A weekend escape to Dingalan Aurora, The Batanes of the East my #wednesdaywalk that #makesmesmile

     Life was meant to be lived, 
        and curiosity must be 
          kept alive....
             Eleanor Roosevelt 

Hello awesome Aseanhivers!
I am back after a little snoozing off. It's been a while since I shared some of my life experiences here. Well, last Saturday just over the weekend my family together with our friends visited a very beautiful place.

Nestled on the eastern coast of Luzon lies a hidden gem waiting to be discovered – Dingalan, Aurora, often dubbed as the "Batanes of the East." because of their similarities. Batanes and Dingalan they said, have the same mountain landscapes and ocean scenery. When we hear of Aurora on top of our mind is Baler, famously known as the surfing capital of the Philippines. Little did people know this quaint coastal town offers breathtaking landscapes, thrilling adventures, and unforgettable experiences for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. I had the opportunity to embark on a weekend getaway to Dingalan, and it was nothing short of spectacular.

Our family friend recently opened up a travel and tours business, Hurrah Travel and Tours. As our way of support my family and I joined in one of their travel destination.
We left our city around 2am in the morning. After four hours travelling We passed by beautiful mountain views and rivers. As we journeyed, the sight of bamboo huts nestled along the river near Cabanatuan greeted us, offering a glimpse into the rustic charm of the region.

After five hours we reached the port of Dingalan Our adventure truly began at the feeder port, where we were warmly welcomed by our guides and had our short briefing about our itinerary for the day.

Meet Mitzi, our doggo adventurer. Her fur mom, Rachel brought her because she doesn't want to leave Mitzi all alone in the house. Look at her beaming smile, so excited on the journey ahead.🐕🐶

Setting off on boats towards Isla Paraiso Resort, anticipation coursed through us, eager to explore the famed white beach.

However, the once pristine white sands have been transformed by the tragedy that struck Dingalan in 2004. A devastating typhoon and landslide covered the shore, leaving behind a mixture of white and brown sand as a reminder of the community's resilience in the face of adversity.

Upon arrival at La Isla Paraiso Resort, we settled into our cozy cottages before embarking on a trek to the summit.

After about thirty minutes of a bit arduous ascent, oh man we were greeted with this awesome wonder!
We were rewarded with panoramic vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see. To the east, the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean unfolds in all its splendor, its deep blue waters shimmering under the warm rays of the sun. The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the rugged coastline below serves as a reminder of the untamed beauty of the ocean.

To the west, the towering peaks of the Sierra Madre mountain range command attention, their jagged contours etched against the horizon. Cloaked in a blanket of greenery, these ancient mountains are a testament to the resilience of nature, standing as guardians over the land below. As the sun sets behind the peaks, casting a golden glow across the landscape, we were are left in awe of the breathtaking beauty that surrounds us.

After our trek, we again boarded our boats and ventured down to the Lamao Caves, where we enjoyed the inviting blue waters of the sea. There were a lot of bangka's so our captain decided to moor our boat onto the rocks beside the opening of the cave. I decided not to swim and just stayed near the boat for I was the keeper of our gadgets. I was just happily sitting on the rocks while enjoying the splashes of the ocean. My little way of bathing. Haha!

After our little adventure we then headed back to our cottage at La Isla Paraiso were our guides prepared a hearty lunch boodle-style. Fresh seafood, grilled squid, mussels, shrimps, and adobong chicken were served alongside fried eggplants and sweet bananas, satisfying our hungry tummies with every bite.

With renewed energy, we headed back to the port for another adventure, this time to Tanawan Falls. The journey was filled with excitement as we rode trikes along bumpy and uphill roads. Upon reaching the falls, we were greeted with a spectacular view overlooking the bay and mountains.

Descending the stairs to the falls, we passed by ongoing construction at the resort, where staff shared plans for a six-storey hotel. As we reached the entrance of the falls, the sight of towering boulders and icy cold waters filled us with anticipation. Despite the chill, my husband and I couldn't resist taking a refreshing dip in the freezing cold waterfalls, an experience unlike any other.

Watching daredevils leap from the cliffs into the icy waters added to the thrill of the moment, while our friend Jerome from Hurrah Travel and Tours tested his courage by jumping twice. Sharing these adventures with loved ones made every moment even more memorable, reminding us of the joy of exploration and the beauty of nature's wonders.

After our short dip we decided to end our freezing bath for we cannot take anymore the icey cold water, brrrrrr 🥶😍😄.
Three of our friends Rachel,Carol and Jerome tested their two hundred meters long zipline. Carol and Rachel were both screaming and shouting their hearts out because of their nervousness. I was there morally supporting them from down below. They were successful in conquering their fears. They came out victorious and laughing out their victory! They felt like champs after their frightful experience.🏆 😄🎉

They also have a big web wherein you can climb up and take photos of the stunning views as the backdrop. I did not climb up the giant web I was just there taking photos. They too have a giant swing but weren't able to try out for it was under maintenance. Probably on our next visit atleast we have something new to look forward to.

It was such an amazing experience one that I will never forget.
I wish to thank our host, Hurrah Travel and Tours for making this experience a very memorable one.
Kindly check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hurrahtravelandtours?mibextid=ZbWKwL.

To everything be grateful and follow your bliss!

Til my next adventures! Ta-ta for now!

Thank you @tattoodjay for #wednesdaywalk and @elizacheng for #makesmesmile.