#GGirlsGoToBaguio

Though I've been to Baguio a lot of times, the excitement of getting there all over again got me feeling like it's my first time. I don't know why. Perhaps because I'm longing for some fresh air and a peaceful place...some touch of nature...a life away from the stressful city of Manila...and off from my tough job as an auditor..lol.

 My friend, Jaizelle, invited me to accompany her for a "do-it-yourself" trip to Baguio. Since it's been seven months when I had my last travel at Baler Aurora, I said "sure" without any second thought. Jaizelle is one of my friends and classmates during college in FEU. She's been to a lot of beautiful places here in the Philippines, like Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Ilocos, Bataan, and more, but never in Baguio. Akalain mo? Gosh. Lol. We then invited Gia, also our college buddy. We rarely hang out and do things like this until we all experience this thing called "singleness". Charot! (half-meant) Haha.

Like I said earlier, this is a DIY trip...my first DIY trip, actually. So there were some little mishaps occurred and lessons learned about traveling. After weeks of planning, I can't believe we were able to pull off a tour in Baguio.

Victory Liner is just a three-minute walk away from our apartment in Caloocan. We don't have a private car so we took the public bus. Fare is 445php. We were worried at first because a day we were supposed to leave Manila, buses are fully booked! We had our fingers crossed for the bus to have seats for us three. Thank God for the positive outcome. Friday night, we rode the last trip, which is 11:30PM and we arrived at Baguio the next day, Saturday, at 5:30AM. The sun is about to rise! Sheeeeeeez, ginaw!!!@#$%^&*()_+~

(As advised, book your tickets at least a day before your planned departure and arrival for sure and convenient seats on the bus. You may not want to be a chance passenger, especially during peak seasons.)

From left to right: Lou (Me), Jaizelle, Gia

We don't have a hotel or transient house booked yet, and check-in is usually 1 or 2PM pa. But no worries coz it's not peak season yet. There are lots of hotels and transient houses to choose from in Baguio, and walk-ins will not have a hard time looking for one. Ofcourse, better if you have everything set before the planned trip.

It's still too early so we walk and went first to Burnham Park. We still have our backpacks on. We lack rest and sleep, but no eyebags can ruin our happy days! Lol. Jaizelle has packed some chips and sandwiches and we had these for breakfast. We biked at the park for about an hour (bike rental is 50php/hr).

*gosh, the eyebags, haha*

Disclaimer: Photos used in this blog are posted without my friends' permissions. Haha.

Our first instax shot!

From Burnham park, we rode a cab to Wright Park. The fare is only P60 pesos. We did not try horse-back riding coz we're all in skirt. So we just stroll around, ate strawberry taho, took selfies, walked to the Mansion, bought souvenirs, fit Igorot costumes, and did everything that tourists usually do in Baguio.

11AM, we had our lunch at.....ohh I forgot, but it's a small resto near The Mansion. Then we road a jeep going to The Mines View Park (fare is 8.50/head), where we saw the breathtaking view. We bought lots of pasalubong here. (lengua, strawberry jam, ube jam, choco flakes, crinkles, and many more! No strawberries yet dahil kakabagyo pa lang)

We rented a room at a hotel located near the Victory Liner Bus Station. The hotel is only few steps away from Casa Vallejo, Burnham Park, Session Rd., and SM City Baguio (very convenient!). The room has 2 single beds (pero kasya na kaming tatlo), TV, fan, mirror, table, chair, and common CR.  The room rate is 1,200php for two persons. But since we're three, we paid an additional 300php for the extra person. We requested for additional pillow, blanket, and towel (no additional charge).

Elizabeth Fulfillment Place

#22 Upper Session Road, Engineer's Hill, Baguio City

09998012103 / 424-2785
https://www.facebook.com/elizabethfulfillmentplace/

We checked in at 12nn. The owner allowed us to check-in earlier (and check out late) than usual since hindi naman peak season. Wala masyadong tao. Dahil pagod at puyat pa kami, natulog muna kami ng tatlong oras bago lumibot ulit. We then went to BenCab Museum by 4:00PM. We rode again a cab going to the Museum and the fare is 76php. Don't worry about getting a cab in Baguio, even if you're alone. Taxi drivers there are so kind and honest. They'll drop you where you need and want to be dropped. I remember when we went to BenCab, we gave 100php, and the change is 25php! May discount pa! Kahit piso lang sukli mo, I assure you, ibibigay pa din nila yun! :)

BenCab Museum

#6 Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba Benguet

(074) 442-7165

Open everyday (except Mondays) from 9:00AM to 6:00PM 

Entrance fee is 150php, (120 for students, senior citizens, and PWDs)

Here are some snaps in the museum: 

The "kunyari-magkagalit" pose.

At the back of the museum is a  cafe and a huge garden.

This shot.....I almost died. Haha. I felt like I'm gonna fall because on my right is a cliff.

We used to ride a taxi when going to anywhere and ride a jeepney back since all jeepneys go to Baguio Plaza. We already know how to get back to our hotel upon arriving at Baguio Plaza. Para tipid na din. After BenCab Museum, we then went to SM City Baguio and had our dinner at Mang Inasal. Unli rice syempre! 

We returned to our hotel and had our bodies washed. Honestly, I was in a crossroad of decision whether I should bath or not. Haha. Super lamig ng tubig bes! May heater naman, pero parang ayaw ko pa rin. Haha. Still, I took a bath. Haha. Akala ko magpapahinga na kami. Pero 9PM, rumampa pa kami sa Session Road at inenjoy ang napakalamig na hangin ng Baguio. We ate snack and talked a lot at Mcdonald's. There is where I realized that I missed my friends so much.... and that it's OK to reward ourselves sometimes... Today, I've been a part of Jaizelle's first experience in Baguio and her well-deserved sembreak. Moreover, I was there to listen when Gia talked about her office rants, frustrations, and hardships. Love you friends! *End of drama* lol 

9AM of the next day (Sunday), we dressed up and went to Bell Church (Chinese Garden) which is at the boundary of Baguio and La Trinidad, Benguet.

Few steps from the Bell Church, you'll see these colorful houses.

We took a cab going to Camp John Hay where we saw the huge and beautiful pine trees! We wanted to try the tree top adventures but Jaizelle is on skirt and I and Gia are in shorts. Bawal daw. Kaya naglakad-lakad na lang kami. Ok lang, dahil malamig naman, hindi kami pinapawisan. And the view (gosh, the view! *heart eyes*) makes every stay in Baguio worth it.

This weather, plus hugs from these girls,  couldn't ask for more.

Hehehe. Pictures don't always have to be perfect, right?

Wacky!

We had our lunch at SM CityBaguio and proceed to our last stop, which is just few steps away from SM Baguio. You can see this from the mall terrace.

Mt. Cloud Bookshop

Casa Vallejo Bldg. DPS Compound Access Road, Baguio City

(074) 424-4437

Open everyday from 10:30AM to 8PM

The bookshop offers a variety of new, price-cuts, and secondhand books, magazines, fancy school and office supplies, and many more. It's not a huge book store, but it is well organized and cozy. Bookworms will love this place for sure!

I took two children's book for my baby sister at 80php each. We also took some snaps of IG-worthy corners of this bookshop before leaving. Hehe. Love those origamis!

2PM, we returned to our hotel, had our things packed up, and checked-out. We then headed to Victory Liner since our departure is 3PM. We could have been visited more places in Benguet such as the Tam-Awan Village, Dinasour Island, Hot Spring Resort/s, PMA, Strawberry Farm, and different restaurants we saw in the internet, but there's no ample time anymore. Yet, we can say that this trip is "sulit"! We have to get back to our real worlds na. Oh Baguio, you'll be missed.

Thank you Lord for taking care of, and guiding, us throughout this wonderful experience!


xoxo,
Lou ♥