“Travel Factor SURFVIVOR BALER March 6-7″

Low tide in Baler

We were scheduled to go to La Union for another surfing trip. Me and my cousins have been stoked and we would want to get as much waves as we can. However, the week before our LU trip. TF decided to change the plans and go to Baler instead because it was flat in LU.

So there we were, heading to Baler. I realized that I did not know my geography. All along I was thinking that Baler was in Aurora Quezon. There was not even an Aurora Quezon. Aurora Quezon is in fact the wife of the late Manuel Luis Quezon. And that Aurora by itself is Aurora Province.

Aurora Province is located on the East-Central side of Luzon Island. It is the north-eastern most province of Central Luzon (Region III). It is bordered on the north by the provinces of Isabela and Qurino, on the west by Nueva Ecija and Nueva Viscaya, on the south by Bulacan and Quezon, and on the east by the Pacific Ocean. The province’s main link to the rest of Luzon is through a narrow mountain gravel road that twists through the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The road is located between Baler and Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

The view is spectacular while heading to Baler, you will pass by different rivers and Mountains. In fact, the mountains on view is actually the Sierra Madre Mountains. There are 8 towns in Aurora Province; Baler, Casiguran, Dipaculao, Dingalan, Dilasag, Dinalungan, Maria Aurora and San Luis.

But we were headed to BALER. A lot of people is familiar with Baler because of the Movie “Baler”. What we did not know was the beauty that awaits us on that trip. Baler is the political and economic center of Aurora. Baler is also one of the best Surfing areas in the Philippines.

Best Surfing areas includes: Baler, Aurora Province; Catanduanes; La Union Province; Siargao Island;Zambales Province; Badoc Island, Ilocos Norte Province; Daet, Camarines Norte Province; Samar; Vigan, Ilocos Sur Province.

The only problem with Baler is the road going to the province. It would be easier if there are more signs to point which roads to take. Also it would be best if they would hurry cementing the roads as it slows down the travel time. But all these are nothing because the view is breath taking. I just wish the other provinces would not do “Kaingin” so much. It makes the mountains look bald. Not only does it affect the aesthetic beauty of the place but it will also hurt them once they are hit by a big typhoon.

There is a Museo de Baler which tells the story behind Baler and Manuel Luis Quezon.  It was a nice place to take souvenir photos.

to be continued:

All girl group went to San Juan Surf Resort in San Juan La Union with Travel Factor!

I was in La Union around June of 2009. Been wanting to come back but due to work I was not able to do so until now. Travel Factor organized a SURFVIVOR trip which me and my cousins wanted to join ever since October. But because of the recent typhoons catastrophe Ondoy and Pepeng. We were forced to put on hold our surfing dreams.

I was telling my cousins not to expect too much from La Union. Having been to Boracay and Bohol, I knew they would be a little disappointed. However, I was the one who got surprised! There were a lot of changes with the beach in San Juan.  My cousins were mesmerized, it was the right size, the right sun for a weekend get away.

San Juan Surf Resort as well made a lot of major changes which made the resort more attractive and more relaxing! I love the new Sun deck that they have built with matching pond.  They now offer night life during Fridays and Saturdays. I liked the music. There’s an easy access to videoke and still food is great in Urbiztondo, just right in front of San Juan Surf resort from the highway.

What’s great is that, people are now flocking the beach. It is lovely to see a lot of surfers waiting to catch their wave.

What I learned is that whenever there is a wave, take your time to feel if it’s time to stand. Although that is not always the case because if a wave is coming you have to paddle hard and make sure that you are in sync with the waves to get a great ride. 

All in all it was a weekend of fun, SURFING, Food trip, chit chatting and new friends. In fact we loved the trip so much we are planning to go back in March,4 weeks to go!

Thank you TRAVEL FACTOR!

Thank You God for the lovely weather!

View of the new sun deck

view of the beach front at 6 in the morning

a new resort being bult

Surf’s up

Surf lesson from the one and only Luke Landrigan

More instructions

Now it’s the ladies turn to surf

The author

]]> http://rosaminda.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/san-juan-surf-resort-revisited/feed/ 0 MIN 22166_296335527135_697027135_3988480_4319641_n 22166_296337232135_697027135_3988484_963987_n 22166_296339882135_697027135_3988486_5929671_n 22166_296340777135_697027135_3988488_4492511_n 22166_296346317135_697027135_3988497_5456759_n 22166_296355512135_697027135_3988514_3590542_n 22166_296357087135_697027135_3988528_1408797_n (1) 22166_296357097135_697027135_3988529_7128907_n 22166_296361287135_697027135_3988674_2084761_n 22166_296361302135_697027135_3988677_372565_n 22166_296363037135_697027135_3988692_3227241_n 22166_296367147135_697027135_3988709_6316938_n 22166_296363032135_697027135_3988691_1769692_n 22166_299094837135_697027135_3999284_1043_n 22166_299110692135_697027135_3999335_908920_n 22166_299109517135_697027135_3999333_4445738_n (1) 22166_299234402135_697027135_3999590_1993604_n http://rosaminda.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/lago-de-oro-calatagan-batangas/ http://rosaminda.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/lago-de-oro-calatagan-batangas/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:04:12 +0000 MIN http://rosaminda.wordpress.com/?p=433 ]]> January 2, 2010

What a way to start the year! Wake Boarding… I ticked the box right beside “learn a new sport” from my Journal,

Me and my friends only planned to stay the night in Tagaytay to have dinner and coffee and perhaps breakfast the following morning. Surprisingly we were up to anything and everything that anyone from the group suggests. So there we were booking our stay in an Inn in Tagaytay when Coleen said, “let’s do wake boarding tomorrow morning”.

We told the inn keeper that we had to leave around 6 am in order for us to make it to the morning schedule for wake boarding. 6am turned out to be 10 am.

So we were at Lago de Oro around 12:00 Noon. We made it to the afternoon slot. It was only Php960.00 for a half day session for beginners.

What I liked about wake boarding:

Calatagan Batangas is just 2 hours drive from Makati. You can make it a weekend day trip. Passing by Tagaytay for meals and coffee. It’s not an expensive sport  (after buying your wakeskates, bindings, vests etc).

The ride was longer than surfing. Since I was only a beginner I spent more time walking than wake boarding as I was always wipeout.  (I liked walking as it saves me time, rather than waiting for the tractor to pick me up) Like surfing, it was always a battle within. Whether, you want to hold on. Whether how many times you can ride the four corners. Whether you decide to do the next level. It was always one’s decision, one’s readiness, one’s braveness.

In my case, I have never been more patient. I was taking my time. I wanted to be sure that I have mastered kneeling before I try standing. One things for sure, wake boarding will definitely be an addition to “my new sport”.

We passed by Sebay Resort, but our target was to stay at the San Juan Surf Resort. When we got there, there were few people up.

Room rates were as follows: Standard Aircon Rooms, Good for 2 People P1,260, Good for 4 Peple 1,680..Fan room Goodd for 2 people P650.00. We asked around in the afternoon about other resort accomodation rates and it turned out theirs was the cheapest or at least reasonable.

I like the clean toiletes even at the lounge or bar as compared to other resort restaurants dirty toiletes.

We booked for a night stay and chose tha airconditioned room for two. We stayed at Room 2 2nd Floor. The room was clean and smelled fresh which was a plus. After freshening up, we took our breakfast and ordered for Banana Pancakes with Bacon and Spanish Omelet… we realized the food and drinks was a bit expensive.

We sat in front of the resort and looked at the waves. It was a cloudy day and the waves was unbelievably beautiful, it was like looking at a lacy skirt.

From a distance Surfers were riding the waves. I was immediately mesmerized on how they were doing it. I myself was not planning to try it, I was there for the sun sand and a little swimming which turned out to be difficult because as we were ready to dip in the water a local surfer approached us and told us not to go beyond knee level because the waves might pull us in. And when we went in the water we knew he was right, it was difficult to swim but we enjoyed it, it was like having your own masseus.

We stayed in the water for an hour or more and decided to sun bath instead. We decided to check other resorts and restaurants. We found a restaurant in front of San Juan Surf Resort by the road who serves delicious and affordable meals. The Urbiztondo Restaurant serves fresh dishes. I was amazed how a simple tortang talong tasted great! So we decided to eat there the whole length of our stay in San Juan.

In the afternoon while we were looking at the other surfers. My  friend asked me what time we were going to surf, I said go ahead I will watch you from here. She looked at me funny and was really shocked that I was not planning  to surf when I was the one who really wanted to go to the surfing haven. So as not to disappoint her I agreed to surf. The moment I said yes I knew I will be regretting it after. My clothes were not for surfing so I borrowed from the shop.

My instructor (Jeffrey Nunag was one of the instructors under Luke Landrigan who were recently accredited in Australia with Cheyne Horan as a fully qualified trainer)

Jeffrey, started the basics on surfing. As usual, I was not listening because I was too nervous. By the time I gave my attention to my instructor he was on the part about Nose and some other body parts of the board before my mind drifted away again. I went back to reality when he said ok let’ start. I was now asking myself “WHY AM I DOING THIS AGAIN????”

So there I was riding my board and was being slapped on the face by terrible waves and was having a fill of salt water  in my stomach, atleast my brains were now clean from all that salt water entering my nose and mouth hahahha. Even I was nervous I was enjoying the part that we were fight the waves to get to the area where I could try what I learned from the instructions that was given to me.

When he turned my board to face the shore I knew this was it, I was about to SURF! then I heard the word Ready, ready, ready and he let go of me and my board. I was not even able to stand then I hit the water.

However, it changed my perspective of Surfing, even though I was not able to stand I knew I was challenged. So from praying “I hope nothing bad happens to me, my prayer become, Father please let me stand atleast once”.

We tried a few times and I thought I really would not be able to make it, but on my 6th try I was able to stand for a tiny second. And my trainor said, let’s try again and this  take make it a few more seconds. And when he let go of me again I did lasted 3 seconds. Now I knew I could do better, then next I was able to stand longer! I immediately told my friend and my instructor. Ok I am now happy we can go back to the resort and drinks are on me. I was contented to just be able to stand. Then my instructor said, let’s practice some more. I was able to stand often and longer. And right there and then I knew, I will be back for more! I asked immidiately if he was available the next morning before we head  home and scheduled another lesson the following day.

I was proud of myself that I did a little celebrating alone. I had a Long island Iced tea by the bar. By ten o’clock the bar was closed. So I  went to sleep.

The next day I woke up at 5am did my quiet time by the beach and did my little praise and worship to Jesus for making me safe, for making it possible for me to come to the beach and to find out that I could love a new sport. Jesus was good to me.

I stayed in front of the resort and looked at the waves till my friend woke up. We had coffee and I changed to prepare myself for another surfing lesson. This time armed with my netbooks web camera. My friend took my attempt to ride the waves.

The waves

with my new best friend my instructor Jeffrey

With the birthday girl and the reason why I tried surfing

Our room number

Photos were only taken using my Netbook,  excuse for poor quality

]]> http://rosaminda.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/san-juan-la-union/feed/ 5 MIN Sat Jun 20 00-55-47 Sat Jun 20 17-44-40 Sat Jun 20 01-01-53 Sat Jun 20 21-39-54 Sat Jun 20 21-41-49 Sat Jun 20 01-02-55 Sat Jun 20 17-44-21 Sat Jun 20 20-56-04 http://rosaminda.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/couldnt-get-enough-of-malapascua-island/ http://rosaminda.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/couldnt-get-enough-of-malapascua-island/#comments Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:16:39 +0000 MIN http://rosaminda.wordpress.com/?p=257 ]]> I wrote something about Malapascua but was not able to upload pics of what I was really trying to say.

The difference now from my previous trip is that, I’ve met special people from the last trip. Ivy helped us a lot. She let us grill Tuna Fish so that we do not have to spend too much on food, imagine a kilo of fresh Tuna is only Php 80.00 In Manila that would cost Php200 plus per kilo.

Next she taught us how to mix drinks which is cheaper but good to the taste.

I went kayaking with my friends which was fun. I didn’t know I could row a boat. I want to try the motor bike next time. and probably do more kayaking.

Ging-ging restaurant was also a revelation. The food was good and cheap. You just need to prepare yourself for a long wait. And please please always stay with the good graces of the owner/manager, she is fiery and fiesty.

The white dog from my last visit was still there. IF you visit this island you might see him roaming the island he is a white dog with Brown patches of color, wearing a jamaican colored colar.

If you like danggit (Fish), there are men during the afternoon who are trying to catch danggit near the shore. Make sure if you pass by them to ask, what are they trying to catch. They sell, some of it and they  eat what’s left from it.

Bluewaters Resort was under rennovation when we arrived. They now offer Diving.

From this angle you will think that nothing changed in Bluewater.

View from Bluewaters resort. Last year boats were lined up in front blocking the view.

.

Last year bungalows line up this walk way.

Cocobana was more like Bluewaters last year. Now they have this modern structure.

The space looks wider now…

a kid blocking the view,

First time to Kayak.

Trying some  Ef Eh Em pose

It was my first time to hear the name of the place. It took us 1 hour and almost 45 minutes to reach the island. What we saw was spectacular. I couldn’t believe how beautiful the island is. Everything was perfect, it was like a scene from a movie. The sun was perfectly bright. The sky and sea was bluer than usual. The sand was white. The grass was greener. It’s like God showered these perfect colors for us to see.

The guys wasted no time and snorkled. I wanted to follow them but it took me so much time to get ready. They were long gone by the time I was ready to snorkle so I decided to stay near the shore. We were actually in a cove. I was trying to remember all details as I looked around.

I was also concerned witht the food we will have for lunch, so I spoke with our tour guide who was already setting up a grill to cook the fresh tuna fish and the chicken barbecue. They brought tomatoes, Onions, Soy sauce (toyo in Manila and Patis in Cebu) Manong tour guide told me there was a  nice view up the cliff. You need to follow a path going up. So since they can take care of our food, I went up. Julie was with me. I couldn’t stop taking photos because it was too nice.

again just enjoy the pictures…

The view from the cliff.. and the cliff by the way is a Hellipad. (photo by Zack)

(Photo by Zack) The view from the top

Photo by: Jnniena View from the boat.

Hans jumped, got a few scrapes and cuts, no worries!

author’s evidence that she was here!

author’s new found friends

the author…havin’ a good time!

Malapascua changed a lot. The bungalows that lined the beach front a year ago has been removed and are replaced with modern two storey buildings that gave a modern flare to the island. Malapascua has always been clean but with the renovations it looked cleaner and wider. The boats that used to line up infront of the island no longer block the spectacular view. The boats are now located at the back where Le Dolce Vita is located.

On my second stay at the lovely island, I met 8 students from Hongkong, they came from different countries from Europe and one from the USA. The funniest is Marcos from Brazil, the hunkiest is Jonas from Denmark, the cutest is Hans from Germany, the nicest is Jens from Denmark, the most serious is Michael from Denmark, I couldn’t remember where Kai came from but he was the baby. The youngest would be Zack from the US and the only girl Celine from South Africa. They are all exchange students studying in Hongkong.

For this trip, I was able to visit the lovely island of Carnasa, its an hour and a half boat ride from Malapascua. Even our pictures did not give justice to the magnificent view that we come across.

This trip is the best trip I had so far because I was with my close friends, I just wished all my best friends were with me to celebrate my birthday.

Let the pictures do the talking…

pictures by Jnienna

kids from Maya getting a free ride

Author imitating Jollibee

Thresher Shark Divers tug boat

Author trying to mix drinks

Jnniena got a nice shot of the sunset, which is really lovely in Malapascua

Author with Zack…cutie young enough to be my son…lol

The author feeling senti…well if you look closer, you can see that the water is super clear.

Isla Verde was named after the Spanish explorer Capt. Juan Verde.

Isla Verde is the Center of Marine Biodiversity in the world and the Verde Island Passages as the “Center of the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiverisity” (from wikipedia).

I couldn’t help but quote a phrase from Wikipedia because it is true, when we went snorkling at Isla Verde, I got so impressed that I didn’t want to get out of the water. I only stopped when a friend of mine told me not to go too far because there are sharks nearby. Well I am not into diving and I do not know about those stuff, but then again I was not supposed to be scared because “come on” the water was just knee deep high (low tide).

Aside from swimming, diving and snorkling… Isla Verde boasts of beautiful sceneries… it is nice to stroll around this area, flowers are planted by the locals in their backyard that adds up to the beauty of the place. Locals made sure that their area is clean… they even painted some stones with smiley faces to make sure tourists feel welcome in their place.

One thing though, it is a bit scary to stay here (if you believe and see ghosts, then this place is a nice area for ghost hunting).  I even had a friend who asked me to sleep right beside him because he was seeing something. A hand slapped one of our other friends feet while sleeping outside. But don’t get me wrong these are just things that make the place even more appealing.

While we were strolling, we saw people mixing a bronze colored concuction being cooked over firewood. This concoction is made out of fermented coconut. They need to countinously mix this brew to make it sweet. This will be poured over small make shift cup, made out of coconut leaves. It is called “PAKASKAS”.

Isla Verde is a pleasant vacation spot to visit if you do not want to go too far from Manila. It is cheaper to visit than most beaches, you will only spend more or less Php 2,000 pesos for an overnight stay. If interested please contact Joyce at 0923-5071447

How to get there:

From Metro Manila, there are a lot of buses heading to Batangas Pier. From the Pier take a jeepney ride to Leah Beach (pronounced as La-i-ya). From Leah Beach take a boat ride to Isla Verde.