How to Go to Baler via Private Transportation

 Go to Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) or Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). You can reach Cabanatuan via NLEX-Bulacan-Gapan route or NLEX-SCTEX-Tarlac-Sta. Rosa Route. The latter route would be longer but takes a shorter time. 

•  NLEX-Bulacan-NE route. Go to NLEX. Take the Sta. Rita exit. Take the road passing through Plaridel, Baliuag, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, Gapan NE, Sta. Rosa to Cabanatuan.

• NLEX-SCTEX-Tarlac-Sta.Rosa route. NLEX up to Clark Logistics Interchange. Enter SCTEX going to Tarlac. Exit at Amucao, Tarlac (End of SCTEX). Turn right to La Paz up to Sta. Rosa, NE. Turn left going to Cabanatuan.

Option 1: Canili-Pantabangan

From Cabanatuan take the Maharlika Highway going to Talavera, Nueva Ecija. Turn right to the road going to Rizal, Nueva Ecija then Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija. The road will take you to Canili, Maria Aurora, Aurora. The road will pass through the Sierra Madre until you reach the Poblacion of Maria Aurora. From Maria, Aurora you can then go straight to Baler.

Option 2: Baler-Bongabon

From Cabanataun take the Maharlika Hiway and turn right to the Nueva Ecija – Aurora Road (landmark: crossing with Shell Gas Station and NE Restaurant). The road will pass through Palayan City and Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. From Bongabon turn right to the road going to the Sierra Madre mountains. After two or three hours of winding road you will reach the municipality of San Luis and then Baler.

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Where to Eat in Baler: Gerry Shan's Place Chinese and Seafood Cuisine

Maraming kainan sa Baler. Mga local na kainan. Kung fastfood ang hanap mo, wala kang makikita dito. Isang maliit na Jollibee on Wheels lang ang meron sa bayan. Puwede kang kumain sa mga restaurant ng ibang hotels/inns kahit hindi ka naka stay sa kanila. 

Kapag kainan sa Baler, sikat na sikat ang restaurant ni Mang Gerry. Ang Gerry Shan's Place Chinese and Seafood Cuisine. Buffet ang peg. 

Marami kang pagpipilian. Mahigit 20 klase ng putahe ang pwede mong tikman. Nothing fancy. May baboy, manok, baka, isda at gulay. May desert pa at fresh fruits. Kasama na ang drink all you can na iced tea. Not bad for its price. Just be there early para makauna sa pagkain!

 Dessert

Mangoes

Unlimited Drinks

 The price:

Meron din silang ala carte...

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Places to See in Baler

There are many things anyone can enjoy in Baler. Because I forgot to bring my contact lenses, and Im a little bit scared, I did not try to surf. Maybe next time when I find my courage to brave the big waves. 

For those who don't want to surf, just enjoy the beauty that Aurora offers.

1. Baler Church - this is the site of the Siege of Baler. It was originally built in 1611. In 1939, First Lady Aurora Quezon led a move to renovate the church. The church was painted but the interior remains preserved.

2.  Ermita Hill - said to be the highest point in Baler overlooking the sea. It has a viewdeck where you can enjoy the picturesque view. Below is the statue called Tromba Marina. It is said that a big tsunami hit the town wayback in 1735 and only few families survived it. The shine was dedicated to them.

Considered as the highest point in Baler overlooking the bay. At the foot of the hill is a shrine called "Tromba Marina", dedicated to commemorate the families who climbed up the hill and survived the catastrophic tsunami that happened in 1735. - See more at: http://www.pinoyadventurista.com/2012/01/3d2n-baler-aurora-itinerary.html#sthash.E6tPVBlS.dpuf

3. Diguisit Falls - a multi level falls located just along the highway.

4.  Diguisit Rock Formations - a must-see place where the rocks are formed beautifully and displayed on the ocean.

5. Aurora Quezon Ancestral House - replica of the former first lady's ancestral house. Located just outside the Baler church.

6.  Baler Public Market

7.  Ditumabo Falls - the falls is called Mother Falls and its located in the town of San Luis in Aurora. Trek the rocky mountain for about 30 minutes and you can see the magnificent waterfall.

8.  Balete Tree - the largest balete (Banyan) tree in Asia. It is located in Brgy. Maria Aurora. It is estimated about 600 years old that's why it is also known as Millenium Tree.  You can actually get inside the tree and take a picture.

9.  Sabang Bay - surf, swim, run, jog and walk along Sabang Bay

Other spots that we have not visited. 

1. Pagasa Weather Station
2. Cemento Beach and Cobra Reef

3. Dicasalarin Beach/Cove

4.  Dicaloyungan Picnic Zone

5.  Aniao Islets

6.  Lieutenant Commander James C. Gilmore Marker

7.  Museo de Baler

8.  Quezon Memorial Park - the birthplace of President Manuel L. Quezon

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Where to Stay in Baler: Aliya Surf Camp & Resort

There are many accommodations to choose in Baler that will suit your budget from high end to low end. But mind you, you have to book in advance because Baler nowadays is becoming crowds favorite weekend destination.

We booked at Aliya Surf Camp ans Resort in Sabang Beach. 

Rates as of February 2014.

Triple - P2100.00

Quadruple - P2800.00

Quadruple Deluxe - P3800.00

Family (6pax) - P3800.00

Family Deluxe (6pax) - P4200.00

Family (7pax) - P4800.00

We got the family room good for 8 pax. It is located in the ground floor. We've got another 3 quad rooms for the rest of the group but they are located in the upper floors. Since medyo nahihirapan ng mag akyat baba sa hagdan ang mga kasama namin, nakiusap ako na ilipat sila sa ground floor. Ngunit walang quad rooms sa ground floor ng hotel. They were kind enough to put them in triple sharing room for the price of quad. It was ok though as long as may extra mattres naman sila na ibinigay.

Bawal magdala ng food sa hotel. But we were so hungry when we came and we had no time to eat at the roadside. I asked the lady to allow us to eat our late lunch because we were so hungry. Naawa daw sila sa mga hitsura namin na mukhang patay gutom kaya pinayagan nila kami. They have a small hut near the beach kung saan kami kumain.

 

Mukhang bago pa lang ang hotel dahil maganda pa ang mga rooms. Bago at malamig ang aircon. Malakas din ang tubig sa cr. May available tour guide din sila (P500) at surfing lessons.

Overall, I recommend the hotel if you're going to stay in Baler.

ALIYA SURF RESORT & RESTAURANT

Buton St. Brgy. Sabang Beach Baler, Aurora

FB:aliyasurfcamp 

website: www.aliyasurfcamp.com

Please call us at 09399390929/09399 390844

THE WAVES ARE CALLING... I MUST GO!!

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2D/1N Baler Aurora Escapade

I have always wanted to visit Baler because of what I've read on blogs and seen on travel shows.

Aurora is my 29th province and its capital is Baler. When you say Baler, the first thing that comes to your mind is surfing! Dahil sa malalaking alon mula Pacific Ocean, magandang spot ang Baler para sa mga surfing enthusiast.

We left Pampanga at 7am and took the Canili-Pantabangan Route. This direction came from the Provincial Tourism of Aurora. From SCTEX to Pantabangan- NLEX to Clark Logistics Interchange, turn right to Tarlac, and then choose the SCTEX exit in Amucao, Tarlac City. From there, turn right to La Paz Tarlac then go straight to Sta. Rosa. Upon reaching Sta. Rosa, make a left turn and choose the road leading to Cabanatuan City. Take the Talavera route and turn right to Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija. From Cabanatuan take the Maharlika Highway going to Talavera, Nueva Ecija. Turn right to the road going to Rizal, Nueva Ecija then Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija. The road will take you to Canili, Maria Aurora, Aurora. The road will pass through the Sierra Madre until you reach the Poblacion of Maria Aurora. From Maria, Aurora you can then go straight to Baler.

Other option is the Baler-Bongabon Route. From Cabanatuan take the Maharlika Hiway and turn right to the Nueva Ecija – Aurora Road (landmark: crossing with Shell Gas Station and NE Restaurant). The road will pass through Palayan City and Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. From Bongabon turn right to the road going to the Sierra Madre mountains. After two or three hours of winding road you will reach the municipality of San Luis and then Baler.

You can also take the public transportation. Ride a Genesis bus with daily trips to Baler. Genesis transport terminal is located at #33 Edsa  corner New York St., Cubao, Quezon City. 

We went straight to our accommodation upon arriving.

Related Post:

Where to Stay in Baler Aurora
 

Places to see in Baler Aurora
Where to Eat in Baler: Gerry Shan's Place

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Where to Eat in Quezon City: Ma Mon Luk

I remember when I was just around 12 years old, we ate at Ma Mon Luk in Quezon City. Akala ko ako lang pero kami ngmaga kapatid at pinsan ko, hindi namin nagustuhan ang lasa ng mami at siopao. Siguro dahil sanay lang ang panlasa namin sa Chowing kaya ganun. Sabi nila kung gusto mong matikman ang authentic na mami mula China, kain ka sa Ma Mon Luk. 

Ngayon, after almost 20 years, we found ourselves ordering their famous mami and siopao.

Pagpasok pa lang, may kakaibang amoy sa loob. Parang amoy ng pinakuluang sabaw na ewan. Hindi rin nami alam ang aming gagawin dahil walang nag-a-assits at walang maupuan. Ikaw ang bahalang maghanap ng sarili mong mesa. On our part, we looked for a table na may malapit ng matapos na kumain and we waited for their table. Kung hindi mo gagawin ito, wala ka talagang mauupuan. Nang maka-upo na kami, wala ding waiter na lumapit. Lahat ng waiters ay busy. Kaya kami na ang kumuha ng sarili naming order at kami na mismo ang lumapit sa waiter.

After almost 30 minutes, ayun dumating na ang order namin. Hindi naman ako masyadong gutom pagdating namin pero sa tagal ng paghihintay namin para makakuha ng table at pagdating ng food, ayun nagutom tuloy ako.

Dahil sa gutom,naubos ko ang siopao at mami. According to my Uncle Boy, the mami and siopao still taste the way he remembers it decades ago. He said, when he was still a college student in FEU, he used to take his girlfriends at Ma Mon Luk.

 If you want to taste an authentic mami and siopao in the metro, visit Ma Mon Luk.


Ma Mon Luk
Banawe Street, Quezon Ave, Quezon City

(02) 712 3560

Ma Mon Luk 
Quezon Avenue corner
Banawe Avenue
Quezon City. - See more at: http://baffledchichi.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-family-favorite-combo-at-ma-mon-luk.html#sthash.YhDXXhmr.dpuf

Ma Mon Luk 
Quezon Avenue corner
Banawe Avenue
Quezon City. - See more at: http://baffledchichi.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-family-favorite-combo-at-ma-mon-luk.html#sthash.YhDXXhmr.dpuf

Ma Mon Luk 
Quezon Avenue corner
Banawe Avenue
Quezon City. - See more at: http://baffledchichi.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-family-favorite-combo-at-ma-mon-luk.html#sthash.YhDXXhmr.dpuf

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