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Braving the unknown. I wonder and I wander.

April 19, 2013

La Trinidad , Benguet


Let me take you down,‘Cause I'm going to Strawberry fields..Lalalala..Strawberry Fields forever..♪
   
The classic Beatles song is playing loud in my head as we walk going to the  jeep terminal bound to La Trinidad Benguet. The Plantation is located about 15 kilometers out from Baguio city.

La Trinidad welcome sign


Easiest way to get there is to ride a cab. yep,rent it bigtime! But if your on a tight budget and wanna feel less touristy, head towards central mall and look for a jeep bound for La Trinidad.

In less than 15minutes, we are already crossing the highway and soon walking down a familiar narrow road leading to strawberry farm. I've been to the place twice when I was  still a college student in Baguio. This time, I am more excited  'coz ive got friends who are first timers to see the place.
I've got two of the best boy-friends in town!
(elated much upon arriving @ the farm)
at the entrance of the farm, there are stalls selling fresh strawberries, strawberry shakes, honey, ube jam, peanut brittle as well as wood carvings, pretty knitted clothes and other souvenir items.
Aside from strawberries,the farm also yields other veggies like Brocolli, Lettuce  and cauliflower.The produce here are really fresh!

It is ideal to visit the strawberry farm during strawberry season, which normally runs from November to May, with peaks during the first few months of the year.

and the best time to go here is in the morning, when the farmers are picking strawberries. If you go at a later time, you may not be able to pick ripe and big strawberries because the farmers have harvested them at that time.

The Farm lets visitors pick the strawberries themselves. Tourists can choose a farm for their strawberry-picking and pay for their harvest afterward. Price per kilo is slightly higher compared to the strawberries pre-packed by the vendors. 
Choose the strawberries with shiny, bright red color. To avoid ruining your harvest, hold the fruit on your palm and pinch the stalk with your thumb and forefinger. Gently twist while pulling the fruit. 
We didn't bite the pick-your-own-strawberry. we just roam around the farm  and had fun looking at those cute bright red strawberries pepping trough the green leaves.
Just by looking at the  fruits, you  will drool. haha

It's prohibited to pick strawberries, unless if you Pay P300 for strawberry-picking. Brenn and I, as certified bratt, pick   a berries and  eat  it  before we head to the farm. tsk tsk Bad! =P (sorrryyyy!)
we can't control it! the fruit is  just so tempting and yummy! :)
More Photo's on our strawberry farm visit:                  
I love its bright red color!

jerald got curious with the fruit.

Tip: if there is a long trip ahead, like going  back to Manila, Choose the under-riped (less red, more green and white) strawberries.the strawberries will be ripe enough to eat once your back in manila. If  you'll eat it once harvested, choose strawberries that are shiny, deep red in color, and are medium-sized because they are more delicious.

One of the best Benguet experience i had was this strawberry farm visit. nothing really special, but the visit  was worth'it  'coz ive got friends along who share their brattness. :)
XOXO

jeep magsaysay baguio-strawberry farm - P11.50
strawberry shake - P30
lunch - 200
jeep strawberry farm- baguio - P11.50

April 18, 2013

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.
                                                          ****

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








********

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
******
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!

                                                                     ******
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.”.
******




We left baguio around 2 in the afternoon via  Victory Liner. arrived at Cubao before 9PM.

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


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: