Tin Perez: DAY 1: Baler Long Weekend

August 29 - 31, 2015 - This is a super late post.

We took the bus (Genesis/JoyBus) from Cubao going to Baler. Bus left Manila after midnight, and we were in Baler already by 6AM I think. There were a lot of people at the terminal, so be sure to be there at least an hour earlier than your scheduled trip.

Since our trip fell on a long weekend we booked earlier, though it was quite hard to look for a decent place since most resorts were fully booked already. We stayed at Nina's Transient House, not a fancy one but a decent place for sleep. It was a few minutes walk away from Sabang Beach. Staff are friendly, and they have cute dogs too. Ha ha! While we were there, they were renovating the place. Adding more rooms, I guess. Check them out here.

For your day tours, you can hire a tricycle that can take you around. From the Balete Tree to Mother Falls. Our tricycle driver was also our guide going to the falls.

Before starting our tour, breakfast!!! we went to the famous Rolling Store. Located at the town center of Baler, a series of Karinderya side by side offering different kinds of meals. from ihaw-ihaw to lutong bahay. Costs cheap too!

We then made our way to the Balete Tree. One of the tourist spots in Baler, standing for 600 years (or more?), also known as the "Millenium tree" of the Philippines.

I suggest that you hire one of the photographers there, they take really cool and creative shots! Like these:

I didn't get the off-shoulder memo. LOL!

Next stop is the Ditumabo Falls, also known as the Mother Falls. Less than an hour from the Balete Park, we arrived at the entry point going to the falls. There were a lot of people already when we arrived, and the sun was bright, so make sure to bring necessary covers and put on sunblock!

Not sure how long the trek was, but it was tiring. Ha ha! again, there were just too many tourists. we didn't go for a swim, but the water was really, really cold!!!

At the time, they're experiencing water shortage, so there wasn't that much water coming down.

Photo below is the same falls, taken by my friend who visited last December. Fallen rocks were everywhere because the province was hit by a typhoon. But it was a harder trek when they visited because the river flow was stronger.

We then started our trek back to the entry point, I swear going down is always faster. We made it back to town proper by lunch time.

We decided to have our lunch at Baler Surfer Grill.