LAST DAY IN BAGUIO

J and I had a good time out on the town the previous night that we came home around midnight already.

It was sad tough that the popular "Ukay-Ukay" that occupied a huge portion of Session Road especially for the Christmas Season, has just called it a day when we came into the area.

In the morning, the rest of the gang had their breakfast downstairs.

And, as what we always do in most of our hotel stays, we maximize the last day by sleeping in (or just relaxing) until it is check out time.

It was, as expected, the "same old menu" from yesterday
 but it was enough to make us feel energized for the load ahead.

Lola Cecille and R got comfy by the fireplace located in the lobby

Then it was time to do our last minute shopping as if we have not shopped yet the previous days.

Mom and Ate Lyn doing what they love most!

Then it was time to go to Burnham Park as we believe that no one goes up to Baguio without visiting the famous park that holds many of my childhood memories in this city.

And because we had the whole afternoon to spare, we had all the time to do "touristy" things.

The first order of the day:  Boating!

Foot massage anyone?

Mukhang napipilitan lang ano?

Then our stomachs were growling and begging for food.
So off we went to the famous Solibao Restaurant right smack in the entrance of the park.
To say that we were hungry was an understatement.  We were famished!

We devoured all of these (and more!) in less than tn minutes!

So, to burn off those calories, we all went biking after - another Burnham Park to do list no doubt.

There's my little boy and his Ate Lyn striking a pose before speeding away.

After a fun filled day at the park, we then went to the Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad.
But Mom was too tired to walk in the fields and the little bub was fast asleep when we arrived.  So, we just decided to shop around the area and left immediately.

Went to the Srawberry Fields and bought these instead. Geeeeez!

It was time to get ready for the long trip home.
And though the schedule was not until midnight, we had to go within the vicinity of the Bus Station (Victory Liner) so as not to tire Mom and the R too much.

We thought it wise to rent a transient room that was just across the station.
It turned out to be a good decision because Mom and R felt very relaxed while waiting for the trip.  We also did not have to worry about our luggages and stayed there until it was just 10 minutes to midnight.

In between the long wait, we also had time to go the "Ukay Ukay, had diner in SM, and met J's cousin who was based there.

The ride home was very smooth and uneventful as we are now able to get into the Deluxe Bus that had all the amenities mentioned in my previous post.

There was a toilet and the seats were "lazy boy" comfy!

One last pose before we dozed off to lalaland.

When we awoke the next morning, we were already in Manila.

The trip was all in all fun filled and refreshing.  We were able to "escape" the Christmas rush even for just a day or two.

Thank you Lord for the provision.

BAGUIO REVISITED

 It was days before Christmas, and for the first time in a long time, we decided to go out of town amidst the hustle and bustle of the yuletide season.

Afterall, it has been years since we last visited Baguio where Jon and I have very fond memories of during our early years.

What made it even more special is the fact that it is going to be R and Ate Lyn's first time to go there. 

My Mom and my nephew Spiro also decided to tag along with us on this adventure.

My boy's first trip to Baguio.
It proved to be a test of patience as we had to keep him "entertained" the whole duration of the trip.
 Thanks to Steve Jobs for providing entertainment, hehehe.

We decided not to bring our own car and just take the Deluxe Bus all the way up to the so called Summer Capital of the Philippines. We were excited to be onboard the Deluxe Trip again just like the last time because it really was so comfortable and it is worth every centavo we paid - large "lazyboy" seats, toilet on board, light snacks and a "stewardess" to ensure that we have a rocking good time on the road.

But, as fate would have it, we were caught in a very chaotic traffic jam (what do you expect, it is the Christmas Season!) and we were not able to make it to our 1PM Trip.

But that did not dampen our spirits.  We have agreed to still go on with the trip and just take the regular aircon bus that was scheduled to leave at 2PM.

So, off to Baguio, we go. Yipee!


We had some stopovers along the way but it proved to be a welcome break rather than an anoyance.  I guess you really have to "find your own sunshine" when it comes to these road trips lest you become grumpy and stressed.

Kesa ma bad trip, go lang ng go at "umihi" sa lahat ng stop overs! Hahaha

We finally arrived in Baguio around ten in the evening.  By then we were all tired and sleepy.
So we called it a day right after check in.

The next morning, we were already recharged and ready to seize the day in Baguio!

But of course, "piktyuran" munang umaatikabo.

Mommy wanted J to take her picture overlooking the view in our room.

She made sure that the Pine Trees were seen and requested that I post 

it in her Facebook with the caption:  "The Baguio that I knew".

Then we went out and took pictures of the hotel's facade

Yes, we stayed at Mines View Park Hotel.
Will post my review in Trip Advisor  and will link it up here in this blog.

Our first stop for the day is the MINES VIEW PARK as it is stone's throw away from the hotel.

A have a lot of childhood memories of this place and was more than happy to be making more this time with the little boy.

A more "modern" and "crowded" park greeted us.
A very big difference from the one I have in mind.

As expected, the place was very "touristy" and I had to remind myself several times that I was there for the view and not for the thousand and one "kiosks" selling different products.

Good thing, my family is "game" in striking poses that provided a lot of laughs and entertainment.

        Thank the good Lord someone has to take the picture.
        Otherwise, I will be  forced to dress up too.

Look at the little boy, he was so bored he had to pick his nose to pass time. Hehehe

I know I know. 

 I pity the dog but I just couldn't resist taking this picture

 because I am amused that my boy isn't afraid of dogs unlike his Parents.  

As in, I will not be caught dead (neither will Jon) standing

 this close to that dog (ar any other dog for that matter!)

After having a good time at the Mines View, we all agreed that it was time for lunch.

We went to OH MY GULAY!  And, OMG indeed, there was more to the place than the food they serve.

The restaurant is located on the rooftop of an old building along Session Road.  

 That being said, you will never expect a place as serene as this exists.  

The food (which were all "gulays" and absolutely NO MEAT) was delicious. 

Certainly a welcome change from Carnivores like us. 

                                     It was that good that I only remembered to take pictures when we were eating our deserts. 

 That, or we were THAT hungry!

After having that sumptuous lunch, we all trooped to the WRIGHT PARK for Horseback Riding.  

I can still vividly recall how excited I was every time we go here.  It was so vivid that I could still smell the pine trees just by thinking about it.

Sadly, the place is now bustling with commercialism that it was an effort to link the memory to the present times.  Nonetheless, the boy had the time of his life riding horses with his Dadda and Ate Lyn while Mom and I shopped.

Hi ho, Silver away!

Mom and the kiddo were pretty beat after Wright Park so off we went back to the hotel with takeout food to give them all a rest.

In the evening, J and I went out again for a lovely dinner while Kuya Spiro took charge of his Lola, and his cousin R and Ate Lyn.

There is more in store for Day 2 of our Baguio Trip.

Abangan ang susunod na kabanata.