A Short but Unforgettable Trip
Photo Source: M.studio - stock.adobe.com
Note: Pictures aren't mine because the camera that was used on this trip was burned when we experienced a fire accident way back in 2018.
It's been so long since I last travelled but I can still remember the trip that I had enjoyed. It was February, me and my aunt decided to visit Baguio, this wasn't my first time going to Baguio, in fact I've went there with my family way back. I picked this trip because I've barely remember the trip that I first had in Baguio and my memories from this trip is more fresh in my mind.
It was dawn, so early in the morning. Me and my aunt are getting ready so we're not late for our long ride. Its very important not to miss this because we are to ride a public transportation for our trip, and there's only two bad things that could happen if you miss your allotted schedule: first is you completely miss the chance of going on a trip and second you made it late but find yourself stuck on an unmoving bus because of traffic. The moment we arrived at the bus station (Victory liner) the ticket line was so long, thankfully we had already reserved our bus beforehand, that way our trip will be less hassle and it would go smoothly.
Being in the bus I remembered that listening to music and watching outside the window had kept me distracted and not bored. I'm a type of person who feel nauseous in moving vehicles that's why I'm really thankful I had prepared a long playlist while we're on the road. There are some stops for bathroom breaks in between the trip. I can't fully count how many stops we've had before arriving but every time we have to go out of the bus I always make sure to make the most out of it because the ride is very long.
At exactly lunch time we've arrived at Baguio, as I remembered, it took us 7-8 hours of travel just to get there. Since the same bus terminal that we rode was near the hotel, in fact there's even a shortcut from the bus terminal to the hotel's open restaurant, I just knew that fact by the time we're off to go back home so this information will be much of help on your first day. While leaving the bus, outside there will be people who will offer you a place to stay, I can't entirely suggest what best place to stay but our stay in the hotel was comfortable and there's a buffet every morning.
Photo Source: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/microtel/baguio-city-philippines/microtel-by-wyndham-baguio/overview
Accommodations aside, as a person who grew familiar of Manila's climate, Baguio feels so new and so different, it made me feel the same chills I had when I first arrived there. It was sunny but the temperature was not as hot as it looks, it's cold enough to compare to Manila's temperature when it's raining. Aside from a greener environment, uphill and downhill roads the scenery was not so different from the bustling environment of Manila's everyday look, maybe it's because we stayed on Baguio's more "modernized" part, where there are buildings, restaurants and shops everywhere, making it all too familiar and not so different.
Our first destination was Burnham Park , we decided to go there after eating our dinner in the hotel. The park at night was as lively as i expected it to be in daylight. It's a fun place to stay together with your family and friends, the park was full of people but not too crowded, a perfect place for picnics and night walks! There are also some entertaining stuff you can do in the park like riding a mini boat on the lake or riding a small car. We also stumbled upon a vendor who is selling taho, what really amazed me was that they sell strawberry flavored taho, and it is delicious, what tops it is that they sell it hot even if it's already night time, making it a perfect treat to eat when strolling in the cold night park in Baguio.
Photo Source : https://makanpamore.wordpress.com/2015/10/18/taho/
My aunt had some business to do in Baguio so we mostly stroll when its afternoon and night time, on our second day we decided to check the night market, it's not my first time visiting the night market but it definitely feels like a first time experience once again. True to its name the night market only exists when the sun is out, there's this big street that become a place bustling with tents and carts by the time vehicles aren't permitted to use the road. Seeing once again how people wait for that time and as they started to build this market one by one never seizes to amuse me. The night market is a good place to go if you're thinking of buying any items you need or taken a liking in because the prices there are very affordable.
Photo Source: https://baguiocityguide.com/after-re-opening-yesterday-baguio-city-mayor-suspends-night-market-operations/
On the third day my aunt and I decided to make the most out of that day, because by the next day we'll be going back home. Our first itinerary was to visit a rose farm but we hadn't had the chance to, because it rained and public transportation was a lot harder to find, it might took a lot of our time for that day so we change our plan and decided to wait for the rain to stop and walk on the streets of Baguio instead. While walking we stumbled upon book stores, art stores and of course souvenir shops. I know these stores aren't that different from what people are used to seeing in Manila but the stores there has that authenticity feel to them, and despite of being a common shop it feels as fascinating as Baguio itself. The book shop (Mt. Cloud Bookshop) has stacks and stock piled of books in them and that familiar smell of books and their pages is pungent, oddly enough it feels inviting and cozy.
Photo Source: https://lemiapp.com/card/5cf6a27d3c3db042273206d9
As afternoon came me and my aunt went to a famous place (Good Shepherd) that sells well known peanut brittles, Lengua and best selling jams, flavored in strawberry and ube. Even though we have to wait for our order (because the line was so long) it was worth it and its perfect for gifts! I also suggest that you should buy as many strawberries and honey if you happen to visit Baguio because they sell them fresh and cheap there.
Photo Source: https://shopee.ph/atsiiscd
By night time we ate on a restaurant called Good Taste it's a very famous restaurant recommended to us as well, as the restaurant's name suggest the food there was not just good but amazing. For our dinner we ordered Baguio's delicacy Bulalo Steak and Buttered Chicken (the restaurant's best selling food) The food was superb! The food wrapped up our day happy and feeling good.
Photo Source: https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/05/14/good-taste-founder-dies/
By the time we have to take our leave the same measures are done, we scheduled our departure ahead of time and wait patiently for our bus. The trip in Baguio was quite short , not all too many tourist spots mentioned in my travelogue and that's because our trip there was not really for visiting tourists spots but to unwind and feel a new environment for a change. I really wanted to share the common and everyday places in Baguio because I had felt a different sentiment out of all the supposedly common places there. It all felt familiar but different at the same time, it's not as grand or as long but its unforgettable. This trip was a fun trip for me and every time I reminisce about it I can't help but be happy and feel satisfied.