I am trying to catch up with my travel diaries but since my work and graduate school activities also involve a lot of writing, I barely have time to write for this blog. My backlog has now totaled to four travels and this does not even include my unfinished Ilocos travel series. So, I thought of a roundabout solution about my dilemma and I realized photo essay is the way to go!
First stop is Baler, a town in the Aurora province of the Philippines. It can be reached through five-six hour bus trip from Manila. I went there around the end of January this year. It was an unplanned trip. A friend called me up to ask if I want to go to Baler on a long weekend. Being the wanderer that I am, I accepted her invitation.
Rocky cliffs of Baler.
It was very cold and a bit rainy when we went there. It was the peak of the northeast monsoon int he Philippines so temperatures were around 12-18 degrees Celsius.
A falls by the highway! Yup! Just beside the highway!
It would have been great if the weather was a lot brighter. My photos would have not appeared so gray and gloomy. But nonetheless, this did not prevent me from being amazed at the natural attractions Baler offered.
Lukso-lukso rock formations.
Unique structures in Diguisuit beach.
Baler is famous for surfing but if you are not the type who is into extreme sports, there are a lot of other things to see in Baler.
The view of the the beach from atop Ermita Hill.
For instance, there is a century-old balete tree which visitors can climb.
They say is one of the oldest balete tree in the Philippines.
BUT if you are not one of the faint-hearted, then surf at Sabang beach until you cry out of fun!
My friend Eloi conquering the waves.
Not your typical kind of beach.
See you in the second part of my Baler adventure! 😉
My companions for this trip. 🙂
A Thoughtful Paper 
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Baler i such a lovely place, thanks for sharing these pics! Nothing can compare to the Philippines’ beautiful beaches ‘no?
I haven’t been to other tropical countries but just based on the beaches I’ve been to in this country, I can say we are indeed blessed. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!