City of Pines – Baguio City

 

After our Ilocandia Adventure, we directly went to the City of Pines – BAGUIO! From Vigan to Baguio is 4 hours and 30 minutes land travel. We left Vigan at 3 in the afternoon. As usual in the van we just took some rest. We stayed in Callalily Pension House and Apartment for 2 days and 2 nights. Our room was nice, it’s an apartment-like room. Our room has 4 beds and many extra mattresses. You can cook and they have also a small kitchen and a balcony to the pines outside.

Friends for keeps ♥

Two of our friends didn’t join our tour for our first day in Baguio because the girl was not feeling well probably because of the weather condition. So they just stayed in our apartment.

Day 1 of our Baguio escapade started going to La Presa. Yes, in La Presa. We traveled 30 minutes from Baguio Cathedral. I noticed there were many people in Baguio then they have also a version of their traffic yet you are safe in crossing in pedestrian lanes. Good drivers!

Familiar isn’t it? Actually it’s Agnes (Liza Soberano)’ house in drama series “Forevermore”

When we went to La Presa, I’m so happy because there were not so many people visiting there not like what I have seen from some photos maybe its because of the weather. There were so many stalls selling souvenirs, foods, and shirts anywhere in the place.

When you want to take a picture wearing the Igorot costume you have to pay 20php.

The actual name of Sitio La Presa is Sitio Pongayan.

After La Presa, we went downside in Fort Gen Gregorio H. Del Pilar. It’s known as PMA Academy. When I was young I want to be an army. I don’t know why maybe its because I’m too much addicted watching action animes and movies before. Yea that’s me! 😉 but my mom said that girls weren’t allowed there. Hayst.

If you want to go to PMA Academy, you have to wear closed shoes for the men and strappy sandals for women. Slippers and short shorts were not allowed if you want to tour inside the academy. The place was so quiet. Yes, because it’s an academy of our future armies and they had also classes on going even if that time was Sunday. We were so late when we went there, we’re not able to watch their formations. 😦 The students were so disciplined. When they passed by and walked outside their rooms, they were so silent. Even if we took pictures with them, they were so silent.

Philippine Military Academy – Melchor Hall

Fort Gen Gregorio H. Del Pilar Field

After in PMA Academy, we went also to Bell Church, Camp John Hay and Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad. This was the first time I tasted strawberries. I thought it tasted sweet, but I was wrong. It was so sour. I’d rather eat the ice cream and “taho” than the fruit itself. Then we also went to Burnham Park. We stroll, we rode a trike because I don’t know how to drive bikes and we tried also row a boat.

Bell Church

We just took a selfie outside Butterfly Sanctuary.

Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad

Strawberry you like?

How about strawberry ice cream?

or the strawberry Taho? ♥

Row row the boat at Burnham Park

Pool of Pines – Wright Park

Ending our day 1 tour in Session Road, we ate our dinner in Mang Inasal, SM Baguio. Because of my craziness, I really asked one of the guards in the mall do they still turned on the air conditioners inside the mall. The Kuyang Guard just laughed at me. HAHAHAHA! After our dinner we went to Night Market in Harrison Road.  They have lots of varieties there from street foods, ukay – ukay, souvenirs, and flowers. For me, this was my cheapest ukay-ukay experienced. I saw 3 for 50 PHP sweaters. Big traveler bag for 50 PHP and they’re also their RTW’s way cheaper than mall prices.

The Mansion

Our Day 2 in Baguio and our last day, we woke up early and ate our breakfast in 7/11 store. There were so many 7/11 stores around Baguio. Our first stop was in The Mansion, we didn’t take so long there. We just took a picture near the gate. One of their guards is a Cebuano. We were shocked he suddenly asked us, “Taga Cebu mo? Taga Labangon bya ko.” Wow! Then after the photo op we crossed the street, then took a picture of the famous Pool of Pines in Wright Park. Wright Park is just fronting the main gate of The Mansion. Riding ponies are the most favorite among people but not for me. I feel pity for them.

Mines View Park

As our last day, we bought some souvenirs in Mines View Park. Because most of the people usually recommend to buy souvenirs there because it’s cheaper than the other, but a trip to Baguio will never be complete without bringing home ube and strawberry jams from Good Shepherd and it’s near in Mines View Park. We also had a quick visit at Baguio Botanical Garden and took a selfie with those Igorot Lolas .

Peace yo nigga! 

Last family picture together with the Lolas

Before we leave Baguio, our guide brought us in Good Taste Cafe and Restaurant for our lunch. We’re a little bit doubt of possible prices of their food because the ambiance was like a restaurant in a hotel. Yet when we were checking their menu me and my boyfriend ordered Beef Curry Rice and Fried Rice with Chicken for him and iced teas. Then when our orders arrived, were so shocked of their big servings that we paid 200+ for us two. You should also try their famous chopsuey and buttered chicken.

Lion’s Head – Kennon Road

Lastly, a tour to Baguio won’t be complete without photo op with the Lion’s Head in Kennon Road. Just beside the lion head are a few small stalls of selling woodcarvings and other handicrafts.

Baguio offers a lot of attractions and destinations that promotes its heritage and its indigenous culture. The place is highly-urbanized. Yet they still epitomize it’s culture by representing it though traditions that are celebrated through festivities and maintaining its culture as a part of their modern society. I hope people can save it from becoming a congested tourism.

Thank you Baguio!