After Mt. Natib, feverish and weighed down by muscle spasms, I was so drained out.
Thankfully, the Monday after that climb, we looked forward to a 5 day vacation. A vacation where one can relish the beach without thinking of cell phones, Facebook pages or other techy stuff as there was no signal, no internet and no PC in sight.
We were off to our province of Dingalan, Aurora.
Getting to Dingalan via the usual route will take you to the sides of the Caraballo group of mountains.
Although I had passed this way a hundred times, the splash of dazzling array of brown coloured mountains touching the clouds and giving way to rivers with endless streams never failed to awe me.
After the enticing views of the Caraballos, you will be taken directly to the very heart of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges.
The road literally goes up the mountains zigzagging its way through until you reach a point where the mountain stops and the beach begins.
Looking at the waves, judging if it was low tide or high tide was sort of relaxing.
Finally it was the start of a long vacation that my body had been requesting for such a long time.
Since last year’s holy week, I climbed mountain summits 20 times and I think my battered body needs a well-deserved rest.
We stopped by the ‘aplaya’ to buy fish, squids and prawns. My mom never forgets to buy my favorite prawns and shrimp but this time, I was more than lucky.
Big, sumptuous, 1 foot long crayfishes lay on the table waiting for me to pick them one by one. My mom called this ‘ulang’, but for me I prefer Bear Grylls’ way of calling it and as a true fan of his, I say, “I love… CRAYFISH”.
The moment we arrived at the beach, I went straight to the hammock by the beach side. At last, I heard the relaxing sound of the Pacific Ocean waves gently caressing the sands. It was so romantic that I think I fell asleep as I looked on.
Pondering on our vacation, I told my mom stories of my travels. I told her of the clearest beaches I’ve been to, the best places I visited, the most beautiful mountains I scaled. But as always, she reminded me that the best place I’ve been was our own beach home at Dingalan.
In jest she told me, “Because it’s free! No charge whatsoever”, but as I listened to the joke, I felt her words and realized that after being on hundreds of different places here in our country, this is the place I can truly stay relaxed, stay rested and just chill.
And for that I can say that our beach home is the only place I can think of after a strenuous 12 months of climbing, hiking, trekking, swimming, etc… etc... etc…
...you did a good job by having those photos posted here in this site....great job...thanks for sharing the beauty of our land....kudos!
ReplyDeletethanks Lazaro V. Paynor, will continue posting pics.
ReplyDeletenice. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletethanks durianburg
ReplyDeletesir ask lang po if there's an accommodation near the beach,ung pang overnightan,thanks!good day
ReplyDeletesir as ko lang po kung my accommodation near the beach po,thanks!have a good day po sir . .. .
ReplyDeleteYou can drive through the coastal road and pick a resort to your liking. I personally recommend Darichel Beach Resort near Matawe Dingalan
ReplyDeleteWise words from Mommy :)
ReplyDeleteI should explore this place more. My brother is the parish priest there. Will probably bring my friends to climb the mountains near the area. Funny thing is I went climbing in Gabaldon a few years back, did not know that Dingalan was just a few minutes away, dagat na pala yun hehe.
Nleyran
Yup. a few minutes away lang. and spectacular tlga ung unang bungad ng sea from Tanawan from Gabaldon.
DeleteHi Dane, which of this place you recommend to stay with in Dingalan, Brgy Matawe or Brgy Paltic? we're planning to go this summer next to Mt Palali or Mt Napulauan in Ifugao for hiking.
ReplyDeleteHi there. as i've remembered Brgy Paltic is not beach front. But there's a great waterfall there that we've visited. If you want to stay at a beach front resort, i would recommend staying at Brgy Matawe.
DeleteWe're also planning a Napulauan or Amuyao climb this summer. hope it pushes through.
Thanks.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteHow much are the rates in Darichel Beach Resort?
Thank you very much!
For a 5 day stay, we rented their whole resort for only 4000 pesos. with 3 big huts and 3 kiosks.
DeleteNice job Dane i miss being there, truely relaxing with fresh air,lots of food and pulutan,beers etc. sarap ng buhay pagnandyan hehe....
ReplyDeleteOo nga kuya Joel. miss ko narin inuman sessions natin. haha. lalo na nung ginagawa palang ung bahay. ingat kau jan sa Spain!
Deleteare you having any number for some info i want to know..thanks
ReplyDeleteany contact number from Darichel Beach Resort? u may pass to my number 09063784935 tnks
ReplyDeleteYou can call or text 09196454424...owner is araceli
DeleteHow do you get to this wonderful place from manila if you are commuting? And how much?
ReplyDelete