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| The Power of Four |
November 2012, YUP! you read it right. It was in November when the four (4) of us, Armi, Carmela, Chiara & I (fellow admin/ sisters/ friends/ co-workers) decided to travel and experience Panagbenga. Since we were blessed to received our 13th Month Pay in time ☺.... we got too excited and started to look for a place to stay and saw this "VANTAGE POINT" (Studio type - Transient Room) on the internet. Chiara was able to contact the caretaker and booked our room immediately. I was the one obliged to do our custom itinerary for a 2 Days/ 2 Nights trip which was set for February 22 to 24 Friday to Sunday. We actually wanted a transient room since hotel rates in Baguio can go crazy(expensive) during the Festival. We were not too choosy about the place to stay, for as long it provides security for our safety, it is comfortable and within our budget, besides our purpose in going there is to relax/ unwind, visit interesting places, experience the food and the festival.
Month of December, I called Victory Liner and did an online reservation of our Bus Ticket MNL-BAGUIO-MNL.
We preferred to book in advance because we were expecting thousands of people will be eager to go to Baguio that same month. The two months allowance, gave me enough time to do the itinerary. We didn't book for any tour guide or van by the way, so it was a DO-IT-YOURSELF Trip.
DEPARTURE DATE
On February 22, 2014 - FRIDAY
♦(from Office to Victory Liner Terminal)
Thank God we have a very understanding Boss hahaha... he released us from work early around 2pm. Our trip was scheduled at 4 PM. We punched out our time-cards, excitedly picked up our baggage and find a taxi that will send us to PASAY TERMINAL - it was a rainy FRIDAY afternoon. So we were praying really hard to have a safe trip.
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| While waiting at the terminal |
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| Departing Pasay Terminal :) |
We left right before 4pm from Pasay terminal and we have reached Baguio around 11PM. First thing we did was to re-book our ticket (Me & Armi/ also my sister in Law). Why? because we need to go back in Manila before 4pm for our Church Anniversary Celebration. Good thing, we were able to get a 6 am trip on Sunday, we just paid for a minimal re-booking fee. Then we went on our way to Vantage Point at 12am.
It was past twelve and we were all exhausted so we decided to call it a night.
THE ROOM
Our room #7 comes with a double deck & pullout Bed perfect for the four of us, a tv, a bathroom with hot/cold water heater, a pantry with complete set - cooking utilities etc. and our very own veranda with a nice view of the mountain, the sunrise and sunset. Great choice! transient room instead of a hotel. SULIT TALAGA! Super lamig no need for any air cooler or fan.
DAY 1 - February 23 (SATURDAY)
♦We have a whole day to do what was listed on the itinerary.
Our first stop was at Lion's Head in Kennon Road - Trip to Baguio wouldn't be complete without saying hello to the The famous LION's HEAD or rather, it is the LION who gave us the warm welcome hihihi...
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| The Kennon Road |
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| Lion's Head with bunch of People including us ☺ |
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| The Claws (Me in Red with Chiara) |
We asked the taxi driver to wait for us and we just pay extra, around 600.00 Php all in all since it was a long way getting there and he agreed to wait for us, until we were done with our picture taking. Thirty (30) minutes stay were good enough and we saw that the place were getting crowded already, so we decided to go back in the Capital.
Our next stop: Minesview, Wright Park, Botanical Garden, The Mansion & Burnham Park
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| Do I need to say More?! |
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| Bought this cutie headgear for my baby; better to try it out first. |
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| As white as snow with Katy Perry Pink Hair :) |
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| Kulitan time :) |
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| The Mansion |
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| Trying our Luck for a JUMP SHOT :) - Botanical Garden |
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| Photo Opt with the Big St. Patrick :) |
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| Traditional Igorot Clothing :) for Ladies |
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| Left to Right: Armi, Chiara, Carmela & yours truly :) |
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| Photo Opt with them :) but what's with the PEACE SIGN??? |
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| Right in front of the MANSION |
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| Model - modelan kami :) |
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| Group Selfie hahahaha :) |
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| St. Patrick - Ohh so cute Dog ♥ - Photo Opt at 20 Php |
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| Chiara & Me with the red flower at the back hehehe ☺ |
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| My selfie- feeling turista lang hahaha.. ☺ |
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| First time to try this Strawberry TAHO♥ Yummy!!! |
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| Inside Botanical Garden - The stones |
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| Me, Myself & I... hahaha in Traditional Igorot Clothing 20 Php / Rental |
It was lunch time so we decided to stop for a while and went to Burnham Park, we ended up eating somewhere, I forgot the name of the resto ;( sorry... but it was a good choice since the food were so delicious.
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| Our Lunch - Bagnet oh so yum yum!!! ☺♥☺ |
After our Lunch and trying our luck at the boat station in Burnham Park, we decided to cut our trip short, less Taman-awan & Lourdes Grotto. We went to our next stop in the itinerary which was the Strawberry Farm in Benguet. Thirty (30.00) pesos fare for jeepney going to Strawberry Farm.
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| Carmela & I (Strawberry Farm Selfies) |
Strawberry Farm in Benguet where you can buy fresh strawberries and other veggies and fruits at a very affordable price. I bought a bunch of lettuce for 50 Pesos in 2 plastic bag full super affordable prices compared to what we have in the Supermarket in Manila.
The strawberries, veggies and Sagada oranges :) that I bought in Baguio
The strawberries, veggies and Sagada oranges :) that I bought in Baguio
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| Bacon with double burger sandwiches |
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| Garden Fresh Salad - my own version |
Going Back.....
We also skipped our trip to Taoist temple since it's getting dark already and we wanted to try out the Tree top Adventure at Camp John Hay. When we got to Camp John Hay we found out that there were like 100 steps going to one adventure alone and a long line of people waiting for their turn, so we just stroll around the park, relax and have picture taking.
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| Armi moment with the Old Pine Tree |
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| Pine trees and the sky so clear and bright at Camp John Hay |
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| Epic Roots ☺ in Camp John Hay |
After a tiring yet exciting trip, we headed back to our room at Vantage Point to recharged and leave the things we bought along the way.
In the evening, we headed back to the city to find THE 50's Diner located at Gen. Luna. As expected the resto was jam packed! with a lot of tourist waiting for their names to be called for seat reservation.
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| The Vintage Car in Red - Mascot hehehe |
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| 50's Diner - crowded place at Night during Panagbenga Me smiling in the dark hahahaha... |
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| Order Taking ☺ with Carmela |
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| The 50's Vibe - look at the interiors & display Just like my favorite game DINER DASH hehehehe... |
We ordered Diner's Clubhouse Sandwich, a steak meal and of course the strawberry milkshakes which was oh so yummy at surprisingly affordable price. Though the taste of the food was nothing but ordinary, we were amazed about the portion, the servings were so big that you almost feel like you're full, even before you had your first bite. It was past 7 pm and we were so hungry so we looked for a perfect place to eat our food, we ended up eating inside Chowking in Abanao Street, we just bought our drinks there... hehehe... and take out our garbage after.
Then, we head on to the city Market to buy Pasalubong since we will be heading back to Manila early in the morning (Me & Armi). I bought keychain, gloves, walis, peanuts and other sugary items - ube and strawberry jams, peanut brittles, wines where you can buy 3, 4, 5 pcs/packed/bottles for only a 100 Pesos!! Best bargain ever! Yippee!
DAY 2 - Our last day in Baguio (Me & Armi), also the day of the most awaited Flower Festival Float - Parade. We left the other two girls lying in bed around 5.30 AM.
We had to go to the terminal to catch up our trip going back to Manila. On the road we saw the float already lined up on the Panagbenga Bowl so we took the opportunity to take a picture of it minus the celebrity hahahaha...
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| Going Back to Manila - Background: Indio Float |
After waiting for an hour in the terminal, I tried to ask someone from Victory Liner if our bus has arrived since it's five (5) minutes to our scheduled time of departure. Just found out that the bus left already... HA??? then they told us to go to the other location were some of the buses going Manila are relocated. I mean really no announcement at all or anything. Found out we were not the only one being left behind. So the Supervisor roaming around requested us to load our baggage and abroad on the next available bus bound to Manila. On our way out of Baguio at around 7 AM, I saw a colorful music band practicing their pieces while on the road, going to the Panagbenga Bowl... oh how sad we couldn't watch them performed, but then again, it's okay because we can always go back. We had a good time walking around and taking pictures in Baguio City and wish to go back soon....
Thank you Lord for the safe trip going back home & yes, we arrived on time and prepared ourselves to attend our church anniversary. While Carmela and Chiara were fortunate to watch the entire float parade :) they head back to Manila in the afternoon and returned home safely too...
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| Thank you Baguio :) We had a blast! |
Thank you Lord for the safe trip going back home & yes, we arrived on time and prepared ourselves to attend our church anniversary. While Carmela and Chiara were fortunate to watch the entire float parade :) they head back to Manila in the afternoon and returned home safely too...
♥♥♥♥
Major Fare Expenses:
Bound: Pasay - Baguio - Pasay
Total: +/- 950.00 Php
(additional cost for ticket re-booking)
Bus: Victory Liner via SCTEX
Online Reservation
Courier Fee - 100.00 / 4 pax : 25 Php each
Fare per person (back&Fort): 445.00
Payment thru Metrobank
Ticket(s) delivered via LBC
Where to Stay: (Transient Room - Studio Type)
Room #7 : 1500 per night (good for 4 person) x 2 Nights
= 1,500.00 x 2 Nights / 4 person: 750.00
VANTAGE POINT BAGUIO
Address
125 Scout Barrio Lower,
Baguio City, Address
125 Scout Barrio Lower,
Cordillera.
Check out their Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/vantagepoint.ph
Food Allowance:
Budget is 500.00 Php per day
Trip (fare/other) Allowances:
+/- 1000.00 Php for 2 days (for all mentioned places)
including, mineral water, taho, kuning-kuning, photo
opt with the horses, photo opt with the Igorots in
Botanical Garden, share in Taxi fares.
Allowance budget for Pasalubong:
1500- 2000.00 Php
Super Tipid yet worth it TRIP!
♥♥♥♥