It's been about 4-5 years since I've been to Baguio and I've missed the cool weather. So last November on my birthday month, I decided to have a quick visit to that (literal) cool city in the North. With me was my not-so-little sis, Katheryn and friend, Ana.
We went via bus using
Victory Liner. Opted to get the deluxe which was a non-stop bus from Manila to Baguio. Ticket cost was P750 one way. You can read about my experience
here.
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| Aside from having less seats, the bus has a toilet on board |
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| May libre pang snacks! |
We left from their Pasay terminal at 1:15am and arrived around 5:30am in Baguio. It was really quick because we went through NLEX-SCTEX then TPLEX until Urdaneta, Pangasinan to Marcos Highway. After arriving at the terminal, we took a taxi to the hotel.
Le Monet is located inside the Camp John Hay compound. It's a cheaper alternative than The Manor but you still get the same vibe. Plenty of trees around, walking distance to The Manor and just a quick 5-10 min taxi ride away from the city center but still far enough that you really feel you're in the province. You can read my review of the hotel
here.
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| Every room has a balcony, no air-con but has ceiling fan |
We booked directly at their website and availed of their Mastercard promo for P5350/night for 2 (sneaked in sis) including buffet breakfast. In Agoda they have a cheaper rate but personally I'm a bit hesitant using that site. Anyway, personal preference.
Wahoo! First Day of Vacation
Since we arrive so early for check-in, we just dropped off our bags with the reception and headed off to Baguio Cathedral to say a little prayer.
Then to Session road for breakfast. My friend, Jason, said that Vizco's had the best strawberry shortcake. Since I really really (really!) wanted one, we waited for the restaurant to open at 7am. Read what we ordered here.
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| Stalking the restaurant at 6:45am |
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| success! |
Then off to
Mines View Park. Since it was a Thursday and very early, not many people were around which was perfect.
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First order of business - eating strawberry taho
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This reminds me of that Strawberry sundae that McDo used to make. The one with the big chunks of strawberry? Ka-miss. Anyway, the
taho we bought had some strawberry syrup but alas, no strawberry bits :(
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| relax mode on |
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| going down |
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| Big St Bernard dog. Would you believe she is only 6 mos old? |
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| different herbs |
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| sis enjoying the breeze |
I believe the Mines View Park now is better. They put on ramps and walkways which makes it safer to go to the viewing site. The stores, unlike before where you had to fight your way through, is now on the side and better organized.
Since
Good Sheppard is just down the road, we went and bought our pasalubong.
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| image from www.cityofpines.com |
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| image from www.goodsheperdsisters.org.ph |
Personally, my favorite is the Hermits; cookies with nuts and fruits. Seriously delicious and addictive.
After putting our heavy pasalubong (14 containers of Snowballs, Hermits, Ube Jam and whatnot) to our hotel we went to have lunch at the original
Don Henrico's restaurant at Session Road. Tbh, the food wasn't that great anymore.
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Cesar salad - the vegetables was fresh but the dressing
was too salty and thick |
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| spicy pasta was a bit bland but there were plenty of shrimps |
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| all-time-favorite of my sis - buffalo chicken - so she was in heaven |
After lunch we decided to head back to the hotel, check in and relax. Unfortunately, cable was out the whole day until the next day. Le Monet is lucky that I was hell bent on having a stress-free weekend or I would have gone beast mode on them - no joke.
For dinner, we went to
Cafe by the Ruins Dua. This was the one at upper Session Road which has more space than their original restaurant in front of the City Hall. Read about our experience with the place
here.
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| view from the top |
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| One of the best shrimp dish I've tasted. |
Back to our hotel we decided to take advantage of the cool breeze by the balcony and had some bonding/drinking time.
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| little chilly |
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| drink courtesy of my friend, G |
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| Mojos, nuts, Tequila, sushi (another sis fave) |
Yes! Second Day
We had our buffet breakfast at the hotel. After which we decided to walk around Camp John Hay. Love the pine trees all around and the Manor and the Mile-Hi center was just up the road. The air was chilly and so perfect.
Less than a kilometer away from the hotel is a small garden restaurant
Choco-Late de Batirol. Since we were still so full on breakfast, we just hanged around and had some hot choco and snacks. Full review
here.
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| quaint |
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| along the road inside Camp John Hay near gate 2 |
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| hot choco for a chilly day |
Since sis has never visited
The Manor, we decided to drop by and visit the gardens.
If I'm not mistaken access to the garden may be limited to the guests and those dining in. Or maybe not. But just to make sure, we had some desserts at their lobby area.
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| Strawberry and ube ice cream with Strawberry cheesecake |
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| Pretty design but the cheesecake was just okay |
Desserts at the lobby is actually affordable given the place; ice cream was about P120 while the cheesecake was about P160.
From the Manor, we took a taxi to the
Central Market in Baguio for what else? More pasalubong shopping :)
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| image from www.tripadvisor.com |
Would you believe that some items (like shawls, jackets, etc) in the market is more expensive than the ones in Mines View Park? Tourist trap alert! Haggle lang ang katapat. Going back to the hotel from the Market was a bit difficult though since the taxis going by were usually occupied. Plus there were a lot of people also trying to get taxis. Used a Grab to get one and even then we had to wait for about 10 minutes.
We were supposed to go to the Technohub just near our hotel but it was raining and we didn't want to be hassled. So just settled for the
Japanese buffet dinner at Le Monet. Read about our experience
here.
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| Another favorite of sis - teka, sino ba ang may birthday?! |
Final Day - Separation Anxiety
My crazy friend Ana was up at 6am arranging her bag and pasalubongs. Call it being manang or the way we are oriented in our line of work (always on time and be prepared) but I couldn't resist and started packing my bags as well. Had our breakfast. Lolled around afterwards on our made up bed before leaving for the terminal.
It was raining when we left Baguio. Seems apt - #emotepamore. Lol.
One of the best quick vacation I had. We had no specific itinerary, did not go to many places but we were able to relax, had good food and really enjoyed each others' company. Baguio,
I.will.be.back.
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| team Baguio FTW! |
Tips:
1. Always buy your return ticket beforehand or buy it as soon as you arrive to be assured of a seat on your return trip.
2. Check out prices for souvenirs or goods in different places. The market does not always have the best bargain.
3. Read up on places to visit or food to eat at a particular place. You would have a more memorable experience, trust me.
