Let me share with you our family time one weekend in Baler, Aurora. This is the first of the few moments our family made bittersweet moments. Our eldest and his family migrated to another country and during the last couple of months, we took trips near our hometown. I have actually shared a few and made blogs about it. (Check out BOKOD: The Sulfur Spring of Benguet, The enigmatic and last fortress: BARLIG and Atok, Benguet: Highest point and Spanish Trail [with videos]) This is the first time of most of us to visit Aurora.

BALER, AURORA

Baler is the capital of Aurora Province. It is 231 kilometers from Manila. This province is known for its beaches bringing in the Pacific Ocean waves perfect for surfing. Not only that but it also has natural rock formations and waterfalls. As a bonus, the mountain ranges of Sierra Madre serves as a wall to one side of this province. Because of its enchanting beauty, it draws in a lot of people local and foreign tourists. One Hollywood movie was even filmed here.

It is now easy to travel to this province because the road is paved. You can take a bus or by private vehicles.

I am not a surfer but I love going to the beach. I love going to places I have never been to and even returning to previously visited spots just to enjoy, relax and see how the changes.

Diguisit Lighthouse, Beach, and Rock Formation

To get a 360 view of Sierra Madre and the coasts of Baler, take a drive some 30 minutes away from the center or Baler and hike on the hills of Sitio Tibag and then climb up the 180 steps (I think) of the three-storey Zabali lighthouse or parola in local language. Unfortunately, this white structure no longer serves its original purpose. It used to serve as beacon for sea vessels and the town. It is nonfunctional and neglected. Two other lighthouses were put in two different sites instead.

This lighthouse now serves a different purpose, however - a tourist destination. This is a solar powered lighthouse as can be seen in the photo. For those with fear of heights, it can be vertiginous experience. My hands still sweat just thinking about my experience and how nervous I was lol!

It is a steep and rocky making it a slippery slope going up the lighthouse but the view is always better on top. It is worth the climb. Thankfully, it was an overcast day so the sun did not bother us at all. We get to enjoy the wind and the spectacular view.

You can get a full view of the Lukso-Lukso islands. It means hop because how closely situated these small islands are that it's just like hopping from one island to another.

To give you an idea how neglected it was, the lighthouse has a closed gate and somebody must have destroyed it just to go in. Thus, it served as the entrance for sightseers.

That thought is easily forgotten as you reach the top of the lighthouse and be blown away if not by the cool and welcoming breeze then by the view.

Take time to be mesmerized and enjoy the beauty of nature.

From the lighthouse to the coasts of Diguisit, it takes you to another world. It is a picture haven for everyone and a delightful for every kid, bringing out that child's heart from everyone.

Here are two edited versions of one shot using the phone app Snapseed that I can't decide which is better. Which one do you prefer, if any?

We walked a kilometer or more taking photos, admiring the different colored rocks and shells. There were shells infused in rocks even. The water is clear and inviting. There were lots of tourists along the beach as well. Some were collecting shells and rocks while others were contented with taking photos while enjoying the sands in our feet.

The weather was in our favor. It was a cloudy day and that gave the beach walk a good reason to enjoy the day.

My brother who was here before said that the beach was not rocky then. It was actually sandy which is hard to believe. The water was shallower for you can go to the smaller islands that I mentioned above. Most probably this change was brought about by the recent strong hurricane which changed the landscape.

Nevertheless, as a first timer, I liked this kind of change. The different rocks gave texture and striking colors to the usual sandy beaches we are used to. That and coupled with the clouds above, it does set an almost perfect photograph.

I prefer this kind of weather when going to the beach. The sun is not too harsh. The clouds give you shield when the sun comes out every now and then.

These algaes added more color to the already colorful beach of Diguisit. One can't help but take photos of it because of how distinct and vibrant they are and a great contrast to the bluish sky.

One interesting feature, if you will, that this beach has are these rocks with black fissures and lines in them. They seem to be man-made because of how straight the lines are and the patterns they made. If someone has an idea how this happens, maybe you can comment down below and enlighten us about it.

Crouching down to take photo of these seem to give the illusion of a different landscape all on its own. They seem to be mountain ranges complete with lakes somewhere.

Further along, we now come to the rock formations of Diguisit near the Cobra Reef.

This is where you see lots of black brittle starfish, sea urchins and small fishes. They are so plenty that one must be careful where to step on or better yet, walk along the beach instead.

Here is a photo I took at the rocks. The lighthouse can barely be seen at the right and Lukso-Lukso islands in the center.

The waves are seem determined to tear these rocks down. They crash to these rocks it is mesmerizing to watch but at the same time terrifying. They created pools and whirlpools that if you are not careful, it could be deadly. The sharpened and jagged edges of rocks and the force of the waves would leave you helpless.

You can climb these rocks if you dare. The jagged rocks gave it steps to the top but one must be very careful in doing so.

Just like every rediscovered places to go, it is inevitable that development follows and along with that mostly destruction. Here in Diguisit, huts were put up for guests who wanted to stay for longer. Because of how far tourists would have to travel to get here, it is great to have some place to sleep and rest just as what is happening here in Diguisit. Some owners of the part of the beach are even asking entrance fee. I hope this practice will not be followed by the others.

There is a public toilet, however, where you can freshen up before going home if you are here only for a day. There are sari-sari stores that you can buy food and basic stuff.

I hope this beach will be monitored and the locals should be properly guided how to maintain this beauty. Signs of neglect is already evident. Number one problem is garbage. Let us all be a responsible tourist.

All photos and videos were taken by my phone.

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