Surfing @ Bagasbas Beach

Bagasbas Beach is located in Daet Camarines Norte in the Bicol Region. I am a Bicolana but I haven’t really visited this part of the region. Although Bagasbas Beach is not as popular as other surfing destinations like La Union, Baler, and Siargao, it is slowly gaining name in the surfing community. 

The waves here are just right for beginners and intermediate surfers. Waves can go as low from 2-3-ft on an ordinary day and as high as 6-8-ft when a typhoon is coming. Bagasbas Beach is fronting Pacific Ocean and that explains why it has consistent waves for surfing.

After our Calaguas beach camping, we had  a surfing sidetrip to Bagasbas Beach. We reached the beach around 3pm. It was already late for surfing but we wanted to surf anyway. Never mind the delay in the boat transfer from Calaguas to Vinzons and the boat mishap we had (the boat engine died when we were almost near the port). We had a late lunch first and settled  at Surfer’s Dine-Inn.

Tired but still smiling

As soon we were done with lunch, we changed into our swimwear and rashguards and prepped into another surfing experience. The last time I went surfing was October 2011 in La Union and I remember catching big waves which I wasn't aware of. My surf instructor has this habit of not telling me if I am about to catch a big wave. And I never ever looked back so I won't get scared :D

We paid Php400/hr for the surfing lessons which included surfboard rental and lessons from an instructor.

Learning the basic moves again

Since I started surfing in 2009, I was officially hooked to it. Although my surfing skill is still for beginner, I still enjoy the sport and I don't have the intention to take it to the advance level. On the good side, I think my skills have improved since I can now ride shortboards and I am able to do a back stance and maneuver my surfboard sideways. I actually don’t know how to swim that’s why it’s important to me that I surf in shallow waters.

We caught a few good waves that day. The waves are gentler that afternoon compared to what we normally experience in La Union.

Here are some of our best rides caught in cam. 

Yana's lucky day. She caught almost all the waves she tried.

 Ru. I love the facial expression!

Jervin, the new recruit. Yeah!

Et moi! Getting stoked again. 

We surfed until sundown to our heart’s content.  I will come back when I get the chance. 
Bagasbas beach is another surfing spot we discovered. 

What's the best word to describe this experience?  STOKED.  

Hang loose!

Surf’s Up in La Union

We’ve been planning this trip for the longest time for my bff Yana’s short vacay from Dubai. Last year, we spent 3 days in Baler and for this year’s getaway, it was a Northern exposure trip which included San Juan La Union, Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point, and Baguio. We are regular beach goers to La Union because we enjoy surfing so much. We all agreed that our trip must begin in none other than San Juan, La Union.

We rode the Farinas Trans bus from its terminal in Lacson St., Sampaloc (just very near UST). We caught the last trip at 11:30pm. It was just me, Erick, and Ru for this trip since Yana and JB will be following the next morning. Yana’s flight from Legazpi got cancelled so she and JB weren't able to take the bus with us to La Union.

It was a 5-hr trip from Manila to La Union. We greeted dawn at the highway of San Juan and immediately went to San Juan Surf Resort - the resort we’re checked in. We waited until 7am for the early check-in. Boohoo.. So, Erick, Ru, and I stayed at their reception and passed the time by telling stories.

At around, 7am we were finally provided the key to our room. Our no-frills room included two queen-size beds, extra pull-out beds, a fridge, TV with cable, and a bathroom. We paid a total of Php3030 for the overnight stay for 5 persons which included a fee for early check-in. A complimentary breakfast for two is also included.

San Juan Surf Resort

The day was gloomy with a hint of sunlight piercing against the clouds. The waves are stronger and higher than the usual. Beginner and pro- surfers crowd the 1-km beach stretch, all waiting for good waves to ride. When we finally hit the beach, we just played in the water and beach-bummed. We decided to surf the next day.

So there, this beach day meant more lazing around, swimming, and playing frisbee.

It rained later in the afternoon and the waves were just so inviting. I had the urge to surf already but thought twice and finally settled that tomorrow is the surfing day. Unfortunately, there was no sunset that afternoon. San Juan’s sunset is one of the most dramatic I’ve seen.

We all tidied up and waited for Yana and JB to arrive. They’re on travel for six hours already. When they finally arrived, we scouted a place for dinner. Since everyone was hungry, we just settled with the nearby resto/resort, Sebay. After dinner, we slept early because everyone was tired. This day, nothing happened. We just slept, played in the waves, and ate. In other words *chillax mode*

The next day was sunny and it was just perfect to go out in the beach. The morning started with flat waves. But after we had breakfast, there were a few good waves we can catch. We met our surfing instructors from the other resort, Sebay. I’ve always had the same instructor for the past two years that I’ve been coming back to La Union. Jericho used to be an instructor at the surf resort we're staying at but he transferred to Sebay. Surfing lessons is still at Php400/hour which hasn't changed since I first tried it in 2009. If you want to rent a surfboard, it'd cost Php400-600 for half-day depending on the type of board (short or long).

Flat day!

After the refresher course of how to stand and balance on a surfboard, we’re off to surfing! Yihee.

This time, I used the shortboard which measured 6’7” inches! It has always been my dream to ride one of those. You see, short boards are built for speed and maneuverability and these are not the best boards for beginners. I find it more comfortable to ride the long board at 9’ to 12’. It’s more stable and it's easier to balance on it because it is heavier than my weight. But Jericho, my instructor, said that I am ready for the shortboard. So I did!

Surfing team :)

Although, I’ve surfed a dozen of times already, I always feel the nervousness coupled with excitement everytime I am in the water especially when I know that a good wave is coming.

Here are my surfing stunts as caught on cam!

HANG LOOSE

Honestly, I didn't know that I was riding a big wave because I am not looking back when the wave is coming. I just let it take and move my board and that's my signal to stand on my board.

My game face when surfing :P

Feeling kinda awkward with my stand.. but wth just ride the waves :P

Erick and Yana also caught good waves and they seldom fell from their boards. There were times that I told Jericho that I should have just used the long board because I feel awkward balancing in the shortboard. I feel think I am a much better surfer using the long board.

my surfer babe bestfriend :)

It's a great feeling to be surfing together with two of my most favorite people - with my best friend and my boyfriend <3.

and my surfer dude boyfriend

Surfing can be so addicting. I am quoting the legendary surfer Paul Strauch "Surfing is very much like making love. It always feels good, no matter how many times you've done it".

the gang!

After our surfing lessons, I lazed in the beach while they played frisbee. I savored our last hours in my happy beach. It was the first time that I was here on a weekday and on a Monday and the beach is totally different. With less crowd, the beach has a quiet vibe which made me want to stay longer.

I learned to surf!

I know for sure that I will always go back to La Union to feed my insatiable appetite for surfing or just simply beach bumming. After all, it is my happy beach and it feels like my second home :)

The Great Escape to Baler

I’ve always wanted to go to Baler but I thought it wasn’t that easy. But hey, I think I can do Baler anytime now. It’s not total convenience but ultimate adventure and fun is guaranteed. I just found another home in the east.

Activities
If there’s one thing that Baler is known for, it’s surfing! And yeah more recently the movie ‘Baler’ where the surfer/actor Jericho Rosales played the lead role. Baler boasts its beginner to glassy five feet waves (or higher I suppose). Sabang Beach, a five-minute ride from Baler town proper, is the long stretch of beach where surfing action happens.

From March to June, you can enjoy relatively calm waves where you can surf and swim. But I was just there last Labor day weekend and the waves are kinda overwhelming for someone who’s used to La Union’s waves. Come October to February, larger waves offer a different kind of stoke to surfers both beginners and pros.

Surf lessons and board rentals are offered in most resorts. An hour of surf lesson rates at Php 350 per hour inclusive of board rental and surf instructor. Meanwhile, you can rent a surfboard at Php 400 for half day.

Aside from surfing, Baler has other tourist spots worth visiting. This includes the Baler Catholic Church, Balete Park and Millennium Tree, Pasalubong Center, Aniao Islets, and more. See.. you never run out of things to do in Baler from beach bumming to sightseeing, Baler has it all!

Where to Stay
Bay’s Inn is the most famous accommodation in Baler. The rooms range from Php 650 (non-airconditioned) to Php 1200 (A/C room). Bahia de Baler is another good option. There are also transient and lodges suitable for pocket-friendly price. Check Kahea’s Lodge, Desiree’s Lodge and Transient House, Aurora Mabuhay Homestay, Little Girls Surfer Lodge, and Amihan Aplaya.

We stayed at Aliya Surf Camp which is a five-minute walk from Bay’s Inn – the center of Sabang Beach. It has really cozy rooms, clean bathrooms, and a nice beachfront all for yourself. Two thumbs up for Aliya Surf Camp!

Good Eats
Unfortunately, Baler isn’t commercialized yet like its other surfing beaches counterparts. There are only two restaurants in Sabang Beach and these are Bay’s Inn and Bahia de Baler Bar and Grill.

I’d recommend Bay’s Inn for its affordable food, good serving, and excellent service. They serve Filipino dishes, pasta, pizza, merienda meals, and breakfasts. On the other hand, Bahia de Baler also offers good food but the service is poor. We waited an hour for our order and when we asked the waiter why it took so long, he was kinda rude to us..boo!

But you only got two choices anyway, Bay’s Inn or Bahia de Baler. You can also go to the town proper to dine but don’t expect to see any fastfood.

Getting There
If you will bring a car, it will take around 7-8 hours to reach Baler. But beware of the road conditions en route Baler. The roads in Sierra Madre aren’t all paved and these are winding mountain roads.

If you’d rather commute, Genesis Bus is the only bus company that has direct trips from Cubao to Baler. The bus departs daily from 4:30 AM – 7:30 AM. Expect to arrive in Baler by lunchtime or after. Or you can also take a bus bound to Cabanatuan and then transfer to a van going to Baler. Once in Baler bus terminal, hail a tricycle to Sabang Beach. The fare is Php 13/person.

From Baler to Manila, ride the Genesis bus again and take the last trip at 2:30 PM. Or you can ride the non-airconditioned van from Baler to Cabanatuan and from there take any bus going to Manila.

If you’re not fond of long and bumpy bus rides, thank God for Seair. They have daily flights to Baler which leaves at 8:00 AM then they fly back to Manila at 9:30 AM.

An overnight trip to Baler is not enough, make it a 3D/2N Baler affair.


Contact details

Genesis Bus Company

(02) 709-0803, 709-0545, 551-0842
http://www.mnlgenesis.com

Bay’s Inn
80 Sitio Labasin, Brgy. Sabang, Baler, Aurora 3200
Mobile no: 0907-700-5734 (Ask for Pia or Weng)
baysinn_baler@yahoo.com
http://baysinnbaler.multiply.com

Bahia de Baler
80 Buton St., Sitio Labasin, Brgy. Sabang,
Baler, Aurora
0919-274-9508/0928-687-5424
reservations@bahiadebaler.com
http://bahiadebaler.com

Kahea’s Lodge
0920-868-9477

Desiree’s Lodge and Transient House
0921-751-8490

Little Girls Surfers Lodge
0918-685-9449

Aliya Surf Camp
0929-758-6005
http://aliyasurfcamp.multiply.com/

Seair
http:// www.flyseair.com

San Juan’s Perfect Hideaway: JW Surfer’s Lodge

One of the reasons I keep on going back to La Union aside from surfing is because of this beach house. It feels like home whenever I stay at Ishii’s Residence which is now named JW Surfer’s Lodge. The beach house adds to the charm of San Juan, with its great view of the beach, cozy and surfing-themed interiors, and homey appeal.

rooms
They offer four rooms for rent, three of which are air-conditioned rooms. These are the yellow, blue, and green rooms which can fit 2-5 persons. The first two have beachfront views and have verandas which are great for morning reflections (if you’re that type) and drinking session with friends at night. The second and third floors have living rooms where you can watch TV, just lounge, and read a book. They also have a kitchen at the second floor where you can cook/prepare your own meals.

The fan room is in the third floor, which is the topmost. It can fit big groups like 10 people. If you don’t mind sleeping on the floor, the place is just right for you. The ceiling can be interesting as there are surfboards stocked. But don’t worry, it won’t fall : )

You need to share the bathroom with other guests. There’s a bathroom in every floor but I especially like the third floor bathroom – it’s as big as a bedroom. There’s a shower area, toilet area, and a bathtub with a view of the beach.

rates
For airconditioned rooms, they charge Php 600/head. If you are 10 or more in the room, it’s gonna be Php 500/head. For the fan room, they charge Php 400/head.

amenities
They arrange surf lessons and you can rent a shortboard or longboard from Php 600 – 900 per day. At the topmost floor, there’s a billiard pool where you can lounge while drinking your cold beer and enjoy the view of the beach.

JW Surfer’s Lodge is very accessible to San Juan highway, restaurants, and beach too. Come and stay in a surfer’s beach house!




Contact details
JW Surfers Lodge
Beside Sebay (between Aling Norma’s and Sebay)
0929-413-9102/0927-332-2312
http://www.webkubo.com/jwsurflodge
joy_ishii@yahoo.com; namijooshi@yahoo.com

La Union, you keep me coming back for more

Just got back from my La Union trip yesterday and as usual I'm still stoked with surfing :) It's been my 6th time in San Juan, La Union and I just couldn't get enough of this beach. After all, this is my happy beach! So it deserves to be my first travel entry.

I just love the local vibe in LU. The people especially the surf instructors are really friendly. The beach is homey and very accessible, just a few steps from the highway. The resorts are decent and clean for a pocket-friendly price. The waves are just perfect for beginners. I love sunsets and San Juan sunset is one the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, promise! Need I say more? That's why this place has become closer to my heart and I just keep on coming back.


How to get there
Several bus lines going to the North (Vigan, Laoag, Abra) pass by San Juan, La Union. I usually ride the Farinas Bus in Laong Laan (723-8580) since it’s closer to my house and take the last trip at 11:30 pm. The fare is only Php 310. But you can also ride the Partas Bus in Aurora Blvd. (725-1740) and Florida Bus in Espana (731-4473). These buses pass by San Juan, La Union. Just tell the driver to drop you off at Sebay Resort, it’s the most obvious landmark there.

From La Union to Manila, you have two options. You can just wait in the highway for the same buses bound to Cubao/Pasay. Or you can take a jeep to San Fernando for a Php 10 fare. Get off the Partas or Genesis bus terminals. Simple, eh?


What to do
SURFING. You shouldn’t leave San Juan without trying this. I’m not a swimmer and I was hesitant at first to try surfing. But what the heck, I tried it anyway. The water is shallow if you're worried about falling from your board, it's just waist deep. So don't be scared. Alrightie? Surf lessons are offered at Php 400/hour which includes a lesson from a surf instructor and board rental. Or you can rent a board from Php 600-900/day.

SKIMBOARDING. I’ve seen a lot of kids try skimboarding. The waves for surfing that hit the shore are just as good for skimboarding. I think you can rent a board for Php 200/day.

Other sports like frisbee and volleyball are also fun things to do aside from surfing. You can just swim and play in the waves.


Where to stay
There are several choices for every budget. You can stay at the San Juan Surf Resort which is owned by Luke Landrigan, the Filipino-Aussie surf champion based in La Union. They also have a surf shop where you can buy Billabong rashguards and board shorts, flip-flops, surf boards, and other surf items. The resort also offers surf lessons.

Se-bay is another good place to stay. I’ve stayed here once and room is quite big for 4-5 persons. They have a restaurant and offers surf lessons as well.

In most of my trips to La Union, I’ve stayed in the beach house owned by another local surfer Joy Ishii. We used to call it Ishii Residence but recently the owner named it JW Surfers Lodge. I love staying in this house. The air-conditioned rooms are spacious and have really nice views of the beach. They only have one fan room suitable for big groups which can fit 10 people. I will blog about this separately :) This place is not as popular compared to the resorts I mentioned, that’s why for me it’s San Juan’s best-kept secret!


Where to Eat
Most resorts have their own restaurants. But going back to La Union for several times already, I discovered some must-try eating places. Midway Grill is definitely on the top of my list. A must-try is their grilled dishes like blue marlin or tuna served with garlic rice and veggies on the side. Another is babyback ribs! Don't forget to order their mango shake. It's really good and it tastes like milkshake. It's the best mango shake in town :) Midway is a 5-10 minute jeepney ride from San Juan. Just take a jeep with a Sn. Fdo signboard. It’s located at the right side of the road going to San Fernando, before Shell Gas station.

Or you can also try lutong-bahay at Happy Tummy in San Fernando. The price is affordable and you can try local dishes like bagnet rice toppings. Yumyum : )

Now, that’s La Union for me. Stoked and sunburned.


Contact details
Farinas Bus Company
Lacson St. Sampaloc, Manila
743-8580

Partas Bus Company
Aurora Blvd. cor Bernardino St., Quezon City
725-1740

San Juan Surf Resort
www.sanjuansurfresort.com
(072)720-0340

Sebay
http://sebay.cjb.net/
(072)888-4075

JW Surfer’s Lodge
http://www.jwsurferslodge.com/
0929-413-9102