Where to next?

Where do you find the answers to your questions that no one can answer?

When you lost something, you know where to search for.

When you lost someone you don't know where to start.

Where do we go from here?

Dinadiawan Agri Resort, Aurora Philippines April 2015

The long drive to Cagayan Valley (Dinadiawan-Isabela-Cagayan) Day 2 and 3

The impulsive character of my family strikes again. I guess its the excitement that goes with the idea of driving North without any plans that tickles our emotions. Cagayan was a part of our list when we were discussing where we are heading, its either Aurora, Cagayan or Caramoan with 2 provinces being a location of Survivor I knew it was going to be awesome but I was thinking about the travel time and the twisting road that lead us to Aurora.

Laters Aurora!

We left Dinadiawan beach by 10:45 a.m. and reach Baler by 12 just in time for lunch. We had lunch at the Rolling Stores and because it is Saturday it was crowded. It is nothing compared to our previous trips. I suggested checking the new resort we passed by because the idea of a long drive is coming to my senses now. I knew Slim will be tired but they are determined to go there.

Bye Aurora

We had gas somewhere in Cabanatuan and went on a detour. We were on a blank track in Waze and after 20 minutes we are back on the road.

Wrong turn?

We were driving the whole day and by 5pm we were going to the mountains again this time we are passing the road to Banawe.

Baguio Vibe a few more turns would direct us to Bontoc.

 I felt like going back, even going home. It started to rain when we passed by Santa Fe Nueva Viscaya and another zigzag road but it is nothing to the Zigzag of Aurora what annoys us the most is how traffic it is. I was dozing on and off because of exhaustion but fighting it since I'm navigating and making sure Slim has someone to talk to. By 8pm we had dinner at Jollibee, my tummy wasn't feeling good. A lot of road construction is ongoing  (hello? government)  and it rained so hard that the traffic is so bad. By 10pm we passed by a hotel. My brother stopped for a short meeting and we talked about sleeping there for a night .We were also having engine problems and we were so exhausted.

The hotel looked expensive but I was surprised that the rate is 4700 for 12 and the room is good for maybe 30 people. The hotel is Villa Diana in Cordon Isabela

The room has 2 restrooms.

Room Deck

12 Double Decks

Longest bed I've seen

Reception

We had beer to help us sleep sometimes being too tired won't let you sleep. There are local celebrities checked in here too. We woke up at about 8am. They were planning to check out and have breakfast on the road. I wasn't entertaining the idea since we are not familiar with the place.We had breakfast and left by 10. Our whole stay is just 12 hours!

What I like the most is the unlimited refill of Iced Tea less than 100. I ordered it the night before and still got a refill at breakfast.

Restaurant Entrance

The place is nice, the price is affordable and the hotel itself is classy. I felt like we got the place so cheap. Never judge the book by its cover.

The restaurant

Claim to fame with Teddy

Tree house for accommodation

Our room

Bye Isabela!

An hour of driving got us at Tuguegarao, and then passed by Kalinga apayao. Kalinga Apayao is amazing.

 I haven't seen the Chocolate Hills in Bohol but it felt like that here. We had lunch somewhere in Kalinga and the food is okay but I didn't like it.

I don't know why but this part of the North has weird cooking. I felt like my I'll have stomach issues here. I was bloated, nauseated and so EXHAUSTED.

Almost there!

The drive to Cagayan is so long I want to go home again. We got to Jotay Resort by 4pm.

The sand in Sta.Ana is black and uninviting. My mother was hesitant to stay there. She didn't know that Anguib beach is just a boat away and that it is the real Boracay of the North. I was dismayed; annoyed that I didn't object when she said we will go to Pagudpud. I was so disappointed that we wasted 4 hours. I will go back I promise. I'll see you again Cagayan.

My brother drove back Slim was able to nap and I gave him Anti Histamine tablets as he is getting rashes.

By 7pm we had a quick stopover and refilled our tanks. Slim woke up and continued the drive. I was dozing off from exhaustion when we passed Patapat Viaduct, by 9pm we are in Casa Consuelo Pagudpud.

We are staying here for the night.
Hello again CASA CONSUELO.

Is Cagayan doable by car? YES!!!!

ESTIMATED EXPENSES:

GAS = 2800
FOOD DAY 2 AND 3 = 2350
VILLA DIANA = 1567

TOTAL = 6700 (3 PEOPLE)

Dinadiawan beach the road less traveled in Aurora

Aurora became a popular destination because of Baler and its all year surfing conditions. It's also accessible from Manila so a lot of local tourist goes there but unknown to many there is a hidden gem called Dinadiawan in Dipaculao which is just an hour away. Just be prepared for the twists and turns, ups and downs because we will be driving on Sierra Madre.

Road to paradise

Ampere Beach Dipaculao

Early Roadtrip

This is my third time to Aurora. I think this is going to be a birthday ritual since we went to Baler for the past 2 years it's just that this time we will go further.

BioBreak

I checked Dipaculao last year because my bday trip fell on a Holy Week and was scared of trafficgeddon and accommodation issues. I was hesitant as I don't see blog post about it last year and I wasn't sure if it can be traveled by car. I got a place in Baler so I said this is going to be a part of my bucket. Then this year my Kuya wants to go here. Looks like I can mark this off my bucket list.

We were supposed to go Thurs morning but Papa was ill. They went to the hospital Wed afternoon. I knew our trip will be postponed. But he felt better. We couldn't leave without him. We drove to Aurora by 4am. By 7am we had bfast somewhere in Nueva Ecija which is like the worst breakfast ever but I was hungry, still we didn't finish our meal.

My lugaw is better

The roads to Baler are better compared to last year. There are only a few unpaved roads. We got to Baler by 11am. A few strolls but it started to rain so we drove to Dipaculao.

They have a Baler signage now that everyone takes a pic

Waiting for our turn

The scenery to Dipaculao is better, mountains and trees and a view of the sea at times. The road is 100% paved it's just that it's all zigzag just like Kennon Road x 10.

Sample of the road

We checked a few resorts. La Sunshine is our first stop it looks really nice but they don't have a slot because they have a team building activity. They don't have a restaurant too but there are eateries near the resort per management so we went ahead to Dinadiawan Agri.

View at La Sunshine

Another Resort we checked I forgot the name but no available rooms

Dinadiawan Agri rooms

The room we got 4700 for 10 people and you can order a meal 500 per dish. What we noticed here is you have to bring your own food to cook. If we will be having 500/dish we might spend 1500 per meal which is so expensive. The place is nice it's not exploited compare to other beaches, the water is calm and clear. The sand is not that white but the view of the mountains plus sea is perfect.

Clear waters

More swim pics

Calm waters that we can leave him floating

Mountain meets sea

A portion where you can take pics.
My baby Niece.

The kids enjoyed swimming. For dinner Slim and my Brother went to the market they were able to buy Blue Marlin 1kilo for 180, kaldero and uling for cooking. Our neighbour tourists were kind enough to lend us salt and even gave us eggplant for dinner.

Chilling by the beach

The next day my brother decided to go to Cagayan to visit Palaui Island. We were having issues with the map as Smart has no signal. Looking at the map it looks near just 4 hour travel but our neighbour who is from Isabela advised us that it is not for a Sedan car there is a short path which is unpaved and you will be passing through a river. So we decided to go back to Cabanatuan then take the Tuguegarao Route to Cagayan. I was excited because I wanted go to Palaui Island.

Drive would be short if we drive via Maddela - Quirino Route but our car won't survive.

My Parent enjoyed the place

Breakdown of Expenses (Some of this I will divide by 3 since Kuya, Mama and I are splitting the bills)

GAS = 1350
Toll Nlex Min Ave. = 45
        Nlex Dau = 173
        Sctex = 89
Accommodation 4700 for 10 split to 3 = 1567
Bfast Day 1 = 300
Lunch = 700
Dinner = 500
Bfast Day 2 = 500


Total Expense we spent for Day 1 = 3567
Total spent for 3 persons. (SLIM, Nanay and I)

* * Approximately 13k for 9 adults and 3 kids with 2 cars * *