Off the beaten path: Casiguran, Aurora
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Been quite a while since I last hit the road for an unplanned travel. Priorities do take their position, but no one can entirely leave their passion to acquire layers of dusts.
And with a friend celebrating her Silver Birth Anniversary, I found the perfect reason not to let this itch pass. Grabbing my backpack and checking a few sites, I was determined to take my chances to see Casiguran, Aurora.
How to get there:
1. Manila to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija:
Bus lines: Baliwag Transit, Five Star, ES Transport, Golden Bee Transport, Genesis. All buses have hourly trips from Cubao (all lines have their terminal here) and Pasay Terminals (only for Five Star) beginning at 3AM until 11PM. Fare is P180, one way for airconditioned buses. Travel time using the Bulacan route is 4 hours; while SCTEX route takes about 3 hours.
2. Cabanatuan to Casiguran:
From Cabanatuan Terminal, D’Liner has daily trips on the following schedules: 2AM, 3AM, 5AM, 7AM. D’Liner passes by the major towns in Aurora: Ma. Aurora, Baler, Dipaculao, Dinadiawan, Casiguran and Dilasag. Fare to Casiguran is around P300 and travel time, depending on the frequency of stops, is approximately 10 hours.
Genesis Transport has an airconditioned bus that travels once a day to Dilasag. For more details, you may check http://www.genesistransport.com.ph/
3. Casiguran to Baler:
D’Liner has daily trips from Casiguran to Baler and Cabanatuan on the following schedules: 1AM, 3AM, 5AM, 7AM. The easiest way is to go to Baler (travel time is 5 hours and fare is P180) and take an airconditioned van going to Cabanatuan (travel time is 4 hours and fare is P240).
Where to stay:
1. Casapsapan Beach Resort
Contact: Richard Tan (09106486906)
Room rate: P750/room; good for two, with electric fan and CR
Reminders: Owned by the town mayor, the resort has a good view and access to the beautiful shores of Casapsapan. It is a 30-minute ride away from Brgy. 4 Poblacion. You will need to rent an owner jeep to take you to the place. The road is very bumpy and muddy. Contact: Noli Benter (09397673498).
Where to eat:
1. Phine’s Carinderia
There are no fine-dining restaurants in Casiguran. To experience the local cuisine, try the eateries and carinderia in the market and near the terminal. Prior to going to the resorts, make sure to buy food especially fresh malasigue (blue marlin) at P100/kilo! This is a sure delight. You can ask Kuya Richard to cook meals for you when you get to the resort.
What to do in Casiguran:
1. Boating
2. Swimming in the clear waters of Casapsapan
SURFING IN BALER, AURORA
Experiencing Aurora will not be complete without surfing! It has become the main trade and activity in the town and surfing events are held occasionally. Enjoy the big waves and water especially during the rainy months (June-September). A number of surfing stores and schools are available in Brgy. Sabang. Surfing rate is P350/hour inclusive of surfing board, rush goard and instructor fees. Check out Mahdox Surf: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1551774302
Before you leave the place, make sure to stop by Bay’s Inn and enjoy their menu. For this travel, we tasted their seafood pasta variety (one in olive oil and another with spicy seafood flavor), which proved to be gastronomically delightful!
