Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Baler Love #2: Nature at its Finest

If the road to a place is a glimpse of the destination, the road to Baler certainly is one.
Passing through the majesty of the Sierra Madre mountain range, one will be put to place. I felt so small in the midst of it all.  I was just mesmerized by how God created such grandeur.
We passed by ravines, rivers, forests, mini-rice terraces, and golden fields.  My eyes kept dashing back and forth, unable to absorb all the splendor that surrounded me.
Baler is beautifully located in the Aurora province since most of the scenic places are just tricycle rides away from it.  You don't need boat rides to get to these places, which is good news for those who don't like boat trips.
Here's our eco-journey through 3 towns with Kuya Ed our tricycle driver cum guide. 430AM we were already inside the ever-reliable tricycle (which amazed us at how it withstood driving the roughest of roads).
1.  Plethora of rivers and falls
We were only able to visit the "Mother Falls" also known as "Ditumabo Falls" in the town of San Luis.  It is about an hour tricycle ride from Baler + a 30 minute trek through rivers and rocks. Water from the falls fuels the hydro-electric power plant which supplies electricity in the town.
 2.  Islets - Aniao and Lukso-lukso
Rock formations remind me of nature's raw power.  The rocks seem to have been carved by the sheer power of the waves through time.  With bursts of the morning sun searing through the crevices and tides, the splash of emotions it brings will cut through your deepest soul. Only a God like Him can create such wonders!
3.  Different types of beaches in different towns
According to Ate Shiela (Bayler view's resort manager), you'll experience different coast lines as you go up north in Aurora.  You have the black fine sand in Sabang, the pebbles and rocky coastline in Dipaculao and white beach in towns up North.
This time, we just visited Ampere and Sabang where our resort was located.
Ampere Beach is covered with smooth rocks in different colors and sizes.  It was like a panghilod-full of beach!
 
According to aurora.ph, "this beach is an area called Bunga Point, where local residents flock to Okotan Cave, a time-honored locale for forecasting the weather. The pacific waves, upon hitting the shoreline cave, produce an explosion, the intensity of which, according to local lore, determines the intensity of the incoming weather."
We will certainly return for more.  It's endless! -- Banju Springs, Borlongan Beach, Casiguran Sound, Cemento Beach, Cunayan Falls, Dibut Bay, Dicasalarin Bay, Dilasag Coast, Dingalan, Lamao Cave.
We went back to the resort being deeply thankful to our Creator, knowing that only Him can create such splashes of wonder in front of our very eyes.
To get to the places we've been to, just contact a tricycle driver and they can be with you the whole day.  Amazing, tricycle at Baler is 24 hours! Winner! We paid Php1000 for the whole day, but we gave huge tip since it was difficult to go to some of them.

Baler Love #1: Joy Bus

The ride to Baler is not for the faint of heart.  It is a 5-hour ride that zigzags through the Sierra Madre.  Roads are cemented with rough roads in between.  But the zigzag will call for your White Flowers and nausea bags.
Good thing there is Joy Bus!  
Recently launched, Joy Bus is the Executive Line of Genesis Transportation.  
It beats all the bus rides we've ever had!
Why do we love Joy?
1.  Extra-mile customer service.  There wasn't any seat available going to Baler so we just booked the return-trip.  We were surprised after a day that the customer service rep proactively booked us when 2 passengers cancelled theirs.  So when we called to provide our return trip details, she told us the good news!  We just have to pay and the seat was ours!
2.  Large and comfortable seats with foot rests (as in you can sleep semi-lying down)
  
 3.  Pillow + Fleece blanket - Personally, this is what I love best.  I always freeze inside aircon buses.  Sleeping is cozy and warm!

4.  Amenities: Washroom, Flat Screen TV, WiFi.  Not to mention the bus not smelling like an old bus.
5.  Merienda (beating even our local airline flights!) - Nagaraya, Cup Cake and Water. Solve!
To book, you can call Genesis at (632) 421-1413.  It is Php650 per person one-way.  Terminal to Baler is along the Northbound lane of Edsa near Cubao.