Our Summer Weekend in Baguio

After the big event, Paul and I accompanied his officemates in a half day Baguio tour. We were supposed to leave the house by 7AM to go to the strawberry farm but the plan changed when we found out that there were no more strawberries in La Trinidad. Note: Strawberries are abundant during February to March.

To make it easy for them and for us we just went to the usual “pasyalan”. I know, I know walang first timer. But having only half a day to tour Baguio city is really a challenge. And after a very tiring day I just needed to relax a bit and not constraint my schedule with jam-packed itinerary.

First Stop: The Mansion

It was just a few minutes’ walk from Hanbi Mansions to “The Mansion” and along the way people can see the Wright Park with the horses and the stairs. I felt I needed to pump up and flex my muscles because I got tired easily. It was a little nostalgic when I saw a Japanese Corn vendor at the sidewalk and hurried towards it. (Hindi ako nag-alok. Ok fine!) It felt good having something warm to eat in the middle of a cold street. Warmth and comfort it is. So ang ending, I didn't get inside The Mansion gate because food and drinks are not allowed inside. I just waited for them outside while I munch on my Japanese corn. Yum yum! :)

Second Stop: Chocolate de Batirol at Camp John Hay

I really love going here. I dunno if it’s the calmness of the place, the ambiance or the warm chocolate de batirol. I guess it’s a little bit of everything I mentioned and tidbits of some memories.

Our visitors tried the traditional chocolate drink and I think they liked it. They were sipping their hot mix while Paul and I were busy thinking of things to talk about. I am still observing their conversation manners so I’m still a little silent. (Kelan ako naging silent?)

After Batirol we walked up the stairway and found ourselves in a golf course. I was awed when K stood head down (yoga pose I think.) and asked A to take photos of her. In my mind, “Hala ano un?”

After the stunt we went down and passed by Manor Hotel, Mile-Hi hotel and went straight to the Bell House entrance. But after learning that we needed to pay 60 bucks for entrance they immediately turned it down.

Third Stop: Baguio Public Market

Baguio Public Market is always a delight to our friends especially those who were from Manila. There were always a lot of things going around, a lot of things to buy and lots of people to meet (and greet.)

Our visitors bought some pasalubong like Ube Jam, snowballs, honey and peanut butter while Paul wanted to buy a hammock but was not lucky enough for a good find. I bought some home grown grapes instead of a bunch of strawberries. It’s cheaper and I think our visitors didn't know that Philippines is also growing some grapes on this part of the country.

If only we were not traveling to La Union that afternoon I would have bought some veggies for us. 

~Till then! 

PNKY

I was looking forward to see this place on our next visit to Baguio and I almost dragged Paul to accompany me.

We were so tired from our trip and will begin our endless meetings in about two hours and he just wants to stay in a place where he can rest.

He even asked me, "What are we supposed to see there?" And I replied, "A lot."

I was at the verge of getting mad when he said "Ok." Ha ha. That was a sweet victory.

PNKY is located at Leonard wood in front of the famous White House and very near 50's Diner.

The staff of PNKY were very accomodating. One staff led us to the showroom which is located at the second floor of the house. Everything in there was for sale. From the sofa to the paintings, chairs, tables, candle holders, cabinets up to the small decor had tag prices.

If only I had extra money that time I would buy a cute necklace or a wooden craft.

The bed and breakfast has 5 rooms. We were lucky to have a look at one of their rooms. I think staying here would be relaxing.

On the side of the bed and breakfast is the PNKY Cafe.

Lots and lots of colors here. The concept was very European and very unique. Of course everything you see is also for sale.

We just had our breakfast before going to PNKY so having a full meal is out of the question.

But i wanted to try something from this Cafe so I ordered ginger tea with lemon grass. The tea was made special because it was served with a small cup of honey. How lovely!

Enjoy some pictures we took during our brief stay at PNKY.

Hope to be back there soon.=)

~till then

Oh My Gulay!

(A Cool Baguio Experience)

It was our first time to eat at Oh My Gulay in Baguio City.

The restaurant was not familiar, I guess, because my hubby had to ask me twice where it was.

FYI: Oh My Gulay is located at the 5^th floor of La Azotea Building along Session Road.

If you do not know La Azotea Bldg., it is on the left side of Session Road (coming from SM Baguio) beside Philam Building.

The restaurant was cool. The experience was great. And the dishes were delectable.

We ordered the Lumpia with salad, Pasta Puttanesca and the Chow Chow Noodles. They're really good.

Here are some pictures of our Oh My Gulay experience.

Try to visit the restaurant and experience fresh salads and pastas while chitchatting with friends and love ones.

BenCab Museum Failed!

It was a sunny Monday morning. Paul and I decided to visit a secluded museum in Asin Road. We got up early and left the hotel around 9am and had a brunch at Soledad’s – a famous eatery beside Saint Louis University.

Around 10am we were bound to Bencab Museum. The address says it’s at Km 6 Asin Road. I was pretty sure that was far but I did not expect that the taxi driver would ask for an additional payment. That was not customary since Baguio taxi drivers were known to be very courteous. They will even give you your change up to the last cent. Nevertheless we agreed to pay additional 30Php for the ride. During our trip I silently agreed that we should really give the driver additional payment because it was far from the city and there was no possible passenger going back to the city because the people in Asin road opted for a jeepney ride instead of a taxi. (We rode a taxi because first we didn’t know where the jeepneys going to Asin Road were located and we were in a rush because we were set to meet someone in SM at 3pm.)

Upon arriving at the museum I noticed something was wrong. The door was closed. Nobody there but the security guard and an ice cream stick peddler. We alighted the taxi and proceded to the museum. When we asked the security guard he told us that the museum is closed on Mondays for day off. Bang! That’s where I failed in the planning! I forgot to check the schedule of the museum. To my dismay I sat on the stairs leading to the entrance and thought about Paul’s money wasted for nothing.

I asked the guard if he could open the museum for us. He told us he didn’t have the key of the museum. I pleaded and I even told him we were from Quezon City and we just want to see the artworks inside. He refused and told us, again, that he didn’t have the key of the museum. So we just took pictures of the façade of the museum and sat at the entrance trying to regain our strength because there was a short walk before we could reach the jeepney waiting area going back to the city proper.

Maybe the guard felt sorry for us because after a few minutes he let us enter the museum garden through the guard entrance. And we saw a paradise created by an ingenious mind. We were given 20 minutes to explore the area but I begged for another 10 minutes. The guard was so kind and agreed.

Here are some pics we took during our short stay at the museum. We will be back next time to explore the artworks inside. We will just fix some schedules and itineraries.

~till then,

Forest House

We were supposed to eat dinner at Oh My Gulay on our first night. Unfortunately Oh My Gulay closed early that Sunday evening.

Paul didn't have a choice but to dine with me at Forest House located along Loakan Road. As if I gave him other options. Ha ha!

There were a lot of restaurants in SM Baguio but we opted for something special. It was his first time in Baguio City after six months anyway.

We rode a taxi going to Forest House. It was already 8pm then and the weather condition made it hard for us to commute.

I love the place. The ambiance was homey. The waiters were accommodating. Even the tables were inviting.

I was supposed to take pictures of their souvenir shop but Paul said we should find a place to sit first. I never had the chance to take pictures of their cute souvenirs because we were seated far from the shop.

We were among the first few to dine here. I think only four tables were seated including ours earlier that night. When we finished our dinner I noticed that almost all of the tables were occupied.

We ordered the Forest House Bouillabaisse (Paul’s favorite), Sesame Crusted Fish Fillet and Forest House Salmon.

The experience and the food were g

reat. I never knew there’s a place like this in Baguio City. I’m so glad we had dinner here.

I will surely dine at Forest House again.

Here are some pictures from our Forest House experience.

~till then

Chocolate de Batirol (atchaka meron pa)

“it was raining so hard and I was in a training room just sitting not really listening to the speaker. Whenever it rains I miss Baguio. I want to sip a cup of batirol with hubby Paul. Pa, let's do this in baguio while sitting on a bench and reminiscing our college life.^_^”

Posted on Facebook last June 26, 2010

Mission Done!

This was the first place we visited during our short stay in Baguio City because I really want to experience batirol. My friend Vanessa Pacson told me about it back when we were in college but we never had the time to visit.

Paul never checked my itinerary. He just asked me where we were going. I told him we will go to Camp John Hay (CJH) to have a snack and that’s it!

Chocolate de Batirol is near Gate 2 of CJH. Gate 2 of CJH is near Baguio Country Club. At first I thought it was near the botanical garden.

We passed by Manor Hotel and Mile Hi Center. The driver dropped us in front of a hut. I never expected that the place will be this unique. Imagine a hut inside CJH. How humbling.

You can have your chocolate with flavors. Cinnamon was really inviting but I had to suppress the feeling because I want to experience the plain one.

Paul didn’t like the chocolate much because of the after taste. But I think that’s what makes it special. Next time we will try it with flavor.

Here are some pictures we took while we were sipping a cup of batirol in Camp John Hay Baguio City. We also tried their pancit palabok to match the chocolate. Very nice combination for an afternoon delight.

~till then