We're in Baguio!

Last September 2, we took a trip to Baguio despite the threat of a super typhoon. Though it didn't fall to the landmass of the country, it still brought heavy rains in many parts of Luzon.

We rode the Victory Liner Bus in Pasay City. We departed around 2315H and had the first stop over in Pampanga. Our next stop was, I think, in Tarlac though I'm not quite sure as I was asleep the whole trip and was so sleepy to check the location. Haha. We arrived in Baguio past 0415H the next day. We were welcomed by the very cold environment. The temp inside the bus was probably 18 degrees centigrade and when we got out, we almost couldn’t tell the difference. 😅 We rode a taxi going to our accommodation, but since it was too early, it was still closed so we walked for one kilometer to find a place to warm ourselves. We found a 711 convenience store in Starwood Hotel. We drank coffee and ate noodles then we went back to the hotel to drop our things.

It was already raining that morning. For our first destination, we went to the Burnham Park. We rode a boat for more than 30 mins (unfortunately didn't get a chance to took snaps as it was raining bad). Just after we got out of the boat the rain stopped, we walked around the area and was engulfed by the fog.

Foggy morning at Burnham Park.

We saw a vendor selling "taho" (silken tofu with an option of strawberry or purple yam (ube) arnibal as sweetener and pearls similar to tapioca pearls) for one peso (Php1) only but you have to pay it using Gcash (up to 2 transactions per account only). If you will pay it with cash, its price was thirty-five pesos (Php35).

After which, we walked to the Session Road to have breakfast at Vizco's Restaurant and Cake Shop which was known for their best tasting Strawberry Shortcake.

At Vizco's Restaurant & Cake Shop, Session Road.

After the delicious breakfast, we decided to go indoors as it still was raining hard outside, not to mention the quite strong winds which made it more cold. We rode a taxi to Bencab Museum which was more than 9 kilometers from Vizco's.

Then entrance fee in Bencab Museum is one hundred and fifty pesos (Php150) per pax with no time limit. The place houses different arts by Benedicto Cabrera himself. It also showcases indigenous arts and crafts of Cordilleras.

at Bencab Museum

Next, we went to the Igorot Stone Kingdom themed park, the newest attraction in Baguio. It was a manmade park based in a tale of an Igorot Kingdom Sab-angan which was thought to exist thousand years ago. It has an entrance fee of one hundred pesos (Php100) for the adults and eighty pesos (Php80) for senior citizens and kids from 4 to 12 years old. The toddlers are free.

Igorot Stone Kingdom covered with fog

Though it withstand a strong earthquake that just happened in northern part of the country, the construction was I think not that strong. The stones were loose and the guardrails were just rods and not fully welded, and the stairs were a bit uneven and has no anti-slip protection. Nevertheless, the construction still seems to be ongoing so they could further strengthen the place to make it more safe for the tourists.

Then, we went to Redsnappers restaurant to have our lunch. We had buttered lobsters along with crabs, pork and other seafoods. Their food tasted good.

Garlic Buttered Lobster, Crab, Octopus, Shrimp, Mussels, Pork Liempo from Redsnappers

After a sumptuous meal, we headed back to the hotel to rest since the heavy rain won't seem to cease at whatever time. We then had dinner at the famous restaurant for its cheap price but has a great amount of serving, Good Taste Restaurant. We ended the day with a drink in Rumours Bar and Restaurant in Session Road.

Buttered Chicken Wings, Lomi, and Chaofan from GoodTaste

The next day, we went to Mines View Park. The entrance fee is forty pesos (Php40). We rented a costume for thirty pesos (Php30) per pax and took a few snaps under the rain showers.

At Mines View Park wearing the Igorot costume

Then we went next to Wright Park and The Mansion which were just few meters away from the park.

At Wright Park

We weren't able to go to other tourist attractions due to bad weather. We capped off our weekend trip to Baguio then headed back to Manila.

Baguio City is known to be the summer capital of the Philippines. It has an average of 15-23 degrees centigrade temperature and rarely experience temp higher than 26 degrees centigrade. With that, it is a good place to spend the summer when the country is known to experience a very hot season, and also to sow plants and vegetables that cannot survive anywhere else in the country.

Personally, what we loved about Baguio is its rich culture. The people are nice and kind. It is a place that you would want to go back to whatever time you like since it is only one ride away from Metro Manila.