Tara Gumala: Surfing

SABANG BEACH, BALER, AURORA

Perfect week-end getaway for surfers and trying to be a surfer.

Sabang Beach is the longest black sand stretch in Baler. There are lots of hotels and lodging in the place. One of the prominent is the Costa Pacifica. It was very noticeable that those who belongs or has a partnership with the Angaras is in the mounted place while those other private businesses and locals are out shined.

Anyhoo, if you are going to Baler be sure to try surfing in the morning rather than in the afternoon. The waves are more calm in the morning. This is very cliche but yea, if you want to learn how to surf, visit the waves of Baler. The waves are suitable for beginners and pro.

The rates for an hour of surfing ranges from 300 - 350 including the board rental and rash guard. Kuya Amang of Happy Feet was my instructor, he was very funny and strong! He kept on dragging me against the waves just to make sure I learn how to stand on the board. HAHA.

For those who are not into surfing and a bit scared, you can just bum in the beach and watch those first timers fell on the surfing boards. It is a bit enjoying when it is your friend. HAHAHA. Or you can just pretend that you tried surfing and took a picture with the board, like what my colleagues did.

The sand may not be white or powdery like in Dicasalarin but yea, this will suffice your craving for a beach. O, Sabang Beach is not perfect for swimming because the waves are strong and there is an under current which can pull you into the deep and drown you. (My family was a bit scared when they learned that I will go to Baler because my cousin died there decades ago)

Proof that the waves are really strong. I know that I am heavy but we were just sitting in the shore and the waves dragged us! It was a bit funny but scary. Be cautious with the waves and never go alone unless you know how to swim.

Aww and there are people staring at you from above while on your side there are lots of surfing boards in the sand and you know that they are instructing a beginner.

We are now proud that we have tried surfing in Baler. Well, my next plan is to try surfing at La Union, then Bagasbas, and Surigao!!!

Ano, TARA GUMALA!

CIAO.
--
GABRIELA

Haler Baler, Baler Haler!

Dicasalarin Cove

Repeating the world Baler is very catchy. Anyway, I am sharing you my itinerary for a 48 Hour Trip to Baler. How I and my group managed to do most of the things to do and see in Baler like a piece of cake! You too can follow my itinerary or if you have further question feel free to do so! Just post a comment and I will be glad to answer it.

a not-so-perfect weather for first time surfer

Here is our itinerary for 48 Hour trip to Baler.

Baler is the Capital of Aurora Province. It is now one of the famous emerging tourist spots in the Philippines. It's flagship tourism is Surfing! Everyone who goes here must surf. The waves are strong and perfect for surfing whether you are a beginner or not.

Well, if you are not into surfing, Baler has many to offer. Their famous Dicasalarin Cove and Ditumabo Falls are worth visiting! You must never miss the top 3 destination in Baler. SABANG BEACH, DICASALARIN COVE and DITUMABO FALLS!

For your information we were a group of 14 including the driver. We opted to hire a van for convenience and it is much cheaper than commuting. Here is our expenses for the whole trip courtesy of Ms. +Claire Mansit, our sexy financer! haha. She is in-charge of all our budgets.

HOW TO GET THERE:

via Private Car

Cabanatuan City is your drop-off point going to Baler. Cabanatuan is just a 2 - 3 hour drive from Manila.You can either pass through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and/or Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

NLEX-Bulacan-Nueva Ecija Route. Go to NLEX. Take the Sta. Rita exit. Take the road passing through Plaridel, Baliuag, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, Gapan, Sta. Rosa to Cabanatuan.This is the Maharlika Highway.
NLEX-SCTEX-Tarlac-Sta.Rosa Route. NLEX up to Clark Logistics Interchange. Enter SCTEX going to Tarlac. Exit at Amucao, Tarlac (End of SCTEX). Turn right to La Paz up to Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija. Turn left going to Cabanatuan when you see a stop light right after crossing a big bridge.

From Cabanatuan City there are two routes going to Baler. First is the Baler - Bongabon Road and the other is Canili-Pantabangan Road. I highly recommend that you take the Canili-Pantabangan Road because the road is smoother and less dangerous than Baler - Bongabon.

Canili - Pantabangan Road

From Cabanatuan take the Maharlika Highway going to Pinagpanaan, Talavera, Nueva Ecija. Turn right to the road going to Rizal, Nueva Ecija then turn right going to Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija (landmark: both have a Y-road with a small park/waiting shed in the middle). The road will take you to Canili, Maria Aurora, Aurora. The road will pass through the Sierra Madre until you reach the Poblacion of Maria Aurora. From Maria, Aurora you can then go straight to Baler.

Baler-Bongabon Route

From Cabanatuan take the Maharlika Hiway and turn right to the Nueva Ecija – Aurora Road (landmark: crossing with Shell Gas Station and NE Restaurant). The road will pass through Palayan City and Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. From Bongabon turn right to the road going to the Sierra Madre mountains. After two or three hours of winding road you will reach the municipality of San Luis and then Baler.

I got these info through batangbaler.net. We took the longest way but the safest way going to Baler which is the NLEX-SCTEX-Tarlac-Sta.Rosa Routo to Canili - Pantabangan Road. It took us 6 hours going to Baler from Manila.

TRAVEL TIPS:

He said I should take a photo of him! HAHA

It is better to travel with groups when you're going to Baler. My group hired a Van. You can contact them with this number 0923-862-9922 and look for Kuya Efren. It can save you a lot of time and money going to places and avoid hiring tricycles from time to time. The tricycle drivers/tour guide do not have a fix or standard rate. It varies from one to another. They say you can hire one tricycle for only 800 per day of tour.
It is better to just buy your food or bring your own rather than buying in the market and cook your food there. I know it is overrated but yea, try the Gerry Shan Restaurant and Rolling Store near the Museum. When time is of the essence, cooking your food there is not an option. There are times that there are not enough seafood in the public market. Ooohh! You must try their famous Pako (stress on the last syllable). I don't know what it is but I think it is a baby fern.
There are lots of Surfing instructors in the area, or you can ask your lodge or hotel if they can provide you one. The average amount for surfing is 300 - 350 per hour, surf boards and rash guards included. We tried the Happy Feet! Kuya Amang is my instructor, he is just so funny and kind. He patiently dragged me back and forth to the waves. Imagine that battling all the waves just to teach me how to surf. HAHA.

Haggardness after Surfing
It would be best if you visit Ditumabo Falls early in the morning because there are fewer people and you can get a cottage to rest. It is forbidden to bring food. O, there are lots of donation in this place! Ahh, the water is so cold as in chilling cold!

Look up! We are near the Falls! :) Was not able to take photos because my camera got moist. :(

The road going to Dicasalarin Cove is hard! The way is under construction and very steep! You need a professional driver going there or be a very cautious. It is steeper that the trail going to Benguet. They only allow one car traveling at a time to prevent any collision. After the unending winding road to Dicasalarin the view is worth all the risk! I swear! You're gonna love it there.

Can you see how narrow the road is?!

View of Dicasalarin, the only white sand in Baler!

am I in Palawan? Naaa. This is Baler!