Baguio in January: It Kissed My Blues Away [part 3]

I woke up the following morning freezing to death. My toe socks and fleece blanket were of no help to beat the biting cold breeze of Baguio. So I went out to go on a steep short walk to release some heat… to perspire …. and these beautiful skies greeted me that one fine morning.

For some reason, these clouds and view reminded me of those ‘dream’ house & lots for sale in brochures. And so I tried to re-create it.

We headed off to Cafe by the Ruins to have lunch and have a taste of the famous Rizal’s Tsokolate-e.

They say it’s much cozier at night but I prefer to see it first in daylight so at least I could see what I am eating.

However, I was too hungry and forgot to take a decent photo of what we ate.

bread + Baguio Bagnet with Padas Bagoong

The bagnet was not as yummy as I thought it would be. The brown rice doesn’t appear to brown but more of purple. Though I liked the Padas Bagoong, I liked it so much until my lips turned a little swollen and itchy.

Other than bagnet we had the following:

• Sinigang na Malaga with Shrimps > simply put “Sinigang na Hipon”
• Pinikpikan > which appears to be native chicken
• Rizal Tsokolate-e > not as thick and rich as I’ve expected but fair enough

All in all, it wasn’t really a bad experience. It wasn’t since I get to eat without shelling out a single centavo. But I’m looking forward to have one of those colorful salads and rich champorado…. and probably nail their best main course. Suggestions, anyone?

Our day in Baguio ended with satisfied stomachs and we could all definitely sleep on our way to Manila but still with a short side-trip to Our Lady of Manaoag Church in Pangasinan.

Excited, I can’t wait to get there. Not that I’m a devotee nor religious, I was just really looking forward to tupig.

And my senses didn’t fail me, I can smell burnt banana leaves everywhere with an assortment of Pangasinan native delicacies, fruits and of course religious articles.

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And that concludes my overnight trip to Baguio-Pangasinan… and of the life of this little bird on our way to SCTEX.

As I write this article, I am planning to go back to Baguio to get hold of those famous raisin bread of Baguio Country Club while I enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Yum!

 

Start with the letter A!

After listing the B locations, it’s about time to check out the cities and municipalities of the Philippines that start with the letter A!

A is for:

1. Abra
2. Abucay, Bataan > been to Sibul Springs
3. Agusan del Norte/Sur
4. Aklan > other than the famous Boracay, the province boasts of rivers, falls, springs and among other man-made and natural tourist destinations
5. Alabat Island, Quezon > near Real & Infanta Quezon; near Polilio Island
6. Alaminos, Laguna > my semi-home town; been to Hidden Valley Springs (though it’s actually situated in Calauan, Laguna)
7. Alaminos, Pangasinan > been to Hundred Islands but I was still a kid then so I’d probably go back…
8. Albay > my relatives’ home town; been to Mayon Volcano when I was still a baby; would be worth seeing it again after it has caused a lot of frenzy late last year
9. Alfonso, Cavite > home to Sonya’s Garden
10. Amadeo, Cavite > I often pass by this place whenever I come from Gen. Trias, Cavite to Tagaytay; known for its kapeng barako and Pahimis blend of coffee
11. Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya > the town trail to Mt. Pulag National Park; need to be fit before I do this trekking thing
12. Angeles City, Pampanga > famous for its food escapade, Mt. Pinatubo & Fontana Leisure Park…will include this in my bucket list
13. Angono, Rizal > known as the Cradle of Philippine Art, this place is known for the discovery of petroglyphs; museums; and paper mache makers
14. Anilao, Batangas > my future snorkeling/scuba diving destination
15. Antipolo, Rizal > I’ve only been here a few times but just to eat breakfast and have the car/s blessed; I think there’s still more to see in this place…
16. Antique, Iloilo
17. Aparri, Cagayan
18. Apayao
19. Arayat, Pampanga
20. Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya
21. Atimonan, Quezon > fond of the sirena (Dutch mermaid) along Lamon Bay whenever we pass by Maharlika Highway to Bicol
22. Atok, Benguet > would love to enjoy the breeze and the view of the Cordillera Mountains
23. Aurora > such a mysterious place; I haven’t met anyone who lives or has been to this place…hmmm….

Among these, Anilao seems to be closer to reality…(sigh)

This coming long weekend???

Related Post: What’s with the letter B?

 

Bolinao, Pangasinan in its simplicity

a boy's fresh catch

children @ play

follow the footprints

blue-green waters of Bolinao

the 2nd tallest of them all

caught in the act

wriggling in heat

blending in

the escape

in deceit

mating game

all aboard

 

What’s with the letter B?

I’ve been itching to travel again. With a long list of worthy places to go, I’m having a hard time picking one. I usually pick my destination based on good reviews, convenience, budget, etc, etc.

In deep contemplation, I just realized that most of the places I have been to starts with the letter B! Batangas, Bulacan, Bohol, Boracay, Bolinao, Bataan, and even Baclaran. Haha!

I was thinking…for a change, maybe it would be good to pick my destinations alphabetically. And since I have been to most B places, then probably I should start from there and finish the list.

1. Baclaran > I love shopping here sometimes. My family and I also frequent this place whenever we want to feast on seafood at Aling Tonya’s Paluto.
2. Basilan
3. Bataan > I have been to Sibul Springs in Abucay, Corregidor, and Montemar Beach Club in Bagac. I would love to go back to Montemar or its neighboring resorts.
4. Batanes > I’m intrigued by this place but I’m worried about its unpredictable weather.
5. Batangas > I have been to Nasugbu and Matabungkay but that was years ago. Relatively huge, I think there’s more to discover in Batangas.
6. Benguet > I have been to Baguio and La Trinidad a couple of times and just the same with Batangas, it’s worth exploring again especially those tourist spots I haven’t been to.
7. Biliran
8. Bohol > For the 3rd time, I’m going back to this paradise on August 24-27!
9. Bolinao, Pangasinan > went on a backpack trip and enjoyed snorkeling here
10. Boracay > Having been there thrice, I will always go back to Boracay. Next to Tagaytay, Boracay remains to be my most convenient getaway…that is if Cebu Pacific is on sale…hehe!
11. Bukidnon > Haven’t been here but I’m very interested to see the pineapple plantations in Malaybalay.
12. Butuan
13. Bulacan > I’ve gone through several municipalities in Bulacan like in San Miguel, Santa Maria, and so on. Mostly just short trips with my family and friends.

Hmmm…so where to?

 

Backpacking in Bolinao

Last week has been very stressful and frustrating so my friend suggested to escape…go out of town. Our destination: Bolinao and Baguio.

Five Star Bus - ordinary

It was a Friday afternoon when we finally decided to go backpacking with Bolinao and Baguio as our destinations in mind. With a little research, we have identified which bus lines offer daily trips to Bolinao and Baguio. As we are much nearer in Pasay, we opted to go for Five Star which offers direct trips to Bolinao.

 

 

Read more

Five Star Bus – ordinary

nipa huts for rent

to Treasures of Bolinao

follow the footprints

children @ play

all aboard