5 Awesome Places To Go in Baguio Which You May Not Have Been To Yet.

For those who have been to Baguio and are already over the usual touristy places that the internet is telling you to go, if you have done a bit of research, there are actually some spots that you might want to check.

1. Likha Artist Village

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When we got here the place is still under renovation, but there are some parts that people can actually dine in.  Let me just describe the place as a cafe tree house.  The entire place is anchored to the bark of the tree, whilst some of the sides supported by some huge trees, stilts and what not.  Every nick and croony has some art going on.  Tiles, carvings, moldings - it's a feast for the eyes.  They serve typical filipino food like the silog's.  For me it's the perfect place to have breakfast.  Last time we were there, they were trying to build of what looks like a Noah's arch shaped cafe.  I'm pretty curious how it's going to turn out to be. 

Assumption Road, near Session Road

2. Cafe in the Sky

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Going to this place would take an hour or so and I believed we paid the taxi driver around P350.  But I must say it was worth going to.  I mean, it gives you a scenery of what mountaineers would see by the time they reach the peak of the mountain.  Plus point here is that you don't have to sweat.  You just sit down, wait, enjoy the view inside the taxi, and pay the money.  The scenery surpasses the food, and the cafe.  People would just go there for it.  Take a picture, buy a cup or cups of coffee, and go home.  There's also some place to sleep nearby, however it costs around 2000 a night.  

Mt. Cabuyao

4. Arca's Yard

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We haven't gone hear but base on the picture, it sure is a lovely place to unwind.  The glass windows offers a nice scenery and the living area looks like a place where barkadas or lovers could just chill and have a nice chat over a cup of coffee.

777 Ambuklao Rd., Baguio

+63-929-3325-1868

5. Glenn 50's Diner

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I may not be a fan of the 50's but I'm a fan of places that are different.  Visit them once and I'm good, just checking out for the sake of experience.  This place has curated many interesting articles from the 50's, putting it together tastefully to get the real vibe of the era.

92 Upper Gen. Luna Rd.

+63-916-659-5555


Here are more stories about my experience in Baguio:
Where I Stayed in Baguio: Less than P500 for a Solo Female Traveler
Hidden Massage in Baguio
Going Around Baguio for a Solo Female Traveler
Going Around Baguio in Half a Day
Strawberry Farm, La Trinidad Benguet: Strawberry is my New Kind of Drug

Publisher: Shy - Monday, October 05, 2015

Why I Stopped Traveling to Do Soul-Searching.

Introspection.  Reflection: Pic Source 

"We go on in life always busy looking out and yet failing to look in.  When we spend time with ourselves with our thoughts and energy, we dig deep, we recognize where our heart truly goes."

I couldn't count the times that I've attempted to find my purpose through travels and every
time I've come home to one, I would bring home the usual:  a few souvenirs, a number of really cool stories, and hundreds of pictures.  And also as usual, I come home with no clear conviction of the purpose.  The whole trip although it was fun, didn't really give me the answer which I was seeking for in the first place.  Why?

Why it Failed.

During my first solo trip in HK, I filled my itinerary with places to go, things to buy, activities to do, thinking that being in a different place would highlight my own difference, seeing myself freshly and genuinely in the light of other people.  I believed that me being genuine, comfortable in my own skin, and being different would help me understand myself more.  I would see clearly the unique in me as seen by others, believing also that by knowing myself more and being happy with it, my purpose would somehow arise.  All those were true though, except that "my purpose" didn't pop up as I hoped it would.  No light bulbs happened.

And by being in different place made stillness and introspection for long hours of time seem impractical.  I mean, there I was in Baguio or HK, places I have never been to.  Every time I steady myself and start to meditate, there's a nagging thought that yells at me saying that "there's just so much to explore in this place, what the hell are you doing?"  or the "you spent all money and time for that? might as well do that in your own room."  And dawning on the fact, I get anxious and go back to my places-to-go list.

So there, I learned it that way, but I must say that each experience is different.  My soul searching just happened to flop when traveling because really come to think of it the answer really lies within us.  We go on in life always busy looking out and yet failing to look in.  When we spend time with ourselves with our thoughts and energy, we dig deep, we recognize where our heart truly goes.

Take Away 

I learned that our aspirations and dreams are shadows of the needs and wants that we want in life.  There are shallow needs, the ones that we really don't need but we have come to want for the ego.  And there are deeper needs of love, belonging, fulfillment which we get by pursuing that of which our spirit truly desires.  It's up for us to recognize where our dreams fall under, and to make sure that we always go for the ones that fall under the latter. 

Publisher: Shy - Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Hidden Massage in Baguio

"Walang socket ano?" speaking to an Asian woman sitting by herself in the  lobby area.

 "Ugh socket? there's one right there." pointing at a socket just under the table.  And immediately I thought, ah ok, but got bothered a bit by her response.  Inglisera si ate lol.

After our few chances of chit chatting did I only discover that she really couldn't speak nor understand Tagalog.  She's Chinese by race but grew up in Holland.  

Her name is So.  

It was only over breakfast when she spotted me sitting alone (as usual) in the Inn's kitchen did we had a chance for a longer than usual conversation.  

She was around the area trying to place an order of her own.  Shortly after my breakfast came in, she offered to join me.  Thank God I've got company!  So of course I said, sure!  

From our talk, I discovered that she had done research on sexual workers in China and told me that prostitution there is a taboo and had to hide it in establishments such as"videoke bar", "massage parlor" to name a few.   I was shock to hear this because for all I know, there are red light districts in China.  I mean, why would they hide such things?

So on my last day, as I was in a taxi on my way to the bus terminal I saw an ad that draw my attention:"Hidden Massage".  What an irony that is.  Surely it screams seedy.  I'm quite sure what kind of service it offers.  With a signage like that?  I couldn't be wrong.

Have you seen any dodgy massage parlors in your area too?  Please share in the comment box below. :)


Here are more stories about my experience in Baguio:
Where I Stayed in Baguio: Less than P500 for a Solo Female Traveler
Going Around Baguio for a Solo Female Traveler
Going Around Baguio in Half a Day
Strawberry Farm, La Trinidad Benguet: Strawberry is my New Kind of Drug

Publisher: Shy - Monday, January 12, 2015

Strawberry Farm, La Trinidad Benguet: Strawberry is my New Kind of Drug

Strawberry Field Forever

Getting there

Just 15 mins. from Baguio Village Inn, I have finally reached my destination, and the highlight of my trip.  The defining moment.  The place where I could accomplish what I have came here to do:  Eat as many strawberries as I can.  Ok so this may not be a difficult goal yet  this doesn't take away the fact that it is a special moment.  

The Price of Stawberry

Upon reaching the farm, I was feeling a bit lost since, at first, all I saw were buildings.  When I asked for directions, I was pointed to go to the hut where I can find the main entrance of the farm and where there are strawberries sold in baskets, small plastic containers and in boxes, each with varying price of course.  I read from a blog that strawberries are sold for P150/kg.  So I was hoping to buy 2 kilograms of strawberries sold for P150/kg, a price that's very tempting for a strawberry-hungry woman like me.  Two kilos for P300, that sound like a bargain.  But I was let down upon seeing the prices when I reached the hut.  They were selling it for P220/kg for small strawberries  contained in cardboard boxes, there were some in half a kilo of strawberries in baskets sold for P120 each.  And P65 for 1/4 in plastic containers.  The price just stopped me from consuming as many strawberries as I hoped I had.  But I think that's how the universe way of telling me that I shouldn't be greedy.  So I ended up getting the 1/4 kilo for myself and 2 1/2 kilos strawberries as souvenir.  

Strawberry ice cream sold for P35 (if I'm not mistaken). It doesn't taste like any other ice creams I've tasted before.  It's less creamy for sure, it is starchy yet really delicious!

I never thought that there will be flowers here in the Strawberry Farm.  Since I traveled solo, all you can see now are a pair of my beautiful, hardworking feet along with these equally beautiful blooms.  There was a couple who volunteered to take a picture of me but I shied away from the idea.  And so I think by now you'll know why this blog is named as such.

So that caps my trip to the Strawberry farm.  I had a great time exploring the area.  Although it was quite anti climatic because I was kinda reprimanded by one farmer there.  He asked if I had a guide.  And I said no.  He mentioned that everyone should have one because I might pick and eat a fruit or vegetables that might have chemicals on it.  He sounding upset about that, it didn't make me feel comfortable.  I felt like I was some illegal trespasser, so I slowly made my exit after that.  Thinking about it though, why had he mentioned about the use of chemicals when I thought, as explained to me by another farmer, that everything is treated organically.  

Well maybe it isn't quite so... Hmmm

Do you like strawberries too?  Let me know at the comment box below. :)

Here are more stories about my experience in Baguio:
Where I Stayed in Baguio: Less than P500 for a Solo Female Traveler
Hidden Massage in Baguio
Going Around Baguio for a Solo Female Traveler
Going Around Baguio in Half a Day
5 Awesome Places in Baguio which You May Not have Been to Yet

Publisher: Shy - Monday, January 12, 2015

Going Around Baguio in Half a Day

Since I can only check in at 2pm, I have all morning to go around Baguio.  So from Baguio Village Inn, I took a Trancoville jeepney and dropped at the corner of Session Road.  There isn't any jeepneys going in there.  My guess is to ease traffic congestion since there were already a lot of cars going to and fro the touristy road.  My plan was to wait until 9am whe the Department of Tourism opens so I can get a free copy of a Baguio tourist map.  When I got there it was just only 7am so I managed to go down session road to hang around Burnham Park.   I was really cold, which makes me remind of the coldness in HK when I was exactly the same time last last year.

Burnham Park

There were a number of people doing exercise.  I was just going around taking pictures and really not planning to stay longer.  Here I saw strawberry taho which was being sold in many parts of the park.  I thought I'd try to get it some other time since I already had my breakfast in the inn.

Then just at the corner, I saw bicycles and tricycles in every color and sizes.  Not sure of my biking skills, I tried out a pink one and went off gradually picking up my pace.  For just 40 pesos an hour, it was a perfect exercise.

Baguio Museum

When 9am was drawing in, I paid for the rent and walked my way to the Department of Tourism.  All in all I think it was a 15min walk from Burnham Park.  There I got my map, and got another one for the Inn since the ran out of it.  Just beside the building is the Baguio Museum, since it was just nearby, I thought of visiting it.  I think I paid P40 for the entrance.  It is a 4 storey building.  Nothing really much can be seen in here.  Most of the artifacts are on the 2nd floor which is the receiving area, the level that you reach once you climbed up the stairs.  Outside there will be a notice that you're not allowed to take pics in 2nd and 4th floor.  Not knowing that I was on the 2nd, I took a few pics.  I wasn't really reprimanded, maybe they had a lot of tourists doing the same thing I did.

From there, I planned to go to Mines Park and the spots near it such as The Mansion, The Botanical Garden, Horse Farm, and Good Shepherd Convent.   I was told by the staff in the museum that I should head back to Session road because there's a street close to it where you can ride jeepney going to Mines Park.

Mines Park

Here people can enjoy having their pics taken with 2 big Saint Bernards, colorful horses, colorful flowers, them with traditional tribal costumes, and a scenery overlooking Baguio.

Good Sheperd Convent

Just 5 mins. away you can walk your way to The Good Shepherd Convent where tourists can buy souvenirs.  The convent sells different kinds of goods like cookies, jam and stuff all made by students whose education are financially supported by the convent.

Horse Farm

The next destination is a bit far so I had to take Baguio jeepney going to the Horse Farm.  You'll know that you are near the place when you can smell the funky smell of the horse' urine and waste.  The place isn't big.  You can just see horses lining and a bunch of men hollering at you to try horseback riding.  Since I've already experienced that, I didn't bother staying long and just went ahead climbing the stairs to reach The Mansion.

The Mansion

The climb up was really exhausting but I had to push myself to reach the Mansion.  There waiting were a number of souvenir sellers who are selling toys, big oranges, leather belts to name a few. It was said that the mansion is where the President reside when having a vacation in Baguio.

For lunch I went to Volante which was just across the street from the Horse Farm.  They serve Italian food, and I happened to get myself a 6 inch pizza.  So small for my liking but for P80 I think it was quite fair.

The Botanical Garden

It's just 2 minutes down the road. I didn't know this so I rode a jeepney.  Few seconds after, I went down to get into the Botanical Garden.  It is a work-in-progress park so it wan't as refined yet, but the concept that they have is quite impressive.  I didn't bother taking pictures since by this time I was already feeling tired, and I hadn't had much sleep while in the midnight bus from Cubao.  From here I went back to the Inn just in time for my room to be available for check in and got myself a well deserved rest.

All these places can be traveled for half a day.  If you wouldn't be staying so much time (meaning 1 hour per place) in a place, it is doable.  I just went around just enough for me to check the place and to take some pictures.  If you want to include Strawberry farm here, you can.  You just have to go there (preferably via taxi) right before going to places I've mentioned because it's always better going there first thing in the morning, that is if you plan to pick strawberries for yourself, but if not, then anytime is fine.

I understand that anyone with a sane mind would't like to travel for only half a day in Baguio.  I just indicated here that you can, to give people an idea that it's possible so you can spend some time chilling.  In my case, I did that because I never thought I could mark out all the go-to destinations in such a short time.  Like I had planned to go to certain places for a day, and I was just shocked that I had already marked all of it for just half a day of going around.

I stayed there for 3 days but went around for just 15% of the duration, mostly on the first day when I traveled half a day.  The following day, I went to Strawberry Farm.  I didn't bother going to the Buddhist temple.  It's just my preference since my main goal for going to Baguio really is to eat as many strawberries as I can.  Eat it with chocolate, and work on the long overdue ebook.  Eating was easy, but writing was hard.  I never anticipated that I couldn't work with a really cool weather.

The Main Star of the Show: Strawberries

This is what I've learned though.  You don't really have to see everything in Baguio.  You don't have to kick yourself for missing a landmark because at the end of the day what's more important is for you to enjoy the place, not race around in it just so you can "experience" it.  Chill, there's more to Baguio than these places.  There are a lot of great people that you can talk to and meet along the road.  Don't forget to start a conversation with them because mind you, these moments are far greater than just visiting some old landmark, the people for me is the landmark.

I think I've kinda grown as a traveler and I think I kinda want to keep it that way.

Publisher: Shy - Thursday, January 08, 2015

Where I Stayed in Baguio: Less than P500 Room for a Solo Female Traveler

Ok this may sound too good to be true.

I didn't believe it myself when I first read about it on Ai's blogpost.  The first time I saw a price for a room that's less than P500.  I checked on the date of the post to see maybe the pricing was obsolete so it has to be lesser the price then,but when I did, alas it was just February this year, that's 2014. Then I thought, maybe this is a dorm because that's usually how a bed in a dormitel is priced, but when I checked the pic carefully it seemed like it was a solo room.

Well I'll be damned.  

She must have had a typo error on the price because P350 for a solo room is just impossible.  My doubt urged me to search for 2 more guesthouses just in case my suspicions were right.

Getting There

There wasn't a trouble finding this place because the moment I said Baguio Village Inn, to the taxi driver, it seemed like he knows exactly where it is. No questions asked. My guess is that this has got to be one of the popular ones.  Well with the price like that, I wouldn't even wonder why... that is if Ai's blogpost was right.

So I got out of the van taxi feeling glad that I was given the exact change, something that I don't get to experience much in Manila.  I walked towards the reception area.

The moment of truth is here, I thought.  

So I told him that I'm traveling solo and I want to get a place of my own.  And shortly after he dropped the price.  "It's P350."  My ears couldn't grasp it much. It might have been deafen with anticipation.  "How much again?", P350, he said.

Hallelujiah!!!

Trying to retain my excitement. I said, ok, But the room will be available at 2-3pm in the afternoon so I had to leave my stuff and come back later which I did.

The Price is Right

Around 2:30pm, I got back, took the key and got in my room.  My room, a room for myself, a room for 2 people but since I am alone, I could have it for myself while paying for 1 person only.
   
Sweet!

So it was true, the post was true.  I locked myself in.  Took a quick glance at the mirror hanging  on the door, ok maybe it wasn't a quick one.  And then did a happy dance. Success!  I have saved myself a bit of money!

Now on for some much needed nap.

Have you scored a deal on hotels/inns lately?  Do share in the comment box below. :)

Address: 355 Magsaysay Ave, Baguio, 2600 Benguet

Phone: (074) 442 3901

UPDATE:  They have increased their rate from 350-400/person 

Here are more stories about my experience in Baguio:
Hidden Massage in Baguio
Going Around Baguio for a Solo Female Traveler
Going Around Baguio in Half a Day
Strawberry Farm, La Trinidad Benguet: Strawberry is my New Kind of Drug

Publisher: Shy - Wednesday, January 07, 2015