Bus Ride
For the bus ride to and from Baguio, we boarded a regular Victory Liner bus at P445.00 per head. We left at 12:00 AM and reached Baguio at 7:00 AM. That’s 7 hours. 2 hours longer than we expected. Put the blame on the countless stops we had during the trip. We had the option of boarding a deluxe bus. But since it’s priced at P750.00, we skipped on the luxury.
Make sure to buy tickets at least a week before the trip. Ticket sales can be crazy during peak season. If you don’t want to bear the brunt of being a chance passenger, just show up with tickets or reservations. ;)
Accommodation
Transient houses are quite popular in Baguio. As soon as you alight from the bus, agents would be offering you places to stay; but at a higher cost since they get a commission.
We stayed at a transient house located in Rainbow Hills Subdivision. The rent costs P250.00 a night per person so we got to pay P1,125.00 for a 2-day, 1-night stay. We’ve even seen a transient house for P180.00 but since we only got to arrange for our accommodation a week before the trip, the place (as expected) was already fully booked.
So if you wanna penny-pinch, reserve weeks before your trip. :)
Itinerary
After an hour of rest, we started our Eat, Walk, Love saga. So here it is: our itinerary for a 2-day, 1-night stay in Baguio.
Day 1 (December 21, 2013; AM)
- Burnham Park
- SM Baguio
- Good Taste Restaurant
We went for a leisurely stroll and basked in the cool morning breeze at Burnham Park.
Next time we visit Burnham Park, I’d take a picnic basket. :)
We tried rowing at the man-made Burnham Lake. We chose the unlimited boat-ride for P150.00. Mind you, rowing can be tiring. You may want to hire a rower. ;)
A range of bicycles, including tandem bikes, children’s bikes and bikes with side cars for small children are available for rental.
Strawberry taho. Yum! :)
SM City Baguio is the first SM Supermall which does not use an air-conditioning system. It is also the largest shopping mall in the region.
Cute Christmas displays at SM Baguio City
We had lunch at the new branch of Good Taste Restaurant near Rizal Park and Burnham Park. The place was so jam-packed! We tried their best-seller, garlic buttered chicken. We also ordered fried rice and lechon kawali. We went out of the restaurant with a fulled-to-the-brim stomach. Really budget-friendly! :)
Day 1 (December 21, 2013; PM)
- Camp John Hay (Butterfly Sanctuary, Cemetery of Negativism, Bell Amphitheater, Bell House & Library Museum, Totem Pole, Mile Hi Center, Tree Top Adventure)
- Jim’s Retro Diner
- Starbucks Session Road
- Baguio Night Market
Admission Fee at the Butterfly Sanctuary
The butterflies were few and most, if not all, were dying already. The caretaker said that butterflies abound during summertime. In December, their life span only lasts for 2 weeks.
Photo-ops with the butterflies
We paid an entrance fee for the Historical Core at P50.00 each.
The Cemetery of Negativism is a place where you can bury your pessimism, negative thoughts and bad habits figuratively. It’s also known as the cemetery for pets because of the small animal figures on most tombstones.
The Bell House Library Museum and Bell Ampitheater were named in honor of Gen. Franklin Bell who essentially transformed Camp John Hay into a major military resort.
Can you name the historical figures in the Totem Pole? :)
Inside the Bell House. Very Christmassy! :)
A visit at Camp John Hay is not complete without trying the Tree Top Adventure.
We chose the Superman Ride which costs P300.00. Probably because it’s the most safe-looking ride. Be prepared to trek all the way up.
We did a lot of walking in Camp John Hay. To go from one place to another, we had to W-A-L-K. Too bad there are no shuttles roaming the camp.
We had dinner at Jim’s Retro Diner located along Session Road. The food was yummy and affordable. The only thing I didn’t like was the ventilation. It was too hot inside.
Who can’t resist a cup of coffee in Baguio?
2 cups of coffee later, we found ourselves at the night market along Harrison Road. Multifarious items can be found at the night market or wagwagan, as the locals call it. Here, you can find original brand new, imitation and second hand items like clothes, bags, shoes, souvenirs, accessories and even gadgets for a very cheap price.
Trinkets we bought at the night market. The key chains cost P10.00 each.
Day 2 (December 22, 2013; AM)
- 50’s Diner
- Pink Sisters’ Convent & Chapel
- Laperal White House
- Botanical Garden
- Little John’s
We had breakfast at the highly recommended diner in Baguio - 50’s Diner. It’s pretty much like Jim’s Retro Diner which gives you that good ol’ 50’s vibe. They serve American food at very affordable prices.
The diner displayed posters of celebrities who dominated the decade.
We ordered silog meals and fruitshakes.
Who wouldn’t notice this red vintage car outside the diner? :)
At Pink Sisters’ Convent & Chapel
Baguio’s most haunted: The Laperal White House. It was no coincidence we visited the place during the day. The entrance fee is P50.00.
Inside is the Ifugao Bamboo Carving Gallery.
One of the green parks of Baguio - the Botanical Garden.
The Botanical Garden is a home for different kinds of flowers.
Don’t forget to make a wish before you leave.
For lunch, we ate at Little John’s Convenience Outpost in Camp John Hay. We tried their best seller, the baby back ribs. And we were not disappointed. :) We were given papers and crayons to draw while waiting for our food. If your drawings are nice, they frame it up on the wall for other guests to appreciate. My boyfriend thinks his drawing is post-worthy he posted it on his own. :D
Next stop, one of the most popular and most visited park in the city-Mines View Park. One of the most jam-packed places we visited.
We rented Ifugao costumes for P10.00 each and played dress-up. :)
We had our picture taken with this huge St. Bernard which is all festive and dolled-up for Christmas. 4 shots cost P150.00.
Bought souvenirs at the Pasalubong Center nearby.
We also visited The Mansion, which is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. Christmas decors can be seen around the popular tourist spot.
The Wright Park is just right across The Mansion. The “Pool of Pines” is one of its landmarks.
Challenge accepted! Had to climb 252 steps to reach Lourdes Grotto.
The Lourdes Grotto is a Catholic shrine and place of meditation in Baguio. I lit up candles and prayed.
The Diplomat Hotel is an old abandoned hotel located at Dominican Road. They say it’s haunted. The thick fog does add a creepy vibe.
Nearby is the World’s Largest 10 Commandments Tablet.
We ended our tour with a visit to Our Lady of Atonement Church or Baguio Cathedral.
Is it really possible to fall in love at 1st sight? Well, for Baguio it is. It is indeed a must-see destination in the Philippines. We’re definitely coming back! :)
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