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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My disappointed point of view of MINES VIEW

Just after we visited the Diplomat Hotel, we directly went to our next stop. The Mines View - about 15 to 20 minutes from the Diplomat Road or from the city. We have to pass through the Mansion and the Wright Park. (third and fourth destination for the day).

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....

Panoramic view when you're in Mines View

When you say MINES VIEW, it is one of the most visited and very popular spot in Baguio not to mention the supposedly "mines view" it could give to the tourists. 

Somehow, yes still it is that's why the deck area is so congested of tourists who want to have picture taking of a not so - spectacular - no mining view from 1,500 meters above sea level location. You can merely see a large range of mountains and roofs from below the deck.

Mines View Park is among the coolest parts of the Pines City. It is part of the vast range of the Cordillera Mountains.

One of the most visited spot in Baguio

There is no need for an entrance fee in the park.  You just have to sight seeing and take yourselves a picture of what this park can offer.

And bida pa rin sa Mines View Park, edi ang mga gigantic dogs na sina St. Bernard!

Some may cannot resist to have picture taken with this giant but very tame dogs. They're lovely but there were few St. Bernard who really looked tired because they excessively drooling while having pictures with their shades on. 

Ang sisipag nila (St. Bernard) noh, nagtatrabaho pa rin sila kahit mainit. They still can managed to have this work done at dapat lang pinapakain at pinapainum sila ng mahusay ng mga care taker nila kundi, mawawalan din sila ng kabuhayan.  Aba, nakakapagod nga naman magpose at magpa picture lalo na't hindi na kaaya -aya ang amoy nung turistang gustong magpa picture sayo. Eh sabi nga ni Mavic, mas mabango pa nga si St. Bernard kesa dun sa mga tao. Hahahaha...

It's all about PASALUBONG and different crafts from Baguio

Souvenier Shops at iba pa

Different vendors are here also to sell native handicrafts such as wood carvings. You can buy cheap items like silver (jewelry) products, plants, brooms, key chains, sweaters, blankets, and a variety of many other items.  

Strawberries

If you feel like starving after the tour and alot of picture taking, you can stop and spot different food stall here. There were Strawberry Jam, Ube Jam, Peanut Brittle and other Baguio's delicacies. At sabi nila, kaylangan mong bumili dito o makatikim ng inihaw na mais or grilled corn just to feel that you are really in Mines View in Baguio.  Kaya naghanap kami ng inihaw na mais at kumain nito!

Grilled Hotdog on stick, CORN, Squid, at iba pa  

Mavic's wearing an Igorot Costume

One thing that you can also try while in the park is having a P10 unlimited shots while wearing an Igorot costume, complete with bahag or loincloth or G- string, a shield and spear for men, weave skirt for the ladies, vests and headdresses. You can try it with your barkada or with the Igorot themselves as a remembrance. Just do not forget to shell out a tip for them. :)

There's nothing so much amazing view when you look down :(

Maybe, the reason why I was disappointed, it didn't meet my expectations when I was a kid. Because in photos when I was a kid, it looked like a much bigger one with nice picturesque below in it, a picnic table and a couple of a family picnic huts.  But then, there was nothing but tourists who seems to be struggling to have their picture first taken on the deck.

Just like us.  Non stop picture taking in the same spot!

Hopefully, this very popular spot in Baguio will offer new to its guest. But still, maybe if I'll get a chance to visit this place again, I just stop for awhile and feel the cool breeze it offers especially during sunrise and sunset.

Jeepney

Expenses:

FX - From the city to Mines View P90.00 (6 pax)
Picture with St. Bernard P100.00 - unlimited shots
Wearing and picture with an Igorot Costume P10.00 - unlimited shots too.
Fried Corn P30.00
Fare (Jeep) to the Mansion - P8.00 each

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