AURORA: Food Trip and Pasalubong

Aurora has some homegrown delicacies where I promised myself I won't go home without these sweet treats: 

1. Suman Baler

The most popular suman locals love to eat especially for breakfast. I actually ate a bunch while travelling back home so I bought 4 bunches to be sure. The best ones are bought at a residence near a bridge, but if you ran out of these bunches, you can avail similar ones at Baler Public Market. The glutinous rice used is purplish in color and has sugary taste. Hence, no need to add saccharine essentials, unless you want to pair this with two items below such as...

2. Peanut Butter

Nanay Pacing's peanut butter is different that it has no oily texture. It's creamy and easy to chew. Though a bit pricey, you can get quality spread as the peanuts used were meticulously selected. I bought them at their stall across the public market. Actually, I almost lost the chance of buying these due to few stocks available and high demand. Luckily, I was able to meet the proprietors before they close the store early in the afternoon. Whoah! What a sigh that I bought few jars and they didn't forget how many I reserved earlier. Lucky me!

3. Coco Jam

Another bestseller is the coco jam. Like peanut butter, it's not oily and best to be spread on breads and condiments for rice cakes. Sometimes, I just dunk my spoon to scoop some jam as dessert after meals...hihi

4. Shane's Eatery
I read a blog that this carinderia serves some homecooked meals. Actually, nothing special, but I enjoyed their crispy chocolate pork (dinuguan) and coconut milk-stewed seafood dishes, where we ate for lunch.

5. Ram's Tapsilogan

We got hungry after our surfing lesson, so I guided my friends to an eatery near the town center. Filipino breakfast it is! Well, I tried their pork sausage (longganisa). Happy eating!

Picture first (Wet na, gutom pa)

  

6. Coconuts

Since the official seal of the Municipality of Baler has a coconut on it, we lived up to its symbol by eating coconuts meats and drinking fresh buko juice, picked from a nearby tree. What a refreshing way to replenish after the day's activities. #bukopamore

1. Crack

2. Sip

3. Enjoy!

AURORA: The Great Old Balete Tree of Maria Aurora

After a sumptuous breakfast at our homestay in Brgy. Suklayin, we rode on a tricycle going to Balete Park. We traversed two long bridges spanning a few meters then turmed left leading us to Ronquillo Park (Parque de Ronquillo) adjacent to an elementary school.

When you enter the park, expect a strawline held by locals who’ll present a small box for donations. Just a small amount (Php10) will do. A dirtroad led us to the park and from a distance, you’ll see the old tree guarded by a gate where an entrance fee of Php10 for adults is a must.

Speaking of the balete tree by the Ronquillos, you can enter inside its branchy trunk and go out on the other side. Actually, the climbing has its limitation at 3 meters. I only found out after reaching more than its limit, as you can see below (hahaha).

We enjoyed taking pictures such as selfies and groupies. I was brave enough to climb higher, though going down is a bit tough. 

The balete tree’s perimeter was surrounded by tourists taking pictures in different poses, like they were models in magazine covers. It was such a sight to behold! Taking great pictures felt like we’re in a surreal worlds. (n_n)