They say that greatness in life starts when ordinary people decide to go on in a different direction than the rest of us. It is in travel that I found mine and realised it's a continuous journey of a lifetime.
Having been born in one of the islands in Western Visayas, the idea of spending summertime in great beaches isn't new to me. While it's true that I've been to different places in my life, it's still the relaxness and tranquility of the beach that captures my heart. Adventuresome jaunts from the south in the Philippines' surfing capital of Siargao; to island hopping and partying in the famed world class talcum-like white sand beach of Boracay even to snorkeling in the marine sanctuary of a somehow mystic Apo Island in Negros Oriental – all these are equally as exciting and memorable as the other. Yet it's my most recent trip in the northern part of Luzon (though it never occurred to me that I'd be washed all the way up there) and it's the path that took us to Baler, Aurora.
My readings of “Smile” (an inflight magazine of Cebu Pacific Air / March 2008) enlisted Bay's Inn of Baler as the winner of “Best Secluded Beach” category for the Best Hotels-Asia Region, adding conviction for our choice of destination thus further solidified our planned weekend trip.
Saturday morning of April 12 at around 7:30 am, my peers picked me up from work, drove-through breakfast and began our driving odyssey. Our own research had it that it takes about 8 hours to drive all the way to Baler from Metro Manila and will require crossing over the rough roads of Sierra Madre to reach the serene town of San Luis going to the Baler beach strip: Sabang Beach. We also our reservation days ahead to assure a rewarding stay so ended up choosing Bahia Garden Resort (the popular “Bay's Inn” was fully booked). We considered ourselves all geared up when we have nothing but maps and our own instincts to rely on and zoomed through NLEX to start it all!
The road trip was slow with halts due to narrow roads frequented by jeepneys and motorcycles. We glided through a little past Sta. Rita, Bulacan going to the city proper of Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija though a tinge of anxiousness with the image of “Luzon's surfing paradise” within reach by the end of the day stirs within the four of us, only subdued by the upbeat sounds of “Get Low” inside the car. We made yet another drive-thru for a meal along the way before we headed to an hour of straight two-lane road where the contour of the Sierra Madre mountain range is within vicinity, coming closer and closer to us. Then our nightmare came when after passing the last town of Bongabon when we hit the rough road (literally) at the base of grassy mountains, it didn't sank in us that it takes up to 2 – 3 hours of bumpy ride to reach the nearby town of San Luis. 
As our poor Honda Civic struggles its way in scorching afternoon heat through lengthy, zigzag roads, not even Flo-Rida and Tpain can contain our impatience. Worse, our car gave up to overheat we have to stop over for 30 minutes to feed it with water! But after what seems like eternity of virgin forest, lush green humongous, endless mountains, it came to our relief when vast plantations of coconuts (a sign of the beach, meaning mountains no more for God's sake!) greeted us to be followed by rice fields after the arc that says “Welcome to Baler” welcomed us, making me whisper to myself “Thank God at last, we're finally here.”
Reaching this coastal town in an ironically “low” mood is as satisfying as a heavy gush of air out from our aching lungs. Our excitement once built up when we lowered our windows and smelled the fresh wave afternoon sea breeze coming from the Baler Bay fronting the Philippine sea . We immediately passed over the beach front, lined with different resorts and finally hit our place of solitude: in Bahia de Baler Garden Resort. 
The accommodation was warm and friendly (shall I say, first class! May it be a fact known to them that we endured a pain-staking travel of 8 hours by land from imperial Manila to reach here) and offered us all the best comfort we needed. But we couldn't afford to waste time since we'll only be there for an overnight stay. Immediately slipping into our swim wears and putting on our sunblock, without further ado, my friends and I hit the beach. The sight of the beach itself is breathtaking, making it more irresistible when the walls of waves hit the shores and thundering sounds echoed through the entire beach front.
Sabang Beach isn't known for its white sand shore, the sand is gray but the waters are clear, sparkling yet warm in contrast to other crystal beaches I've been to, making it more relaxing and to our sore, exhausted bodies.
At nighttime, we learned from local folks that UP Mountaineers were having their week long 29th Congress and Climb Awards Night here so after we had our hearty meal for the night and a stroll on the beach, we partied the night away with them.
The next morning, as early as 6:00 am it was my partner Tom who suggested renting surfboards and decided to hit the waves. 
The idea was didn't appeal much to me because little did I know of the sport. The other two of our companions also rented a separate board. Then, yells can be heard on the other side of the water – it's difficult to keep your balance and stand on the surfboard to get carried on by the waves!
When my turn came, after waiting for a huge wave to hit the board, concentrating enough to be able to stand, whoa! There I went, standing up like the king of the world! Then goes on to another wave, and the next... until “surfing” was ingested in my vocabulary as one of the things I've tried before I die. 
Looking back, I swore to myself that there's not going to be anymore Baler visit in the near future unless by air. But what made me smile every time I remember our outrageous experience was the line said by the host that night saying she didn't have any jokes left but “Baler!!??!!?”
