Back to Pagudpud, Day 3 and 4 long drive series to Casa Consuelo

(This is long overdue. Sorry again for slacking off)

Good Evening!

It was a really long drive from Cagayan and my patience are running thin from my disappointment that even our dinner didn't made me feel better.

Dinner time.

Sweet Spot

I hated everyone but that is just me being me. (yup)

We went to Casa Consuelo right away as this was the target resort of my brother. We fell in love the last time we checked this. But with limited budget and they were not happy with our haggling, we stayed on a small Home stay in Blue Lagoon after staying for 3 days in Kapuluan Vista.


Casa Consuelo's room is enough for all of us. It has 5 beds with TV, we need it for our baby and what I like about it is the bathroom has soap, towels, shampoo and toothpaste. It's like you are on a hotel plus home experience! After dinner sleep was difficult so I gave Slim a good massage because I know how tired he is and he will be driving again tomorrow. And that I was so disappointed I couldn't sleep so better make use of my insomnia.

I woke up at 6am and everyone is out walking along the beach. I feel better now. I just need some Vitamin SEA.

Dos Hermanos

The beach front in Casa Consuelo is rocky but the view is amazing! In front is Dos Hermanos, two identical mountains that were said to be brothers who are very close together. It was also low tide so we were able to walk along the shore to witness sunrise and all those rock formations on our feet. We had to retreat when we saw a sea snake we have kids with us so better be safe than sorry.

I'm walking on sunrise... woahhh... 

My favorite shot. I can't believe my phone did this.

Exploring Casa

CASA, View from the beach

Mountains, sea, corals. So lovely.

The sand is white on this part.

Breakfast is good. Casa Consuelo's chef is really a good cook or my Ilocano roots is probably kicking in.

American Breakfast (How Ilocano is this?)

Bagnet

We prepared and went to Blue Lagoon. The beach is unexpectedly uninviting at this time of the year. The beach is dirty maybe because its summer? Its nothing compared to the beautiful beach we experienced last November. The kids still enjoyed swimming and had to get out of the water because we saw jelly fishes again.

Favorite Nap spot in Casa Consuelo

Nap Spot

Blue lagoon

Our lunch is satisfying but took awhile when the service last year was not like this. We had lunch in small huts in front of Hannah's. After lunch we drove back and like what we did last November they rode at the side of the car. After preparing we headed home. Slim and I with my mother in law went ahead because we have work the next day.

Waiting for Lunch

HAngry!!! But happy.

Lunch

Stress RELIEVER!

Sun burnt!

Thank you for Lunch

#casaconsuelo #model #littleBIGsister

Wall of Appreciation

Allah, stapling our thank you notes it wasn't here last November 

Bye Ilocos

Ligaya Inception?!

Stopover for pasalubong

Packing up

I definitely recommend Casa Consuelo, the price is average but the place is really first class. Compare to our last visit they accommodate guests better. They take care of the beach front too. It was clean and very relaxing. I miss Kapuluan but this is such a great stay that I'm torn between the two resorts. It's like Kapuluan Vista is hotel-like plus a homey-surf type-zen experience feeling. Casa Consuelo is hotel-like plus homey-classy provincial-grandparents feel. Kapuluan would probably attract young travellers and Casa Consulo is more of a family vacation. I love the two resorts! I probably need to go back!



***I lost all my receipts for this day so I don't know the exact price. I will still look for it. Estimated budget is 2000 for Casa Consuelo,
2500 for food.
2000 for GAS
700 for toll (I lost all but I will update this post soon.) All for three 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 * *