Baguio City, Benguet

Nostalgic.ok fine. too much drama for me just merely thinking that  il be going  to baguio.
Baguio City will always be a special part of my life. Spent my college years at University of the Philippines  Baguio.(another story.haha)

Took us almost  5hours from Vigan to Baguio.  I can almost hear brenn and  jerald's hearbeat coz of excitement. mine's  beating loud as well. :)

Busy Baguio

Scenic view :)

It's almost dinner  time when we reached the City of Pines. My original plan is to stay at UP-Breha (UP dorm- exclusive for UP students) which by the way is my former dorm, i stayed there for the rest of  my college days.Unfortunately, it  was under renovation. But luck is with us, I saw a schoolmate  infront of our beloved UP campus, i told him we are  looking for a  homestay, he then  refer us to where he is staying.  It's just a stone throw away from UP, SM and Baguio Cathedral. The place was pretty homey! own sala with TV, cute kitchen- cook all you can! and an attic style room :)

Our homey place @marcoville Baguio

Baguio at Night :)

Pasalubong please! :D

                                              Loving Burnham Park :)

cooling down at Burnham Park

Considered as the country's  ukay'ukay capital, Baguio is making history  every weekend nights as the whole block adjacent to Melvin Jones Grandstand is filled with secondhand apparels being sold at cheap prices.

Dirt cheap prices! woah! :)

I've been through many night markets, but have never seen anything  quite like this. anong  sinabi ng divisoria?! hehe           

Geez! It took us one whole freakin' hour in traversing the whole area hunting for the  cheapest deals.

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The next day, we woke up early to start our city tour. from our place, we  walk towards Igorot stairs and  we had  fun taking pictures!

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Exploring the famous session road in the morning.

upper session road

lower session road

Burnham Park on a daylight :)

@Burnham park

Baguio Cathedral originally named as Lady of Atonement  Cathedral. It has a  neo-gothic facade and it is painted in a light pink hue. The cathedral was built in the 1920's,  It is one of the city 's most recognizable icon. 

loving the pink church :)

The Cathedral can be accessed by either through a hundred-step stairwell from the lower session road..

or through a uphill walk at the upper portion of the same road.

Baguio Cathedral
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Don't leave the city of pines without a visit at Baguio City market!

more pasalubongs! :)

from fresh veggies to your officemates pasalubongs of peanut brittle, strawberry jam, baguio shirts, carved home decors, keychains, the famous sundot kulangot and barell man, name it! everything about baguio--it's all here!

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Our next destination? The Manison House. It's located on the eastern part of the city along the Leonard Wood Road and right across from Wright Park. It was built in 1908 for U.S. governor-generals and was destroyed in 1945 during the battle for the liberation of the Philippines.

main gate of the Mansion is said to be a replica of that at Buckingham Palace in London.

Right across the Mansion is the Wright Park. It is one of the many scenic parks in Baguio City. There's a shallow elongated rectangular body of water known as the "Pool of Pines".

sit like a Boss! :)

After seeing the Mansion and Wright Park, Here we come Mines View Park! :)

Mines View Deck

Bicolanos wearing Igorot costume :)
(BiGorot style)

Mines View

Pretty  Igorota. haha  :)

At the entrance to the park are stalls selling native handicraft such as wood carvings, locally made silver products and jewelry, baskets, brooms, sweaters, blankets, and a variety of other items. There are also canteens, snack stores, and street vendors selling food and beverages. 

Pasalubongs!

Good Shepherd Ube Jam! :)

"The Religious of the Good Shepherd was established in the year 1912 in the Philippines. Their main mission was directed to the most neglected and marginalized. To earn funds, the Mountain Maid training center was established. The training facility provides livelihood and education to chosen youth in the Mountain province area. They are also responsible for the production of Mountain Maid products. The sister’s strawberry and Ube Jam remains to be a favorite since 1953.”.
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We left baguio around 2 in the afternoon via  Victory Liner. arrived at Cubao before 9PM.

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Really, to have a perfect travel , always bring the best companions  --- FRIENDS! :)

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vigan-Baguio bus (victory liner) - P275

homestay (marcoville) -  P900 (good for 3pax)

dinner - P300 (good for 3pax)

groceries -  P150

jeep to Mansion House - P24 (P8/pax)

jeep to  Minesview - P24 (P8/pax)

minesview to Burnham jeep - P24 (P8/pax) 

picture taking (igorot custome)  P20/pax

baguio-manila bus (victory liner) -  P445/pax

If coming from Manila:

Victory Liner Bus Station: Pasay; Espanya; Monumento and Cubao

for those who are planning a weekend escapade, try going to Cubao station 'coz they have a daily trip bound to Baguio (Bus leave every other 15 to 30minutes) 

Prepare P500 as your fare (manila-baguio).

3 stop overs: Dau Pampanga; Tarlac City and Rosales Pangasinan. 

Accomodation in Baguio? there are hotels offering low rates, homestay and transient houses are also available.

Transportation: Jeepney is the most common means of transportation. P8/pax

FX taxi are also available and you can rent them for a daily city tour. 

Places to Visit:

Burnham Park; MinesView Park, Session Road; Botanical Garden; Wright Park; Mansion House; Mines View; Tam-awan Village; Camp John Hay; Philippine Military Academy; Lourdes Grotto, Bell Church; Strawberry Farm (strawberry farm is actually outside baguio city, but it is less than 30minutes drive) check my story about it here:

http://padabayannah.blogspot.com/2013/04/la-trinidad-benguet.html