Beautiful Aurora

Sometimes, you became so fed up that you just want to disappear and take that much needed break.

I work in a very challenging environment with lots of deadline, demanding clients and draining subordinates.  Given the timing of my busy season (literally these are the months where you cannot take a day off and often requires you to work on weekends),  I was dying to escape the chaos, even just for a weekend.

Where to go? This question kept bugging me on the last stretch of my busy season. Until I came across a beautiful view which I have imagined myself standing, the moment I saw the picture.

I was fond of cliffs with views of the mountains and refreshing scent of the sea, and this paradise has it. Where is this? Aurora Province, particularly Dingalan – You probably haven’t heard of it, but it’s been drawing attention to weekend warriors lately. It’s in the same province as the popular original surfing capital, Baler.

Why you should go?

Also known as “Batanes of the East”, this unspoiled beauty is considerably easier to reach. You don’t have to fly from Manila to get here but you can see an equally (or even more) stunning view. If you love road trips, the route to Dingalan can clear up your mind. With the vast rice-fields, bold mountains and breathtaking landscapes,  the journey can really wash up your tired soul.  Did you know that road trips are enlightening? It breeds insight and perspective. When you’re out on the open road, it allows your mind to wander, helping you recognize and address deeply ingrained thoughts, memories and emotions (©https://www.elitedaily.com). So what are you waiting for? It’s time to hit the road.

Things to know before you go:

• From the feeder’s port to white beach (this is the jump-off point to get to the lighthouse and viewer’s deck), you can either rent a boat (Php800 for round-trip) or walk along the coastal area which will not take more than 45 minutes. If you opt for the cheaper option, ensure you will arrive at the port early enough to avoid the scorching heat. You can charter a boat one-way going back for a much cheaper rate (around 200-300 per head).
• It’s kind of required to get a tour guide if you’re headed to the light-house or viewer’s deck, it cost P200 per group.
• There is no five-star hotel or resort around the area, but there are inns and lodging houses offering basic accommodation if you decided to stay for a night.
• Expect a 30-minute trek; going to viewer’s deck is more painful since the trail is steep than the trail to the light-house. Don’t get me wrong though, I’ve came across kids (like 3-5 year olds) and senior citizen doing both the trek, so if it’s doable for them, it’s doable for everybody without any serious medical condition. Do not forget to bring drinking water.

Sample DIY Itinerary:

4:00AM                    Depart Manila for Dingalan
8:00AM                    Stopover at McDonalds in Cabanatuan
11:00AM                  Arrival in Feeder’s port; register and hire a boat & tour guide
11:30AM                  Boat ride, side-trip to Lamao caves
12:15PM                  Dock at white beach, lunch-time, siesta and sound-tripping
2:15PM                    Start trek to light house
2:35PM                    Arrival in light-house, photo ops, siesta!
3:30PM                    Start trek to viewer’s deck
3:50PM                    Arrival in viewer’s deck, photo ops, siesta!
4:20PM                    Head back to white beach; time to swim
5:45PM                    Start boat ride to feeder’s port
6:00PM                    Dinner at a local resto
8:00PM                    Check-in at a local inn (we’re heading to Baler the next day – will update this blog for the 2nd leg of this getaway)

How to Get There

Option 1: via own car – get on North Luzon Expressway (i.e., NLex), follow NLEx/E1/R-8 and N Luzon W Expy to Carmen – Poblacion Rosales National Rd/Pangasinan – Nueva Ecija Rd/San Jose – Carmen Road in Rosales. Take the exit toward Carmen from N Luzon W Expy/R-8. Continue on San Jose – Carmen Road. Take Rizal – San Jose City Rd and Bongabon – Rizal Rd/Rizal – Bongabon – Aurora Rd to Dingalan – Gabaldon Rd/Palayan – Gabaldon – Dingalan Rd in Dingalan.  Feeder’s port in Dingalan is searchable via waze or google maps. There are pay parking there, just ask the locals.

Option 2: via commute – Take a bus from either Cubao, Avenida, Caloocan or Pasay going to Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija (travel time varies depending on the time you left and from where). From Cabanatuan central terminal, there were vans and buses going to Dingalan. The earliest trip to Dingalan is around 7:00AM, travel time approx. 1.5 to 2 hours. Take a tricycle to Dingalan feeder’s port for P15 per head.

What to See