A Weekend Getaway in Baguio [Part 2/3]

[Part 2]

Date: March 14-15, 2009

Destination: Baguio City, La Trinidad, Benguet

Travel via: Land (bus, jeepneys, FX taxis)

Note: This is for archiving purposes. But still worth sharing. :)

After climbing 200+ steps, we finally reached Lourdes Grotto. :)

We started to roam around Baguio city right after we took our breakfast. All of us were very excited since some of us were first time to explore the city. I have been to Baguio for so many times but it never fails to amaze me. Maybe because of the climate and the people. 

Outside our transient house. Look at those houses on top of the mountain!

We hailed our taxi to visit Lourdes Grotto. By the way, taxis here are not airconditioned, which is totally different in Metro Manila. Their taxis are FX type (from Tamaraw FX of Toyota) which suited to the slopes of city roads. But hey, Baguio taxi drivers are one of the friendliest and honest drivers in the country. We appreciated their kindness without anything in return. They loved to tell a story and give some tips in and out of Baguio. But anyway, we reached Lourdes Grotto in just 15 minutes.

It was under renovation during that time

We are waiting for you here. More steps to climb. :)

We are not just to visit here, but also to pray...

We are now starting to descend...

And finally back to the ground... :)

Next stop: Burnham Park

Daniel Burnham was the one who designed the city during American occupation and the park was named after him. But due to massive expansion of the city, population rises leading to spoliation of resources which leads to a decay of structures. But the charming of the city will not erase that is why more tourist keep on coming to the city... including me. :)

This park marked the city proper where activities take place such as the annual Panagbenga in February and the City Charter anniversary. Christmas season also had the annual activities. More photos here:

Behind is the head bust of Daniel Burnham.

We love taking some photos here. At the back is the man-made lagoon.

Another photo with the same location.

The city lagoon. You may rent a boat for 100 pesos, unlimited time. Learn to paddle guys. :)

Another photo shot at the same location.  

How do we get there: From Lourdes Grotto, there is a jeepney that plies Baguio Plaza-Lourdes-Dominican. That jeepney will be heading towards Burnham Park. Just pay the minimun fare (PHP8.50) and you will be in Burnham Park in just 10 minutes. :)

Next stop: Baguio Botanical Garden

Actually, our intention was to visit Wright Park and the Mansion but we decided to drop by to Botanical Garden since some of them were interested to see inside of it. It was also my first time to visit here since I passed only to this place and headed to Mines View Park.

Tip: If you want to go here, take a jeepney ride that heads to Mines View Park. Jeepney terminal was along Mabini Road and you will see Baguio Plaza-Mines View. On that journey, you will be passing Botanical Garden, Wright Park (where one of the horse back riding in the city), The Mansion, and Mines View Park.

Pictures here:

After spending 10-15 minutes in the garden, we went to Wright Park/The Mansion. We supposed to take a jeepney or hail taxi but some locals advised us to just walk since it is nearer. But lo, we were exhausted because of the long, long walk towards Wright Park. After spending 30-40 minutes of walking and resting in every 10 minutes, we were finally reached Wright Park.

Next stop: Wright Park / The Mansion

Before we headed to the park, we have climb a hundred steps. After few minutes, we finally reached the park. Pictures here:

Take a rest first. :)

Welcome to Wright Park!

The Mansion just straight ahead... :)

Picture at the park once again. :)

In few meters walk across Wright Park is The Mansion. It was a great view and open for public but it is only beyond gate only. We spent taking photos on it.

Welcome to my mansion! Hehehe... :)

Presenting... The Mansion

Group Picture!

Next Stop: Mines View Park

This time, we took a jeepney (Baguio Plaza-Mines View) and paid PHP8.50 minimum fare in order to proceed to Mines View Park. It is a short, 5 minute ride to the destination. Mines View Park is one of the attraction of the city. It is a former site where miners take a rest and view the whole location. It was once uninhabited before but due to massive expansion and increase in population, this place is now builts with houses and structures. But nevertheless, it is a nice view and many people still visit this site.

Picture perfect! :)

Picture one more time!

Great view!

Group picture! :)

Other places we went were SM City Baguio (the only SM malls that has no airconditioned inside), Session Road and Teachers Camp. I wasn't able to take photos due to battery empty of my camera.

Stay tuned for Part 3! :)

A Weekend Getaway in Baguio [Part 1/3]

Date: March 14-15, 2009

Destination: Baguio City, La Trinidad, Benguet

Travel via: Land (bus, jeepneys, FX taxis)

Note: This is for archiving purposes. But still worth sharing. :)

The Mansion: where the President take a vacation during Christmas and Holy Week.

Baguio City ranks one of my favorite places to have a vacation.Every year, I go this place to relax and spend my summer vacation. During the year 2009, I, together with my friends and officemates went to Baguio for a weekend getaway, away from stress of work, and hotness of Metro Manila. We went there during Summer and it was indeed more fun of staying there.

How do we go to the Summer Capital of the Philippines? Well, it's plain and simple:

1. We went to Victory Liner in Cubao, Quezon City. Fare costs PHP435 (during year 2009). There was an additional PHP5 pesos insurance but it was inclusive in the fare that you will purchase in the ticket booth. There were many trips to Baguio especially Summer where it leaves every 20-30 minutes. More schedules and updated rates to this website: http://www.victoryliner.com/ 

Our bus ride to Baguio with my friends/officemates.

2. We took the bus at 12:30am. So we calculate the travel time. Since it will be a 6-hour journey, we expected to arrive in Baguio at 6:30am. We spent at the bus to sleep and rest but we never stopped taking photos while inside the bus. Good thing we are seated in-front so we were not disturbing the other passengers sleeping.

Picture time!

The insomiacs... :)

3. Victory Liner has one of safest bus records in the country. No wonder that many passengers in the terminal. Seats are comfortable. Going to Baguio via Victory Liner has two stops: first at Siesta Bus Stop in Tarlac City, and the other one in Sison, Pangasinan. The moment we left from the 2nd stop were excited because in an hour, we will be at Summer Capital of the Philippines. From Marcos Highway, it took 45 minutes before we reached Baguio and we were greeted by thick fogs and a 13 degrees Celsius coldness! But nevertheless, the 15 of us were delighted that we are finally arrived in Baguio. But wait, we have another picture moment in Victory Liner Baguio terminal. :)

Welcome to Baguio! :)

 Just arrived from Manila.

Picture time at the Bus Terminal.

4. We took a jeepney ride to Trancoville and the travel time was only 15 minutes from the bus terminal. By the way, Trancoville is one of the residential district in Baguio where majority of transient houses were located. Our transient house we stayed for two days was huge. I'm sure that it can house 20-25  people. There were three rooms, huge living room, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen and dining table. The caretaker was very nice and accommodating to us. The rate of our stay is per person. And the cost was PHP250 only. How cool is that!

Home sweet home in Baguio! :)

At the garage

Our Weekend Home in Baguio. :)

We took a rest for a little while and we started roaming around the city after we took our breakfast. Stay tune for Part 2! :)

Start Archiving my Travel photos....

Well, I'm a bit skeptic on the saying that if you have no money, you will not enjoy traveling. But through my experiences to travel, I find it more exciting. If you really into hobby of going around the country, you will find ways of pursuing it. In which in my case, I did it! Hooray!! :)

I started to post my pictures on my previous website, but due to some constraints of doing it, I will start posting it one by one to this site. But lo, I have lots to post my pictures here. Some were from the year 2009 up to present. But for the love and passion of travel, I will post and share this to you. :)


Here are some of my appetizers:

 Chocolate Hills, Bohol

 Hundred Islands, Pangasinan

Magellan's Cross, Cebu 

Mayon Volcano, Albay 

Taoist Temple, Cebu 

Eden Nature Park, Davao 

The Ruins, Talisay, Negros Occidental

Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan

Calle Crisologo, Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Philippine Military Academy, Baguio

Many pictures on next blog! :)

Welcome to my blog!

Welcome to my blog!

I love to travel very much. I started to travel when I was in high school and from then on, I went to different places in and out of the country. I am also a simpler travel. Why not?!? I am very keen in travel and at the same time will not hurt the budget. 

I am excited in sharing my travel stories to everyone. You will see this blog about my experiences, tips and learning about travel. You will also see different photos whenever I post here. To start the picture posting, here is my first shot:

Happy viewing guys! :)