My
sister spent the entire morning building her empire. She and my niece
patiently looked for sea "treasures" to put on top of each post. And my
nephew claims to have made the perfect sand ball.
Searching for Baguio (part 3)
Anywhere we go, it's always a food trip. In Baguio,
fFor value for money dining we always go to O Mai Khan - eat all you can
mongolian buffet for onlyP180! Manage 3 bowls sulit na. Winner combination for that night was my SIL's curry. Yum!
The
first time hubby and I had lunch at Woodnymph on Military Cut-off road
was in 2003. It managed to top my best Korean restaurant list. I loved
the sweet marble potato appetizer they had. And the kalbichim was scrumptious! It was just the right mix of sweet and spicy with the beef
soft and tender. We brought the family there in 2005 and it was a hit
with everyone, making it a must-eat place when in Baguio. We also
discovered that this location was previously the house of an old family
friend where my parents and siblings stayed in before. Small world.
This trip we had dinner there and ordered the usuals - grilled pork and
chicken, chap chae and kalbi chim. The food was still delicious but
there was something different with the kalbi chim - it was more orange
than brown, less flavorful. Later, we found out the old cook was
stationed in their branch at SM.
When
we stayed at the Manor at Camp John Hay in 2001, we raved about their
breakfast buffet. They had the best longganisa and the best waffles.
For those 2 items alone, the price for the buffet was well worth it.
In the succeeding trips however, the waffles weren't available anymore.
So we were planning to try the buffet at the Baguio Country Club
(BCC). But, Pitz, the waiter, assured us waffles were back. And yes
they were! Ummm, yes they were disappointing. It was soft and
pancake-y. I guess next trip back we should really try BCC's buffet.
The creamed butter was still good though.
Breakfast or not however, the view from the manor is still great for photo ops.
And
then there is El Shalan ni Kabadjo in Camp John Hay (CJH). They seem
to have bigger and healthier horses and a safer and more scenic trail.
Signboard said P200 for 30 minutes when littler one rode on Saturday.
Sunday, signboard was the same but the guides were charging P50 more for
an additional person on the horse. I would have raised hell for the
arbitrary change in prices but I did not want to disappoint little one
who finally got the courage to ride.
Little one was brave as a knight... Squealed in delight and patted the horsie.
Pasalubong
from Baguio is always easy. There are so many goodies to buy. The
Good Shepherd Convent near Minesview park makes the best Ube jam in the
world. 5 stars for its smooth creamy consistency, sweet but not too
sweet taste, always freshly made and when stored properly lasts more
than 3 weeks in the ref. In recent years they've added more items on
their product list like chocolate crinkles (its ok, but i've tasted
better. In Baguio, try everything nice in mile hi center at CJH),
alfajor cookies (really sweet), oatmeal cookies (not too good, should be
called peanut baking soda cookies), lenguas de gato (pretty good second
to nancy's which i can not find anymore - i guess that makes this #1).
view from Good Shepherd's ridge
The
Baguio City Market is also another great place to go pasalubong
shopping. They have everything: Pine trivets (i think its the needle?) 3
for P50; walis tambo P50each, baked goodies like Tantamco's, rico's,
Baguio Tartland; Peanut Brittle (get Romano's for whole peanuts);
blankets - they have the Ilocos weave and the China made flannel; wood
carvings; caps, shawls, vegetables, fruits.... Are those huge Sagada
oranges for real? Really grown in Sagada? I wouldn't know but the red
orange ones were really sweet and juicy. Only P80/kg. It was
refreshing.
Lots of people arrive by 7 am
Had
to take the kids to more fun activities. Under the scorching heat of
the sun, we took a boat ride in Burnham park. Hubby was eager to row
around in circles. We carefully avoided the walls (Boat renter warned
us we may get stuck because of shallow waters). It was a tiring 30
minutes (I took the pictures) but the kids seemed to like taking turns
holding the oars, pretending to row. And the different shaped boats
were kinda cute - from afar. Up close, they were kinda shabby and too
close, they bumped us.
Yep, the water was neon green.
After
boating was biking. We chose the area with the smaller bikes. We got
tricycles that we pushed around (for kids who can't pedal). It was a
work out. It wasn't just difficult to push the bikes around, it was
also hard to make our way around the bumpy and narrow road and avoid the
little rascals who drove like mad max in thunderdome.
We
made a quick stop at the the Botanical Garden (aka Igorot Village). It
was nice and there were many beautiful flowers but there was a feeling
of neglect. it wasn't just the landscape, it was also the dwindling
number of Igorots in the area, most of them elderly. It used to be they
were everywhere and for a small amount, you could take pictures of them
or with them.
I
still enjoy the cool weather and fun shopping in Baguio City. But
there is something amiss. I remember being able to just look out the
window and have a feeling of tranquility come over me. Now, i look out
and I see overcrowding - buildings and people. I'm all for progress and
activity. But for me, Baguio's charm lay in its ability to make me
feel rested, rejuvenated and alive.
Searching for Baguio (part 2)
We had to do all the touristy activities. I wanted the kids to remember Baguio as I did - the fun vacation place.
Rosebowl
was our first lunch stop. It's been around for ages and it has become a
Baguio landmark. Strange that while my family always eats there, I'm
never with them to try it. Was it open or closed? Why was that part of
the road blocked? Ah, the next door building, a department store was
on fire the day before.
l
The burnt building
An online review said that Rosebowl had the BEST chopsuey in the country.
Wow, I had to try that. Chopsuey is so common here, i was curious if
there was really such a thing as the BEST chopsuey.
In the back, pancit canton with mixed vegetables. In front, fish fillet with tofu.
The
chopsuey was chopsuey. Like any other chopsuey. I suppose what made
it better than some was the fresh Baguio vegetables. Portion sizes were
large. The tofu (actually tokwa) in the fish dish had a sour taste.
We didn't eat that. The fried chicken was good though. Crispy and
juicy. Service was fast and the waiters were attentive yet cranky.
Maybe they were traumatized by the fire the day before...
Ibay's
silver craft store is a nice place to get gifts or tokens. You can
find stuff for a hundred bucks all the way to a thousand, depending on
the design. This main store was located in the Japanese garden.
Sayang, there was a garbage dump that smelled awful near the entrance
and the monument was full of graffiti.
Japanese garden monument
The
Pink Sisters convent is always a nice place to go to, even for a quick
visit. The compound is quiet and solemn. When you enter the church
there is an instant feeling of peace that comes over you. The pews are
separated from the altar by a gate. Beyond the gate was a lone pink
sister praying in the middle.
The Baguio Cathedral on the other hand was busier, larger, less personal.
The Baguio Cathedral
Ofcourse
we visited The Mansion. I don't know anyone who has ever been inside.
It's weird to have "The Mansion" printed at the building's facade. The
guards at the gate sell some kind of net. I doubt if its for fishing -
maybe its a hammock?
Across
The Mansion is the pool effect that most State houses have. But it
doesn't mirror the house. I think its already part of Wright Park's
upper deck.
This area is the beginning of tourist-y. Vendors are outside. Lots of parked cars and lots of tourists lining for a photo op. The crowds get even thicker at Wright Park down below. This is where you can ride a horse in the pen or go out on a trail. What I love about Wright Park is the inihaw na mais (grilled corn). I always pick the whitest one with large kernels. (The yellow one is the sweet corn kind.) The native corn kernels are sticky and chewy. They slather it with margarine and salt. It is wonderful! a trip to Baguio is not complete with out one or two pieces of this corn.
More touristy spots in Part 3.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)