This is the second time I’ve been to Baguio. the first one was a field trip, where every movement was strictly followed as planned. But this time, I’ve decided to go with my officemates, but with a little forewarning: the cyberpunk will roam the city on her own. And being a loyal buddy that I am, I don’t wanna fetch the cyberpunk on a police station just because she got lost. (hehehe!)
Moving along. We got a 7pm ride out of Manila, so plus 6 hours, that would be a 1am ETA.
We lodged at a pre-arranged boarding house, where we completed our sleep, getting ready for the day ahead. Upon waking up, first things first. We got a map for the adventure ahead. Now we’re all geared up!
First stop was the Lourdes Grotto. It is the nearest landmark at our place. The group planned a fun-race, the first stop was at the top of the grotto. There, we all need to catch our breath, so they decided that race was to be shelved.
Then we got our escape act. We went straight to Session Road, to try Café Volante for lunch. It is located right in front the stairway leading to the Baguio Cathedral.
12:30 Café Volante
We ordered a marengo pizza, putanesca and bolognese. As I compared the sizes of the pizzas, I took the 10” pizza, considering that it fits our budget. (So what if there were leftovers, we can take them out as we normally do!) So everything’s has been served, then a fly suddenly roamed around my pasta. Good thing, they offered to replace it. I suggest that they should start disinfecting the place. But as I learned that it is open 24 hours, cleaning would be tough task.
14:00 SM Baguio
It started raining just when we are strolling Session Road. At the end of the street we saw SM Baguio within walking distance, and since the rain is still pouring, we decided to kill some time at the mall. Inside, I was amazed at the roof; it looked like one big tent that covered the whole building. It also has a veranda, for landscape viewing of course! I noticed that it still has AC blowing at the department store. It has been a complete reversal over there, in the sense that, if you go inside a mall, you chill yourself. Unlike here that you feel warm when you are inside.
17:00 City Market
At long last, rain finally stopped! (three precious travel hours wasted!) it was getting dark, so decided to take a walk (again!) down to the market to buy some pasalubong.
Then we got tired walking all day, and its time to head back home and rest for a while.
21:00 Group activity
Played charades at our place.
22:00 Burnham Park
The park was peaceful at night, the boats at rest, the breeze so cold. (limited for this season, try to visit here by February)
Then went to Nevada Square to see some nightlife.
10:00
The following day started with a trip at Tam-awan Village. As we eavesdrop on someone else’s guide, I’ve learned about the fertility hut, where childless couples, together with a priest, do some rituals to be fertile. Interestingly, if the act did not materialize, both the couples have the right to find out who’s sterile. (Hmmm! Unfaithful! Haha!) We got a challenge to cross the bamboo bridge there. It was slippery then.
Next stop is the Bell Church. It is located at the border between Baguio city and La Trinidad, Benguet. We explore the place, and saw the pagoda at the top (more and more stairs!) Then we went inside the temple let our fortunes be told. (Chinese style! incense...)
Next, we went to La Trinidad, to see the strawberry farm and the provincial Capitol. (just a glimpse, since we are hurrying to go back to the city)
15:00 KFC. Baguio Central Mall
We were starving. Good thing the crew is generous enough to give us all the gravy we want. Customer satisfaction guaranteed. (Notable, because branches in Manila are too tight on giving condiments)
Wagwagan, Abanao Street
We missed the sidewalk ukay-ukay at Session corner Calderon the night before, so we went to the next option. Cheap finds. From designer bags, to jackets, and to dresses, no wonder it’s still an attraction here. We found some collectible toys/squeezables, like doraemon and ernie of sesame street.
19:30 Barrio Fiesta
Went to see the sculptures over there. It looks real from afar. Especially, the guard reading the newspaper. Then there’s Cory Aquino, Cardinal Sin, Ninoy Aquino, FVR, and Gloria Arroyo.
20:00 Fireworks Display. SM Baguio
We went back to SM Baguio for their fireworks display. As we looked for a restaurant to dine, the guard suddenly stopped us from going to one of its section. As we waited on the main veranda, awkward ideas popped into my head. “What if the fireworks showed up on the veranda on the other side?” After a few minutes, that wild feeling became a reality. And guess where the fireworks took place? Right on the spot where we weren’t allowed to pass through earlier. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Then off we go to the terminal headed for Manila.
Noticed anything? We missed a lot of attractions on our trip. That’s why we’re ecstatic on our next trip, as early as we land back to Manila.
