Itinerary - First and Second Day in Baguio

First step in Baguio
 
First time to be in the Summer Capital of the Philippines

9am is our departure at the Victory Liner. Ate Diane, Chito and I met up and headed to Araneta, Cubao where we will meet Mavic, Trel and Ronnel at the bus station. Excited kase aside from being first time that we were able to go with a long trip na kaming tatlong sis lang at we were able to meet up Trel, Mavic's BF and the SLR owner. Lets go!!! 

Our Haunted Transient...
Ronnel was the one who has contact with Ate Rose, the owner of this nice transient. Before we went to Baguio, Ronnel have shown to me already the picture of our transient through Facebook. It was quite nice, I thought on the pictures. Sana mas maganda in personal, and yes, it was!!!

Our official gala on First Day

The Diplomat Hotel   

When we visited Baguio, what took my attention first was the big green gate at the dead -end of the Dominican Road which is a few block from our transient. Beside that gate was an abandoned building na parang hindi na itinuloy ang pag construct. No wonder....

Mines View

When I was a kid, if I saw photos taken from Mines View, I more likely said " I want to be in that place someday". But after I personally saw the place and actually been there, it was more a little disappointing....

The MANSION

On the second day, we went to the one of the most visited houses in Baguio....

Correct, the MANSION HOUSE.

The only thing that I'm pretty sure about the Mansion is, this is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines and I used to see alot of pictures of it whenever I have projects in school and requires a POSTCARD. Hehehe..

the WRIGHT PARK

Right across the Mansion house, is the Wright Park. Well, I guess this is perfect for pre-nup and for family affairs especially every Sunday. Tourist came by because this park is so attractive by its tall pine trees and some decorative lights beside this pool that makes it more romantic especially at night.

 Botanical Garden

I expected the Botanical Garden in Baguio is the same with those in Laguna which is full of plants variety. Aside from it covers of a wide garden, it also a means of a park for family and a place for retreat for students.

SM Baguio
One common comment I've heard with my friends when I told them that I'll go up to Baguio for vacation, is that "Wag ka pupunta na SM ha" and then I'd ask, why naman.  They just tell me, pupunta ka ng Baguio tapos mag e- SM ka lang pala.....and then I smirk.

 Camp John Hay

In June 1903, Baguio became the Summer Capital of the Philippines.

Later that year, President Theodore Roosevelt reserved an area of 535 acres for military use in the area of what was to become Baguio City. This area was named Camp John Hay in honor of the Secretary of State, John Milton Hay, during the administration of President McKinley and Roosevelt.

 Camp John Hay Manor Hotel

Naririnig ko lang itong hotel na to sa boss ko.
One of the very famous hotel and as far as I know, magara at mahal daw dito.
Dito daw siya nag i- stay when having his OB (official business) or he has conference to attend to in Baguio. U know, he has friend daw there. Oh, Sosyal! May boss ka bang ganyan? hahaha..

Choco- Late De Batirol
Ito na ang last stop namin for this whole day gala. Here, we decided to have a long rest and dinner too. Sa wakas, I can rest my sore feet and have a little pampering.
From the moment I saw the place, I immediately fell in love with its simplicity and yet a very at -home- feeling....

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CHOCO - LATE de BATIROL: Sweet dining experience in Baguio

Ito na ang last stop namin for this whole day gala.  Here, we decided to have a long rest and dinner too. Sa wakas, I can rest my sore feet and have a little pampering.

From the moment I saw the place, I immediately fell in love with its simplicity and yet a very at -home- feeling.

It is the most awarded and recognized garden-restaurant located in Scout Hill, Camp John Hay, Baguio City.

An array of wide garden welcomed us.

There were number of diners already feasting on their table. Na excite tuloy ako lalo na kumain dito. Weakness ko kase ang mga ganitong oozing ambiance at mala romantic - garden setting! Well, you really can tell that the guests of Choco- late de Batirol were all seemed to enjoy sipping hot/cold chocolate and eating delicacies of Baguio, which excites me more..

It is a garden-resto which is a neo-Cordillera rainforest outfit. An advocacy for the preservation of culture and the environment.

Choco-Late de Batirol is strategically located in the middle of the vast garden of Scout Hill, Camp John Hay.

When we reach this rustic resting spot, it was nearly 6pm so this is the perfect place to spend a day of cool breeze and fun time with family and friends. So sipping hot chocolate drinks while reading a good book or just hanging out with loveones is just a BONUS! Hmn, just perfectly impeccable moment! 

CHOCO LATE de BATIROL is hot chocolate made from local cocoa tablets mixed by hand using a wooden whisk/mixer.

Basically,  it is not a fast food nor a high end restaurant, as you can see. But visitors and guests are keep coming back because of its specialty Chocolate de Batirol Traditional Blend and, of course, the Chocolate de Batirol Baguio Blend (Strawberry Flavor).

While having a distinctive close to nature taste, I noticed that the place is very particular on its design. All  tables, chairs, decorative lampshades and roofing materials are all made up of different recyclable materials.

Meryenda and Dinner, so full!

 

Here are the set menu of our meryenda:

We ordered 2 Suman, 1 Bibingka at symepre 5 Chocolate de Batirol (Traditional Blend) and 1 Chocolate de Batirol (Straberry Flavor).

Sugary Sweet Suman (P64.00)

Special Bibingka (P105.00)

Strawberry Blend (P90.00)

The Traditional Chocolate de Batirol (P80.00)

While playing different classic and folk songs, we ordered our dinner:

Sinigang na Hipon (P260.00)

Pork Sisig (P240.00)

Sulit! From meryenda up to dinner! The best talaga ang dining experience dito sa Batirol. Oops, did I mentioned that Boy 2 Quizon was at the other table lang? He's cute though.

Our cottage

I also love our cottage named, REPUBLIKA.  Such a very nationalistic place matched with its Philippine Flag. Maka nature na, maka bansa pa! loveee itt!

Chilling time

After a long tiring and exquisite tour, our first official gala was so GREAT EXPERIENCE. But my best pick is this place. So comfy and very unforgettable one..

Do not miss Choco -late de Batirol on your next itinerary in Baguio. A worth -time visit with friends and family.

Summary Expenses: my first official gala.
Transient to Diplomat Hotel - no fare since it is walking distance from our transient.
Diplomat Hotel to Mines View (fx) P90 / 6 = 15.00
Mines View to The Mansion (jeep) = P48 / 6 = 8.00
The Mansion to Wright Park - walking distance.
Wright Park to Botanical Garden - walking distance.
Botanical Garden to SM Baguio (fx) P50 / 6 = 8.3
Lunch P95.00
From SM baguio we went back to our transient to recharge the SLR (fx) P60.00 / 6 = 10.00
Transient to Camp John Hay (fx) P65.00 / 6 =  10.83
CJH to Manor Hotel -walking distance.
Manor Hotel to Choco- Late de Batirol - walking distance.
Meryenda - P112
Dinner - P683 / 6 = 114.00

Total expenses per pax (more or less) P373.13
Okay na diba! May 9 destinations ka ng napuntahan with only P373 inclusive of fare and food!

Kaya we encourage all of the travel enthusiast na mag vacation sa Baguio in group para mas makatipid!!
ENJOY and SULIT!

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