Tried SURFING for the first time and it was during a storm!
Dear Diary,
We only had two weeks to prepare for this and I'm glad it turned out great. Also, we were supposed to go to Bicol but sleeper buses' online booking were already full that time. And hey there, Nina a.k.a. Nock-Ten! There really is a reason for everything.
Gosh, where to begin?
After an 8-hour drive (includes massive eating every stopover), we finally made it to Baler. We, as in my sisters, my nephew, my cousin and my tita. Of course, tita was worried all trip long about tsunamis. Add the fact that I chose a transient house just along the shore, you can just imagine how worried she was.
Arriving at Beachfront Baler, kuya Agot (a.k.a. Michael) welcomed us. He is a local surfer, a friend of a friend whom I got his number from. We, kids, went straight to the shore despite the strong winds with him and kuya Ramil, the Batangeño who drove us there. Kuya Agot gave us a show and there were also tourists trying to surf for the first time that it really thrilled us to try it on our own.
Tour began the following day. Waking up at 4:30am, we were afraid not to be able to make the most of it as rain began to pour. Okay fine, maybe I got a bit scared too as the waves were stronger than the other beaches I've been to; but DUH, this is why they surf here. Plus, the locals looked calm. We took off after breakfast.
First stop was at the Ronquillo Balete Eco-park. Tita went crazy as Belete trees were said to be home to supernatural creatures.
We went inside tho and took snaps like most tourists do. Some even climb up its branches to take the perfect photo. 1... 2... Balete Tree!
It's enormous. I wonder how many storms this tree has lived through and how many people it's amazed throughout the generations.
We only had two weeks to prepare for this and I'm glad it turned out great. Also, we were supposed to go to Bicol but sleeper buses' online booking were already full that time. And hey there, Nina a.k.a. Nock-Ten! There really is a reason for everything.
Gosh, where to begin?
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| My nephew, Thirdy. |
After an 8-hour drive (includes massive eating every stopover), we finally made it to Baler. We, as in my sisters, my nephew, my cousin and my tita. Of course, tita was worried all trip long about tsunamis. Add the fact that I chose a transient house just along the shore, you can just imagine how worried she was.
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| at Beachfront Baler |
Tour began the following day. Waking up at 4:30am, we were afraid not to be able to make the most of it as rain began to pour. Okay fine, maybe I got a bit scared too as the waves were stronger than the other beaches I've been to; but DUH, this is why they surf here. Plus, the locals looked calm. We took off after breakfast.
First stop was at the Ronquillo Balete Eco-park. Tita went crazy as Belete trees were said to be home to supernatural creatures.
We went inside tho and took snaps like most tourists do. Some even climb up its branches to take the perfect photo. 1... 2... Balete Tree!
It's enormous. I wonder how many storms this tree has lived through and how many people it's amazed throughout the generations.
Our next stop requires some stripping off as things are about to get wet. Lol.
The Ditumabo Mother Falls or "Mudra Falls," as my cousin would like to call it, involves a 45-minute hike. It might've taken us 45 minutes to get there because my sisters are a bunch of piggies.
This is a sneak peek of the view along the way. Hike's tiresome but the beauty of nature made it all worth it.
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| Ana piggies |
To reach Mudra Falls, we had to cross through waters. The level during ber months is waist-high. It's lower during summer. Some had ropes tied at each end for people to grab onto because the current is stronger than the ex who left you hanging.
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| Ditumabo Mother Falls |
Water's 7-foot deep here. A piece of advice - don't dare swim if you don't know how to. Bawal ang mamaru.
Now, if Dora The Explorer asked me 'what was your favorite part of the trip?' This is it.
We went to a quick stop at the Caunayan Falls and it was really quick. It was half past three by then, we were already very eager to get back to the shore and surf before it gets dark.
Here are the local surfers with their friends from Manila having noche buena by the beach, celebrating a broken surfboard. My cousin joined them. DEFINE GOOD VIBES.
I'll never forget my cousin's question to kuya Agot (on surfing): 'paano ko malalaman pag kaya ko na mag-isa?' He got so hooked, he became 'one with Baler' as he would repeatedly say.
It was everyone's first time to surf. Meanwhile, tita went to the market to buy dinner with our nephew.
I now understand why people really travel there just to go surfing. It was terrifying to try just seeing it in photos but experiencing it and having tried wakeboarding as well, I believe it's easier (for beginners like me).
While waiting for the perfect wave to ride, we were down on our tummies on the surfboard with our respective instructors. I personally asked kuya Agot to be my teacher. They will eventually turn us in the direction of the waves. That's when we switch to ready position. When the wave hits is when we get up.
The one word to perfectly describe surfing is CALMING. Sobrang chill lang.
My concern was that you know where to place your feet on wakeboards and at least you're holding onto something while in surfing, you're on your own. Big mistake. In wakeboarding, you have to fight against the water; in surfing, you simply ride the waves. The only similarity is having to balance your weight, although I put my stronger foot in front in wakeboarding and at the back in surfing.
Here's a very dukha photo of mine. This was my first time last year. I managed to do a jumpstart that day and had it snapped by the photographer but it costs Php 200 so I ditched it. Still can't make it around the big wake to this day.
We wrapped up Christmas eve with fresh seafood, letsong baboy and letsong manok. Noche buena ended early (couldn't stay up 'till midnight) because we were exhausted.
On Christmas day, the skies were clear. We visited Baler Church to give thanks for all the blessings we received the entire year.
Two babies were being baptized Catholics when we arrived at the church. Everyone was celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
These kids approached me while I was taking photos so I took a picture of us instead and greeted them a Merry Christmas!
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| The Quezon Ancestral House |
We also dropped by The Quezon Ancestral House, unfortunately it was closed that day. Didn't get to see The Manuel L. Quezon Presidential Car, a 1936 Chrysler Airflow Limousine. Museo de Baler was closed too.
After saying our prayers and strolling around, we head onto Ermita Hill where people are brought during a state of calamity.
The hill showcases a wonderful view. From there, we were able to see the entire Sabang Surfing Beach.
Our final stop before leaving Baler was at Baranggay Zabali's hanging bridge.
To show you how nerve-racking it really is, here is a panoramic photo of the bridge, and other panoramic photos of Baler as well.
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| Hanging Bridge, Baranggay Zabali, Baler |
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| view from Ermita Hill |
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| view from Beachfront Baler's rooftop |
As far as I can remember, it's also a first time to me traveling East of Luzon and I'm happy to have gone there right after Batanes, which is most North. I'm also happy that we did this adventure this December, the month of my mom's passing, because we never really celebrated the holidays ever since.
Our trip wouldn't have pushed through if it wasn't for Beachfront Baler's wonderful offer (accommodation, tour and transpo... with the jolly kuya Ramil).
Falling in love with wakeboarding is difficult for a dukha like me, then comes surfing into my life. Bakit kasi ang dali ko ma-fall?
I'll definitely be back!
G.
P.S. West is next, for sure!
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