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.
great read! thanks for the itinerary. planning to go there next weekend. safe naman po sir na mag stay sa beach? or would you recommend na sa town na ako mag overnight? female solo traveler po.
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for visiting :) Kung marami naman pong mag stay sa white beach dun ka na lang din po :) Basta ingat po. Mababait naman ang tao sa Dingalan :)
DeleteWow puro mura sa ex ah. Buti na lang iniwanan ka. Good for her. Tsk tsk
ReplyDeleteYou know nothing, Jon Snow :)
DeleteWorth the view ang travel mo, hindi katulad ng ex mo na worthless na :) Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeletewoohoo! thanks for dropping by :) haha panalo ang comment mo! :) see u around!
DeleteYou're funny! wondering why your ex left you. Parang bet ko tuloy pumunta sa dingalan! :)
ReplyDeleteOMG, dami kong tawa sa blog mo Kuya! Relate na relate ako. Lol. At na-inspire akong mag-solo travel din sa Dingalan. Thank you for sharing this! :)
ReplyDeletehaha! glad you liked it :) thanks for dropping by and have a safe trip to Dingalan! :)
DeleteP.I. din sa walanghiyang ex kong manloloko, ganda po dito Sir. Isasama ko rin po ito sa list ko...
ReplyDeleteHello, Sir. Mukang matindi ang pinagdaanan natin ah. Salamat sa pag bisita. Okay sa Dingalan, sir. Magbaon ka na po ng maraming hugot dahil pag nasa lighthouse ka na, mapapa hugot ka talaga sa ganda :) Ingat!
DeleteHaha! Ang galing! How you write is definitely unique. Marami ng hugot blogs but I havent seen a hugot-travel blog! Haha! I'm sure daming makaka relate. Keep writing, andrei! See you on the road.
ReplyDeleteHello Allan! Thank you for visiting! Haha. It started as a personal blog tapos naisipan ko mag travel and then un..i guess the travel bug bit me big time! Haha! Thank you and stay safe! See you on the road!
ReplyDeleteHahahahahahaa. Natawa ko, sana sinama mo ex tpos nilaglag mo sir. Katulad ng nasa isip mo. Btw, ayos nman ba ung white beach sir? White sand ba? O rocky dn ung beach? Pero thnks for the blog sobrang helpful neto. Last question sir. Matao na ba? Hahahaha
ReplyDeleteHahahahahahaa. Natawa ko, sana sinama mo ex tpos nilaglag mo sir. Katulad ng nasa isip mo. Btw, ayos nman ba ung white beach sir? White sand ba? O rocky dn ung beach? Pero thnks for the blog sobrang helpful neto. Last question sir. Matao na ba? Hahahaha
ReplyDeleteHi Jaivhee! Thank you for visiting! Haha! Dalhin mo din ang ex mo :) haha! Atos naman po yung white beach. Hindi naman po mabato. Nung time na andun ako fiesta kasi so mejo madami ung boat at mahirap maghanap ng spot para mag swimming. Basta try mo weekday magpunta :) Thank you for visiting, sir! Safe travels and enjoy! See you on the road!
ReplyDeletedapat andito ako ngaun kaso hnd ako pinayagan ng papa ko so shut up na muna ako,,see u soon Dingalan, Aurora..thank you sir..
ReplyDeleteAwww...okay lang yan..di naman mawawala ang Dingalan :)
DeletePlanning to go there, at mapapahugot din ng bongga. hahahha. :)
ReplyDeleteMagbaon po ng madaming hugot para isang hugutan na lang po haha :) ingat po and have fun sa Dingalan! Madami po jan lugar na pwede puntahan kinulang lang ako sa oras...bagay na kinulang din ang ex ko sa akin :(
DeleteThank you so much for this!! Never enjoyed a travel blog this much hahahaha your hugots are not corny at all!! HAHA
ReplyDeleteHaller, baller! Haha! Glad you liked it, Anon! Thank you for visiting :)
DeleteLol u like your blog ^_^.. Hugot na hugot e!... Well, I wish I could come and experience the nature in Dingalan this December or January maybe ^_^..
ReplyDeleteI like yan ��
ReplyDeleteHello Carol. Thank you for visiting! Haha! Maganda talaga sa Dingalan and mapapahugot ka talaga sa lighthouse. I think sarado ang lighthouse sa mga bisita ngayon. Check out my other posts too :) you may go to alibijaban island or banaue para humugot din. Haha. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteHi Sir, super nice hugot blog! Gusto ko rin humugot sa Dingalan!
ReplyDeleteJust wanna ask if you did this travel during weekday or weekends? Gusto ko sana pumunta during weekday, para wala masyadong tao... kaso worry ko baka walang masyadong boat na papaunta sa beach? Atsaka how much po all in total cost? Salamat po Sir! :)
Hi Anon. Thank you for visiting. Bus tix going to Cabanatuan from Cubao costs 185 one way. Van from Cabanatuan to Dingalan costs 100 one way. Trike from Dingalan to feeder port costs around 30-50. You can day tour Dingalan lighthouse and Tanawan Falls for about 1k provided that you will walk from feeder port to white beach resort where the lighthouse is located. Guide to lighthouse costs 100/head. If you wish to rent a boat, 700 pesos two way. There are no passenger boats going to white beach so rent talaga. I think I have spend about 2.3k as I stayed there overnight.
ReplyDeleteSpent* (apologise for the typo. im teplying frm my mobile)
DeleteSir, thanks for sharing your great experience and IT. Natawa ako sa mga comment :)
ReplyDeleteHello Ralph. Thank you for visiting! Haha dami ngang hugot haha!
Deletehaha.Natawa nmn ako sa mga hugot. Nice blog. :)
ReplyDeleteHello. Salamat po sa pagbisita sa aking blog haha. Glad you liked it :)
DeleteHi is it okay to stay sa white beach and bring own tent? May fee ba pag ganun? Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteHi sir, thanks for this blog. We'll be going to dingalan on aug 1. Very helpful. Rounds of applause for your hugot blog 😉
ReplyDeleteHi Joycee! 5 Thanks for dropping by :) appreciate your comment!
Deletehello po hugotero :)
ReplyDeletemay bayad din po ba pag magtent lang sa beach?
hello po hugotero :)
ReplyDeletemay bayad din po ba pag magtent lang sa beach?
Hi maam ceci, kgglng ko lng kahapin sa dingalan. Ayon kay ate nene may ari ng white beach.. Kung tent lang. Nsa paguusap nio dw maam.
Deletethank you joycee :)
Deletethank you joycee :)
DeleteThank you for your comment, Joycee! Salamat po sobra :)
DeletePanalo ung view. Pero mas panalo ung mga hugot! Kumbaya! ��
ReplyDeletePanalo ung view. Pero mas panalo ung mga hugot! Kumbaya! ��
ReplyDeleteHi Ami! Haha! Kahit ak o natatawa sa mga pinaalalagay ko dito haha. Salamat sa pag bisita! Ingat lagi!
DeleteHello! tanong ko lang kung anong oras ang first trip Cabanatuan to Dingalan? or kung meron ka pong bus sched. salamat!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNakaka tawa tong blog mo and at the same time nakaka inspire. I was planning to travel alone this coming September and I find your blog very helpful. There's a lot of good things ahead. Stay happy ;)
ReplyDeleteHello Anon! Thank you dfor visiting! Ingat palagi. Birth month ko ang september and target ko is Mindoro naman. Ingat palagi!
DeleteHi..tara travel na lang tayo..malay mo..lolz
ReplyDeleteHi..tara travel na lang tayo..malay mo..lolz
ReplyDeleteHi, Im planning to go to Dingalan and then Baler, can you advise kung pano pumunta dun anong bus pwedeng sakyan and ano ba mas maganda Baler to Dingalan or Dingalan to Baler. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna! Thank you for visiting! Both are very different. Kung trip mo ng soul searching slash hugot kuni na budget friendly you can go to Dingalan. Yung view sa Lighthouse ang highlight ng trip. Pwede kang mag sidetrip sa Tanawan Falls. From Dingalan sakay ka lang ng van going back to Cabanatuan then may Van dun papunta sa Baler.
ReplyDeleteIf we are going walk from feeder port to white beach sir how long would it take kaya? thanks
ReplyDeleteIt took me about 30-45mina from feeder port po going to white beach. Tanghali po kasi ako so sobrang init. Kasing init ng ulo ko nung nalaman kong di lang pala ako ng nasa puso ng ex ko :( Pero depende po yun sa bilis ng lakad nyo. Sana ung bilis na yun eh kasing bilis ng pag hilom ng puso ko :(
DeleteHello Anon. More or less an hour po. Umaga po kayo maglakad kasi it can get too hot sa tanghali.
ReplyDeleteI see! thanks sir! would you know san mas maganda magcamp sa falls area or sa whitebeach?
ReplyDeleteHi. I don't think you can camp sa Tanawan Falls. Wala po kuryente dun and hindi po 24/7 ung bantay. When I went there ng umaga po wala pa po yung bantay. I would suggest na mag stay kayo sa white beach or sa bayan.
DeleteHi! Ask lang po. Anong oras po first trip and last trip sa dingalan? From feeder port to white beach and vice versa. Ty
ReplyDeleteHello. First trip from Cabanatuan to dingalan is as early as 6:00AM - not sure about the last trip. Last trip from Dingalan to Cabanatuan is 3:00PM. Trips from Cabanatuan to Cubao are available 24/7
DeleteFrom feeder port to white beach I think 6AM-5PM po. Not sure.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi, ask ko lang po, ano po amg much better, magdala ng sariling sasakyan o commute. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWell there are pros and cons po of bringing your own car. Ok sya kasi hawak nyo yung time nyo and madami din naman places na pwede pag iwanan ng car na safe. Un lang pagod nyo sa pag drive po esp edsa hehe.
ReplyDeletehi, thanks for visiting our hometown :) ganda ng blog mo.. taga dun ako pero diko pa navisit ang lighthouse.. ganda ng mga kuha mo.. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Claire!
ReplyDeleteThank you for dropping by! I really enjoyed my stay in Dingalan. Ang babait ng mga tao at napaka welcoming nila. Will definitely come back soon!
Hi po! Ganda ng blog.. worth reading.. Baka may mai offer kang cheap accommodation..or marerent na tent? Yung pasok sa budget �� thanks for response..
ReplyDeleteHi Anon.
DeleteSorry sa late reply. I don't think there are tents there for rent. If you want, pwede ka mag day tour sa lighthouse then go back sa town to look for place to stay. I saw one for 500 pesos good na for 4. I forgot the name lang. Then sa falls ka na punta the next day before ka umuwi ng Manila.
May bayad po ba mag tetent pitching?
ReplyDeleteHi.
DeleteMeron po pero nalimutan ko na po. Sorry.
Panalo ka kuya! Wala akong ex pero binookmark ko ung page mo.:D
ReplyDeleteNainspire ako sa biglaang lakad, salamat ng marami. ^_^
Tnx for this itinerary.. Try ko to next month
ReplyDeleteHello Anon,
DeleteYou're welcome! Don't forget to check the weather first! (I use accuweather). Have a safe trip and enjoy Dingalan!
Thanks po...sana makamove on ka na 😂✌ ilibing silang buhay kuya 😉
ReplyDeleteHi Glaiza! You're welcome. Oo naman po naka move on na. Hahaha!
DeleteHi, yung boat cost 700 back n fort n ba sya? Planning to get there next month. Bka my number k ndn pati nung mga bangkero . Thank you
ReplyDeleteHi. When I visited Dingalan, round trip na po sya. To save money, you may walk po from feeder port papunta ng lighthouse. Mejo mahabang lakarin lang po pero isang direksyon lang naman sya...hindi katulad ng ex ko na hindi ko alam kung saang direksyon ng gusto pumunta. Haha.
DeleteThanks for this. Dami ko tawa sa hugot mo kay ex. LOL! Happy safe travels! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Anon! Haha! Ako ngayon natatawa na lang din. Hahahaha!!
DeleteHahaha! Spread happiness always! -A:)
ReplyDeleteHaha. Cheers, A!
ReplyDeleteThank you sa info. Alam ko na kung san ako pupunta. Hahaha...
ReplyDeleteThank you for this helpful info! Grabe! Natawa ako sa post mo. I hope you're heart is okay now. hehe. :)
ReplyDeleteHi kuya,
ReplyDeletenice blog! Ask ko lang kung may CR sa white beach for overnight? if ever may mga hotels po ba sa bayan nf dingalan kung hindi magoovernight sa white beach? thanks! :)
Hello!
DeleteThanks haha! Yes po meron po cr sa white beach so okay po mag overnight dun. And madami na din po hostels/rooms sa town po.
Ingat and enjoy Dingalan!
Hi! Saan ka nagstay sa Town if hindi ka nagstay sa White Beach? Hehe. Pwede lakarin mula sa Port hanggang sa White Beach?
ReplyDeleteHi! Mau nakilala ako mga taga don and pina stay nila ako ng libre (swerte!) but there are transient homes sa town (:
DeleteYes you can walk from Feeder port to White Beach. That's what I did!
Hi Sir, ilang oras po kayo naglakad from feeder fort to white beach? Require po ba ang tour guide? From white beach to light house ilang oras po? Thank you
DeleteHi Sir, ilang oras po kayo naglakad from feeder fort to white beach? Require po ba ang tour guide? From white beach to light house ilang oras po? Thank you
DeleteHi Sir Andrei, hanep sa hugot. Haha! Nice Blog!! Keep it up :)
ReplyDeleteMy group is planning to go to Dingalan this June. May question lang ako...
1. about sa P700 Boat fee (from Feeder Port - White beach). I assume na yun P700 ay kapag solo ka lang. Do you have an idea how much would they charge for bigger group? And hanggang ilang pax ang pwede isakay sa bangka?
2. if we will do overnight sa white beach, pwede ba magpaluto dun sa resort? haha
Salamat ng marami! Laking tulong ng blog mo, Hopefully sa mga susunod na travel adventures mo, may makasama ka na :)
Hi Nico,
DeleteThanks for visiting my blog. Haha. Ayan ung mga araw na bitter na bitter pa ako kaya panay hugot. Anyway..
1) Php700 boat fee can accommodate up to 8 pax. May malalaking boat dun for bigger groups. Last year pa na rate yan so not sure kung magkano na ngayon. Roundtrip na rin sya.
2) Yes pwede magpaluto dati..not sure ngayon. To make sure, mas okay na magdala na lang kayo ng cook set and bumili ng food sa market bago pumunta sa white beach. If you need a place to stay, meron akong alam na resort malapit sa feeder port, Shalom Guesthouse and Beach Resort. You may reach them at monalizabelgar@gmail.com 09478247691 and 09064412007. Sa White beach kasi kubo yung nga nandun pero pwede rin mag pitch ng tent. Madami din mapagstayan sa town.
You're most welcome and sana nga sa susunod may makasama na ako. Haha. Kampay!
I can't stop from laughing sir. I relate to your sentiments. gago sila! soul searching on! nice blog.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Kesa mag lasing, humugot na lang pag nag travel! Mas masaya! Haha! Thanks for visiting!
Delete