Baler: Second Solo Travel

So my second solo travel pushed through eventually. I did a solo out of my frustration of our Apo trip getting canceled..

So what else would I do? Booked myself a ticket to Baler! and to finally scratch that one thing off my bucket list. SURF! yay
I really have no idea where to go on the weekend. I had three days off and nothing to do. Plus I'm getting burned out recently at work. So, I guess surfing it is! 
So come Sunday night, I found myself at the Genesis terminal boarding their 1:00 am non-stop trip bound to Baler. Seven hours later and I'm in Baler!
I bought a return ticket at their office in Baler since the Cubao branch is not selling. It was a good decision since most seats are taken already considering its only Sunday and I'm leaving on Tuesday. 

From the bus garage, its 10-15 minutes walk to the beach. Sabang beach, appropriately called. I fell in love the moment I saw their beach. It was reminiscent of Bagasbas beach in Camarines Norte but Baler's has mountains, which just adds charm to the place. People are waking up, taking in all the warm sun. 

I know the shoreline is not powdery white and all, but there's a certain vibe  that you just wanna lay down on a hammock and while away the time.
After almost getting lost looking for Bay's inn, I finally found them and booked myself a fan room for an overnight stay. Room is clean and comes with an ensuite bathroom and breakfast! A bit pricey if you ask me. I wish they have a dorm room or something. I availed of their Php150 breakfast buffet. Food is so-so. Pricey if you ask me. Tourist price. 

I asked Kim, the girl at the desk, what's there to do. I think I can't surf just yet. She suggested a tour of Baler, a falls and the famous 100yr old balete tree.
The price is fixed so haggling is a bit difficult and not to mention, Im alone. Oh well, the price I pay for travelling alone.hehe
Kuya (sorry, can't remember his name) will be my driver for the rest of the afternoon. 

It was a bit of a trek and a little river crossing along the way. Water was cold. Can't wait to reach the falls itself. There were a lot of people when we came, but they're already leaving so having the falls to myself seems possible. 
Lying on my back, with a falls in front of me, taking in all the scenery.. Yeah, I'm not in the hospital anymore.

Whenever I find a "spot" in the places I've been, I do this thing, I close my eyes and try to take in everything around me, use all my senses, perse. I try to keep that memory as clear as possible. So whenever I'm feeling stressed out or just need a quick "I need to get away from here" moment, I have those memories.

So I did my thing in the falls.hehe.(That didn't sound right)

The ride to the Balete tree was looong, almost took us an hour. 
Talked to the young guides, aged 14-16. and their Ilocanos! Ilocano pala sila sa Aurora.haha.
I like climbing trees. There's a feeling of being young every time I climb a tree. What I don't like is the climbing down.haha. Mahirap.

I had my lunch at their so-called rolling stores, which were basically carinderias outside, under the trees. I was having my lunch under an acacia tree. Iba talaga sa probinsya.

I asked him if we can pass by the church. I like churches. Since I first saw San Beda's, I had a liking to churches, specially old ones, Spanish churches. So it was disappointing they repainted their church. It would have been nice if they have preserved its old features.

I went back to my room dead beat from all the trekking, walking and climbing. My plan for surfing in the afternoon is getting dimmer. I slept..dont know how long. But when I woke up, the sun's still up! Ang bagal talaga ng oras pag asa probinsya ka.haha. So..surfing na!hehe

My trainer that afternoon was Kuya Mark. He's been surfing for almost three years now. Teaching surfing and at the same time trying his luck on competitions. Most locals are in school and usually do the office work. Surfing are for people who actually has nothing to do, tambays, if i may quote Kuya Mark. If not for the city (Manila) taking notice of the surfing in Baler, they wouldn't realize the possibilities. Kuya Mark said most who joins competitions have been surfing for five or seven years. And it would be like a disrespect  to join such competitions since he's just starting. Seniority sabi niya. Grand prize can go as much as 100,000!! just learning the sport! wow. Sorry walang pic.

Sleeping that night was a bit of a challenge. Mainit kasi and the room smells a bit. Hindi pa abot wi-fi sa room ko. But I managed. Thanks to that ice cold beer. hehe.

My bus leaves at 3:00 pm. More surfing time for me!

Breakky first..

And surfing time again! Waves!!!

 
So what do I think of Baler and surfing? I will definitely do it again and be back. With friends next time and maybe try some other surfing sites. But I did fell in love with Baler and surfing. And let me quote Dra.Coco here "kahit na feeling mo asa loob ka ng washing machine". 


Expenses:
800-room
695-ticket Mla-Baler.Joybus
150-breakfast buffet
150-dinner buffet
700-surf (X2)
45-beer
695-ticket Baler-Mla.Joybus
600-falls/Balete tree tour
150-lunch buffet
miscellanous-200

If you're booking yourselves a ticket through Joybus, call ahead for reservations. They usually have only two trips per day, means tickets ran out fast. You either pay on the bus terminal or through their BDO account, at least 8hours before or else your reservation will be canceled. I paid mine through their BDO account and just showed them the bank slip. 
Genesis Joybus Contact Nos: (02)7090544-45

The bookworm in me

I know this is a travel blog. But the weather doesn't actually allow me to go places. I might as well post some of my other interests. Books.

I love books. The smell of old pages from a borrowed book in the library. The way it can transports me to another place or time without me moving. The way it makes me question life, my beliefs, how it challenges my thinking, opening my mind, my awareness. 
Ive been a reader ever since I learned how to. I remember how when I was in grade school how I read the Archie series and reading them in dimmed light. My mom would scold me for the bad habit. Which I learned later on was not really a cause of poor eyesight. Even when I started wearing glasses, it never stopped me from reading. Back in high school, I was drawn to Sheldon, Johansen and some authors our English teacher would suggests. I tried reading Steel coz it was the trend back then but I simply can't. Romance isn't really for me. We have book reviews, so reading was really a must. But for me, it was an escape. I was able to go places with me stationary. I was able to learn cultures on papers. Life lessons, etc. Knowledge was endless. I love to read. I mean, I can say immediately for reading a few pages of the book if the story's gonna be good. I actually tried reading some classics after finishing Harpers Lee's To kill a mockingbird, which by the way tops my fave books, but never liked it. Well, take Austen's collections for example. I tried to read Wuthering Heights but never really understood the words. Or Madame Bovary. Maybe if someone will translate to simpler english.hehe.Dumb it down I guess.hehe. Karl handed me the Game of thrones series but never really wrapped my head around it. The way George writes, I never really got used to. Its almost more than six months since he lend me the book but never really quite finished it. haha. I watched the series instead. haha. Marga finds it weird that I can stay up all night reading. As in she would sleep and wakes up and find me still reading.haha. Beth insisted I should go to med school since I already have an edge on reading books fast. Come on, medicine books are way way way different from the books I read. I wish they be as fun as the books I read.haha. Some of the books I read I finished out of obligation. You know, I finished reading it because I started reading it. Not because I loved it. ANd there are those I can finish in one sitting, no matter how thick it is. I know the book is good if i can't put it down. BUt there are some books that will move you..inspire you..to be a better person. on what you do. Change how you see things, people, life. As i said, it was an escape. 
I forgot the other titles. Most of those are chick lits which I read when I just wanted a fun read.hehe. I would like to start reading on biographies.Interested on reading Playboy's magnate and maybe some Asian's histories. You see, learning doesn't stop in school. You'll soon realize that knowledge need not to be bought (tuition fees). It is readily available, we just have to look for it. You'd be surprised that someone who never went to school but loves to read is much fun to talk to than someone who has a masters degree but never picked a book. 
I'd still be reading you know as long as I can. As travel does to me, books make an easy escape from reality..


Here's some of the books I remember reading..and some I purchased but haven't got the time to read. 
-To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
-Atonement by Ian McEwan
-Peony in Love by Lisa See
-The Pact by Jodi Picoult
-The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman Vantrease
-The Lost Diary of Don Juan by Douglas Carlton Abrams
-People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
-A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer
-Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
-Luna by Julie Anne Peters
-The Inner Circle by T.C. Boyle
-The Last Summer (of you and me) Ann Brashares
-The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
-Blue Blood series by Melissa dela cruz
-Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
-Stephenie Meyers books
-Iris johansen books
-Agatha Christie books
-Sidney Sheldon books (cant remember all the titles but I read loads of them.was addicted to him back in hs)
-Philippa Greggory books
-The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry (thanks to Toni :) can't remember the other title he asked me to read)
-The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
-Veronika decides to Die by Paulo Coelho
-By the River Piedra I sat down and wept by Paulo Coelho
-11 minutes by Paulo Coelho
-Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
-Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
-A love Story by Erich Seagal
-A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks
-Memoirs of A Geisha by Arthur Golden
-Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
-Five people you meet in heaven Mitch Albom
-A walk to remember by Nicholas Sparks
-Carrie by Stephen King
-Mary Higgins Clark (thanks Tinay)
-Violin by Anne Rice
-Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games' series (thanks afi)
-The unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera (currently reading,thanks Maan)

Next on my bookshelf...
-The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
-The Rule of four by Ian Caldwell
-Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
-On the road by Jack Kerovac
-Lawrence Sanders series
-Snow Flower and the secret Fan by Lisa See
-The pearl by John steinbeck
-The perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
-Before ever after by Samantha Sotto (counting you Liza on this one)
-Fifty shades of Grey E.L. James
-The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
-The Girl Who Played fire

11. Surf

I did just scratch one item from my bucket list, did I?
S U R F
Oh yeah..
SSSuuuurrrfff..

I went on a sort-of-solo trip last month. I missed it!! The feeling of going away alone. Samahan mo pa ng surfing. The feeling you get each time you get to stand on the board and ride a good wave. Its like learning how to walk..this time you're aware of it and you're on water.hehe.


Looking forward to getting stoked again!

Bicol '12: Travel with a cause

so i am to write about our travel for a cause thing..
it was so overwhelming to see people eager to help..kindness at its best.what surprised me was there really were a lot of people willing to help.i mean a lot.more than willing pa nga..


and when we got back, there still were a lot who are willing to give..people come up to me and ask how was our trip and would extend how they, too, wanted to give something but wasnt able to because they were told late..


nakakataba ng puso.pano ko ba sasabihin.hindi ko talaga inaasahan un tulong..i mean genuine na tulong mula sa mga tao.i was even shy at first of accepting their money but when they say it wasnt for me naman, i realized they were right..the money was for the kids.haha


i'd also like to thank the four girls who went along with my yet again "kabaliwan".haha. who didn't just went along with because of the trip but for the reason they wanted to help. who went with the whole plan not with just one foot but with their whole selves. To marela, who's family was so gracious of opening their home to the four of us. Kami na ang humihingi ng pasensya para kay Geh, the city girl, Kagawad. To Franz, my fellow kargador.haha. Whom I never heard a single complaint when we were lifting the heavy boxes. To Geh who, with her sis, braved Divisoria to buy the cheapest slippers,shirts,etc. for the outreach and for the unlimited entertainment she provided not only to us but also to the people we met on this trip. And of course, to Liza, to Tsang Liza for taking me seriously with this plan, and for putting into action the things we thought would be left as thoughts.. Thank You guys!


I don't want to put ourselves in a pedestal and say we're good people because we did something like this. I want to tell people that this is only normal. Helping people. Giving back. What we did is not something of great, we were just doing what we were suppose to. What every one of us is suppose to.

And again for the nth time, MARAMI PONG SALAMAT sa lahat ng nagbigay. Till our next outreach!!

Photoblog: Smile

Bicol '12: Travel for a cause

 
It's the greatest injustice in the world for me, seeing kids not on school, underfed, basically not given their basic needs.People who wants kids for the wrong reasons shouldn't be allowed to have one since they're already acting kids.




I've been traveling for almost three years now and did a few outreaches before but this one has touched me the most. It was like getting hit by reality again, doubled this time. When we saw the kids, we felt it still was not enough because I know, we can do and give more.

I know some of you will read this and be touched by what we did. Maybe you'll forget the feeling in a week or even after the day ends or as soon as your next frappe or milk tea is served and there are those who will be greatly moved by what we did and be inspired to do the same as well. But I am hoping for the latter.


As Gandhi said, Be the change you want to see in the world..

Photoblog: Philippine National Railway

Photoblog: Busay Falls

Travel for a cause: update

Sa lahat ng mga nagbigay at nagbalak magbigay ngunit hindi na nakaabot..MARAMING SALAMAT.

And so after an eventful almost-fourteen hours of train ride, we finally reached Marela's small town of Manlilipot, Albay. 

waiting for our 6pm train @ PNR Station

At Naga Station

Immediately after feeding our empty stomachs, Marela's grandmother, Mrs. Amparo Bien talked to us regarding the outreach we will be holding the following day. She was so gracious to help us out in this endeavor. We learned that the whole Bien family is active in doing charity works in their municipality. You see, Mrs. Amparo was a previous vice mayor. It was inspiring to hear her tell stories about their charity works and how she sees it as her social responsibility. And when asked why we taught of such plan, the four of us just laughed in reply. It wasn't that easy to explain but I remember answering her we miss the feeling of doing such projects.

Planning with Mrs. Amparo
Photo credit: Marela Bien

Guys, salamat talaga ng marami!! Super madami tayong mapapangiting mga kids!!!

 

We we able to collect four huuggee boxes containing school supplies and old clothes all the way from Manila. Thanks to all who donated! Keep posted for updates..

Frustrations..frustrations (title by Ian Visico)

hindi naman dapat ganito eh..

haay...

I spent my last weekend on the mountains..mountains..

on which the original plan was at the sea..sea..saltwater..

I wont be writing about the place this time..

I was waiting.

waiting for that moment again.

That moment.that feeling.that inexplicable feeling.

like the first time I saw Mt. Mayon..

..the sunrise at Angkor wat..

..the white spots of the whalesharks at Donsol..

..the blinding white sands of the beaches of Coron..

I was missing that feeling

And I thought I would feel it again..

Alam ko ang babaw when I say it out loud

Childish even..

But a fellow traveler understands..

Is it weird for me to say that I always feel home when I'm on the road?

But I do..

I am at my element when I'm outside

Meeting people

Interesting conversations

Or maybe I just need a break

Just a break from my routine.

as Ian said..

Frustrations..

frustrations..

But sometimes.

Good friends

Conversations

Booze

are all a perfect vacation needs..

Lesson learned though..

Never plan an out of trip on rainy season..

Chances are..

yes.

It will rain.

argh.

oh yeah