Showing posts with label getaway from manila. Show all posts
Showing posts with label getaway from manila. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Tambobong Beach Dasol Pangasinan Rough road to paradise


During my getaway searches I stumbled upon this amazing place. We were not able to go last summer with our family because of work. A weekend getaway would be nice I thought so before I go back to work after my healing period Slim decided its Dasol’s time to shine.

No edit needed


We were supposed to leave at 2 a.m. but left by 4 a.m. insomnia has been visiting me the past days so I woke up late. By 8 a.m. we are in Iba, Zambales we took the NLEX – Subic SCTEX Route instead of going to TPLEX.

Spot Ligaya
Breakfast at IBA


I think TPLEX would be shorter but we’ll try that soon. By 10 a.m. we are in the Municipality of Dasol and entered Burgos which will bring us to Tambobong Beach. We were dismayed that the better route is closed so we were left with rough roads. The unpaved road is 80% rough, we have our travel buddy Ligaya and Slim is getting agitated with every bump she took.  


Road to Paradise

After 2 hours of our bumpy ride we were welcomed by a concrete road and a sight of the beach. Yehey!! Ligaya survived!!! We asked around and we finally got to our home for the night R Paradise Beach Resort.



I was nervous about the place they have bad reviews in Trip Advisor but good blog reviews, my family stayed in Abella’s last time and they loved their stay. But there is something about R Paradise that made up my mind…the bathroom perhaps?

I texted Ms. V the night before and she was very accommodating, she made sure we are assisted properly and to text her if we need something, she even called me when we got there when I asked her about the road going home. This place is really recommended.



When we got to R Paradise I felt home because of the people behind the resort. They were very accommodating, very polite and are making sure that we are taken care of, Filipino hospitality at its best. I actually love our room, it’s simple and rustic. The bed is made of local materials, the wall is cemented covered with mats (BANIG), we have cabinets, the room we took has a fridge, it’s clean and the bathroom is gorgeous. The bathroom is made of rocks from the sea and it’s huge with shelf made of wood. It does not have hooks for your things but they have enough shelves for your clothes, soap and stuff. The shower is great, not only do you feel one with nature but it doesn't get flooded and the toilet is clean.

It may look raw but there's A/C and it's functioning well.

Loving the pebbles

A seat in the shower


We had lunch when we got there, they have our lunch prepared and it was good. After lunch we packed our beers and a few things and off to Culibra Island.
While going to our boat I noticed that the beach is actually nice, staying in Tambobong would be enough, there are a lot of fishing boats docked and the water is clear.


The beach front



The boat ride is okay but a little bumpy, it’s not like the other boat rides we’ve tried before but we survived.



Smiling even if the waves are crashing


A boat just left Culibra Island so we are the only tourists left. The sand is clear and finer than the sands in Bolinao. There are 3 coconut trees left with no leaves so it was so hot in this island. No shades left but the water is amazing. We stayed maybe for 45 minutes and off to the rocky Crocodile Island. I recommend going here early so that you can bear the heat of the sun. Our bankeros told us that there used to be Sea Snakes in this island but they left,must have been scared of tourists.


Bye guys!

Culibra Island

Perfect


Hot in Culibra, off to Crocodile Island

The tide is low when we got to Crocodile Island and was told that the boat can’t be docked so we had to walk to the camp site. It is a rocky place. Thank you for our Aqua Shoes it was manageable, I felt like we hiked mountains going through rock formations and hiking a little. It was a good 10 minute walk to the cave where we stayed.







Again it’s just us enjoying the moment. We stayed here for 4 hours, swimming, eating, drinking, acting like kids and savoring the moment. What I like about Tambobong is its clean, maybe a few empty plastic bottles but it’s nothing compared to the other places we’ve been to. It’s really a paradise.


I was too scared to go inside





This place has a lot of potential, I know that secluded places like this would be a waste if tourist will flock the area but if we promote responsible tourism we can enjoy places like this and still make the place better.


Anatomy of FUN

Fisherman boat going to Scarborough Shoal

For dinner we had grilled fish and decided to eat by the beach, what’s funny is I can hear a Gecko (TUKO) somewhere our kubo and dogs were waiting for a treat. I really felt remote here but enjoyed it, a nice break from the city life.

Dinner



Since we enjoyed our dinner we asked if we can also have Grilled fish for breakfast. Wish granted!!! We left at around 10 a.m. and felt like we are leaving our relatives behind. It's like saying goodbye to our Aunts and Uncles and in our hearts we told ourselves we will go back.

Brekky

We planned to eat lunch at San Marcelino Rosa Farms but when we got there the Café Is closed. The café is open during the summer.


Bummer, cafe is open only on summer


Is Tambobong Doable by car, despite the rough road? YES!!
Will I go back? YES!!!


Our Total Expense is between 5500 – 6000 the cheapest vacation we had and what I realized is it’s the same amount if you commute via bus. 3k per head is not bad right?


Estimated Expense


Gas
1200 Full Tank
GAS RATE is 33.85/liter
Food
1100 (R Paradise Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast PLUS Beer)


300 Breakfast at IBA

Toll
45 MIN
173 NLEX
168 Subic SCTEX
22 TIPO

22 TIPO
168 SCTEX
218 NLEX


ROOM
1200
Depends on the number of heads and the room you take
BOAT
900 (PLUS LIFE JACKET)

TOTAL
5516





Ligaya's pampering after




Thursday, June 11, 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)