Baler Trip 2016 Part 2: Ditumabo Mother Falls

Right after our check in to Desiree's Lodge, we all washed up to lighten the mood. Sobrang init ng weather and we wished to at least feel fresh before heading to Mother Falls. My sister and her family went in Baler last year and so I was given a hint that it will be a long trek before we reach the falls. Even some of my office mates who have been there told so. 

From Desiree's Lodge, it took us 30-45 minutes before we reached Ditumabo Mother Falls. Our van stayed in the entrance and was told that we could walk/trek from there to the falls. My friends said that the route we had was a lot closer than the route they took last time they were there.

Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the talking. Some of the pictures were taken from Kaye's iphone. :)

After 3-5 minutes walk from where our van parked

There were a lot of locals that sell food and refreshments before you head on to a 30-45 minute trek. The prices were reasonable so don't worry. =) You can get a tour guide if you wish. I heard they ask for Php300 fee. But I'll tell you, you can do this alone. =)

Crossing the bridge

On the upper left hand of this photo is where you have to pay the environmental fee of Php30/each while kids were free. At this point, Jami fell asleep so we have to carry him. We put his bath towel on him kasi sobrang init talaga, however, while crossing the bridge, humangin so his bath towel fell sa flowing water below. Gosh! Buti na lang, there were local kids having a swim below so nakuha namin yung towel or else baka isang linggo akong di makapag move on sa nawalang towel. Hahahaa! Anyway, the water was really really cold so blessing na din na nahulog yung towel since nakaka refresh yung lamig nya.

Jami woke up

It was a little dam near the table for paying the environmental fee. Sobrang clear ng water and ang lamig gusto na namin mag dip agad.

While waiting for our friends paying the fee

We started the trek/walk

Good thing, there were a lot of trees around (some part doesn't especially when you passed the table for environmental fee). It wasn't that hot anymore because the trees gave us a shed and a cold breeze.

We saw a lot.. a lot of these and sobrang sarap lang maligo na agad if the water current isn't that crazy.

Passed several intermediate path

Some place were sooo green. Can't see this much trees and shade in Manila

The Team

There were some part that has garbage pero hindi naman sobrang dami. I am just glad that the water remained crystal clear.

That was me and my friend, Benj. Look at Daryl and Jami, crossing the small bridge that the local made to make it easier for the tourists.

The walk/trek can really be very tiring, I even thought it was endless. I am getting tired from all the big rocks that I have to hop on, bridges that we have to cross etc. I just kept on thinking that it will be all worth it. Don't worry about getting lost, direcho lang naman yung daan and there wont be any other way going up or down.

After what seems like a forever, we saw this falls. I was like "wowwwwwwww!!!" wala kasing ganyan sa Manila eh. Hahaha! But don't fret, it wasn't the Mother Falls we're looking for.

From this small falls, there was a sementadong daan towards the Mother Falls. Perfect Timing kasi sobrang pagod na ako at this point. 2 minutes later....

Looked like an old dam

Just above this was..

Ditumabo Mother Falls, Mec and Lyden

I was so glad we made it!! Sobrang lamig ng hangin and water was really really really cold. Parang malamig na tubig galing freezer na may ice pa. Sobrang mabato so you have to be really careful walking along. My friends said that the locals placed more big rocks probably because the water is going high? Not sure though but at least, we made it.

Mommy and Jami

Jami felt really cold when I dipped him in the water halfway. I got so worried na baka lamigin at sipunin so i took his top off and replaced it wit Daryl's shirt na hindi pa basa.

Swimming time

Just behind us was the mother falls. The water is deep below the falls so we have to stay near the rocks lang.

After about 30 minutes, I asked if we can go home na. With the time it took us to go up will be the same time we need to go down. It's around 4:30pm and I don't want to trek down ng madilim. I was worried with Jami feeling cold as well.

The trek going up is easier than going down, or maybe because my thighs were tired and aching.

Ate Lugaw, perfect for feeling so chilly.

For those who are going to Mother Falls, make sure you bring your waterproof bag with you, it can get wet. Extra clothing is advised for those who'll have their kids with them. I am telling you, sobrang lamig! You don't want to get your kids catching a cold, do you? You may leave your things in the van but I brought my bag with me. I have Jami and I don't want to risk him being so cold.

Almost done with the tour. Can even see the vans waiting for us.

Thank you God for the wonderful weather

Baler 2016 Part 1: Balete Tree

Yehey! Finally blogging about Baler!!

Well, I know there were a lot of things that I should be blogging about pero I seriously don't know where to start so since Summer naman and sobrang overacting ang init ng panahon nowadays, I'll blog about Baler. =)

Teka side kwento lang.

I was telling my officemates that it was really hot outside especially around 12noon to 4pm. I was telling them that when I go down the building, it seemed that our floor (11th floor) is the ground floor and when you go down to the real ground floor, feels like Hell talaga. But seriously it is diba?! Gosh.. just got so lucky that Jami and Daryl stay in her Lola's condo in the afternoon so it wasn't that hot. I am staying in the office so hindi naman ako din naiinitan.

Going back, we planned Baler back in January pa. We have an officemate who grew up in Baler so we were thinking that she could at least tour us around and can suggest some local food or places we can go to. However, since the day of our trip was a week before Holy week, her family decided to go here in Manila then would go back to Baler during Holy Week. In the end, we have to go ourselves and figure things out on our own.

We booked a Van for Php12,000 which accommodated 13 adults and 3 kids. The van owner also referred us to Desiree's Lodge that costs Php3,500/night. The lodge was like a small compound/house that has a lot of rooms. They also have a dirty kitchen where guests are allowed to cook for Php200 (includes utensils, plates, pans, gas stove, water for washing the dishes and their refrigerator). The room has 3 double beds (1 double bed has a bigger bed below and a single bed above) then 1 double bed. The only downfall was, it only has 1 restroom for 13 people. Nevertheless, the place was really good for an overnight stay without spending so much. 

We left Manila at 4am and arrived in Aurora at 11am. 

Our Van driver brought us to Balete Tree since it's just along the way. We had some pictures taken outside and even inside the tall tree. 

path going inside the Balete Tree

Outside Balete Tree waiting for colleagues to go out

There were tour guides that offered to take pictures of us and amazingly captured the full length of the tree (hello Panorama!). To our delight, we gave them a small tip. =) 

Aside from the Balete tree, there's a wishing well and a lot of people having picnic under the Balete shade. 

After approximately 30-45 minutes, we headed to a local buffet restaurant along the beach which costs Php250 per head for adult and Php150 for kids 3years old and up. In my opinion, the place was disappointing. The food tasted blah and the restroom was really dirty. Although there were a lot of people coming thru, I just didn't know if they misinterpreted it to be the buffet restaurant that was featured in Kris TV just like we did (there was another restaurant with almost the same name in their town proper) or I just didn't enjoy the food since it's cold. Wasn't worth my money. 

glimpsed of Pacific Ocean, in front of the buffet restaurant

After our lunch, we headed to Desiree's Lodge so we could wash up for a little. Our itinerary for the day includes the Ditumabo Waterfalls since we've heard it's kind of tiring due to a long trek. We will be staying in Baler for only one night so we tried to include everything that we can for the day. 

Stay tuned for more.. :p

And I am Back!!!!

Hi everyone!

We are half way through the month and I haven't been able to post anything diba?

Gosh! I don't know what's going on. I always have the feeling that I need to blog pero laging wala akong time and sometimes, I am too lazy to do so. Hayyy.. I have a lot of things to blog and wala pa rin akong maumpisahan.

Anyway, I would like to apologize sa mga blog readers ko na nanalo ng Trisopure Giveaway. I was planning to have it sent thru Xend pero twice in a row na hindi kami nagpapang-abot. They always arrive kasi later in the afternoon or early evening. At that time, wala ng tao sa bahay because I go to work in the afternoon diba? Although my sister was there, hindi naman naging malinaw ang communication so na delay na ng na delay ang prizes. I am really sorry talaga guys!

Pero.... I have a good news kasi last weekend, I managed to leave it at a 7-11 store near our place. It will be picked up by Xend today (Monday) so hoping you'll receive them tomorrow or next day. I left it on a Saturday and wala daw pick up. So ayun, sana ma receive nyo na din yung prize nyo.. and again, thanks for joining. :)

I am yet to blog about our recent trips these past few months along with some new developments from Jami. I know you missed reading things about Jami same as I am. =)

Regular programming in 3.... 2..... 1... Gow!