Since the Philippines is near the earth's equator, and most of the countries near the equator are said to have oppressive humidity, Filipinos always long for a place to cool down and avoid perspiring under the heat of the sun. That's why every summer, when the sun shines at its fullest brilliance, we make sure we frolic on the beautiful and pristine beaches of the country. But its not just because of the beaches we enjoy summer! There are also these high elevated places with its mild climate which is perfect for summer getaways.
Baguio, the 'Summer Capital of the Philippines' will never be missed every summertime.
I had the chance to visit Baguio last year, when we heard on the news that Baguio already reached its coldest temperature (as yet). My officemates/'mentors' Ate Arlet and Mon, and Neil decided to go to Baguio so as to experience its coolest.
We all planned ahead, searched the world wide web for the cheapest accommodation good for four people. We tumbled over Le Chataeu, one of the many transient houses in Baguio which offers affordable rates for its super cozy units.
February 3-5 dated our Baguio escape. It was a Thursday, so right after work, we hurried to Victory Liner Cubao to catch the 8:00 p.m. bus trip bound to Baguio. I'm actually used to its 6 hours travel period because I have been there a couple of times already.
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| while waiting for our bus |
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| Neil and Mon inside the bus |
We hired a taxi after alighting our bus to our transient house located at Upper Rock Quarry, Baguio City. (taxi's flat rate today is P35.00) It was a short ride, about 15 minutes. I'm grateful to Sonny, the caretaker of Le Chataeu, for waiting for us. (we arrived 2:00 in the morning, btw)
The place was nice, it gives you this contentment of indulging to its coziness.
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| the living room |
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| dining area |
The unit we had is complete with all the things you need for your vacation. It has the kitchen and dining area which already have everything you'll need for cooking and eating, from the LPG gas to the utensils (except for the foods of course!). A clean toilet and bathroom with hot and cold shower is also something it boasts. It has two bedrooms, with two double decks each room which can accommodate up to eight guests. The rooms have their own built-in cabinets and a mirror. The living room, which is my favorite place has its cable TV.
(we paid Sonny a total of 4,000 pesos for two nights and two days, actually 2,500 per night sila but since madaling araw na kami nakarating, 1,000 pesos was slashed on our total bill)
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| one of the two rooms of the blue unit |
Since we're all so tired from the long trip, we slept as soon as we unpacked our things.
We woke up early the next day to follow our itinerary. First, we went to Tam-Awan Village, since its the farthest on our itinerary.
(there's a P50.00 entrance fee for adults and 20.00 for kiddos, 30.00 for senior citizens and students)
Tam-Awan Village is a place where the Ifugao people preserve the nipa huts used by their ancestors. There's also an art gallery here where you can see the cultural heritage of the Cordillera people.
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| welcoming facade |
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| entrance ticket |
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| upuan sa entrance |
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| isa sa mga anito, este si Neil at ang Alang hut |
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| the big fat strawberry |
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| isa sa mga napakagagandang paintings |
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| arts and the three of us |
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| more arts |
Now this is a creative way to label the comfort rooms..hehehe.
The place was quite amusing with all the nipa huts (where the early natives used to live), and the art gallery (where their artistic creations resides).
Next was the Chinese Temple which is 30 minutes away from Tam-Awan Village. This is actually not listed on our itinerary but since it is near Strawberry Farm (which was supposed to be our next stop), we managed to visit the place.
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| the temple entrance |
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| from the left, Mon, me, Neil |
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| the Chinese Temple |
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| sabi ni Mon, Lion Statue raw 'toh, (hindi ba dragon?) |
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| 1,2,3..:D |
After visiting the temple, we proceeded to Strawberry Farm to buy cheap goodies for ' pasalubong'. And when I say cheap, I mean it. For me, this place offers the cheapest finds from the ever famous Baguio coin purse, to the strawberries and veggies. (I suggest you buy your pasalubongs here, instead of getting it from the famous parks, pero syempre, the veggies are cheaper sa market)
It was almost lunch when we finished shopping on Strawberry Farm, that's why we all decided to go back to our transient house to eat. (btw, may mga baon kaming canned goods and other foods para tipid)
Botanical Garden was also not in our itinerary but after we had our meal, we planned to go there since Neil and I haven't been there yet. The place was ok, (ok lang, maybe because I'm not fond of flowers) there were large statues of the Ifugaos and different kinds of flowers.
I'm sorry but I don't know their names:
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| on the bridge |
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| male Ifugao |
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| female Ifugao with her babies |
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| group pektyur |
Whenever I visit Baguio, I never missed to go to Mines View Park. Here, I get to do my shopping of the native's handicrafts. (I still prefer prices from Strawberry Farm, but there are much more finds here)
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| this view never fail to amaze me |
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| Neil, me, ate Arlet with our cute head gears..hehe |
It feels like I never had enough pasalubong to bring back to Manila, so after Mines View Park, we went to Good Shepherd Convent. This is where the famous Ube (purple yam) and Strawberry jam are bought (products here are made by the nuns). I bought some fruit preserves, peanut brittle and the super yummy Alfajor (got addicted to its taste the first time i tried it).
We headed to Sm Baguio after, to do some groceries and went straight home after.
The next day was also the day we'll be heading back to Manila, so we all woke up early to still pursue with our Baguio itinerary. First, we went to Lourdes Grotto, where you have to take the 252 steps to reach the shrine.
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| resting a bit, hingal na!hehe |
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| the beautiful shrine |
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| o:) |
The Ten Commandments
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| group pic |
Then, we went to Burnham Park just to have some photo ops by the man-made lake. (kasi perstaym ni Neil sa Baguio, kaya kailangan namin siyang ipasyal sa Burnham, hehe)
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| behind us is the man-made lake |
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| another group pic courtesy of a passer-by, hehe |
Baguio is also well-known for the Ukay-ukay (surplus clothes, bags and shoes). So, after visiting burnham park, we went to where many 'ukay-ukay's are.
(sobrang daming wagwagan malapit sa Burnham Park, I just don't know kung anong pangalan ng road na un).
Then, after doing a little 'shopping' at the Ukay-ukay, we visited the main cathedral of Baguio, which is the Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral. We stayed a while to say our short prayers and headed back to the transient house to pack our bags.
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| bidding Le Chataeu goodbye.. |
We left after we had our lunch to catch the 1:30 p.m. bus trip back to Manila.
It was a tiring and fun-filled short stay, but of course, I'll surely come back to Baguio soon!
