Baler: Of Good Friends and Huge Waves

Hi Ram,

7-8 May 2016

For this trip, you'll know some of my bestest friends. We were workmates. And since we had work on weekdays, the weekend was the only time we could travel. Fortunately for me, I was on leave on this day because of my appointment with DFA for my passport. So after DFA, I had ample time to prepare my stuff for the getaway.

We all met up at a bus station in Cubao, there were a lot of passengers and we were shocked to know that we would be riding the 11th bus that night (when we came to the station, nasa 4th bus pa lang). LUCKILY, parked beside the bus station was a colorum van, the driver of which was discreetly negotiating with passengers. The fare was higher by a hundred or two but time is of the essence so we took the bait.

It was around 11pm when we left Manila. We arrived in Baler at around 6am. We alighted at the market, bought food, ate breakfast and went straight to our accommodation: a nice beach front house named Secret Spot in Baler.

SECRET SPOT BALER
(Front: Elmert, Erma, Me, Ged, Mich, Daryl
Back: Kim, Abi)

After dropping our stuff, we sat in the "patio" and rested in the hammocks while Ged prepared what would be our lunch. Ged is a massive cook (yep, I pronounced the word "massive" like our Australian bosses.)

Footprints in the sand.

Everyone was excited for the beach but we decided to get to know the city first. So we waited for tricycles to take us to the city's museum: Museo de Baler. I took some candid photographs of my friends while waiting.

This is Erma. She's probably the most matakaw person I know. Lucky for her, she doesn't get fat. EVER. And she doesn't stop laughing. I guess that's how she burns all those calories.

This is Abi. I love Abi because she's pretty, funny and we're both Little Monsters. *paws up*

And this is Da as himself. Haha

MUSEO DE BALER:

"This museum displays artifacts and paintings about the history of Aurora, exhibits on the ethnic groups Dumagat and Ilongot, and photos and memorabilia of native son Manuel L. Quezon, second Philippine president.  There is a section regarding the Siege of Baler, with some film props from the local film Baler." (source: https://goo.gl/QkTypm)

Some of the artifacts inside:

We spent around an hour inside the museum.

Da and Elmert playing with guns.

Groufie!!!

Me with Lolo Manuel

Staring at ART.

And this is me imitating ART.

After marveling at art, which I was sure got my friends bored (but not me, I love museums), we went back to the Secret Spot.

Ged and Mich. Now this two here is one of my favorite couples in the world!

They tried surfing but I wasn't really in the mood so I passed on it. After falling from surfboards a couple of times. they decided surfing wasn't really for them. So instead, nagbabad na lang kami sa dagat while playing with big waves!

And I told you I love Abi a lot. She's like a twin sister I never had.

Oh but wait. Oh well, this is Erma being Erma.

After lunch we rested for a while and thought of what to do next. We talked to one of the bangkeros there for an island hopping at Dicasalarin Cove which is, if I remember it right, around 30 minutes boat ride.

On the way to Dicasalarin Cove!

I didn't really enjoy the water there because there were a lot of floating plants.

So we just climbed up that white thing on top. I don't know what that is. Doesn't look like a lighthouse. The view was magnificent!

Of course I wanted to climb up on top of the stairs, too:

When we went down, we played habulan in the sands like elementary school kids before going back to our lodging. And of course, what else but booze till midnight? Haha

The morning after.

I woke up early but just in time for sunrise.

The breathtaking sunrise in Baler.

They're still sleeping inside.

I decided to go for a morning dip.

Ahhh... the water was soothing as I stayed afloat on it. It started raining too, which made the moment even more perfect.

I always knew I was a merman. I knew.

We packed our bags and left the place just before lunch.

Time to go home. :(

You see, Ram, I've traveled solo most of the time. Well, it saves you the trouble of waiting for other people's plans and availability. You can just pack your bags, go out there and get on the next bus or plane without an itinerary.

But, sometimes, it really is more fun, fulfilling and worthwhile to travel with people you have adopted as your own blood.

Oh and by the way, I really loved this pic that my friend Elmert took:

Till then.

xoxo,

RAM