Aurora Travel Guide: Places you must see before leaving (Part 1 of 2)
Aurora: Surf’s up!
Going to places I have never been (like Aurora province) while keeping a to-go and to-do list of an unplanned itinerary is my kind of thing. I just go to places spontaneously (yeah, impulsive.) I am usually not a fan of pre-planned tour packages which are expensive, controlled, and time-constraint.
TuristaBoy Tip – Just research a bit on things to do and places to go and do them at your own pace – that’s a way on how you could maximize time and learn more about the places you’re going to, and have a lot of time picture-taking, too!
I will share my To-Go and To-Do list in the Province of Aurora:
Stroll around the town center
Baler is just a small town. In the town center alone, here are some of the tourist spots you might as well visit.
Situated in the main streets of Baler is Museo de Baler. The museum is one of the main attractions in town and displays different paintings, pictures, and murals showing Aurora’s culture.
Museo de Baler facade (12 June 2015)
Before entering the museum, you get to pass by Manuel L. Quezon Memorial Park where you can see a huge bronze sculpture of a sitting Manuel Quezon, marking the site of his birthplace.
Other Information:
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Entrance Fee: |
PhP 30.00 two-in-one payment for Museo de Baler and Doña Aurora House (as of June 2015) |
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Travel time from Town Center: |
5 minutes’ walk |
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Business Hours: |
0800 – 1200, 1300 – 1700 H |
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Social Media Account: |
Facebook: @Museo-De-Baler |
Plaze de Baler
B-A-L-E-R!
Just a short walk from the museum is Plaze de Baler, where you can find the town hall and big letters of B-A-L-E-R, which is also a site for picture-taking.
Other Information:
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Entrance Fee: |
None |
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Travel time from Town Center: |
1-2 minutes’ walk |
Baler Church
The Baler Church at present (2015)
Beside the town center is the Baler Church – known for the Siege of Baler in the 19th century where it served as a garrison of Spanish soldiers for almost a year, until it was besieged by Filipino insurgents.
Other Information:
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Entrance Fee: |
None |
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Travel time from Town Center: |
3 minutes’ walk |
Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon Ancestral House
In front of Baler Church is the Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon Ancestral House. This house-replica is the improved site of the birthplace of Aurora Aragon, a well-known civic leader and philanthropist during her time and is the wife of Manuel Quezon. A sub-province was named after her in 1951.
Dona Aurora House
Other Information:
|
Entrance Fee: |
PhP 30.00 two-in-one payment for Museo de Baler and Doña Aurora House
(as of June 2015) |
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Travel time from Town Center: |
3-5 minutes’ walk |
Hangout at the Tibag-Sabang Hanging Bridge
The Tibag-Sabang Hanging Bridge
Although not that popular, the hanging bridge is also recommended by tricycle tour guides in the area. It passes through the Tibag-Sabang River. At present, the bridge is temporarily closed by locals because of its fragile state, but worry not because there is a pasalubong center right beside the bridge and shop for local goods instead. The bridge is only open to locals whose only passage is through the bridge.
Other Information:
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Entrance Fee: |
None |
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Travel time from Town Center: |
10 minutes via tricycle |
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Fare: |
PhP 10 – 15 (depending on the tricycle driver) |
Go beach-bumming in Sabang Beach
Sabang Beach (2015)
With its 328-kilometer stretch of fine blackish-grey sand and surfboard-strung shore, it’s a good walk across the Pacific coast overlooking Sierra Madre.
Surfing Lessons are also being offered by the beach, ranging from PhP 300 – PhP 350 for 1-hour surfing lesson or surfboard rental.
Other Information:
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Entrance Fee: |
None |
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Travel time from Town Center: |
15-20 minutes’ walk |
Not enough? See Part 2 of this post here!
Didn’t see what you’re looking for? Want us to go to other interesting and must-see places on our return trip? Drop a comment below!
About Aldrick 'chiki' Agpaoa
