DINGALAN, AURORA

After seeing a post on DIY Travel - Philippines about the Batanes-like view from the Parola (lighthouse) in Dingalan, Aurora, I immediately packed my things and decided to go. Ganun naman na ngayon, lahat dinadaan sa biglaan. Kahit nga paghihiwalay namin ng tarantado kongg ex, biglaan. So sanayan na lang ang laban.

My journey started at 4:30AM. I headed to Alabang and took a bus going to Cubao. From Cubao, I took another bus bound to Cabanatuan Grand Terminal. I reached Cabanatuan half past 11 AM and from Cabanatuan, I rode a van going to Dingalan, Aurora - which took a little over two hours to get there.

My eyes feasted on the majestic view on my way to Dingalan.

I was surprised when I saw a bunch of abubot stores and samu't saring kung anu-ano. There were foodcarts everywhere! Fiesta pala!

After having lunch, I asked one of the tricycle drivers to take me to the port going to the white beach. I was charged Php50.

Too bad I missed one of the main events in the morning as arrived lunch time. I was told there were boats with patrons roaming around. Meron ding karera ng mga bangka.

I asked one of the boatmen how much would it cost to get to the white beach and back to the port. It was a little higher than I thought considering the white beach was just near. The charge was Php700. I was given a Php200 discount since solo lang naman ako (oo, masasanay din ako haha) but I still thought its quite pricey.

I walked around and one tindahan owner told me I can walk from the port to the white beach for about an hour. I just need a guide and it would cost Php200. Luckily, one of her friends was there to take me to the white beach! I bought beers and food as I was told there was no carinderia there.

After walking for about 20 minutes, under the scorching heat of the sun, I finally saw the Parola.

I didn't mind how hot it was because I was so damn excited! Ganun naman talaga siguro pag masaya ka, hindi mo iisipin yung hirap.

When I reached the white beach, I rented a cottage and rested for a bit while drinking my fave redhorse and listening to my summer playlist. Naks.

Now time to get to the Lighthouse!

My guide, who I named Trese (nalimutan ko name nya, basta ang alam ko 13 years old lang sya lol), took me up the hills and sa lighthouse. I was told It was just a 20 minute walk but it took me almost an hour to get there. Madulas yung daan. Mainit. Matarik. Basagan ng tuhod ang laban - bagay na nakasanayan ko na ng mabasag ang puso ko.

....and there it was. The majestic, awesome, spectacular view that made me feel like I was in Batanes.

Eto yung moment na gusto mong isigaw lahat ng nararamdaman mo. Lol.

Ang mataas na lighthouse. Nakakalula syang akyatin.

Hello from the other side. Worth it ang pagod. Sobra.

Dalawa sana kami dito pero dahil iniwan at niloko nya ako, shut up na lang ako. Pero kung nandito sya, tangina baka naitulak ko na sya or nalunod ko sya sa falls gago sya pakyu sya mga one hundred times ganon!

I stayed up there for about 30 minutes. Hindi na ako sumigaw ng hugot lines ko at baka isipin pa ng bata baliw ako.

The beach was fine. There were boats scattered everywhere so mejo mahirap humanap ng spot mag swimming. There were cottages with rooms available. I originally planned to stay at the beach overnight but when I found out I was the only one who will stay there for the night, I decided to head back to the town and stay in one of the hostels there. Since I didn't hire a boatman to take me back to the port, I prepared myself for another hour of non-stop alay lakad. Luckily for me, three students from Manila offered me to take the boat with them! I offered to pay my share but they refused. Ang babait nyo!

I also stayed with them in the room theh checked in. Naka libre pa ng dinner. They didn't want me to pay so I decided to buy drinks instead. And there we were, drinking, sharing stories about traveling, adventures, and why was I traveling alone.

Morning came and I said farewell to them. I took a trike and went to Tanawan Falls.

Guess what? I owned the place! No one was there but me! Not even the bantay! Haha! Lucky!

Ang lamig ng tubig. Kasing lamig ng pagmamahal ng ex ko. Gago sya.

Kung meron lang nito sa likod ng bahay namin. Haha! Ang saya sana. Kahit wala sya. Tangina nya.

I stayed for about 2 hours and headed back to the town para makauwi na.

Aurora is not just about Baler. There are many places in Aurora worth visiting. During my stay at the white beach, I was told there were caves you can visit via boat.

I had an awesome time sa Aurora. Truly, one of the best solo adventures of my life!

HOW TO GET THERE!
From Cubao, take a bus (5star, ES, etc) going to Cabanatuan. Fare is Php185. Ask the driver to drop you off sa Cabanatuan Terminal. Travel time is around 3-4hours.

From Cabanatuan Grand Terminal, take a van (Php100) or bus (Php80) going to Dingalan. Ask them to drop you off sa Dingalan Port or bayan(you may rent a trike to get you to feeder port) Travel time is around 2 hours.

From Feeder Port, hire a boatman to take you to the white beach. Rate is around 600-700 but try nyo na rin humingi ng tawad. Bagay na hindi ginawa ng gago mong ex nung saktan ka. If it is a little pricey for you, ask someone to take you there by walking sa gilid ng beach. Get a guide for 200 pesos. Its easy to find your way back, isang direksyon lang naman. Kesa sa future namin ng ex kong manloloko na walang direksyon sa buhay. Pakyu sya.

Tables and cottages are available sa white beach. Overnight stay starts at Php1500 or you may pitch your own tent. There's a sari sari store sa beach but they dont sell kanin and ulam. You may buy your food sa bayan. Aleng tindera will assign a guide to you to visit the lighthouse. Guide fee is Php100/head.

To visit tanawan falls, head back to bayan and ask one of the trike drivers to take you there. I paid Php100. Entrance fee sa falls is Php20.

Sample Itinerary
Day01
0600-1000 Cubao to Cabanatuan Grand Terminal
1100-1300 Cabanatuan Grand Terminal to Dingalan Aurora
1300-1400 Lunch. Bili ng kailangan
1400-1500 Lakad from feeder port to White beach. Boat ride takes 20 minutes.
1500-1600 Lighthouse
1600-0000 Free time. Chillax. Beach bum. Inom. Either stay sa white beach or check in sa isa sa mga hostels sa town

Day02
0700-0800 Breakfast. Shower.
0800-0900 Byahe from town to Tanawan Falls
0900-1100 Chillax sa falls! Woohoo!
1100-1200 Back to town. Lunch
1200-1400 Byahe from Dingalan to Cananatuan
1400-1800 Byahe from Cabanatuan to Cubao

Take note:
Last trip from Dingalan to Cabanatuan is 3:00pm.
You may pitch your tent sa white beach.
Buy all the stuff you need sa town before going to the white beach if plano mo mag overnight dun.

Lastly, Enjoy!

Thank you sa DIY and kay Sir Josh Castro sa IT. Thank you kela JP at Edrian na nakilala ko sa Dingalan.