Baler!
So recently I played weekend warrior and spent a night in Baler, Aurora. It was my first time, and it was nothing short of amazing.
Krista (BusinessWorld), Mads (Manila Bulletin), Louie (Philippine Star), Cliff (Nikkei Asia), Ann (Maybank Philippines), and myself boarded a Genesis Joybus Friday midnight and soon found ourselves barrelling along the lonely roads of Central Luzon toward Aurora. We arrived at Baler, a simple, quiet, picturesque town, just as the sun was beginning to rise. Kinda of reminded me of my six-hour trips to Baguio when I was a college freshman at UP Baguio.
Surprisingly, we didn't get to go surfing, despite Baler's fame as a surfing town. Rather, we took a typical tour of Baler (the municipal musem, a 16th century hill cum tsunami refuge, Doña Aurora Quezon's house, and a huge balete tree), and then we went hiking. The target: Ditumabo Falls, a stunning body of water that is a water source for the San Luis Mini Hydro Power Plant which I believe powers much of the surrounding area. This I considered the highlight of our trip, haha.
It was a strenuous one-hour trek over rocks, streams, rocks, narrow bamboo bridges, and more rocks, but which I surprisingly enjoyed given that for the most part we were all just laughing and joking among ourselves. We were a rather boisterous bunch, I must say haha.
And then after what seemed like forever, we finally reached the end of the trail--the slippery, moss-covered stone path (which lay atop the huge pipe network linking the waterfall to the mini hydro plant at the foot of the mountain), still curving upward, suddenly gave way to a magnificent view: a huge spillway akin to a dam, framed by the backdrop of the golden late afternoon sun streaming through the forest cover, and a majestic waterfall, cascading water in a thunderous din below.
For a moment I was really amazed by the sight before me, as I've never seen a waterfall that close before. I've never seen anything quite like it. I'm pretty sure there are much grander waterfalls than Ditumabo all over the country, but when it comes to nature, it really takes little to amaze and impress me. The sight of the beautiful Ditumabo Falls, I must say, humbled me to no end and made me feel grateful that we have wonderful places like this in the country we call home.
Aside from Ditumabo Falls, another thing I like about Baler was the fact that the night life still appears to be very much under control. Ambience-wise, the town has yet to reach Puerto Galera and Boracay's orgy proportions--the air that night was not polluted with pulsating beats or bass lines booming from loudspeakers, yet the music being played was good enough for a chill night over a bucket of beer. But with the town's development rapidly accelerating as more tourists discover Baler's surfing attractions, I wouldn't be surprised if this idyllic set-up ends soon. I hope not.
Overall, it was a fun trip. After a meh birthday, I was hoping for something to take my mind off my usual stress. And I guess this was it. More importantly, it really meant a lot to me that I was able to take this vacation with friends I really cherish. Here's to more fantastic times with you guys!
Krista (BusinessWorld), Mads (Manila Bulletin), Louie (Philippine Star), Cliff (Nikkei Asia), Ann (Maybank Philippines), and myself boarded a Genesis Joybus Friday midnight and soon found ourselves barrelling along the lonely roads of Central Luzon toward Aurora. We arrived at Baler, a simple, quiet, picturesque town, just as the sun was beginning to rise. Kinda of reminded me of my six-hour trips to Baguio when I was a college freshman at UP Baguio.
Surprisingly, we didn't get to go surfing, despite Baler's fame as a surfing town. Rather, we took a typical tour of Baler (the municipal musem, a 16th century hill cum tsunami refuge, Doña Aurora Quezon's house, and a huge balete tree), and then we went hiking. The target: Ditumabo Falls, a stunning body of water that is a water source for the San Luis Mini Hydro Power Plant which I believe powers much of the surrounding area. This I considered the highlight of our trip, haha.
It was a strenuous one-hour trek over rocks, streams, rocks, narrow bamboo bridges, and more rocks, but which I surprisingly enjoyed given that for the most part we were all just laughing and joking among ourselves. We were a rather boisterous bunch, I must say haha.
And then after what seemed like forever, we finally reached the end of the trail--the slippery, moss-covered stone path (which lay atop the huge pipe network linking the waterfall to the mini hydro plant at the foot of the mountain), still curving upward, suddenly gave way to a magnificent view: a huge spillway akin to a dam, framed by the backdrop of the golden late afternoon sun streaming through the forest cover, and a majestic waterfall, cascading water in a thunderous din below.
For a moment I was really amazed by the sight before me, as I've never seen a waterfall that close before. I've never seen anything quite like it. I'm pretty sure there are much grander waterfalls than Ditumabo all over the country, but when it comes to nature, it really takes little to amaze and impress me. The sight of the beautiful Ditumabo Falls, I must say, humbled me to no end and made me feel grateful that we have wonderful places like this in the country we call home.
Aside from Ditumabo Falls, another thing I like about Baler was the fact that the night life still appears to be very much under control. Ambience-wise, the town has yet to reach Puerto Galera and Boracay's orgy proportions--the air that night was not polluted with pulsating beats or bass lines booming from loudspeakers, yet the music being played was good enough for a chill night over a bucket of beer. But with the town's development rapidly accelerating as more tourists discover Baler's surfing attractions, I wouldn't be surprised if this idyllic set-up ends soon. I hope not.
Overall, it was a fun trip. After a meh birthday, I was hoping for something to take my mind off my usual stress. And I guess this was it. More importantly, it really meant a lot to me that I was able to take this vacation with friends I really cherish. Here's to more fantastic times with you guys!