Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Baler Road Trip

April 19, 2014; On Black Saturday, we drove north east to the town of Baler.  Baler is known for its big waves, reaching up to 9 meters high during surfing season.  Since it was a Holy week and a long vacation, we were expecting lots of tourists but we were surprised that the town is not that crowded.  According to some locals, the town was jam packed a day before we arrived.


After resting and leaving our things in our home for the next 3 days, we started our tour by visiting the Museo de Baler located just in front of the town hall.  Artifacts from the pre-colonial era and up to the presidency of President Quezon were displayed.  Baler is the birth town of President Quezon.



Our visit to Baler will not be complete without surfing.  The whole stretch of Sabang beach is were newbies and pros catch the waves of Baler to surf.  While Ate tried to learn how to surf, the twins enjoyed the big waves along the beach.





Before retiring for the day, we drove by the Baler Church.  This church was dedicated to San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and is known as the site of the siege of Baler from 1898-1899.  Fronting the church was the ancestral house President Quezon.





On day 2 we drove all the way to Dicasalarin Cove.  This used to be a private resort owned by then Senator Edgardo Angara.  To reach the cove, you have to pass by a private mountain road.  From the gates, one could see the beauty of the cove from above.  We had the entire resort for ourselves.  We even had a chance to chat with the Senator who was also in the resort for summer break.  This explains the strict security at the mountain road gates. We trekked all the way to the top of the light house to catch a view from above and enjoyed the calm white beach below.












Kuya even played with JR, a resident Aeta from the nearby mountain ranges.


On our way home, we trekked to the top of Ermita Hill.  This is the hill were residents took refuge during a huge tsunami that hit the town of Baler in December 1735.  On top of the hill is a refreshing view of the Sabang bay.






On our last day, we wondered around where we stayed for the last 2 days.  Just across the street was a another house that one can possibly rent for the duration of their stay in Baler.  The property is fronting a lush mangrove along the sea water.



Before leaving we took a group shot in front of our home for the last 3 days.



And before finally ending our Baler adventures, we dropped by the century old balete tree.



Until our next the road trip adventure.