We always knew that whenever we hear the province of Aurora, we automatically remember its famous surf spot, Baler. Last April 23, we get the chance to venture one of Aurora's unexplored wonders, Dingalan -- which was now termed as "Batanes of the East".
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| Breathtaking view of Dingalan's Batanes Scene |
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| (c) Wikipedia |
The plan for this escapade started when a close friend of mine offered this Dingalan tour package. At first, I was hesitant as the price doesn't seem to fit a one whole day tour. Brutally honest, I find it expensive. The tour rate includes transportation from Manila-Dingalan v.v., boat rental(s), and entrance fees. It does exclude the meals so the stopovers will be helpful to purchase food. (Or pack your own food)
Tour rate starts at P999 (not bad actually) and we're offered to pay another P150 per head for our sumptuous lunch to be personally cooked by the locals. Again, not bad.
THE MEETUP
We met the other joiners at McKinley Exchange located at the BGC Bus station beside Ayala MRT Station. Supposed meetup is 12:00 midnight and we arrived the earliest at 8:00 PM. Most of my travel buddies knows that I am an early bird for I was avoiding a deep sleep come 10:00 PM hahaha.
For starters, I'm posting a sample itinerary that we're supposed to do the whole day.
Itinerary:
12:00AM - Assembly at MRT Ayala EDSA Jollibee besides Telus
1:00AM - ETD to Dingalan
5:00AM - ETA at Dingalan (Quick Breakfast)
6:00AM - ETD to White Beach
6:30AM - Arrival at White Beach (Start Trek)
7:00AM - Arrival at the LightHouse
8:30AM - Start Descent
9:00AM - At the white Beach (Swimming Photo Ops)
10:00AM- ETD to Lamao Caves
10:20AM - Lamao Caves (Tour)
11:30AM - Back to Paltic (Lunch - Own Account)
1:30PM - Start Trek to falls
2:15PM - Arrival at falls(Swimming, Photo Ops)
3:30PM - Start Trek Back to Cottage
4:00PM - Tidy Up
5:00PM - ETD to manila
5:30PM - Tanawan ViewDeck (PhotoOps)
10:00PM - ETA Manila
EVENT FEE: Php 999
Places to Visit:
Dingalan White Beach
LightHouse
Lamao Caves
Paltic Falls
Tanawan View Deck
INCLUSIONS:
- Round trip van transfers
- Guide fees
- Registration fees
- Driver's Food
EXCLUSIONS:
- Shower fee
- Meals
TRAVEL TIME
Travel time is 4 hours. Luckily, we've met the desired schedule, and that includes two meetups along the way; one at Balintawak, and other one in Bulacan. Considering that we traveled midnight, we're all asleep at the van comfortably.
ARRIVAL AT DINGALAN
As we arrived at Dingalan Feeder port around 5 in the morning, we were asked to register. After which, we took a quick breakfast at a nearby food house. We ate native longanisa and egg, as well as Tocino and egg and a mango shake. I never had the chance to take a photo for I was the one carrying our luggage. As soon as we're finished, we are again asked to have an assembly in front of the registration area, and instructed us to board our boat.
LAMAO CAVES
One of the interesting things I saw in Dingalan is its archipelago. It is presently untouched and is similar to Caramoan. But its rock formations had a lot of green and I might be able to compare it to Scotland, or any picturesque similar to it. The formation is firm, and its cut clean. It has least rock edges and quite fascinating. This is also the first time I saw an archipelago with a lot of caves.
As soon as we board the boat, a 30 minute ride is spent to reach the Lamao caves. Personally, I am not impressed, as tourists can only alight and take pictures outside the cave. So I resented to disembark and decided to stay on the boat as the scenic view is waaaaay much better when you're board the boat.
THE WHITE BEACH
After we ventured the Lamao caves, we then headed to Paltic, and it's actually a white beach. This is also the jump off point for trekking going to the view deck and the light house.
Our coordinators rented two (2) cottages for us (van 1 and van 2). We're also instructed to put down our bags as we took a short break then we're off to trek at the view deck first, and the light house after. Our guides also told us that the view deck trek is easy than the light house, and the advantage of going to the view deck is that the path is shaded as compared to the light house. We're also given the option if we can take both treks or just choose one. Our coordinator told us that its only advisable to trek at the view deck as the light house (structure itself) doesn't allow anyone to enter the structure anymore.
Before we started to trek, we took out first group picture. BTW, we are a group of 30 pax (2 vans with 15 pax each).
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| Top photo grabbed from TravelWorldPH Facebook page |
THE TREK TO VIEW DECK
KC and I took the view deck trek only. It was not easy for somebody who stopped any extreme adventures for 2 years.. so yeah, it was hard for me. I took deep breathes several times. Thank God for proper body training during my hay days, the mind over body thing made me effective during the trek without any casualty. I was really worried about my body weight and I was not prepared for trekking.
PS: I don't advise trekking for senior citizens on both view deck or light house. Believe me. I've had a hard time and this is 100% honest.
UPON REACHING THE VIEW DECK
It was quite a trek, and reaching the top seeing the majestic view of the archipelago. It is indeed the Batanes of the East.
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After which, we trekked back to our cottage and took our lunch.
As soon as we finished our lunch, we tidied up and had a quick dip in to the sea -- and relax a little. We had a small chat with some locals at the front of a small store, asked about Dingalan's best places, where to buy fresh seafood and such. Our coordinator even exchanged digits with one local to promote his cottage that can be a future reference for those who wanted to stay for a night in Dingalan beach front.
TANAWAN FALLS
As soon as we finished our lunch, we tidied up and had a quick dip in to the sea -- and relax a little. We had a small chat with some locals at the front of a small store, asked about Dingalan's best places, where to buy fresh seafood and such. Our coordinator even exchanged digits with one local to promote his cottage that can be a future reference for those who wanted to stay for a night in Dingalan beach front.
TANAWAN FALLS
We're now ready to head back to feeder port and ride our van. We're now headed to our final destination, which is Tanawan falls. Local tour guide(s) told us that it'll be another 15-20 minute trek to reach the area of the falls, and in an open field. We needed our sun protections once again.
Once we reached barangay Tanawan, the jump off point will welcome tourists of the entrance fee. Our coordinator paid for our fees then off we go to disembark to the parking area.
The parking area is composed of some local houses and a store which offers "banlaw" and "bihis". (Shower and change clothes). Rate is P20 per head.
Then off we trek once again going to the falls. Upon reaching the top, tourists will be welcomed by registration before descending down to the falls proper.
Once we reached barangay Tanawan, the jump off point will welcome tourists of the entrance fee. Our coordinator paid for our fees then off we go to disembark to the parking area.
The parking area is composed of some local houses and a store which offers "banlaw" and "bihis". (Shower and change clothes). Rate is P20 per head.
Then off we trek once again going to the falls. Upon reaching the top, tourists will be welcomed by registration before descending down to the falls proper.
Since there was a LOT of people, KC and I decided not to swim, instead we dipped our feet in to the cold water, It was refreshing!
MY OBSERVATION
There's no doubt that Dingalan is a rising tourist destination in the Philippines for it boasts a great amount of green lush environment with a bit of "wild". The province of Aurora seems to be rich with this kind of environment, not to wonder why Baler is famous.
But in my own opinion, Dingalan is not senior citizen friendly, and they may take away the word "trekking" as it may confuse the tourists that they'd just take a long walk. The path going to view deck and light house is a warning for those joiners as it may be termed as "hiking" because it involves danger with stone edges and slippery path.
Spending a whole day in Dingalan is enough. It's a real quick escape for those who are intoxicated in their lives in the metro. If I returned, I'd make sure I'll be spending most of the time relaxing at the white beach only. I do find the white beach relaxing. I'm not sure if my colleague of joiners did a little bit of relaxing there, but we do find it relaxing. Staying at the cottage reading books and sippin' coffee or any cold drinks can suffice your whole day of stay.
As for the organizers; a job well done! I do think there are quite a few complains along the way such as picking up other passengers which heavily favors them, and those who sacrificed their time to reach the meetup point does seem a little bit of unfair. Both KC and I came from Laguna, and yes we did find it unfair. But, what choice do we have? Anyway, I'm used to doing it so its not an issue.
A note to both coordinators: Yes, I both find you funny, kwela, and some sort. But I, as an experienced traveler (having the luxury of traveling with big businessmen) don't want to have this kind of vibe always. Being funny and responsible had strings of differences, I didn't felt comfortable not offering our driver any food, drinks or even a bite of candy. As much as I wanted to butt in, I never wanted to take out the joiners' respect on them. A little expression of heart can create a ripple, the drivers are the ones responsible for our lives so treating them as mere "drivers" only can cause us any untoward violence resulting to accidents.
TOUR INFORMATION
We booked our tour with Travelworld PH spearheaded by Kaye Daza.
Our tour rate
P999 + P150 (lunch)
Total = P1,149.00
Not bad, eh?
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