I rarely travel during “ber” months but the idea of going up north has piqued my interest. It would be work and leisure combined for this Cordillera ascent. No solo travel this time since I would be with a company of a small group of tourism students, whom I would be fathering for the whole duration of a 3D2N tour.
Before hitting midnight of December 13, we were already at Victory terminal in Pasay City queuing up for tickets. As expected the terminal was congested and two time slots ahead of us were fully booked. The next available trip was at 3 AM and tellingly, we had to wait for the next three hours before finally hitting the road en route to the City of Pines.
We were weary and weak while seated snugly and all we wanted was to take chance of sleeping on board. A niggling complaint about the biting cold from the first time long distance travelers surfaced during stopovers. The travel seemed short at six hours and we enjoyed our final ascent snaking through the thrilling climb until we reached the terminal and started to rejoice for an indescribable happiness of revisiting Baguio, a city perched on Cordilleran mountains.
A cab took us to the pension house we pre-booked, rested for an hour before we started our walking tour.
BAGUIO CITY CATHEDRAL
Its sublime location, its perky color and its magnificent surroundings make this holy place of worship worth a visit and a part of one’s complete itinerary.
BURNHAM PARK
I have never enjoyed and appreciated Baguio like this before. On my fifth visit, I savored every moment of my stay here particularly at Burnham Park where I felt solace and relief from everyday cares and was at peace with myself as I relish the pine trees, the greenery, the emerald water from the man-made rectangular lake where boating is a must-try experience. I did enjoy paddling the crocodile designed boat with five of my hollering students whenever our boat wobbles uncontrollably. It was safe anyhow and it was indeed a fun-filled water activity. Apart from this, I tried the Igorot costume picture taking treat for a very minimal fee. Vendors are everywhere, but the cleanliness is well-maintained and that made me appreciate this park even more.
LOURDES GROTTO
Everyone, after our noon meal, requested for a siesta break, so it was around 4 in the afternoon when the group was back on the road for the Lourdes Grotto climb. It was a steep 252 steps to the summit of the graven image of Mary with trees adding color to its lofty place, the colorful sky made by the setting sun and the residences perched on hilly villages and a panorama of the city. This was the first time I scaled the heights which I long wanted to do as it is a byword of every tourist who goes up to this city. Darkness has dawned before we decided to head to downtown for our food shopping.
BELL CHURCH
This was our first stop for day 2. We were lucky enough to have hired a van for the day’s crisscrossing the city. If we missed it, it would have spoiled our itinerary and risked other places to be visited to be scrapped from the list. This bell church is nestled on a hill and its grandness is commendable. The church was not a far cry from the Chinese (Taoist) Temple in Cebu City. As though, I was on both places at the same time.
STRAWBERRY FIELDS AT LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET
We experienced traffic on the way to the most ballyhooed destination: Strawberry Fields. It wasn’t my first to be at a strawberry farm but picking was my first indeed. Strawberry picking was an irresistible offer but the fee for one kilo hand-picked strawberries would diminish the excitement at Php 400 per kilo, basket included. Buying fresh strawberry outside the field would only cost you Php 150. See how they pounce on you for the experience? Well, the experience is priceless so no griping and bitterness are entertained.
The sun was at its fiercest when we were led to the fields. You can dunk straight to your mouth what you have picked and salivate on its juiciness and on its freshest smell. After filling the basket, I dashed off to the souvenir shops in a row for shade, and not to be forgotten were the organic strawberry wine bottles which I bagged home for Christmas! Earlier, we sampled strawberry ice cream from a hokey pokey vendor. The taste didn’t make any difference to make me exclaim positively about it. It was so-so.
TAM-AWAN VILLAGE, GARDEN IN THE SKY
Loaded with fresh and bottled strawberry delights, our driver planned the itinerary that would save us time and double the pleasure. The uptown curvy drive eventually brought us to Tam-awan. This reconstructed village is a work of art as it appears to be a garden and a forest in the sky. Youthfulness and love for nature are requisites for you to enjoy the trek while communing with the village’s beauty. Traditional houses, bunkers, huts,a cafe and shops on their rustic package are found at Tam-awan but you have to follow the trail that will lead you to your place of joy.
MINE’S VIEW
There are more souvenir shops that dot the area than the spectacle to see. The view deck is just perfect for sightseeing though it’s limited to the mining area beneath the ridge and the Cordillera mountain range. Picture taking with St. Bernard dogs and horses are among the activities one may opt to do aside from the usual food and souvenir shopping.
CAMP JOHN HAY
I can’t think of a better detail for this place. As a matter of fact, I struggle with what to write down. This vast property has scattered amenities that require a service vehicle to ferry you around. A walking tour is not doable. For our lazy group, we stopped at Republic paintball shooting for photo ops and got a glimpse of the butterfly sanctuary, enjoyed the grass and trees for awhile at a nearby property.
PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY
It was my first time to have set foot on this military school. I did not have much freedom to get close to the main building since I was wearing flip flops. I managed to get past the gate with the group without being denied, but I had to remain seated inside the van until our time apportioned for this spot was up. Anyway I got loose at the Philippine-Korea Memorial where I posed by the monument, tanks and artillery on public display. Going further, the gala uniformed students do salute our vehicle every time we chance upon them on the street. You will see park after park inside the school property and anywhere in Baguio that is one thing for sure.
BAGUIO CITY MARKET
Dusk was creeping in when we approached the market. There we made our first food shopping from the clean open market. Fruits and vegetables are everywhere. Yes, Baguio fresh vegetables and other foodstuff are readily available. The cold fresh air makes shopping fun and relaxing. My companions enjoyed numerous buys as though hoarding was not an option.
THE MANSION
At first visit, the group snubbed this spot as there isn’t much to see and lazy to touch the ground. It was only me and Sir Jomz who dashed to the gate to take a hurried shot. The following morning, my group was then compelled to return for the mandatory photo ops for the school’s documentation.
WRIGHT PARK
Just across the busy street was the Wright Park. Two uniforms were switched for the tour group’s documentation. Undoubtedly, Baguio has the most parks, I suppose, to offer. They only differ in popularity as the frequency of visits and the numbers of visitors mainly depend on it.
NIGHT MARKET
Our last night in the mountain city was meant for the night market which is another byword for Baguio. Our night stroll was a pleasure. Our eyes feasted on the public Christmas lights and decors and the cold mountain breeze made us feel like we were somewhere else. Not in the Philippines, I surmise.
At 9 PM, the whole stretch of Harrison Street was all awake. I did not consider buying anything for I hate to haul luggage that I could not manage. But when I started rummaging, I was already clutching a comforter (Php200), my first buy, then a sweater (Php20), jeans (Php130) and a stuffed toy (Php200), all for gift giving. Not bad for Php550.
Revisiting some places and experiencing new things rounded up my gratis business and leisure trip to the Philippines' summer capital. :)
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