Just collected all pics from our Baler trip and sad to say, we weren’t able to get to Dipaculao beach and other sites that are equally if not more spectacular. All I can say is one can really fall in love with this place.
We were fortunate enough to come here minus the Holy Week or vacationing crush of people…I would recommend that you do so because you will get to really appreciate Baler’s beauty, the warmth of its people, the truly rustic feel of Baler is an experience in itself…
Include in your itinerary the 1.3 km uphill / downhill trek to Ditumabo falls (you get to draw your inner strength), see the 600 year-old Balete tree, hike up to Ermita Hills, see the Aniao islets (pick sea urchins), go up to the lighthouse shaped like a plane’s wing, watch the sunrise, surf, swim at either falls, river, or sea, or where the river meets the sea, go kayaking, discover a deserted cove…Baler is really beautiful…thank you, Baler…
So to start off I’d like to share some pictures of our Baler trip, and after these, the actual itinerary and expenses we incurred, and it is hoped that this can be of help to those who would want to D.I.Y. to Baler.
Always, always befriend locals wherever you go and Dennis here was really knowledgeable of the history behind the numerous sightseeing spots in Baler.
A wishing well beside the great 600 year old balete tree.
This is the huge 600 year old balete tree. It is imposing, really, and very much alive and still growing.
On the way to Ditumabo Falls. A 1.3 km uphill trek up the mountain..
The stream along the way turns into a raging river during the monsoon season.
But during the summer, the waters are cool, calm, and refreshing.
Ditumabo Falls
Impossible to stay dry here
The very rickety hanging bridge. There are a lot of souvenir shops under its base.
Ermita Hill
It’s a park with a dark past
and spectacular views
here’s another
and another
The Tromba statues…legend says that a town was feasting when an old woman foretold of a coming tsunami, which was heeded by this family, who went up all the way up Ermita Hill, and later that night, the tsunami came, and everyone perished except these families.
@Aniao Islets
like bullets rising out of the sea
literally the word “jagged” comes to mind when you see these rocks
a beautiful day to be out
Dicasalarin Cove
a spectacular view
In the cove is a river that meets the sea
will you look at that
minus the crush of people…it should always stay this way but…
we had it all to ourselves that one beautiful day
this was where I frolicked in the water
made our way up
higher still
till we got to the lighthouse shaped like a fighter plane’s wing
where I took a, shall I say, nervous selfie hahahaha
wow
Sabang beach
breakfasts of champion surfers
still sleepy
Baler Surfer Grill
Dinners
chill
the scenery going to Baler town proper
Don’t forget to buy one of these because it’s delicious.
Marker
Manuel L. Quezon Museum
Donya Aurora Quezon’s house
On the way home
As promised, here’s the actual itinerary and expenses incurred. Hope this helps you guys.
“History is not everything, but it is a starting point. History is a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is a compass they use to find themselves on the map of human geography. It tells them where they are but, more importantly, what they must be.” – JOHN HENRIK CLARKE
When I first came across this quote, it immediately reminded me of Vigan, of how men and women of today seem to want to walk in the steps of those who have gone past. Visiting this incredible place makes one feel like being transported back to a simpler time, a simpler place, and a simpler life.
Vigan and Pagudpud are simply beautiful that words are not enough to describe these places.
To the uninitiated and to those who want to try out their D.I.Y. skills, here’s a simple itinerary (with expenses incurred by 2 people) you might want to give a run for:
DAY 1 December 30, 2017
Grab! From San Juan to
Dominion
150.00
Chowking dinner
334.00
Coffee
35.00
Dominion Bus to Vigan (around
7-8 hrs travel time) / ETD 1:00am
1,160.00
Subtotal 1
1,679.00
DAY 2 December 31, 2017
Snacks at Carmen stopover
30.00
Arrived @Vigan 9:30am
Tricy fare looking for place to stay
80.00
Check in at Manuela’s Inn 9:53am
Brunch @Dada’s Carinderia
200.00
Tricy to Calle Crisologo 10:15am
20.00
Crisologo Museum Donation
20.00
Walk @Calle Crisologo
Meryenda at Irene’s Empanada
2:10pm
200.00
Souvenir Shirt
200.00
7-11 Pineapple Juice / others
82.00
Bantay Bell Tower Donation
5:35pm
100.00
6:00 PM onwards
San Agustin Parish
Vigan City Hall
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Bought Hoodie @Mart One (it was cold in Vigan)
449.00
Plaza Empanada Market
(seriously, it was a huge market)
85.00
Plaza Salcedo
Watch Dancing Fountain Show at
Plaza Salcedo 7:30pm
Tricy Back to Manuela’s Inn
40.00
Tricy to Junofel’s 24hrs Diner (the pancit was superb!!!)
50.00
Dinner 9:35pm
445.00
Night photoshoot @Calle Crisologo (watch fireworks)
Subtotal 2
1,971.00
DAY 3 January 1, 2018
Coffee
10.00
Hire Tricy for Vigan Tour
(Eddieson @09168544136)
750.00
Breakfast @Baluarte Zoo
(pansit/hotdogs/water)
115.00
Hidden Garden (no
entrance)
Lunch @Lilong at Lilang 1:20pm
530.00
Brgy. Pagburnayan Donation
50.00
Cristy’s LoomWeaving ( bought
2 bonnets / one woven blanket)
250.00
Arce Mansion
Quirino Museum
Syquia Mansion (Donation)
200.00
Sta. Catalina Beach
Dinner @Cafe Leona 7:30pm
420.00
Settled Manuela Inn 2 days
stay (P1,300 per night)
2,600.00
Subtotal 3
4,925.00
DAY 4 January 2, 2018
Check out from Manuela’s Inn
4:30am
Coffee
10.00
6:30am Left for Pagudpud via
GMW (2hrs)
410.00
Stopover @Laoag
Arrived @Pagudpod 10am
Tricy to Arinaya Beach Resort
80.00
Lunch @Arinaya
530.00
Tricy Tour (Billy
@09471020965)
600.00
Store Purchases
50.00
Bangui Windmills
Connecting Tricy to Bojeador
Lighthouse / Kapurpurawan (Allan)
300.00
Cape Bojeador Donation
40.00
Kapurpurawan Rock Formations
Entrance
30.00
Emapanada (PM Snack)
100.00
Dinner @Arinaya
350.00
Overnight Stay @Arinaya
1,750.00
Subtotal 4
4,250.00
DAY 5 January 3, 2018
Tricy from Arinaya to Pagudpud
Plaza
100.00
Bus Fare to Laoag City
150.00
Mcdo Laoag Breakfast
200.00
Pasalubong
480.00
Bus Fare to Manila from Laoag
1,595.00
Snacks (stop-overs)
350.00
Taxi back to San Juan
100.00
Subtotal 5
2,975.00
TOTAL
15,800.00
So I shelled out about what I felt was jusssst right for me and my daughter’s 1st out-of-town sojourn, and we were hooked 😀
We’ve taken a lot of pictures (too many to post here) and I’ve chosen just a few to give you an idea of where to go and what to see. Enjoy, guys!!!