Baguio Tour

Right after our overnight stay at Kultura Splash Wave in Pugo, La Union, we went straight to Baguio City via the newly renovated Marcos Highway. We almost failed to reach the Pine City because of the inability of our car to ascend its steep 45 degrees angle roads. Something was wrong with it but we  couldn't figure it out. Maybe it was in the engine. Anyway, we stopped by the house of Mama's relatives near the Grotto (one of Baguio's attractions) and unloaded our bags and other things. After a few minutes rest, we went out for a stroll.

We went first to Burnham Park where we had a 30 minute boat ride. Then we ate dinner at Solibao along Session Road, where I ate about 3-5 spoon-full of spoiled rice. To make up for my misfortune and to put a cease to my non-stop complaining, the restaurant manager gave us a 10% discount on our final bill. Our last stop for the day was SM Baguio where we  sipped some hot coffees in the viewdeck. After that we all retired to our temporary shelter and had our best sleep of the week.

The following morning, we toured around our favorite Camp John Hay, the place we never missed visiting everytime we go to Baguio. After that, we went to Mines View Park where we tried donning Igorot costumes and had a picture with a gigantic St. Bernard dog. We had our lunch at Barrio Fiesta, the restaurant with hilarious statues in its entrance doors, placed there to lure customers. Our final stop was in Baguio Market where we bought Baguio's famous products, pasalubongs and fresh vegetables. 

And that was the detail of our short but memorable Baguio tour.

Houses scattered in the valleys of Baguio City

My favorite boat ride at Burnham Park

In the worst restaurant, Solibao

Chillin at Camp John Hay

I was able to convince Mija to go to her most hated City

What Baguio is popular for: cool weather & pine trees

Eating for the first time, strawberry taho

At the RP President's summer home, the Mansion

Not so good angle

The famous Mines View Park

Reyna Mija at Datu Marty

Huge and heavy

with my pareng Ninoy at Barrio Fiesta

Kultura Splash Wave

Kultura Splash Wave 


Address:
Km. 21 Marcos Highway
Brgy. Cares, Pugo, La Union

Contact Numbers:
Smart #: 0939 733 8888
Globe #: 0906 443 2222
Sun #: 0932 226 6677

Mija's HP Peeps in Ilocos

I had toured several groups in Ilocos since my college days, starting from my Bedan blockmates until recently, Mija's HP officemates. Touring people in Ilocos is my passion. Aside from the heartfelt "thank you's" I receive when time to say farewell comes, what I love about touring people is the happiness I feel inside every time I see someone from Manila or elsewhere amazed on how beautiful my home province is.  

This last group was the biggest and perhaps the craziest among the groups I had toured in Ilocos. I did not get the chance to talk to them that much for they appeared to me like as if they were from a different world. I'm not even sure if they knew I was with them the whole time, except perhaps during picture-takings since I was their "official" photographer.

Anyway, here are the pictures of them that I took.

@ Juan Luna Shrine in Badoc, Ilocos Norte

Juan Luna Statue

House of Juan Luna

Currimao Coral Rock Formation

Paoay Church

@ Paoay Church

@ Baluarte in Vigan City

Baluarte

Bantay Bell Tower

Crisologo Street

Patapat Bridge

Blue Lagoon

Bantay Abot Cave

Bangui Windmills

@ Kapurpurawan

Kapurpurawan

A 3 kilometer drive from the national highway and a 600 meter walk along sharp coral rock path will lead you to Kapurpurawan (which means kaputian or whiteness) rock formation in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. You will find it difficult to reach, but don't worry because it so worth all your efforts. At the end of the coral rock path you will see a peculiar mountain conposed of white limestone in strange shapes formed by both wind and sea water over time. The very noticeable portion of the Kapurpurawan rock formation is its peak which many said resembles Noah's Arc. (Repost from my blog entry "Napintas Ti Ilocos (Ilocos is Beautiful")

April 28, 2011, Thursday. This was our first time to see Kapurpurawan and like all people do, we were enchanted by this magical place the moment we laid our eyes on it. Truly a treasure for Ilocos.

a 500 meter walk from where we left our van

beauty unfolding before our very eyes

blinding whiteness

totally breathtaking

resembles the Noah's Arc

everything is white

I couldn't take my eyes off you

ala Heroes

Ilocos next top model

relaxing

kiko shot

bye Kapurpurawan. Till we meet again.