The last time I was in Baler was way back 2012. We took a bus to Cabanatuan and rented a van from there. (because the Joy buses are already fully booked and we didn't exactly planned the trip XD)
Now we booked a van MNL-BALER-MNL with side tours. (PHP13000 good for 10-13pax). The travel time is approximately 6hours per way with bumpy and winding roads.
We stayed at Bayler View Hotel (around PHP3000 per room for 3-4pax). We picked Bayler because it's a beach front hotel and there's a restaurant downstairs so you don't have to worry about food.
View in front of Bayler View <girl not included XD>
We went to Ditumabo mother falls before checking in which is about 30min. hike per way. We rented a tricycle to take us to the starting point of the hike (PHP200 for 3pax) which I don't remember doing the last time we went there, the van brought us directly to the starting point. Then the entrance fee costs PHP30. There are already a few stores that sells hotdogs, banana q and camote q and shakes at the foot.
And the trail is now more "friendly" with wooden bridges every now and then. You don't have to hire a guide. The path is pretty straight forward.
The water is still as cold as I remember. But taking a quick dip would do the trick. Very refreshing and worth the effort of going.
After going to the falls, we checked in and settled our stuff.
It was raining cats and dogs in Manila but we were blessed to have this very fine weather in Baler
This was still under construction back in 2012
Break Sand - Soft grayish sand ideal for surfing. I like it better here than in Bagasbas where there were a lot of seaweeds.
And of course our Baler trip wouldn't be complete without SURFING!
Instructions before Hands-on.
Surfing costs PHP300 per hour all in with a personal instructor and surfing board rental.
After surfing we enjoyed the waves a little more before calling it a day.
We had dinner at Gerry Shan's an eat all you can buffet for just PHP200. The food was good specially the sisig. It was very sulit!
We had "a few" drinks and bonded which costs us PHP1000 of penalty for being too loud and disturbing other guests XD
Other places in Baler you shouldn't miss.
The scenic Water Dams.
You're going to pass by it to and from.
The Millenium Tree
This is the oldest and biggest Balete tree in Asia.
This picture was taken INSIDE the tree! So just imagine? <we look like toasts XD>
Museo de Baler
Manuel L. Quezon
A peek inside the museum. On the lower right corner are the costumes Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales wore in the movie "Baler".
Quezon's old car
Digisit Beach
For some picture taking
And simply chillin' and eating ice cream..
The Small Water Falls
Then and now one thing hasn't changed <well two including my shirt which apparently I also wore 3 years ago (see group picture above and picture below)> I still enjoyed Baler the second time around.
You can do all these in a weekend trip with a budget of around PHP2000-PHP3000.
I wouldn't mind going back a third.. a fourth.. or an nth time. I'm in love with the place :)
Calaguas Island is located at Camarines Norte, Philippines. The island is around 10hours away from Manila and many travelers attest to it's beauty. Some even say it's more beautiful than Boracay.
If I had the luxury of time, I would have gone DIY. I find it's best to travel long hours via comfortable lazy boy bus seats. But since I don't, we opted to avail a package from Travel Ventours. PHP3400 for 11 persons including Manila-Daet-Manila van transfers, boat transfers, tent accommodation and 3 meals.
We left Quezon City at around 10:30PM and arrived at Daet at exactly 7:00AM. We had breakfast at Daet and bought some supplies. Drinking water, chips and booze to name some.
Then we rode a small boat from Daet (9:00AM) to Calaguas (11:00AM) for 2 hours.
small boats
As we near Calaguas, the first thing I noticed is the long stretch of pristine white sand. It may not have the purest white sand but it has the clearest waters I've ever seen.
After we set foot on the island, to be honest I was quite disappointed of the number of cottages already built along the beach.
<photo credits to Kirk>
I was expecting a secluded island with only tents.
There were tents setup under the small trees' shade
But there are already a lot of cottages making it look crowded.
Each tour agencies offering Calaguas packages have already claimed a piece of the island which is sad really.
It was too hot to setup a tent so we rested a bit on the cottages provided then we went for a swim.
I know I've already said this, but I'd like to emphasize that this beach has the clearest water I've ever seen.
The water is already chest deep and you can still see through my feet.
The sand was also fine and there are no rocks or pesky seaweeds.
We really enjoyed swimming and the sun took its sweet time turning us to toasts.
Then we availed an island hoping tour for PHP100 each excluding the PHP20 each entrance to the island.
First stop was a rocky island which was nice for taking pictures, not so much for swimming.
And second stop was on another part of the same island which is a nice snorkeling spot. There are a lot of corals but the water level was too low and you need to bring or rent snorkeling gears.
You can also climb a small hill which gives you a nice view of the island. There's signal on the top.
After island hoping, we enjoyed the picturesque view of the sunset and went to swim some more.
In the evening we ate dinner and bonded with a few booze. There's no signal on the island so cellphones are pretty much useless. It's a good thing though since you'll really have time to talk and enjoy the things around you.
There are generators, so there are lights and even music. There are a lot of small stores offering necessities and food.
To give you an idea how much things cost in the island: Halo-Halo PHP30, Pancit Canton PHP25, Red Horse Stallion PHP60, Red Horse Mucho PHP120
There are a lot comfort rooms around. You'll have to pay PHP10 for a pale of water though.
The night was hot and breezeless. The next day I woke up at 5:00AM and wondered if I overslept. It was just 5 in the freakin' morning but it was already bright outside. There are already activities going on outside. Music playing and people chatting and walking here and there I even wondered if the time on my phone was wrong or something. But oh well I woke up everyone else (>,>) to ask if they're interested to see the sunrise.
We climbed up at one end of the hill to watch the sunrise. It was covered with clouds but still a beautiful sight.
There are at least 2 entrance fees (PHP20) when you climb on the east side. Then we walked to the west side to get a view of the island's shore line.
We ate breakfast and then left the island at around 8:00AM. We then went to Bagasbas for lunch and surfing lessons.
Surfing board rental costs PHP200 and another PHP200 for the service of a surf instructor for an hour.
The beach has what they call a break sand. There are no rocks and the sand was also soft just not white but gray. It would have been fun to swim with the waves and all but there are a lot of seaweeds and probably jellyfish as the instructor warned.
Surfing Orientation
Surfing
<photo credits to Kirk>
After that, we took a shower and ate our lunch at Catherine's. I love their halo-halo! The ice used was a frozen creamy and sweet delight.
<photo credits to Kirk>
I really enjoyed every part of the trip and I hope to be back here and stay longer at Calaguas probably at those posh huts even.
<video credits to Glai>
And that was how we spent our weekends at Calaguas Island. :)
