Monday, July 15, 2013

Baler & Dingalan: Surfin' Time In Aurora Province

1 Nation, 1 Lifetime, 7k107 Islands 

These places are Surfers Paradise. Facing directly the vast and furious Pacific Ocean to East. 

Seasons:
March through June - calm surf & good beachfront for swimmers and windsurfers. 
October to February - waves tower up to 14 feet high, excellent for local & foreign surfer. Wetsuits are needed for protection. 

Other Sports: Snorkeling and Wall Diving during the calm season from April to June. Baler & Dingalan are a popular haven for lobsters and other marine species.


Driving from Manila to Baler:






From Manila, enter the North Expressway at Balintawak and exit at Sta. Rita Bulacan. From there, follow the highway leading to Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.  From Cabanatuan City Proper, follow signs leading to Bongabon until you come to see a sign "to Baler" headed right. Turn right and you will reach the foot of the Baler-Bongabon highway which eventually runs right into Aurora National Memorial Park. You are now inside the virgin forests of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. First town is San Luis then Baler in few minutes.

Buses to Baler: 
Genesis Transport Bus, Pantranco North, Baliwag Transit, Genesis Sierra Madre.


What to See, Where to go in Baler & Dingalan:


NATURE AREAS & BEACHES

Sabang Beach
Location: Barangay Sabang, Baler
Getting There: Take a tricycle from Baler town proper and ask to be taken to the site.
Travel Time: Approximately 5 minutes
Located on this long stretch of gray sand beach are several resorts.

Cemento Beach & Reef
Location: Barangay Cemento, Baler
Getting There: Take a tricycle from Baler town proper to the river outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, you can either hire a motorized banca for a 10-minute ride to the reef, or take a 40-minute walk.
White sand, seashells, and crushed corals carpet the stretch of Cemento Beach. 

Dimadimalangat Islet
Location: Off the coast of Barangay Cemento, Baler
Getting There: Take a tricycle from Baler town proper to the river outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca which can take you to the area.
Travel Time: Five minutes by tricycle and 15 minutes by boat.
This rock formation is actually a small island just a few meters away from the reef shore of Barangay Cemento and serves as a point identifying the southernmost tip of Baler Bay. During low tide, this islet becomes a peninsula, of sorts, where one could walk and wade from the reef shore to this natural rock formation. Around this island are reefs for the more daring divers.

Hillsite of Proposed Ermita Park
Location: Barangay Zabali, Baler
Getting There: Take a tricycle from Baler town proper to the river outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, one can walk to the site.
Travel Time: Five minutes by tricycle, approximately 35 minutes' walk to the foot of the hill and 15 minutes' trek uphill. This shrub-covered area provides an excellent view of the town of Baler, Sabang Beach, Cemento and Dimadimalangat islet. This is the best location to get panoramic shot of Baler.

Lukso-Lukso Islets
Lukso-Lukso IsletsLocation: Off the coast of Barangay Zabali, Baler
Getting There: Take a tricycle from Baler town proper to the river outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca which can take you to the area.
Travel Time: Five minutes by tricycle and 25 minutes by boat.
At least three islets comprise the rock formations known to the locals as "Lukso-Lukso." One of these small islands is connected to the mainland and at low tide you can see white grainy sands, crushed corals and numerous seashells, some inhabited by hermit crabs. 

Aniao Islets
Location: Off the coast of Barangay Zabali, Baler
Getting There: Take a tricycle from Baler town proper to the river outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca which can take you to the area.
Travel Time: Five minutes by tricycle and 20 minutes by boat
Two small but imposing islands lie south of the islet of Dimadimalangat. These islets jut straight from the sea like bullets, with shrubs, small trees and other greenery growing on top surfaces. 

Sierra Madre Mountain
Mountain RoadLocation: Parts of Aurora Province
Getting There: The best jump-off point is Barangay Ditumabo.
Travel Time: Two hours' drive to reach Barangay Ditumabo.
This mountain range covers a large part of the province of Aurora. In fact, apart from the Aurora coastline, the mountain range is where the flora and fauna of the province is concentrated. Waterfalls, rivers and crystal-clear streams of varying sizes are located within, if not adjacent to, the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. 

Digisit Beach
Location: Barangay Zabali, Baler
Getting There: Take a tricycle from Baler town proper to the river outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca which can take you to the area.
Travel Time: Five minutes by tricycle and 30 minutes by boat.
From the islands collectively known as Lukso-Lukso, one can hike to the white coral beach of Barangay Zabali. Digisit Beach stretches to about a kilometer in length. 
**From Digisit Beach you hike to Philippine Atmospheric Observatory, then to Dicasalarin Cove and to Cape Encanto.


Maria Aurora Attractions
Maria Aurora's main attraction is Balete Park, home to the country's Millennium Tree, a centuries-old balete that is the biggest in Asia.

Balete Park & Millennium Tree
Location: Maria Aurora
This park contains a 600-year-old balete tree that was designated the official "Millennium Tree" of The Philippines. It is the largest tree of its kind in Asia, and it would take 60 grown men, holding one another at arm's length, to encircle its gigantic trunk.
Due to its age, the tree's thick roots have grown above ground, such that caves have formed under various sections of the trunk. This unique tree has generated national media attention and is now the most visited tourist spot in Aurora.

Dipaculao Town Attractions
Dipaculao has perhaps the most beautiful coastline in the province. Its main attractions are the coastal areas of Dinadiawan Beach, Ampere Beach and Borlongan Beach.

Dinadiawan Beach
Location: Along the Dicadi Highway
Getting There: Take a private vehicle from Baler town proper and use the Dicadi highway to drive north.
Travel Time: Four hours
Dinadiawan Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Aurora, with a fabulous view of the Pacific Ocean, the lush, diverse forests of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, and the rock formation along the shoreline. And, Dinadiawan Beach is resort-free.

Ampere Beach
Location: Ampere, Dipaculao
Getting There: From Baler town proper, take a tricycle going to Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca and ask to be taken to the site.
This beach is covered with smooth rocks of various sizes and darker color. This beach is an area called Bunga Point or Ampere Point, where local residents flock to Okotan Cave, a time-honored locale for forecasting the weather. 

Borlongan Beach
Location: Barangay Borlongan, Dipaculao
Getting There: From Baler town proper, take a tricycle going to Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca that can take you to the site.
Travel Time: About two hours
Borlongan Beach, like Ampere Beach, is covered for several kilometers with gray pebbles and smooth, fist-size stones. This makes Borlongan beachfront different from most other beaches.

Dinalungan Town Attractions
The municipality of Dinalungan is located between the mountains of Dipaculao and Casiguran. Trees abound in its mountain areas, where forests and falls dominate the landscape, and rare exotic birds, such as the endangered Philippine Eagle, soar over untrammeled coastline. Because of its variety of natural attractions, the area is ideal for nature trekking.

Casiguran Town Attractions
Most of the municipality's attractions are located by the shimmering waters of Casiguran Sound, an ideal locale for surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as simple relaxation. Motyong, the site of a small airport, is a beautiful white-sand beach with largely unspoiled scenery.

Casiguran Sound
Location: Casiguran
Getting There: Hire a motorized banca from Baler town proper and head north.
Travel Time: Approximately 5.5 hours
Casiguran Sound is a bay nearly enclosed by the Casiguran landmass and the cape of San Ildefonso. Only a kilometer-wide inlet serves to connect the sound to the sea. Its very location provides protection from the typhoons that seasonally ravage most of the province. Casiguran Sound is also unaffected by the monsoon winds that blow from October through February, making it an ideal spot for windsurfing, should facilities be available. For the time being, bring your own windsurfing equipment.

Motyong
Motyong BeachLocation: Motyong, Casiguran
Getting There: From Baler town proper, you can either hire a motorized banca and head north or take a private vehicle and drive along the Dicadi highway, passing through Dinadiawan and Dinalungan municipality.
Travel Time: Six hours
Motyong is a popular beach filled with fine white sand. There are no resorts in this area. However, there are few private resthouses. There is a private airstrip located nearby, however, and plans are underway to make it into a full-sized airport, making Motyong ideal for possible resort investment.

Dilasag Attractions
Dilasag is known for its many white-sand beaches. The most popular is Canaware, a secluded lagoon with velvety sand and soothing waters.

Dilasag Coast
Location: Dilasag
Dilasag, a municipality at the northernmost area of Aurora, offers a coast with kilometer upon kilometer of white sand beach alternating occasionally with forests, hills, and cliffs. Its undeveloped features and natural attractions offer tourists the sensation of discovering something new and unspoiled. Inaccessible to most transportation, Dilasag Coast is a true getaway.

South of Baler

San Luis Town Attractions

Pimentel Falls [National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Watershed]
NIA WatershedLocation: San Luis
Getting There: From Baler town proper take a private vehicle or hire a jeep to Poblacion San Luis. From there, the NIA Watershed is just a few kilometers away, easily accessible along the main road leading to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.
Travel Time: One hour and 15 minutes
The NIA watershed is a small dam built beside a picnic area in San Luis. The water below the dam is clear, with a greenish reflection of the vegetation surrounding the pond. The place is a coconut plantation covered with short carabao grass and some shrubbery, making the place ideal not only for swimming but for picnicking as well.

Ditumabo Falls
Location: Barangay Ditumabo, San Luis
Getting There: Hire a jeep or take a private vehicle from Baler town proper going to Bgy. Ditumabo passing through Poblacion San Luis. From there, it is a 4-km hike over rough terrain and river trail. It is advisable to hire guides who are knowledgeable of the area.
Travel Time: Two hours and 15 minutes' drive and another 3-hour hike.
The crystal clear water of Ditumabo Falls gushes endlessly, flowing and twisting among countless rocks and boulders. The trek to the falls traverses several kilometers through the river and over a few steep mountain trails surrounding the falls on both banks. Occasionally, the trekker will unavoidably come upon fallen or cut logs that serve as either natural bridges or obstacles. Approximately 140 feet high, the falls are surrounded by huge cliffs-an unforgettable sight for nature lovers!

Dicasalarin Bay
Location: Dicasalarin, San Luis
Getting There: Take a tricycle from Baler town proper to the river outlet south of Sabang Beach. From there, hire a motorized banca which can take you to the area.
Travel Time: Five minutes by tricycle and approximately 45 minutes by boat.
With beaches, hills, a peninsula, a Grotto of the Blessed Virgin, coves, caves, a cave-pool and reefs; Dicasalarin Bay; while small in area, offers hours of recreation and relaxation for the entire family.

Dibut Bay
Location: Off Barangay Dibut, San Luis
Getting There: From Baler, hire a motorized banca and ask to be taken to the area.
The wide Dibut Bay coast affords numerous sights-island formations, peninsulas, short stretches of beaches, and imposing cliffs. One formation, appropriately named "Birhen" (meaning "virgin"), resembles the Virgin Mary praying amidst the waves. Since Dibut Bay is not a favored spot for the fishing industry, tourists may catch a glimpse of the magnificent Hammerhead shark and Mako shark. For diving enthusiasts, moreover, Dibut Bay is the perfect place to test out your latest flip.

Banju Springs
Location: Barangay Real, San Luis
Getting There:Take a private vehicle or hire a jeep from Baler town proper to Barangay Real in San Luis. Another kilometer-and-a-half walk on a rough road passing through a rice field will take you to this site.
Travel Time: Approximately an hour's drive
Natural terraced steps overflowing with spring water best describe the Banyu Springs. A mass of ferns surrounds the springs, which stretch up to a hundred meters toward the source of the spring, hidden amidst shrubbery. 

Cunayan Falls
Location: Barangay Pimentel, San Luis
Getting There: Hire a jeep or take a private vehicle from Baler town proper to Barangay Real in San Luis, where a short walk from the end of the road near the river will take you to the falls.
Travel Time: Two hours


Barely a hundred meters away from a dirt road passable to most vehicles, Cunayan Falls is one of the more accessible falls of Aurora. The falls strongly sprays from a cliff where greenery and even some flowers grow, creating a great contrast against the white and light gray gravel sand area washed out by intermittent floods. 


Dingalan Tourist Sites



View Deck          It is located in Barangay Tanawan which offer a panoramic view of the natural harbor of Dingalan Bay as it merges with the Pacific Ocean.  Brgy. Tanawan

Tanawan Falls   experience the natures beauty and dip in the cool refreshing splash of Tanawan Falls that you will truly enjoy.   Brgy. Tanawan

Rocks of Dingalan
Location: Barangay Tanawan, Dingalan
Large boulders of black igneous rock litter the mountainside all the way from the borders of the province, despite the absence of volcanoes in the area. Some local residents suggest that the rocks must date back to prehistoric times, since they've been there as long as the residents' ancestors could remember.

Nuestra Senora De La Paz Y Buen Viaje Her Feast Day is on May 31, many devotees from different parts of the country came to visit the Miraculous Virgin Mary and celebrate Her feast day in a fluvial parade for she is the Mother of Peaceful and Good Voyage.          Brgy. Paltic

Saint Patricks Parish Church        It is sited at the top of the hill at Barangay Paltic. The residents of Paltic celebrate His Feast Day every 17th of March.             Brgy. Paltic

Lamao Caves      land adventurers always love the forested mountains of Dingalan. Hiking, bird-watching, rock climbing, camping and exploration of the Lamao Caves in Paltic are the activities that foreign and local tourists will surely enjoy.                 Brgy. Paltic

White Beach      only 10 -minutes boat ride from town proper. It is a natural enclave and isolated hideaways which has wide white sand beach. It is also suitable for recreational activities.     Brgy. Paltic

Fish Sanctuary   the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has pushed for the establishment of marine sanctuaries especially in Barangay Paltic to preserve nature's richness and beauty. It is a potential site for diving and snokling.                Brgy. Paltic


Dingalan Feeder Port     Dingalan is envisioned primarily as an International Container Port for Central Luzon on the Eastern Seaboard to compliment Subic Bay Freeport on the west coast. The role of Dingalan is defined by Regional planners (NEDA, SCAD) as that of a transshipment hub.   Brgy. Paltic

Paltic Falls [Inter-Pacific Forest Resource Corporation (IFRC) Nursery & Falls]
Location: Paltic, Dingalan
Getting There: From the town proper, it is possible to reach the site on foot or by any private vehicle.
Travel Time: Approximately 15 minutes' drive.
The nursery is used to raise hardwood for replanting logged areas. Trees such as narra, kamagong, mahogany, kapok, yantoc and others are planted in small plastic bags and lined up underneath larger trees that provide shade and moisture to the young trees. Not far from this nursery is a stream that leads to two falls, one about 15 feet high and the other about 20 feet high. The falls, approximately 50 meters apart, form pools that are perfect for swimming or relaxing after a poolside picnic.


 Lamao Caves
Location: Paltic, Dingalan
Getting There: Take a boat from the Dingalan fishing port located north of the town proper.
Travel Time: 35 minutes
A dozen caves along the seaside cliff of Paltic, Dingalan, are constantly pounded by Pacific Ocean waves. A few mini-beaches serve as docking points for bancas and during the calmer months of April to June, one can maneuver a small banca inside the caves. 

White Beach (Dingalan)
Location: Paltic, Dingalan
Getting There: Take a boat from Dingalan town proper. One can also hike from the town to the beach.
Travel Time: This two-kilometer long beach has numerous shells and corals scattered along the entire length of its southern half, which is approximately one kilometer long. The shore is made up of coral reefs that gradually slope into the sea, and a bit farther from the shore is a sudden drop into the sea bottom. This area has a variety of undersea flora and fauna for divers to observe. 

Windsurfing      is another water adventure that local and foreign tourists will enjoy at Dingalan beach.  Brgy. Aplaya & Butas na Bato

RORO Port          Dingalan is envisioned primarily as an International Container Port for Central Luzon on the Eastern Seaboard to compliment Subic Bay Freeport on the west coast. The role of Dingalan is defined by Regional planners (NEDA, SCAD) as that of a transshipment hub.   Brgy. Aplaya

Matawe Inter-Tidal Area              during low tide, a vast tidal flat of about 10 hectares is exposed, making it possible to walk over 400 meters towards a promontory that encloses a large tidal pool, 20 feet deep. The tidal pool is completely sealed from the surrounding sea water making its water perfectly still even as the waves roar just a few meters behind the promontory.      Brgy. Matawe

Sea Ranch           is located at Cabog in Barangay Matawe was once a favorite tourist destination but was closed in 1980’s and then handed over to the Matawe Cooperative after falling into the coverage of CARP. Now it regains its beauty and tourists from different parts of the country visit Sea Ranch especially during summer season.     Brgy. Matawe

Abungan Falls   Abungan Waterfalls is approximately 98 feet in heights. Nature lovers will surely enjoy the fresh and cool water of Abungan Falls located at Barangay Ibona which embrace the beauty of nature.                Brgy. Ibona

Lipit Picnic Area               is in the upstream portion of Ibona River. It is an attractive place for family gatherings and picnic during weekends.           Brgy. Ibona

 Laktas Falls         It is an ideal place for group gatherings and picnics because of its wide swimming area. It is a perfect hideaway for families and friends who want private and quiet place and at the same time enjoy nature.               Brgy. Ibona

Iyapit Falls          Its a two hour trekking from the town proper. You can embrace nature as you enjoy each step feeling being one with nature. It has various baby falls that nature lovers will surely enjoy.          Brgy. Umiray
immediately immersed in the deep sea. Rare marine life such as giant turtles and some sharks patrol the area. Local fishermen have spotted more interesting undersea life along the coral reefs a few hundred meters southeast of the caves. 

Tabi Falls             get in touch with the beauty of nature. Tabi Falls is an attractive place for family picnic especially during weekends where they can also enjoy hiking.      Brgy. Umiray


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