I probably won't return to Baler

I probably won't return to Baler. But I'm not promising anything because one day I might just break it. All I'm saying is that the cons overpowered the pros. But that is based entirely on my opinion. I'm not pressing it on anyone.

My friends and I went to Baler mainly for Nalu Music Festival. The lineup wasn't really attractive for me because I'm the kind of girl who does not listen to OPM. But I said yes anyway because how can I turn down my friends? I was hopeful to create new memories. 

But I have to admit, I was worried. As most of you have probably established, I never force myself to do anything - for the things I can control, at least. I choose places. I choose people. I say no when I mean it. And my yes is harder to get than that Cebu Pacific Piso Fare.

I would have declined the offer if someone else asked me to tag along. I knew it wasn't my cup of tea. I do love music festivals, but local bands I do not. I have nothing against original pinoy music. In fact, I have high regards towards it. It's not about reaching my standard, it just didn't fit it. We are completely different personas.

Baler, as a surfing destination, holds an expectation I wish I didn't entertain. I haven't been to, but people I ask told me it was a place to go to. I regret not asking for details.

I guess I sort of imagined something like Boracay. Perhaps less luxurious, but as magnificent as Boracay nonetheless. I imagined white sands, night-life, and a breath-taking view of the ocean.

Getting there was another story. It took six to seven hours including pit stops. The road was zig-zag and if you can't tolerate a roller coaster ride, I suggest you skip Baler overall. The trip wasn't worthy of the destination, at least for me.

What I'm about to elaborate would probably sound harsh. But I am not here to bash the company I came with because they're awesome people. 

It started right away. My annoyance made its debut when the van driver (who we were paying) welcomed us with his sour face at 3am. He kept shutting down our ideas when we realized we couldn't fit our stuff inside the compartment. He was unfriendly and uncooperative. His face displayed his complaining thoughts and I hated it. 

I understand that he was tired. I understand that he probably just got back from another trip north with another group of people. But the thing is, we were paying him for his service. I remember when my mom and I, back when I was probably 14 years old, we were on a bicycle ride because the road was flooded and we couldn't walk across. The bike driver demanded double payment for the trip and my Mom was complaining to me. I said to her, "well, it's probably harder to drive across because of the water." And then Mom replied, and I will never forget it. She said, "all jobs are hard. What makes his an exception?" Manufacturers couldn't just raise prices for their products because they're going bankrupt, or because their employees are tired. That's something they have to deal with internally, and we have nothing to do with it. Our side is that we are paying the same price as others and therefore we should receive the same service. If Kuya driver was tired, he should complain to his employer. The employer should adjust his schedule. And we should get the service we paid for. And his service was way below the ladder.

And then his driving skills could have killed us. He made risky overtakes and abrupt brakes. I understand that he was trying to get us there asap, but his driving moves considering the zig-zag road plus the most uncomfortable seat ever, nearly made me voice my complaints. 

And then we got there and the Inn we stayed at sucked pretty big. It sucks considerably so I guess it's fine. Its cheap accommodation so who am I to complain? I understand the quality of the beds and the size of the room, and even the flush-less toilets but I don't understand why the bulb wasn't working, why it didn't come with blankets or any rags, and why the bathroom door was fucking broken. It's so annoying considering that the bathroom should be a private place. I was conscious, paranoid and annoyed all the while I was there.

I guess I'm glad the air conditioner was in good condition.

I din't surf because my period was around the corner, but the beach wasn't as clean as I imagined. It reminded me of that beach in Tanza. It wasn't actually dirty but I guess it appears that way because the sand was black. I expected coconut trees everywhere but it was just an open sea. Well it's kind of hard to imagine trees when you surf anyway so... lol. It looked pretty boring from a distance if it weren't for the waves. You sure do go to Baler just to surf. There's literally nothing else you could do!

The food was cheap but there's not enough restaurants. The service was horrible too. And there's no night life at all. Restaurants close down early and they don't rise up early.  I was expecting a ton of seafood places but I barely saw one. There's about two or three good places to stay at and I wish we stayed there but we didn't. 

I guess the highlight of our trip was the music festival itself. Although the OPM wasn't my thing, I enjoyed it the best. My friends were fucked up crazy as always. I am glad they allow re-entry and that they offer unlimited drinks. 

Apparently though, they offered refund for those wanting because one of the acts cancelled. I'm not as affected because I don't care anyway but I feel bad for the organizer. I understand a refund, but only for a specific time. Instead they were calling refunds until the end of the show. How much does that leave them? And as Filipinos, of course we're going to jump on the chance even though we completely enjoyed the show anyway and we probably went back to get drinks about 50 times.

Geez.

The journey home was torture. There's no way to describe it. I have never been put on a situation as uncomfortable as that one. We left Baler at around 3pm and reached Manila at 12mn! Traffic was insane because it was labor day and people were returning home all together. I should have known  it from the start because I wouldn't have put myself in such misery if I anticipated it, not even for my friends. I love myself too much for that... lol.

I was just wishing that I get over the journey without complaining out loud because I know I will regret it and I love my friends enough to annoy them with my annoyance.

But here's the thing, I PROBABLY WON'T RETURN TO BALER.