48 Hour Baguio Trip

REVISITING BAGUIO

February is the perfect time if you want to experience the coldest temperature in Baguio and also the said month is the celebration of Panagbenga (Flower) Festival. If you are not into festivals and crowded places like me, the perfect time to go in Baguio is on the last week of February. The place is not so crowded and you can still feel the cool breeze. 

I. How to get to Baguio.

1.By Car
If you are coming from Manila, it will take you about 3 - 4 hours of driving going there. Just be careful on your drive going there because you will be experiencing a lot of "zigzag." Anyway, there are 5 main roads that can lead you to Baguio, these are Kennon Road, Marcos Highway, Naguilian Road, Halsema Road, & Baguio - Nueva Viscaya Road.

The most convenient way coming from Manila by car is via SCTEX (Subic - Clark - Tarlac Expressway then straight to TPLEX (Tarlac - Pangasinan - La Union Expressway). Just be prepared for that expensive toll fee!

2. By Bus

Going to Baguio coming from Manila is very convenient rather than driving.  Especially now that there is an hourly trip going to Baguio. Victory Liner Inc. has the most number of trips going to Baguio. I suggest that you buy your tickets in advance to avoid being a chance passenger and you have the freedom to choose your preferred time.One way fare only costs 450 Php and 750 for the De-Luxe.


II. Things to do in Baguio

• Park Hopping (Burnham Park, Wright Park, The Mansion, Botanical Garden, Mines View Park)

Burnham Park is the most famous Park in Baguio, second is the Mines View Park, Third is the Wright Park which is connected to The Mansion and near Botanical Garden! O, I didn't ride a horse because it was too expensive. 

view @ Mines View Park

Indigenous Shop at Mines View Park

100 steps in Wright Park going to the Mansion

The infamous Lagoon and The Mansion

Swan boats at Burnham Park

• Visita Iglesia (The Grotto) 

If you are going to Baguio make sure that you visit the Grotto and take the 300 steps(?) going to the top. Even if you are not a Catholic, it is a go - to place since the view up there is fascinating. :) 

• Tam-Awan Village

Tam- Awan Village is in Pinsao, Baguio, you need to ride a cab going there. It will cost you 100 Php for the cab and 50 Php for the entrance. The Village has different indigenous huts from different indigenous groups in the Mt. Province and their awesome artworks. Also, they have a peak where you can see the clouds moving, it's like you are above the clouds, and even agree that it is a Garden in the Sky. Also, the Pine trees makes you feel like you are in the set of Twilight. HAHA.

View on top

this is very artistic! Agree?

Mother and Child

Indeed a Garden in the Sky!

• Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad

It is outside Baguio, Roughly 15 minutes away from the Public Market. The fare only costs 9.00 Php. You can do strawberry picking for 100 Php per small basket but you can buy a per kilo outside. There are lots of Vegetable vendors outside where you can buy 3 bags of Potato marbles for only 100 Php plus different kinds of fresh lettuce and french beans!

Making fun of her! 

• Food Trip

Since Ms. Olive is a great cook. This is our way of Food tripping. We bought fresh vegetables and cook it for dinner. Fresh Chopseuy and Strawberries on the house! Burp! :) 

Well, if you are not into cooking, you can try these Top 10 Yummiest Restaurants in Baguio according to GMANews. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/340184/newstv/angpinaka/top-10-yummiest-restaurants-in-baguio.

Or if you are looking for not-so-usual dining, try 50's Diner or Oh My Gulay! 

• Ukay - Ukay at Session Road

Antok na kami ni Lilet! 

This is the busiest Ukay Ukay I have ever seen! Crazy Sale!

• Pasalubong buying

Credits to Baguiocity.net

III. Sample Itinerary

Here is our itinerary for the 48 Hour trip. We stayed in a Transient house for only 1,000 per night! Call them up Minesview Vacation House. Anyway, we only have the weekends to do this trip and we were able to maximize it and enjoy what Baguio has to offer.

My verdict is that Baguio is such a nice place but I will not keep on coming back because their landscape do not fascinate me, it is also polluted and lots of houses (didn't like the view in Mines View Park), not so cold like when I was a child, it is so crowded and has nothing new to offer though I'm looking forward to witness the Panagbenga Festival but I heard the traffic going there is terrible!

I'd rather explore Bontoc, Banaue, Battad, Sagada and other Mt. Provinces.

So, there you have it! That was my Baguio experience, how was yours?

Ano, TARA GUMALA?


CIAO.
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GABRIELA