Climbing to Baguio for the fourth time, I thought I won’t be surprised anymore but little did I know our Baguio 2013 trip turned out to be my best travel to the City of Pines. I visited the must see tourist spots in Baguio as well as some off the beaten destinations. Thanks to friendship that started online – we got to discover and visit new sites that are normally not in the itinerary of first time visitors to the city. Daghang salamat Joven for touring with us!
Baguio was SO COLD when we arrived there. It was the coldest I’ve experienced so far in my life! 10.5 degrees coldness! Yey!
This coming summer 2013, make Baguio your holiday destination! \o/
Sojourns to the Highland City in North Luzon
My first time in Baguio was for a national conference and our accommodation was at Camp John Hay The Manor. It was also my first time to travel to North Luzon. It was a great working – vacation, we have a van at our disposal that took us places in the city as well as buffet table at every meal. Who wouldn’t love waking up with a terrific view of pine trees, garden and flowers in Camp John Hay, right? 🙂
What made that trip even more awesome was that I was with my districtmates. We are a close group and our friendships lasts even after working together. I was our group’s youngest and goofiest, see the evidence hehe.
The second time was a spur of the moment thing; my brother Nicko was with me in Laguna for summer break. It was a Friday, Baguio comes to mind. So I called my good friend Jenny, egged her to come with us and to bring her brother so both our brothers can bond while the older sister enjoys the sights and sounds. After a couple of hours, we were on the way, driving from Calamba to Baguio. That was a back-breaking drive even with two drivers alternating during the road trip. Lol. But it was great especially that we met up with my ex- housemate and area buddy Ryan. We went boating in Burnham Lake. 🙂
Boating! Talagang Turista sa Burnham Park! 
Me, Jen and the boys stayed in Teacher’s Camp on that Baguio weekend. Accommodation was downright cheap; I think that was P36 per pax per night hahaha. Boys will be boys; our teenage brothers were in their elements and jokes about ghost and all and kept on teasing us – their elders!!!. They were ribbing and talking about tales of Not Like Ours and all that while we were relaxing in our room. I don’t know what happened but all our photographs taken from my camera were all lost right there in Teacher’s Camp. I know I did not touch any delete button, just the back and forth review of the pics, yet in an instant all pics were gone. That ‘eerie’ happening was what stood out for me on that second trip to the highlands.
The third time, I took my sister Kenneth to Baguio. She stayed with me for a few months in Laguna. It wouldn’t sit well with me if I can’t bring her to experience Baguio especially that I brought our brother there the previous summer. We took a bus from Victory Liner in Pasay, got off in Dagupan, there we met up with Titus. At that time, work has assigned him in the Ilocos Region so getting to Dagupan from Vigan was easy. We spent the night in Dagupan, come early morn, we headed to the summer capital. It was foggy as we drove up!
Titus drove us around for our Baguio City Tour, he was a bit familiar with the list of Baguio popular spots since he was based in the City of Pines for a time too. We stayed in City Travel Hotel in Kisad road, this hotel had a 50% off promo that time. Sadly, on that third trip, I didn’t have a good camera. :/
Have a Cheap Baguio City Tour!
If you notice on those three trips to the City of Pines, we were touring and exploring Baguio with a private vehicle – van and car. So I never really get to feel and experience how to commute in Baguio City. Now, on my fourth trip which I dubbed a ‘Baguio blogging mission’, this is going to be different.
In this 2013 journey to the Summer Capital of The Philippines – we explored the best places on foot and via jeepneys. Yep, no taxi whatsoever in getting to the city’s Top Tourist Destinations. 🙂
*except to Mile High and The Manor – no choice, we can’t walk it as its so far from city center and no jeepneys goes there hehe. Taxi fare from Kisad to Mile High was P67.
Together with Field Trip Boy and Travex Travels, we were on an affordable do it yourself Baguio City Tour and yes we did it!!! Something to be said about travelling on a shoe string budget is that it leaves no choice but to take public transport or walk. Heheh We had lots of fun on the road and we found out that DIY Baguio Tour is easy pansy and cheap, except you’ll have to brave the biting cold if you are on foot. Thank goodness I brought jeans, rubber shoes and a hoodie jacket hehe.
Example of how cheapskate we were: Titus and I walked from The Mansion to Mines View at high noon. Then our trio walked from Lourdess Grotto to the Diplomat Hotel ruins in Dominican Hill. LOL. Thank goodness the weather was nice! Chilly winds our companion on the walk. 🙂
This post is just an overview haha. I know it’s long but if you have read a couple of other posts on this Philippine Travel Blog, you’ll know that I tend to write long posts. Can’t help myself, I veered off topic almost always. Truth be told, this post originally was to be about the “Diplomat Hotel Ruins” but look what happened. Lol.
I hope you won’t get tired reading Penfires’ Baguio posts. Sana you’ll enjoy the series and find some useful info for your own travel to this favorite destination in the Philippines. 🙂 I’ll be sharing tips on how to get from one tourist spot to the next without riding a taxi or private vehicle. It’s a cheap way of enjoying the best of this cold city!
P.s. We also traveled to Manaoag, so I’ll be sharing direction tips on how to go for Baguio – Manaoag route too.
Take a Peek at Our 2013 Baguio DIY Itinerary – Visited Places
* Igorot Stairs of Barrio Fiesta
*Session Road and SM Baguio
* Burnham Park Why You No Lake
* Mines View
*Wright Park
* The Mansion
* Lourdes Grotto
* Diplomat Hotel Ruins: ‘Haunted’ Place in Dominican Hill
* Tam-awan Village
* Strawberry Picking in La Trinidad
* Bell Church
* Mile High Center and Camp John Hay
* PMA Complex
* Baguio Food Trip
* Baguio Pasalubong Hunting
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CLICK BELOW FOR THE DAILY GUIDE ^_^
PASALUBONG SHOPPING, IDEAS and WHERE TO BUY
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SIDETRIPS to Baguio Vacation:
*Manaoag Church from Baguio
* Divisoria Bargain Hunting
* Quick Lunch in Emerald Restaurant in Roxas Boulevard – Chinese New Year will soon come, ushering in the new color of the year which is yep, Emerald. =) Actually walang konek to sa Baguio hahah.
I guess no matter how many times I climb to Baguio, this city blessed with cold weather and chilly winds is not a place I’ll get bored with. I’m wishing everyone can travel to Baguio especially those who lives in small islands and who may want a break from tropical heat and humid weather.
For most of us, a trip to this city in North Luzon takes more planning and needs more funds saved up. So save up early, save with passion and discipline and make your way to Baguio City!
As for you Baguio – I will be back especially your famous landmark, the Lion’s Head still eludes me.
Cheers Baguio! Keep your COOL, alrighty?!
Hi, CIlle! I love walking around Baguio when I come to visit! There’s something about their city life that’s different, and somehow even if I’ve never really lived there, its corners feel so familar. Or, maybe it’s the cold breeze and the pine trees! Will be following your posts on your Bagui mission! 🙂
Thanks Di! =)
Baguio is really something right? I don’t think I’d get tired of exploring this place too. Wish the city is a bit nearer though hehe.