Sightseeing Baler (Part 2)

From Natulo Falls, we hopped on the tricycle driven by Syder and headed to out last destination – Ermita Hill. Along the way, we passed a rockslide, which blocked half of the road.

We made a quick stop at Tromba Marina, which is located at the base of Ermita Hill. Tromba Marina is a shrine commemorating the tragedy that befell Baler when a tsunami hit the town in 1735. The sculptures show a family of seven scrambling up to safety. The seven figures represent the seven families that survived the tragedy by seeking refuge at Ermita Hill.

Tromba Marina

Nearby is a stairway going up the hill. We thought we’d have to hike our way up, but instead, our driver offered to drive us straight up the hill.

Ermita Hill or Ermita Park is one of the attractions being developed in Baler. A chapel, a convention hall, gazebos and view decks were put in place.

Sitio Labasin, Sabang

The hill offers a sweeping panorama of Baler Bay. From the viewdeck, one can see Labasin beach busy with surfers in Sabang, Pingit-Kinalapan River, outriggers boats on the beach at Sitio Castillo, mangroves in Sitio Puntian, Cemento beach, the fish port and Dimadimalangat Islet.

Pingit-Kinalapan River 

Sitio Castillo 

Baler Bay

Mangroves 

 

Baler fish port 

Mangroves, Cemento Beach, Fish Port and Dimadimalangat Islet

Further up on top of Ermita Hill is a huge cross, said to be donated by a cancer survivor. Also, there are 14 Stations of the Cross leading to the cross but we opted not to go there.

It was still early in the afternoon when we ended our tour of Baler. We had Syder drop us off back to Bahia de Baler to take a rest.

There were a lot of surfers on the beach when we got back. We don’t want to miss the opportunity to see surfers in action, so, off we go to the beach.

Hunger pangs set in after an afternoon of sight seeing. From our campsite, we took a short walk to Bayler View Hotel and ordered iced coffee, turon a la mode and four seasons crepe.

 

It was a wonderful snack with a nice view of Baler bay. We headed back to our tent when we noticed that the sky was getting gloomy and the wind started to pick up. At the gazebo beside our tent, we spent the rest of the afternoon.