Baguio: Exploring It On Our Own

August 11, 2012

Pagudpud - conquered!
Laoag - check!
Vigan - enjoyed!

Jenny and I are now on our final stop! It was a 5-hour bus ride from Vigan City, and upon setting our feet in Baguio, the weather was not so friendly. In fact, Baguio City that time was just recovering from the aftermath of the Habagat which flooded Metro Manila and caused some landslides in Baguio.

It was a big risk for us to go there considering the steep and slippery roads we'll take, heavy rains, and the possibility of being stuck in the city if ever a landslide strikes another main road. However, nothing can stop a traveler who is hungry for new experiences.

Here's the places we visited in order:

Burnham Park

From our hotel (Hotel Henrico), we walked our way to Burnham Park and had a morning bicycling and boating (100 Php/hour).

Yes! I don't know how to bike that's why I chose a "wheel chair" type bicycle. LOL We also enjoyed the boat experience.

Lourdes Groto

From Burham Park, we walked through a public market and asked around on where we can find the terminal of Jeepneys heading to Lourdes Groto. When we arrived, we bought some candles and climbed the stairs to offer our prayers. After that, we rode a taxi going to Botanical Garden.

Botanical Garden

The garden is not at its best condition because it was affected by the Habagat.

Meet our 9 year-old Botanical Garden tour guide.

(Package inclusion: 5 pesos per location + 5 shots) batang negosyante hahaha!

We also took our lunch there and sashayed to Wright Park.

Wright Park

1 hour horseback riding causes butt-sore! lol Horseback riding (300 pesos for the horse and 150 for the assistant)

Mines View Park

This Park is full of entertainment as you can ride a pink-colored hair horse, fit in some Ifugao costumes, and shop for some Baguio souvenirs.

Good Shepherd Baguio

Good Shepherd Baguio is just a walk distance from Mines View Park.

Camp John Hay

From Good Shepherd, we rode a taxi to get us to Camp John Hay. From there, we relaxed and ate our strawberries bought from Mines View Park.

Baguio Cathedral

From Camp John Hay, we rode a taxi to get us to this cathedral. It was a nice destination to end our day to thank God for the blessings and safety.

Just few walks from Baguio Cathedral and we arrived in SM Bagui where we took our dinner.

SM Baguio

I was taken aback after knowing that SM Baguio is using the natural coldness of the city to ventilate its shoppers.

The Dare!

After seeing me covered with layered clothes upon waking up, Jenny keeps on teasing me about having a low tolerance to low temperature. So, I dare her to wear less clothes while staying at SM Baguio’s foggy open area.

And she got flu after!

We chose taxi as our means to reach these places because it's affordable compared to cabs running around any cities in the Philippines. That is due to Baguio's natural cold temperature, without needing air-condition.

Day 3 Baguio is over, the next morning is was spent for pasalubongs and other purchases.

Expenses:

Hotel for 2 nights = 1,200 Php

Horseback Riding = 450 Php

Miscellaneous (meals, taxi, and other purchases)= 300 Php

Pasalubongs = 1,000 Php

Total of 2,950 Php!

Here is our Baguio City itinerary:

Date/Time	Itinerary	Location	Links	Remarks
6am-8pm	Day tour: Baguio	Burnham Park	-	Bicycles (40 Php/hr) and boating (100 Php/hr)!
-	-	Lourdes Grotto	-	-
-	-	Botanical Garden	-	-
-	-	Wright Park	-	Horseback riding (300 pesos for the horse and 150 for the assistant)
-	-	Mansion House	-	-
-	-	Mines View Park	-	- Picture taking with a St.Bernard dog, Ifugao costume, and bought pasalubongs!
-	-	Good Shepherd Convent	-	-
-		Camp John Hay	-	-
-	-	Baguio Cathedral and SM Baguio	-	-