5 More Things To Do in Baguio
I'd like to share with you a quick trip I had with my good friends at Baguio. A lot of people have been asking us why we did not visit Baguio during the festival and our answers was really simple; first, it wasn't really a well thought out trip. Second, we won't be able to enjoy the city much as it will be soooo crowded and lastly, we were just there for the weather!
It took us around 3 and a half hours to get to Baguio which to my surprise is amazing compared to the 5-7 hours back when I was a kid. We only had one stop over in La Union.
If I'm not mistaken we entered NLEX through the Mindanao Avenue exit as it was the nearest to our meeting point which was my house! than carried through til we reached the N Diversion Road and hopped on to SCTEX until we reached Paniqui, Tarlac and took the Manila North Road that lead us to Mac Arthur Highway. we passed by Urdaneta and Sison in La Union and finally got on Kennon Road which is also known as Benguet Road. Mostly just followed that path going up and we found ourselves at the roundabout going to famous spots in Baguio! Session Road, Burnham Park, Camp John Hay, Mines View Park and so much more!
But since all of us aren't new to the Baguio scene, we decided to not do the normal stuff people do in Baguio and tried to cater what we really wanted to do there as "young individuals" (yes. I just had to give emphasis on the young!)
So if you're bored or the would not like to do the usual Baguio itinerary, you might wanna give this a go!
1.) Have a Photoshoot.
and I don't mean just selfies near a pine tree, go the whole nine yards! Pick a nice location, wear a nice outfit or a whole kilo of scarves for all I care! Try to look edgy or sophisticated like it's a shoot for an advert or a fashion mag.
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| we arent that high fashion of people, but we look so bad ass in this photo! Photo credits to Rizza Paragas and Carlo Arreza. |
If you work in the Metro and you are fed up of that grainy haze you always get when you take a selfie, its probably not your smartphones fault but the pollution and congestion thats emerging in Manila. You'll see a whole lot of a difference when you take a photo in Baguio, it's like you're out of the country. the photo is clear and vivid so grasp the opportunity while you can.
2.) Cook.
everybody knows somebody in Baguio, maybe a friend of a friend whose offered a house you can stay at, an uncle, long lost aunt, just somebody who lives in Baguio, so I'm sure you would find access to a kitchen or if lucky an oven that you could cook a nice meal at least once in Baguio. If you love to cook than it's a great moment to make things that make it so hard to make in Metro Manila. Macarons, Fondant (only if you are there like for a week!) or something simple like a truffle cake that takes maybe 6-8 hours to rest in room temperature in Manila, but only 2 hours to set in Baguio!
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| Banana Cake |
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| Chocolate Truffle Cake |
3.) Don't just buy strawberries.
I highly recommend you pay a visit to La Trinidad to get your strawberries because in Baguio proper they would sell strawberries a kilo from 180 pesos- 200 pesos or more (which more than 200 is a mid day robbery!)
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| instead of strawberry taho, in the afternoons, its quite hot so grab some strawberry ice cream instead! |
in La Trinidad, you can get them for 95-100 pesos a kilo! Though strawberries are always thought of when Baguio comes into mind you might want to also try and buy lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower.
I do also recommend in buying fresh pinipig. When I brought home some of this, my mum cooked it in coconut milk and wrapped it in a lumpia wrapper then it was deep fried, it was delicious! Our alternative to something sticky for the Chinese New Year!
4.) This might not be a new one but its always a must. Visit Good Shepherd!!
Ube jam, Strawberry Jam, Choco Flakes, Alfajor. You name it! It's much much cheaper than any place in Baguio. Plus you're helping the Cordillera Youth!
Got this for I think 170 pesos. if you buy it out side its usually 190-220 pesos. Buy it in Manila its 300 pesos!
Skip Mines View and go to Good Shepherd, they also have an amazing view there so its never a loss to visit!
and lastly,
5.) Eat.. eat... eat and EAT!
make it a point that your whole stay will be an unlimited cheat day. You can blame it on the cold!
Here are some of my faves..
Chocolate de Batirol
"always copied but never equaled"
Paired with Suman or Bibingka is just a great way to bond with your friends and family and enjoy the weather!
I'm always amazed how swarms of people are here in the morning and almost none at midnight. Wear an extra layer of clothing at night and you wont notice the cold!
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| Big group? try the Merienda Sets. |
Chef's Home
A Taste of Asia
This Malay Chef just schooled us on his rich cuisine, I am saddened they did not have Beef Rendang that day but fairly surprised how this hole in a wall restaurant had a variety of flavours in his whole menu. With the right amount of spice to warm us up, we surely enjoyed our meal here and its budget friendly!
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| Teh Tarik |
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| Thai- Style Grilled Pork |
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| Nasi Goreng |
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| Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce |
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| Hokkien Style Noodles |
everything was delicious and with just the right amount of spiciness. My friends enjoyed the Nasi Goreng which had a bonus of squid and for me the Satay was delicious! Thumbs up to Chefs Home! The chef would glance you a smile if there isn't a lot of people all in all a very nice place to eat.
50's Diner
Before heading home, bright pink neon lights shined at us like there was a Capital Cities concert going on. 50's Diner was a pleasant way to leave Baguio, I just love the place and vibe of a diner, its so state side! Food was fair, I recommend you having their Milkshakes and Chicken Cordon Bleu!
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| The interior was delectable, posters of old hollywood and fluorescent lights. I could stay here all day if i lived in Baguio. |
Last photos with the gang before heading back to Manila
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| Happy Food |
I really enjoyed just dining in here plus every establishment that gives out free wifi is always a good place to be!
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| Vanilla, Strawberry, Melon, Chocolate |
You can always try the ketchup community near Wright Park, but the places where I wanted to eat like Canto and Happy Tummy were both closed.
Let me know if you have tried Happy Tummy, Canto, Green Pepper and Rancho!
So if you are not a beach bum, someone who is longing for cold weather, maybe someone like me who doesn't like my tattoos getting any sun but still wants to get out of an air conditioned room and explore something new?!, than Baguio is definitely for you!
So if you are not a beach bum, someone who is longing for cold weather, maybe someone like me who doesn't like my tattoos getting any sun but still wants to get out of an air conditioned room and explore something new?!, than Baguio is definitely for you!
I am definitely going back, as Baguio is trying to get in with the foodie scene so I'm sure in a couple of years there will be more thriving restaurants out there!
Whats your favourite spot, place, thing to do or go in Baguio? Let me know! :)
Have a great weekend guys!
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