November 03, 2013
This is the last part of the Trilogy of my self styled Baguio Tour. You may view the 2 prequels in these links:
- 07:00 The last day of the tour starts with a breakfast at Chowking. Just like yesterday, my lazy girls suggested that we hire a taxi going to Session Road. We chose Chowking since it's near the loading station for jeep going to Mines View Park, our first stop in our long itinerary for the day.
- 08:10 Touchdown at Mines View Park. There was a nearby showroom called the Cordillera World, the showroom was free but there was a donation container near the registration area. We registered our names since we can't take photos unless we register, we also donated a small amount.
Baguio City's Mines View Park
Staircase entrance to The Cordillera World
Native wares inside and souvenirs
Woodcarvings of Ifugaos
Viewing deck at The Cordillera World
- 08:20 After the Cordillera World we went to Mines View Park. In a nutshell I was somewhat disappointed, the park was more a souvenir shop area than a place to walk and relax. The place was so crowded with vendors selling various souvenirs like shirts, key chains, hats, plants, etc. The only real attraction of Mines View Park is the photo ops with the giant Saint Bernard dogs, the colored horses, and the viewing are of Mines View Park. The caretakers of the dogs and horses charge 10.00 php per shot. Even though it was a shopping district for souvenirs the view at the park was still rewarding, there was a nearby stand that lets you use binoculars for 10.00 php for 5 min if you want to get a more detailed view of the faraway spots. Since I have experience in climbing mountains, the view from the park was somewhat typical and not that phenomenal. But the 2 girls really enjoyed the visit and were very busy buying souvenirs. Don't get me wrong, Mines View Park must be included in every tourist's itinerary of Baguio. It was just overrated for me and I prefer places with more views to enjoy than to shop, since I can shop for souvenirs in other places.
Plant shops at Mines View Park
One of the 3 Saint Bernards at the park
An artificially dyed horse
The signature cottage of Mines View Park
The mines view, the park's namesake
- 09:10 After the shopping galore at Mines View Park, we went to the nearby Good Shepherd Convent to buy their famous ube & strawberry jams. The place is being managed by the Mountain Maid Training Center, they are the sole seller of their famous jams. We also tried the strawberry and citrus juice. After some picture taking we rode a jeep a taxi to The Mansion since my girls were in a hurry and tired of walking.
Good Shepherd Convent
The Good Shepherd
The line of tourists buying the famous jams
- 09:30 Touchdown at The Mansion. Unfortunately, the area near the gate was the only place allowed for tourists. After taking a few pictures we proceeded to Wright Park. While walking, I tried a slice of the sweet Sagada orange offered by vendors for free.
The gate of The Mansion
Early Christmas decorations
The Mansion
- 09:45 Wright Park is just a stone's throw away from The Mansion. We just crossed the road and Voila! Welcome to Wright Park. It was a good thing we chose to start the tour from The Mansion going to Botanical Garden, because if it was the other way around we have to climb the long stairs of Wright Park. After a light strolling we arrived at a circle where there was this kindhearted mother who was a local of Baguio City. She offers to dress you in Ifugao clothes for just 10.00 php and you can take pictures like crazy afterwards since it's unlimited, unlike the St. Bernard and the colored horse of Mines View Park. Afterwards we descended the long stairs going to the horse riding area of Wright Park, this I think is the main attraction here but we chose not to ride one as my girls don't know how to ride and they are afraid to ride the horses. There was also a small area at the park where flower vendors display their products.
Welcome sign of the park
Main pathwalk of the park
A resting area and the venue for the Ifugao clothing picture taking
Mimi in Ifugao clothes
The staircase going down to the horse riding area
The horses ready for their park ride
- 10:15 After a few steps we arrived at a roundabout, took some pictures of the circle and an abortion themed statue before going to The Botanical Garden.
A roundabout near the Botanical Garden
A memorial for abortion
- 10:20 We finally arrived at Baguio Botanical Garden after a few more minutes. At the entrance there were some elder Ifugaos in their native dresses, instinct told me if ever we include them at our picture they'll ask for some payment so we politely declined them when they were coming to pose with us. If you want to have a photo shoot with the elder Ifugaos you may give them 20.00 php as tip. Then we entered the garden, it was a huge park and since we were on a time constrained trip we hurriedly explored the park and took shots from various parts of the garden, it was full of colorful plants and beautiful landscaping.
Baguio Botanical Garden
- 10:45 We ended up at Taebek Park after exploring the farther parts of the garden. It was a Japanese Filipino Peace Memorial Park, there was a nearby cave entrance but we didn't went in. After the hasty stroll at Botanical Garden we rested for a while before riding a taxi to Camp John Hay.
Taebek Park
A shrine at the park
A man-made bridge, unfortunately the water flow was turned off
Japanese - Filipino Peace Memorial
A pathway at the park
Entrance to the cave at the park
- 11:15 We entered Camp John Hay thru the northern entrance all the way to Historical Core. We passed thru Mile Hi Center, the shopping and dining district of the camp, but we decided to eat our lunch later at 50's Diner. At the entrance of the Historical Core we paid 60.00 php per person. Right after we entered the place we saw the Cemetery of Negativism, it is a cemetery with animal statues on top of graves where bad habits were buried. I enjoyed reading the short passages in the graves, some of them I had some realizations. After the cemetery we took some photos of sculptures along the way going to the Bell Ampitheater, the theater was a heaven for photo ops and just enjoying the beautiful landscaping was relaxing and worth the entrance fee. There were some people in the area who were recording a sort of music video and they were advised by the guard that a different fee is applicable for video shooting for shows. The Bell House oversees the theater, the interior design of the house was reminiscent of old American houses, this was a vacation house of Gen. Franklin Bell who transformed Camp John Hay to a recreational place. My girls were tired of our previous walks so we didn't went to the Historical Trail, I was not able to take a photo of the miniature Statue of Liberty. Then we took a short walk to have a look at Tree Top Adventure, the cheapest zip line ride was around 450.00 php which was too costly for our budget trip so we ended up resting near the picnic area. The Eco Trail and Butterfly Garden were a long walk from where we were, we decided to skip the 2 attractions because the trail will entail another long walk and my tired girls can't take more of that punishment. But I really recommend Camp John Hay for all those who want to experience Baguio City, this camp is full of places to enjoy and I advise you allocate ample time to visit this place, not like what we did which we regret later on. We took a cab going to 50's Diner to try out this famous restaurant.
The girls at Camp John Hay resting after the long walks
Rates for the Historical Core
Cemetery of Negativism
Bell Ampitheater
Bell House viewed from the ampitheater
A part of the theater with uprooted trees due to a typhoon
Living room of the Bell House
Dining room
Chairs at the bedroom
Veranda
Bell Ampitheater viewed from the house
The Bell House
Tree Top Adventure
- 12:40 Touchdown at the well known 50's Diner! And it was jam packed for lunch so we waited for about 30 min before we got our seat, while waiting for our turn we took the liberty of taking some photos with the cool red sports car displayed outside the diner. The menu offers plenty of 1950's themed Western dishes with some Filipino touch. We ordered Wartime which the waitress said was good for 3, and whoola! here comes the giant platter of fried riced topped with onions, shrimps, and calamari with a liter of iced tea to sooth the throat. The wait was worth it and I was not disappointed by this restaurant's servings, good for three servings were really meant for three hungry people. We chowed down the delicious meal like we didn't ate for breakfast. After the rewarding lunch at 50's Diner we rode a jeep back to Plaza since Mimi was not able to buy her super rare iceberg ginseng from any vendor she passed from all the places we visited.
The eye catching red sports car
The long line of people waiting outside 50's Diner
Jam packed by customers
Wartime!
- 14:20 We walked along Burnham Park before going to Orchidarium. At Orchidarium, there were many vendors selling various plants with many natural benefits. I was fascinated by the leaves of a plant with a signboard that says it's a good substitute for sugar. Photo ops with the plants displayed will cost you some money so I just stole some shots while the vendors were away. Of course, the purpose was to let others know the beauty of their products. After a few minutes, we boarded a taxi going to Bell Church.
Bike ride at Burnham Park
Orchidarium
Plants on display at Orchidarium
- 14:45 There was a drizzle when we arrived at the Bell Church but this didn't stopped us from exploring the solemn place. The shrine was constructed in a steep part of a mountain and you need again those thigh muscles to get at the top most parts of the shrine. At the top we saw the houses of locals built on the edge of another mountain, these locals really want to live dangerously. The area where the patrons are praying was restricted for picture taking to show respect for the divine. After the tiring ascend to the upper part of the shrine we returned at the entrance and rode a jeep going to La Trinidad for the renowned Strawberry Farms! The fare from the church going to the farm was strange, I don't usually encounter fares with centavos like 11.25 php.
Bell Church
A praying area of the church, cameras inside are prohibited
A shrine at the Bell Church
The main praying room of the church, cameras not allowed near the area
The welcome arc of The Bell Church
A statue of Buddha inside a shrine
The view at the upper area of the Bell Church
Names in Chinese characters written on the staircase wall
Welcome Arc of La Trinidad, Benguet
- 15:55 Strawberry Fields! The farm is being managed by Benguet University and it is just a short walk from the main highway. Unfortunately the season for strawberry harvest is around January to April so there were virtually no red spots on the field when we arrived at the place. The rain shower was getting stronger and we decided not to explore the fields as it was muddy and my tourist girls were almost worn out from all the walk we made at different parks. There were souvenir stalls lined up just outside the entrance to the farm, this was our last chance to buy pasalubongs so we took our time in selecting t-shirts and jams. Based on my trip, the prices from souvenir shops at different locations here in Baguio vary lightly. If you want to buy a shirt you really want, my advice is to stay away from shops at SM since the shops there offer higher prices. I suggest you buy pasalubongs when you're about to go home so you won't have to bring all those things while touring Baguio City, don't be like me who became the porter for my friends. Haha... After the last shopping we rode back to Plaza to go to our final landmark to visit because our Baguio Trip will not be complete unless we have a picture with the Lion's Head.
Jollibee pointing the way to Strawberry Farm
Strawberry Fields
Strawberry Fields
The welcome sign of BSU for visitors right at the entrance of the farm
- 17:00 It was almost dark when we arrived at Burnham Park so we hired a taxi for a round trip to the Lion's Head (a wise decision since jeeps going to Lion's Head with route sign Camp 6 do not frequent the area around this time).
- 17:30 There was still ample sunshine and we capitalized on this to have some last picture taking with the Lion's Head, the landmark that welcomes people who come to Baguio City via Kennon Road. Unfortunately since 2011, Kennon Road was officially closed to big trucks and buses for fear that the road will erode. Sadly, visitors who ride the bus will pass along Marcos Highway which is now the alternative route and will not be welcomed by this famous attraction. Trivia time! The original Lion's Head is a natural rock formation along Kennon Road, it is small compared to the man-made Lion's Head but you should not miss taking a photo with the original and the man-made heads.
The famous Lion's Head along Kennon Road
The original Lion's Head with the man-made version at the back
- 17:50 Our kindhearted driver then drove us to the viewing deck on our way back to the bus terminal. Here we saw the winding Kennon Road going up to Baguio City. We had some quick photo shoot before finally going back to Base to pick up our baggage, good thing it was just walking distance from the terminal. Then we bought some food at the nearby 7 Eleven and boarded our Victory Liner bus bound to Pasay City at 19:00.
Kennon Road from the viewing deck
Total Expenses Summary:
Note: This Budget Friendly Summary is good for 3 persons
Note: This Budget Friendly Summary is good for 3 persons
- Taxi (Base to Session Road) P 51.00
- Chowking Breakfast 267.00
- Jeep (Plaza to Mines View Park) 24.00
- Donation (Cordillera World) 20.00
- Picture Taking (St. Bernard & Colored Horse) 70.00
- Taxi (Good Shepherd to The Mansion) 49.00
- Picture Taking (Ifugao Clothes) 10.00
- Taxi (Botanical Garden to Camp John Hay) 47.00
- Entrance Fee (Historical Core) 180.00
- Taxi (Camp John Hay to 50's Diner) 69.00
- 50's Diner Lunch (Wartime!) 390.00
- Jeep (50's Diner to Plaza) 24.00
- Taxi (Orchidarium to Bell Church) 71.00
- Jeep (Bell Church to Strawberry Fields) 34.00
- Jeep (Strawberry Fields to Plaza) 34.00
- Taxi (Plaza to Lion's Head & Vice Versa) 300.00
- 7 Eleven Dinner & Snacks 247.00
- Bus Fare (Baguio to Pasay 3 tickets) 1,365.00
TOTAL P 3,252.00
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