Baler, Aurora : The Second Time Around

that thing you love to do? do it often.

I woke up startled as I felt the bus turning a sharp curve. I looked out and saw the sun starting to rise. But felt so uncomfortable with how cold it was inside the bus. It seemed that the extra hundreds we paid for the Joy Bus express was going to be worth it with the time saved, given that this is going to be only a weekend trip to Aurora.

The last time I was in Aurora was a four-day spontaneous trip with the then-boyfriend. But we weren’t able to do anything or see anything due to a storm. We even moved to a more expensive hotel since it was the only one with a generator, while the whole town didn’t have any. I also remember not seeing any surfers during that time.

So when a friend from work asked if I wanted to join her on a trip to Aurora, I immediately said yes.

Sabang Beach, Aurora

How happy I was when we first walked out to the beach and saw the clear blue sky and calm ocean. How different it felt to be there not clouded (surprisingly) by any memories of the last time I was there. How excited I was to see the places I wasn’t able to see last year. And that I was doing it with new friends who love to travel too.

I remember Michael, a friend who visited the Philippines last February, telling me about a giant tree in Aurora. He told me how beautiful it was inside and that it’s possible to climb to the top. I remember not believing him until he asked me to google it. So I was really excited to see the tree and possibly climb it too.

And it was really something, this 600-year old balete tree. It was a huge beautiful tree, and I loved how the sun’s rays peek through its branches. 

As we went inside, the boys kept on telling us to leave our sandals before we go up. I thought that we all just wanted to climb a little and have our photos taken. But the boys’ enthusiasm encouraged us to give it a try. I felt like being given another chance to be a child again as I have never climbed a tree when I was a kid. It was quite an experience stepping on the tree’s roots and how amazing it was that it’s possible to climb up. After a few minutes, we were at the top. It was pretty high and quite scary, but it felt great to be there sharing a few laughs with the girls and the boys who lead us there. Going down was something else as we squeezed and bent ourselves in between the roots. But it was all fun when you’re in good company.

view from the top

I was nervous during the ride to go to see the Mother Falls. I didn’t know if I was ready to ‘swim’ to get closer to the falls. If you don’t know it yet, I have a fear of deep waters.

start of the trek

After hiring a guide, we started the trek to see the falls. And I loved that short trek. It felt so relaxing and peaceful to be walking again with the sound of the flowing river by your side. To be surrounded by trees and nature again. How nature has its way of calming you down and clearing your mind of any unnecessary thoughts. And how it reminds you to be present in the moment and just enjoy what is around you.

As our guide told us that we’re close to the falls, we passed by this short pathway. I loved how the trees and plants are lined up and arched down that it allows only a few strips of sunlight inside. And the clear waters by the river beside us.

loved this pathway :)

And then we heard the sound of the waterfalls.

Mother Falls, Aurora

A beauty like this makes you live in the moment. Makes you face your fear just to experience it more. With a little push and assistance from my friends, I jumped into the water and tried to get close to it as possible. And it was all worth it.

The afternoon was spent visiting the other side of the island to see the rock formations, and some surfing lessons back in the beach. It’s my third surfing lesson in almost 7 years (haha) and I’m proud to say that after the last two, I could already stand up on the third wave. We had so much fun with our teachers. They made it possible for us to still enjoy it, despite the fact that the water was too calm to give us a lot of waves to ride. And they cheered us on every single time.

Btw, I also found this. ;)

yes, you are ;)

Posted on : August 21, 2013

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