Exploring the City of Pines a.k.a. the summer capital of the Philippines...Baguio.

June 2008


The mystical island of Camiguin have captured my heart in every way, the reason why until now my interest in exploring the island every year as much as possible since 2002 didnt fade. But this time it seems I was torn between two lovers (hehehe!) this place captured my heart too, yes Baguio City, the City of Pines.

I couldnt believe that I have visited the place for the second time in a span of one & a half year!

Last year it was a package tour, the comfort not to worry on the transportation, lodging and food will make me enjoy the trip supposedly but it's the other way around. It's time pressured and annoying sometimes because you need to adjust with the group's preferences. Although I was able to appreciate the views but did not enjoy on savoring the serenity and beauty of the place.

This time it was different,we need to make plans on our own. We were supposed to ride in a Victory Liner bus in Pasay but change our mind and headed to Espana but the scheduled trip for Baguio is 11pm, it's still 5pm at that time.No choice but to proceed to Cubao Edsa terminal. And luckily a 7pm schedule was still available.We take the trip, the fare cost Php 560 per person. It was a slow moving bus it take us almost 7 hours trip through Marcos Highway finally reaching Bagiuo at 2am. We take a taxi cab going to Hotel Veniz where we have reservations, it's located along Abanao street near Burnham Park.We booked a standard room it cost Php 1,595 per day. The hotel staff are warm and friendly,yet the hotel is quiet simple and less spacious. The room is quiet good, it's clean and properly organized.After taking a shower I fell on a deep sound sleep.

Waking up at 8am, we dressed up and went to Veniz Grill for a complimentary buffet breakfast.A wide  variety of breakfast meal to choose from pancakes, boiled eggs, fried rice, chorizo,e gg with pork omellete,daing, ceasars salad, brewed coffee to name a few. We left the restaurant with a full stomach.:)

We know where to go but dont know the directions, without any choice but to ask the hotel staff about it and luckily she hand us a Baguio "on our own" city tour leaflet where all the point of interest stated and it's approxiamate distance and taxi fare.

Our first stop is Mine's View Park where we have a horseback riding pictorials for Php10 per shot :) then in the viewing deck we have the Igorot costume pictorials for Php10 costume fee.We have enjoyed not only the views but the cool air breeze as well.

 Then we headed
to The Mansion, it's the vacation house of the Phillipine presidents, it's gate is a replica of the Buckingham Palace's gate. 

Then we take a long walk at the Wright Park enjoying the serenity and seeing Pine trees everywhere. After an almost hundred step concrete stairway we headed down to the horseback riding area where hundreds of different horses are waiting for a rider :) I have a fear on a real horseback riding, so just  get contented on watching.

Then we take a ride heading to Botanical Garden where hundreds of different plants can be seen.Beautiful flowers such as anthorium, roses, bell flowers to name a few.You can find time to sit back and relax or eat the strawberry flavored taho :)

Before going back to the hotel we stop by in Sunshine store for some junkies,bread and drinks, it's just beside the  hotel. Whats nice about Hotel Veniz is it's sorrounded with everything that you need, from fastfood chain like Mc Donalds, to grocers like Sunshine, store like Abanao Square. We rest in the hotel while watching nice shows on cable, then take a nap.

At dinnertime, we take a walk on the busy area of Session Road with 19.1 degree celsius temperature, yes were chillin, so after taking our dinner in cozy restaurant in session road we decided to get back to the hotel since we can no longer hold on to the coldness outside.

The following morning our next stop is in La Trinidad, Benguet in a private Strawberry farm its 30 minutes away from the city proper. Unfortunately it's off season so we cant have strawberry picking. It's season usually falls on december to march.

 We just take some pics and bought some delicacies. Then we headed to Burnham Park for a boat ride. The ride cost Php 60 for 30 minutes ride and Php 25 for the paddler. It was fun bumping with the other boats around. After the great ride we have strolled around the park for a moment. Then we  decided to attend a mass at the Baguio Cathedral. It was a solemn mass, with cool breeze of air makes it more perfect.Then we take a walk afterwards heading SM Baguio for a lunch and bought some stuff for our snacks on the bus in our trip back to Manila. We went to Starbucks for a coffee break before going back to the hotel for our late check out but unfortunately it's under renovation.
We take a ride on a Dagupan Liner bus back to Manila, more cheaper than Victory Liner on it's Php450 fare, yet it's fast moving. Though it's a long trip but we have enjoyed our stay in the City of Pines, where we cant only take a glance on the beautiful scenery but most of all appreciate the warm and friendly people around the reason why I would love to visit the city over and over again.