Monday, January 18, 2010

Rugged Beauty of Pag-asa @ Baler

Baler is associated with rugged attractions, with wildness, or at least with the quality of raw, rugged, pristine beauty that also comes with remoteness. The beach and sea-scape of Pag-asa simply exemplified that - a rugged beauty.

So once I have settled my bags and found a lodging place just in front of Sabang Beach, I contracted a tricycle driver to bring me to some of the places I have researched and seen on the net. The first place I visited, and the farthest on my itinerary is an idyllic place with amazing rock and islet structures.

On a combination of paved and unpaved roads, we turned left just before the paved road leading to the forests. A very narrow path lead us to one of the most scenic place of Baler.

The sight is just awesome. Fine, white sand, ending to combination of small and large boulders emptying unto the sea of dark blue waters. Strong waves pounding unto these rocks make this place unswimmable but who cares, the best thing to do there is just sit down, relax and admire its beauty.

The scene does not end there. Standing in the sand, if you look at your back, you will be refreshed with rows of palms and trees. I dream of having a hammock, tie it between two palms and doze-off but there are too much to explore and see.

The place also is one the closest place to Aniao Islets. These are two small but imposing islands jut straight out from the sea like bullets, with shrubs, small trees and other greenery growing on top surfaces.

Kingfishers, gulls and hawks use these islets as lookout points for fish. Towering waves relentlessly pound the base of the formations, challenging even the most intrepid of rock climbers. Hardcore enthusiasts can swim from the shore to the islets but caution should be observed because the pounding of the waves are quite strong.

The best way to go there is by renting a tricycle two-way because it is quite far from either Sabang or the Town Proper. Otherwise, you have to walk a good quarter of an hour before you may sight a passenger vehicle.

More of Baler on my next posts.

To see other amazing places around the world, please visit "My World" here.

48 comments:

  1. Beautiful scenes. Love to be here. Thank for the tour.

    Have nice week.
    Regards.

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  2. it looks deserted! love how the branches frame that second photo.

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  3. You deliver your pictures in ways that we, your readers would understand its beauty even if we are miles away from it. Thanks for sharing, beautiful pictures as always.

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  4. Great views!
    Looks still unspoiled by tourism.

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  5. I hope the scenery remains unspoiled for years to come. Yan ang maganda pag malayo and mahirap puntahan.

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  6. sayang, i did not see this part of Baler--the unforgettable part of my visit to Baler was the scary and bad highway from Nueva Ecija to Aurora. i hope the highway has been concreted and rails by the cliffs are in place.

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  7. Ang ganda ha!
    Maari bang mapuntahan yung maliit na isla?

    Siyanga pala, saan ang lakad mo sa Abril? balak ko kasing magpunta sa Kampuchea. Baka magkasabay lamang.

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  8. looks so untouched. ang dami pa talagang kailangan makita at mapasyalan.

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  9. i like the island. looks like a nice place to stroll around...

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  10. A place unspoilt and still rugged. Nice!! : )

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  11. Beautiful photos as always, I kept saying to myself 'that's my favorite; as I moved to photo to photo. Looking back, I think I have to say the one that has narly tree branches at the top is my fav. But it was a hard choice, all so beautiful


    Quiltworks

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  12. rugged indeed but beautiful. What kind of camera are you using bro ?

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  13. we never really run out of beautiful places in this country. and every time i see blog posts like this, i get the itch to travel more.

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  14. hello... just dropping by... have a great week!!!

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  15. Another great images of the Philippines. Awesome.

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  16. LS: How I would love to fish around the rock formation, your photos are just beautiful.

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  17. The second pic is wonderfully framed. Ganda pala ng Baler.

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  18. Has been awhile since visiting your blog. Great phtos and tour of the area. Also,enjoyed several previous postsI had missed...

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  19. yeah the palm trees that's what I miss, thanks for sharing.

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  20. Great pictures. I love the islands off the beach.

    Thanks for visiting and leaving such thoughtful comments.

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  21. Thanks Omar, for stopping by my blog
    Your blog is beautiful!
    Have a nice day.

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  22. wild, pristine beauty. mag eenjoy ako dito kasi di naman ako marunong lumangoy. he he

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  23. Ohh, this place is ideal! excellent photos, I especially like that second one, awesome framing with the branches!

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  24. i like the rugged, desolate, isolated landscape. very impressive. i wonder if you can reach the two islets.

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  25. Stunning, gorgeous captures, as always! It does look wonderfully rugged and isolated, beautiful colors! Hope you have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  26. Hi Norman! This is awesome. I wonder how do you manage to have so many lovely pictures to post almost everyday... ;)

    Look forward to reading your comment at my new blog Blogtrotter Two, now at the Art Deco District in South Beach! Enjoy and have a great week ahead!!!

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  27. these are fab captures...and i have to agree that a hammock strung up between two trees would be the perfect spot to take it all in.
    love these.

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  28. Beautiful photos. I enjoyed each one.

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  29. definitely another must-see on my growing list!

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  30. excellent images...
    thank you for the wonderful virtual tour!

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  31. Somehow I have this strange love for rock formations sa dagat. You captured them REALLY well. :D Great pics!

    - Cedric

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  32. Ang dami pala talaga dapat puntahan sa Pinas. Akala ko sa Baler h pang surfing lang pero ang ganda pala ng mga sceneries jan. Can't wait to see more.

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  33. .....Incredible beautiful...this natural paradise would be a place I'd love to visit!!!
    AMAZING PHOTOS!!!

    Have a wonderful day!
    ciao ciao elvira

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  34. great journey indeed. fantastic photography

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  35. beautiful. aabangan ko next posts!

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  36. Very, very beautiful!

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  37. those rocks look lethal to a bare foot.

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  38. Hi Norman! I'm back from my 6-month hibernation from blogging. Wala ako masabi, breathtaking parin ang mga pix mo ng mga lugar na napuntahan mo. Parang gusto ko tuloy magsurfing sa Aurora kaso ayoko muna maging nognog :)

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  39. The colors and shapes of the boulders add so much character to this awesome sight indeed. Ganda!

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  40. Thanks for sharing the link, but unfortunately it seems to be down... Does anybody have a mirror or another source? Please reply to my post if you do!

    I would appreciate if a staff member here at www.lawstude.net could post it.

    Thanks,
    Oliver

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  41. Hello,

    I have a question for the webmaster/admin here at www.lawstude.net.

    May I use some of the information from this post right above if I provide a link back to this website?

    Thanks,
    Daniel

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