Baguio Food Trip in December - Hill Station, Mario's Restaurant, Cafe by the Ruins or Vizco's? Best Strawberry Shortcake Pasalubong and My Manor Camp John Hay Hotel Review

Ah, December... I love going to Baguio at this time of the year and I can't explain it fully. Maybe the weather has something to do with it or the laid-back atmosphere or that I always sing "chestnuts roasting in an open fire..." and that Baguio seems to be the only place in the Philippines with attic houses and fireplaces (where you can roast the marshmallows) haha. This time, I stayed at The Manor Hotel in Camp John Hay and finally got to check out and list down my must-go-back-to and will-avoid restaurants once and for all. Hehe.

Homestay and Camping in La Trinidad for the Barkada near Baguio - Lily of the Valley Organic Farms Benguet

Before I was only confined to these when I think of Baguio - a 1D Baguio itinerary or my very first customized overnight 2D Baguio itinerary (everything had to do with staying within Baguio..). La Trinidad was always a short trip or just a side trip for the Strawberry Farm (which we associate with Baguio still) and the Bagsakan for fresh veggies. Now, my list of places to go near Baguio just expanded with this newly found appreciation for Benguet and the Cordillera Region! How about a homestay experience in La Trinidad or camping under the stars in a Pinoy organic farm? Of the 3 farms we went to on this visit to Benguet, only the Lily of the Valley Organic Farms was set up for a complete experience (told you they each had their own charm, I'm sure others have plans but as of now, only LOV has the structure in place). Now that their kids are all grown up and are based somewhere else, the Laruans have opened up their cozy home for homestay-ers, happy campers and those who want to stay for a few days and do their organic agri trainings and tours.

 

Things to Bring and OC Reminders for Mt. Pulag Climb!

Planning to go to Mt. Pulag? Here's a quick guide - my list of things to bring, suggestions and some last minute OC reminders based on my experience in no particular order hahaha. This is based on a trip to Mt. Pulag with Anywhere Philippines although more or less, it might probably apply to you too all the same =)

The Junior Mt. Pulag Climb, the Sea of Clouds and the Road Trip Home

People would surely ask me "How was it?" when they find out that I'd already reached Mount Pulag. Well, for sure, I would now tell them to go to my blog for the whole story haha. There are so many things I'd like to share including my climb to Junior Pulag, the terrain on the top, the Mt. Pulag peaks (apparently, not all will climb the 2922 meter summit because they need to distribute the people climbing to watch the sunrise), the infamous sea of clouds (which depends if you're lucky that weekend) and the crazy road trip home on this post alone. If you're reading my Pulag series for the first time, I would suggest that you read the following first: the long journey even before the Pulag trek begins and what it takes to go camping overnight at this 3rd highest peak in the Philippines. Also, find out below on how you can get Anywhere Philippines Mt. Pulag GCs for 2013 from me.

Camping at Mount Pulag, the Ambangeg Trail and Slow Trekking with Anywhere Philippines

I knew the Philippines has some mighty mountains and I was content to leave it to experts or mountaineering fanatics for the longest time. But this year, I finally succumbed to the Mount Pulag craze out of curiosity and that voice in my head that says I need some exercise haha. I was there for a weekend to push my body to the limits and up to new heights. For once in my life, I climbed (and documented the arduous journey) as if this was going to be my last. Today, I'd like to show you the challenges I went through to get there through photos, as well as the Ambangeg Trail, comfort room situation and some nice things I found along the way =) The only Pulag photos I remember I saw before the trip were the poster views from the summit. Well, there's a whole Mt. Pulag National Park out there to explore and of course, people who will support you throughout the trip to capture! I've already told you about the very eventful morning before the climb on my last post. I believe that the afternoon that followed with the Pulag overnight camping deserves another post. When I was there, it felt like the longest day and weekend ever. Take note and be warned, I have mastered the art of slow trekking here hahaha. Whoever would want to race you to an elevated base camp is nuts ;) Even at my pace, I tell you, I was faced with altitude-sickness!

Mt. Pulag Adventure with Anywhere Philippines, The Journey Before Reaching the Start of the Trek!

Ahhh, Mt. Pulag. If it were not for my goal to push my body to the limits thru travel this year, I would never have considered meeting you so soon. Your charm and the "above-the-clouds" stories were the first things that popped in my head when my friends said that it's time for an adventure this 2013. I was glad I went with my friends and Anywhere Philippines for this epic journey. It was definitely one of the craziest ideas that I ever blurted out in front of my buddies when I know for a fact that we don't even do regular exercise (what more climbing the 3rd highest peak in the Philippines [Mount Pulag, and the highest in Luzon] all of a sudden without training?!). Hahaha. For this post, I would like to tell you all about the long journey, think transpo and happenings even before you get to the base/ranger station of Mt. Pulag National Park, so that you can be super prepared and well-informed. After all, you will spend more time on the road going to Pulag and back than the actual trek itself. Let us begin =)

A 1-Day Baguio Lover Experience

Say you went to Baguio for that convention or business meeting and you had one extra day (from sunrise to sunset) with someone who is as adventurous as you. This was what happened on that particular cold December day. We found ourselves revisiting the Baguio we knew as a child on our own.

Baguio '10 Day 2 - Rediscovering Baguio

September 24, 2010 (Thursday)

My roomie and I hurriedly ate our breakfast to walk to Mines View Park before our scheduled Baguio tour. I couldn’t eat that much anyway because I had no appetite after a sleepless night. I filled my belly with a classic Filipino breakfast plate.

Baguio '10 Day 1 - A Customized Sampling of Baguio

September 23, 2010 (Thursday)

I’m glad the trip to Baguio only took 5.5 hours with the new expressway. It’s also a good geography lesson too as we passed by the provinces north of Manila one by one. You know you’re almost halfway when you start going through the endless zigzagged roads of the Cordillera mountain range.