Since Sept 1st is a US Holiday and I can’t just stay at
home doing nothing I tried to convince my friends to go somewhere we can relax.
We agreed for Baguio City. At first the plan was to use a personal car but end
up commuting due to one android application says there’s a storm in Baguio. (crazy app...)
There are several bus terminals in
Cubao that offers hourly trip to Baguio City. We choose Victory Liner since we
are already comfortable with their service. (Fare: Php 450)
August 30, 2014 (Saturday)
10:30PM
Departure from Cubao (travel time is
5-6 hours)
August 31, 2014 (Sunday)
04:30AM
Arrived at Baguio City. We stand by at
7eleven store in front of the terminal to grab a coffee and snacks while I plan
for our itinerary and because it is still dark.
06:00-07:00AM
We attended mass at Baguio Cathedral. It's been always a good start to pray, thank and ask guidance from above.
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| Baguio Cathedral by morning |
07:00-09:00AM
We had breakfast at Café by the Ruins. The
food was good but not exceptional. It is quite pricey but the ambiance was very nice. It’s a breakfast-in-the-garden style.
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| Cafe by the Ruins exterior. |
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| Sagada Rice from Cafe by the Ruins. |
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| The very artistic Menu of Cafe by the Ruins. |
09:00-10:30AM
Since we don’t have reservation we
inquired to different hotels/lodging nearby. And thanks for Agoda.com for being
very informative. We selected Holiday Park Hotel, just a walking distance from Burnham
Park and Café by the Ruins. What was amazing is that they have UNLIMITED BREWED COFFEE which really
captures my attention. The room is spacious and very homey. They also offer promos with complimentary breakfast.
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| Holiday Park Hotel: Deluxe Double Room for Php 1,500/night |
11:00-01:00PM
We took a cab to BenCab Museum. There
was a road construction on-going that time so our travel time is approximately
20-30mins.
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| BenCab Museum exterior design. |
GENERAL INFORMATION
Tuesdays to Sundays 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
(last entry at 5:30 pm). Closed on Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
(last entry at 5:30 pm). Closed on Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Admission to the Museum:
General: PHP 100.00
Students and senior citizens with valid ID: PHP 80.00
Special rates for student groups with prior arrangement.
Students and senior citizens with valid ID: PHP 80.00
Special rates for student groups with prior arrangement.
TRANSPORTATION ACCESS
Car: 15-minute drive from Baguio City center.
Public transport: Jeep to Asin from jeepney terminal near Baguio market.
Public transport: Jeep to Asin from jeepney terminal near Baguio market.
Source: http://www.bencabmuseum.org/
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| Bencab Museum Guide. Entrance Fee is 100 Php. |
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| Collection of Anito in the wall from ground to second floor. |
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| The pair that captures my attention. |
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| Outside view from the deck of Bencab Museum. This is open for guests. |
Going back to the town proper from
Bencab Museum is not easy, cab seldom pass through the street so we need to
walk for about 5mins to the jeep terminal going to Burnham Park. We waited in
the jeep for 15mins and it was so hot and we are both hungry.
01:00-2:00PM
From Burnham Park, we took a cab to 50’s
Diner. The first branch was full and there is a long queue outside good thing our taxi driver suggested the other branch. Luckily, it was also full but there’s no
long queue. The waitress asked our order in advance for them to prepare the
food. After 5-10mins of waiting we had our space and the food was served just
in time.
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| Just half of the Menu |
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| 50's Diner's Shrimp and Fries with Strawberry Milkshake |
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| Saw a customer ordered this and we just copied. The presentation is as good as its taste. |
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| 50's Diner exterior. |
02:30PM
Back to
hotel and sleep.
08:00PM
Woke
up and prepare to go outside for dinner. We walked to Burnham Park and saw an
“Ukay-Ukay” and checked what’s there for us. The whole street was almost
covered by the sellers. There are lots of items like Bags, jackets, shirts, bed
sheets, shoes, etc. in a very low price. Though we are not in the mood to buy,
we only bought bracelets for less than 100Php.
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| Ukay Ukay near Burnham Park |
09:30-11:00PM
As
planned, we had Pizza and Pasta for dinner. We ate at Pizza Volante along Session
Road. I saw good reviews in the net and suggested it to my friends.
It has 2 floors and the interior is kinda old but still good. Be ready to wait for couple of minutes because the restaurant is usually crowded.
We ordered Seafood Pasta, Four-Cheese Pizza and Sardines Pizza. They are all tasted good specially the Seafood Pasta.(if only we can order another plate)
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| Counter at the first floor of Pizza Volante |
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| The exterior signage of Pizza Volante Restaurant. |
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| Dinner: Seafood Pasta, Four-Cheese Pizza and Sardines Pizza. |
11:30PM
September 01, 2014 (Monday)
They also have has Tree Top Adventure that was featured in different TV shows. BPO Offices and american food chains also branched out there.
06:30AM
This is our last day in Baguio so we
woke up early. We had complimentary breakfast.
07:30AM
Took
a Jeep to Camp John Hay (my first time there). We strolled and just enjoyed the
forks-like-sceneries. (we have a twilight fan here...)They also have has Tree Top Adventure that was featured in different TV shows. BPO Offices and american food chains also branched out there.
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| Camp John Hay |
08:30AM
Next in the list is Mines View Park. I visited the place for three times already and it
was very different from my last visit. Construction is on-going; they placed a
smooth-path from the road to the viewing deck. The view didn’t change of
course, it was still lovely and overwhelming.
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| Mines View Park |
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| The viewing deck of Mines View Park. |
Outside Mines View Park there are lots
of stores that sell pasalubong in a cheap price. They have Peanut Brittle,
Lenggua de gato, chocolate flakes, cringkles in three flavors and souvenirs. We
bought a lot for family and friends for a reasonable amount.
09:00AM
Then we walked to Good Shepherd to buy
their famous Ube Jam. They sell limited number per customer and that
time big jars are out of stock.
10:30-11:00AM
Back to Hotel and pack our things. We
had lunch at the restaurant in the center of Burnham Park so we can just sleep
and relax in the bus.
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| Me at the counter of Holiday Park Hotel. |
11:30AM
Departure from Baguio City to Manila.
It was an overall great travel. Every
time I visit the City of Pines with new places to visit and food to try it always excites me. What I also like there is the honesty of the taxi drivers by
giving you the exact change as well as the flat rate is at 35 pesos only. The weather
and the surroundings are still awesome and very relaxing. I will surely visit
this city again and again.
