THE town of Baler in the Province of Aurora was placed under the spotlight when a movie, bearing the same title, was shot in this location. Apart from its colorful history, it is the raging seas and the turbulent waves coming from the Pacific Ocean that make Baler a surfer’s paradise.
Getting to Baler from Manila would take about six or more hours. I made a trip there with my former teammates in my previous work, and we left Manila at midnight, going through winding roads at the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, onto a narrow pass at the Canili and Diayo Dams, and arrived at Costa Pacifica, which was our home while in Baler, at around 7 a.m. in time for breakfast. It was not an easy journey on the road as we braved the darkness of the night as well as the foggy dawn that threatened our visibility. Good thing sunrise caught up on us to unveil the breathtaking view of Aurora province, named after the wife of President Manuel L. Quezon.
Costa Pacifica
Costa Pacifica is a resort along Sabang Beach that faces the Pacific Ocean. The suites have terraces where guests can lounge and the rooms have various amenities for comfort and convenience. The resort is filled with artful decors that make the stay even more interesting. Its restaurant, the Beach House, is adjoined to the pool, making meals and late night drinks fun and enjoyable. For those staying there for business purposes, there are meeting rooms and a conference room at the other side of the resort, away from the beach, for a more secluded and private ambiance.
Ermita Hill
Because of Baler’s location, it is susceptible to natural calamities, such as the tidal wave that hit the town on December 27, 1735. In fact, we felt an earthquake in the middle of the night while we were there. The 18th century incident almost wiped out the whole town, except for some families who climbed Ermita Hill. This event is immortalized through the Tromba Marina statue at the base of the hill. It may look like it is not a challenging climb, but it is and a lot of energy is needed for such activity. At the top, a park can be found, including a spot that provides a breathtaking view of Baler Bay.
Ditumabo Falls
If climbing Ermita Hill can be quite an exercise, trekking to the Mother Falls of Ditumabo is a whole lot of adventure. It was a bumpy tricycle ride from the highway towards the entrance to the falls. We had to log in prior to the trek for security and safety purposes. The hike was a combination of walking through dry land, wading through the river (while the current is strong), crossing bamboo bridges, and taking a concrete walkway. Add to this the dismal weather with a bit of a drizzle that made certain portions along the way slippery and somewhat of a struggle. When we got to the Mother Falls, the water was gushing angrily, brought about by the rain.
Digisit Beach
Despite the rough white sand shore filled with crushed corals and shells, Digisit Beach is still a favorite destination among travelers because of the rock formations that are perfect for some picture taking and nature photography. It was unfortunate that our Baler trip was overcast that photos of Digisit Beach appeared gloomy and dark.
And for history lovers, there are many interesting shrines and sites to visit around Baler. For nature enthusiasts, it is still raw, with plenty of areas waiting to be explored.
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All photos are by this author. Claire Marie Algarme blogs at http://firsttimetravels.com. Follow her as @firsttimetravel on Twitter and Instagram and like her Facebook page First-time Travels.