Surfing at Baler Aurora
Baler Aurora is known as the largest surfing spot located in Northern Manila, Philippines. A 5-hour bus ride from Metro Manila going to Baler. So I suggest you should leave early morning for you not to waste any day in Baler.
HOW TO GET TO BALER:
From Cubao Terminal, you can take a bus going to Baler directly via Joy Bus which they have Deluxe amounting Php 700.00 per way and the Standard Aircon amounting Php 450.00 & via Genesis Bus which probably costs cheaper than the Joy Bus.
But expect huge crowd during weekends. We wasn't able to take the direct trips going to Baler but thank God for another option! From Cubao Terminal, we rode a bus going to Cabanatuan which costs us Php 150.00 each. From Cabanatuan Terminal, you can ride a van going to Baler since they have daily trips also and it costs us around Php 250.00 each. So in total of our fare expense, it took us Php 400.00 going to Baler, Aurora.
From Baler Aurora Terminal, we rode a trike going to our Hostel.
WHERE TO STAY IN BALER:
Since we just stayed only for a night, we booked at Circle Hostel where people are so kind and wild at the same time!
Circle Hostel has 3 locations. In La Union, Baler & in Zambales. A very affordable yet worthy place to have yourselves checked in especially for travelers and surfers like me. (Edi, wawz!)
Circle Hostel has Private Rooms, Co-ed & Female Dorms & even Hammocks! They also have "common area" where you can chill with their colorful beanbags & play card games. For breakfast, as usual Circle Hostel thing, banana & peanut butter sandwich & you can get as many as you want.
WHERE TO EAT IN BALER:
There's a couple of delicious restaurants near the beach but this one I am recommending you to really try it, The Kusina Launtian. It's a 5 minute trike ride from Baler Beach and the place is kinda hidden.
They serve your meal using banana leaf, a choice of ulam that you like that comes with salted egg, a slice of tomato and a sweetened leaf (I dont know what its called) and a cup of rice. They don't have chairs so you must eat on your legs crossed. Beside it is a small kiosk where you can order your drinks like house blend kalamansi juice & Nalecheng Biko as their dessert.
The meal costs Php 120.00, the dessert that cost Php 85.00 & Php 65.00 for the house blended kalamansi juice. Believe me, everything I spent on this restaurant is totally worth it. As what you can see on the 2nd row photo where I got to finish my meal neatly.
Baler is totally a nice place to visit especially if you're into surfing, but you should plan atleast 3 days and 2 nights in Baler, para medjo sulit naman yung byahe.
