the reasons for his recovery.

Our mind is like the bow. Our thoughts are like arrows. And life is all about hitting targets.

- Tim Bismark, Gandiva Archery consultant/trainer and founding director of Gandiva

Gandiva Cafe and Archery Range
Unit 704 One Corporate Center
Julio Vargas St. Ortigas Center, Pasig City