To some, if you have been to a place, you should immediately tick that off your bucket list. To us, traveling doesn't necessarily mean ticking off everything in the said list. It is enjoying, knowing, appreciating, experiencing what the place has. It won't hurt getting to know the locals. In my twenty something years of existence in this imperfect world, I have known and witnessed differences in culture and tradition local and abroad. They still amaze me. Life is a journey. Do not let world's judgment hinder from being who you really are. Go. Plan. Take steps. Traveling will make you a great storyteller. Traveling will open your minds and teach you. Did I inspire you enough? :)
Fifth time? Bakit kami di nagsasawa? Eh kasi may babalikan... Camp John Hay, Arca's Yard, Chocolate de Batirol, at Strawberry Shortcake ng Cafe by the Ruins... So, for those who want to try, below is our chill half joiner and half DIY itinerary last June 17-18, 2017.
DAY 0 - Friday night
pick up
DAY 1
4:00 AM Stop over at Leeza's, Sison Pangasinan
5:30 AM morning stroll at Burnham Park
6:00 - 6:30 AM breakfast at Good Taste Restaurant
7:30 - 8:20 AM Botanical Garden
9:00 - 9:40 AM Kung Jeon Korean Palace near Camp John Hay (DIY)
10:00- 10:40 AM Camp John Hay's Historical Core: Cemetery of Negativism, Bell House, Totem (DIY)
10:50 - 11:05 AM Wright Park and The Mansion
11:30 - 12:30 Lunch at Cinco Antonio Bistro (near Mines View Park)
2:00 PM Check in, rest
4:10 PM GRAB Taxi to Arca's Yard (DIY)
4:20 - 5:30 PM Arca's Yard (DIY)
6:00 - 6:30 PM Mt. Cloud Bookshop (DIY)
7;00 - 7:45 PM SM Baguio (DIY)
7:45 - 8:10 PM walk to Cafe by the Ruins Dua along street of O Mai Khan and Mario's (DIY)
8:10 - 9:00 PM Cafe by the Ruins Dua (DIY)
DAY 2
6:25 AM Breakfast (yey!)
7:25 AM Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral or Baguio Cathedral
8:00 - 8:30 AM Lourdes Grotto
8:40 - 9:00 AM Haunted Diplomat Hotel
9:10 - 9:30 AM The Farmer's Daughter Restaurant near Tam-awan Village (DIY)
9:50 - 10:15 AM Bell Church
10:30 - 12:00 NN Strawberry Farm at La Trinidad, Lunch at Mangan set of karinderia
1:00 - 1:10 PM Lion's Head
2:00 PM Leeza's, Sison, Pangasinan
6:50 PM Dinner at Jollibee Carmona
Burnham Park
- No entrance fee
- with pay CR (12 for pupu, 5 for ihi)
- 30 pesos for legit strawberry taho
Good Taste Restaurant
- open 24 hrs
- fried rice and egg was served cold
- popular to the locals
- walking distance from Burnham park
- with free use of CR
- 90 php for each breakfast meal (choice of viand comes with coffee, fried rice and corned beef)
Botanical Garden
- free entrance
- must see: Japanese tunnel
- if you are thrifty, watch out for old Igorots who will hop into your selfies/photos, they will ask for payment
Kung Jeon Korean Palace
- 100 php/head if picture taking only with Korean Traditional Suit
- weren't able to taste the food because buffet starts at 10AM
- while the rest of the group was having fun at PMA, we were here :D
Camp John Hay's Historical Core: Cemetery of Negativism, Bell House, Totem, Historical Trail
- Bell house has free CR below
- very nice house of General
- Bury your negativities at the cemetery of negativism. Bring your pessimistic friend here! :D
Wright Park (+The Mansion)
- free entrance
- you can do your souvenir shopping here
- picture taking with igorot costume, St. Bernard dog, and horses, ride a true horse (200 for 30 min)
Lunch at Cinco Antonio Bistro (near Mines View Park)
- try their Iced Chocolate de Batirol! (105 php)
- 118 php for breakfast tapa with egg
- with good view
Arca's Yard (DIY)
- a must try cafe!!! 5/5
- known for their Camote Pie
- has jeep terminal nearby
- bring your better half here <3
- 441 php : Arca's Cloud Tea with Honey, Hungarian Sausage Rice, and Camote Pie
Mt. Cloud Bookshop (DIY)
- a must for the bookworm there
- saw the book of That Thing Called Tadhana movie here
- free reading
SM Baguio (DIY)
- mas sosyal sa SM Sta Rosa!
- with branch of Visco's (Baguio's popular Strawberry Shortcake store)
- free CR, ofc!
Cafe by the Ruins Dua (DIY)
- modernized second branch, original place was hit by fire incident :'((
- My favorite strawberry shortcake is sold here!!
- Pasta a la Carbonara 5/5
- 572 php: Carbonara, Focaccia Chicken Sandwich
Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral or Baguio Cathedral
- before anything else, pray!
- watch out for the snatchers (we had similar incident)
Lourdes Grotto
- offer Mama Mary roses and candles after climbing the staaaaiiirsss
Haunted Diplomat Hotel (DIY)
- feeling brave? go here at night
- used to be rest house and a seminary way back 1911
- haunted!
The Farmer's Daughter Restaurant near Tam-awan Village (DIY)
- had our own version of Samgyupsal here (Kinuday Beef Wrap for 180 php)
- 45 php for Kapeng Barako (good for two)
- accdg to Bebe, it was the best pan grilled beef evah!
Bell Church
- with pay CR inside
- no picture taking inside the temple
- witnessed kids practicing their traditional dragon dance
special mention to our new ate & kuya who shot this photo!
Strawberry Farm at La Trinidad & Lunch at Mangan set of karinderia
- legit strawberry ice cream
- legit strawberry shake for 50 php
- sinigang sa strawberry
- strawberry harvesting
- with pay CR
- cheap souvenir shopping
- cheap vegetables!
- half kilo of strawberries for 150 php
- 230 php for good shepherd ube jam
- 35 php for halo halo
Lion's Head
- with pay CR
- along the hi way so be careful while taking photos
Leeza's, Sison, Pangasinan
- serves rice meals
- has convenience store
- with pay CR
- popular because of their lugaw (rice porridge)
Wondering what is a joiner tour? It is a group tour organized by a certain group of people wherein strangers can be acquaintances and friends. Whether you are going solo or a group, as long as the capacity of the vehicle to be used is not yet full, you may join. Rates differ and is dependent on the number of heads per group.
If you are a joiner of the group tour, below is our set of tips:
- Be CONSIDERATE. Wag shoshalera. Wag primadona. Nagbayad ka? Nagbayad din sila!
- Be punctual. Waiting game can kill the momentum. Bring a watch.
- Respect the driver, coordinator, and your colleagues.
- Indulge in local foods. Wag maghanap ng Mcdonalds sa Bicol! Laing ang kainin!
- Pack light. Yung kasya lang sa ilalim ng upuan mo, bes! Wag magmaleta. Wala ka sa private tour. Plan your outfit.
- Bring umbrella.
- Stay hydrated.
- Dress according to weather.
- Bring small bills and coins.
- Take lots of pictures. Be a memory hoarder.
- Bring powerbank.
- Be friendly. If you are RBF / resting bitch face like me, take time to smile :D
- Even if you don't feel like it, pee! You'll never know how far the next available toilet.
Thank you, Maam Cel, Kuya Mark Mojica, Ate Patzy Olan and Kuya Paulo Olan! 'Til next time!
Til next time!
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