Why am I saying that this is "The Real" 2 Days and 1 Night trip? We'll, because this has no Day Zero. The travel itself is part of the adventure that we had.
The Planning:
We'll, we used Google Map to get our direction loaded in an i-Phone and using GLOBE Telcom unli-Data plan for the mobile signal.
For our ride, we used Ford Trecker 4X2.
Initial budget set was 3000 pesos less the fuel charge.
This trip was not supposed to be an adventure but rather just a road trip.
Our planned itinerary as prepared by my trusty friend JCC:
Day 1:
As planned, we just follow what Google Map directed us to take. As seen in below.
Rather than the 3+ hours estimated travel time, we ended up with 6.5 hours. Yes, it was a short distance to travel, but if your travel at 10-20 kph in the mountains of Sierra Madre (cross 2 rivers through dirt road, mud, damaged road with lots of traces of landslide you'll probably do what we did after reaching Baler - went inside the Church and prayed to thank God we're still alive). See some of the pictures we've managed to take after summing up the courage to do so.
My advice, don't take Nueva Ecija - Aurora Road. Ensure that the route you take passes by Pantabangan through the dam with lots of humps, okay?
We'll, after surviving that ride, we were able to arrived in Baler safely at around 3:30pm after leaving Balanga Bataan at 8:00am. Although we had a short stop over in Cabanatuan to take some snack time, at 3:30pm after that stressful road, we were damn hungry. Even so, our first stop has to be the Church to pray to thank God we made it. Had the conditions been something else, I'm quite sure we'd fell off one of the cliffs we passed through. By the way, when you entered the heart of Sierra Madre, you can forget about GPS - not a single mobile signal from any of the providers.
On our way to the take our lunch in the Rolling stores; we passed by Baler Park. Oh, yeah, Dona Aurora's house is also along the way.
While in the rolling store, we asked the owner which was the right route to take in going to Baler, as we've thought, we took the wrong one.
Off we went to our Hotel booked through Agoda. People were nice and helpful. Nice view of the beach as well. Its a just a walk away from Sabang too. Sadly, we had no time to Surf after going through our target sites.
Around 4:30pm, we decided to salvage what is left of our Day 1 time and went straight to Ermita Hill and Diguisit Islet, Beach, and Falls.
It was dark when we decided to take our dinner at Bay's Inn. It took an hour to prepare our food but that typical and expected. It was filling.
Closing our night was some Emperador Deluxe and Coke in one of the Bahay Kubo of our accommodation. Day 1 ended at 12:00am of Day 2.
Day 2:
Day 2 started at around 5:30am, at least for me, not so with my friends, they were the ones who awoke with my alarms (as in 3 mobile phone giving off noise all at the same time) at 5:00am. I think they've had enough with the noise and woke me at 5:30am. I went straight to the beach to enjoy the early morning view. It was nice.
Breakfast was served at 7:00am and we head off to Balete Park at around 9:00am
Off to Caunayan falls (another set of rough road but at least passable by vehicle). We met some random tourist here, we weren't able to get their names or contact numbers (call us torpe, shy, or stupid then) - as you said ms. Girl in blue, post it anywhere, here's the closest thing that I can think of with that remark.
Then to Mother falls (the trek was worth it, trust me, but you should were something that can be worn comfortably even when wet and dries up easily) which requires around 3 km or 6 km trek back and forth depending which parking you leave your vehicle or if you decide to take a tricycle ride.
Lunch was at 3:00pm in one of the Gerry Shan's Place, its an eat-all-you can resto. However, at 3:00pm, what can you possibly expect, right? Its supposed to be lunch and not an afternoon snack.
Back to our hotel at 4:00pm then left around 5:00pm this time via Pantabangan (no more adventure trip). Quick stop over at Vicenticos Bar and Restuarant, Cabanatuan City.
Arrived in my house at 11:45PM of Day 2. Extremely exhausted with body pains all over but smiling happily.
Though scary at times but the trip was all worth it.
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