Baguio Escapade

We were supposed to celebrate Papa’s birthday at a certain resort in Batangas during the long weekend but since we were predominantly crestfallen by reviews at tripadvisor.com, we were pressed to change plans.  We had to look for a hotel in Baguio the last minute.  What even made it harder was that I have to book for 2 to 3 rooms because our headcount is 10.  Baguio was the original plan months ago but due to conflict of schedules and my concerns regarding traveling with a 9-month old baby, the family thought of just celebrating it somewhere near.  We planned to go somewhere wherein travel would be just 2 to 3 hours, max. 

 Anyway, I called The Manor at Camp John Hay on Thursday evening but the hotel was said to be running full.  I was quite upset.  I guess we’ll just have to settle with the hideous hotel I initially called and reserved.  I tried my luck Friday morning, called The Manor again and hooray! I have room reservations.  They opened slots for the weekend at ‘The Suites’.  It’s the building right beside The Manor.  It’s they’re soft launch although as informed by the reservations clerk, there are still works being done but just minimal.  I said I will be traveling with a baby and she assured me that it’s fit for occupancy.  Only the room finishings are being done and that works are only done from 9 am to 6 pm.  I suppose the Baguio trip was truly for us.  I was happy with the rate that I got too.  The Manor and The Suites are offering irresistible rates till September 30.  They’re 50% off since it’s their off peak season.  After that, they’ll be back to their usual rates.

 My nephews have actually packed their swimming gears.  They were ready for an excursion to blue waters.  Due to the change in plans, they had to unload their swimming trunks and pack their sweaters and jackets instead.  It was my brother’s first time to go to Baguio too.  Praise the heavens! We were asking him to kiss the ground since it’s his first time to set foot on the soils of the Philippines’ City of Pines! He’s been to other places outside the country but he hasn’t conquered Baguio for that matter.  I’m just wondering why Mama and Papa weren’t able to bring him to Baguio when we were kids, to think that when going to Ilocos, we could pass by Baguio.  J  I remember that I was only able to go there because my aunt Mely tagged me along when I was 7 years old.

 Anyway, we left home a quarter before 6am.  No traffic or whatsoever since we took the SCTex.  We had breakfast at Jollibee Luisita and arrived at Baguio 1pm.  It was just raining when we got there.  As initially said, we stayed at The Suites in Camp John Hay.  What the clerk said is true.  There are still a few works.  It’s not fully operational but the lobby and the ground and 3^rd floor rooms are fully made.  It’s run by the same management of The Manor.  We still got the same comfort though, and it’s like we had the place all to ourselves.  The rooms are new and fully equipped.  Only few guests are checked-in while The Manor is running full and so crowded.  We park our cars just at the hotel’s big and wide drive-way, so our come and go in between was a breeze.  The only difference is, The Suites has no garden, no piano bar and no restaurant yet.  We often eat outside anyway, either in the city (SM or Session Rd.) or at the commissary, so it wasn’t really something that we actually needed.  Besides, we wanted a quiet get away since we were with kids and a baby.  So somehow without these amenities, it was more of an advantage. 

 We had late lunch at Dencio’s and went back to the hotel to rest.  It was still raining when we decided to go see the city (around 5pm).  We really don’t know our way around Baguio so we often stop and ask the people around for directions.  We went to Baguio Cathedral and we were in time for the anticipated mass.  We had dinner at SM then went back to the hotel.  My CJ has to rest.  We actually all have to rest as we all traveled for hours.  We decided to call it a night.  And since it’s said to be always raining in the afternoons at Baguio, we planned to start early the following day.   

 Tourist spots visited the following day were:  Botanical Garden, the Lourdes Grotto (whose long and steep stairs shocked Dongee, my youngest nephew.  “Aakyatin natin yan, Tita?”), Burnham Park (the kids went boat riding even on its murky water), Mines View Park, Good Shepherd (bought ube and strawberry jam, yum yum), Wright Park and The Mansion. 

Baguio

 We were also able to visit some friends of Mama and Papa who were staying too for the weekend at EGI Albergo di Ferroca, a newly built condominium near Wright Park and The Mansion. 

 Much as I like my brother and the kids to see the Philippine Military (PMA) School, we had not much time.  The heavens were crying again and it was quite foggy too at 3pm.  I also can sense that CJ was so sleepy and tired so I said maybe next time. 

 On our third and last day, we had breakfast at the Manor, had our picture taking at the lush garden, and did some last minute shopping at the commissary while the kids went horse back riding.  CJ slept soundly while we all got ready to leave.  I love his look resting calmly in our bed.  No cares, no worries.  It’s a happy moment for a first-time mom like me. We freshened up and breathed the fresh air of Baguio, left the place thanking God for the lovely experience we all had.  This trip is indeed an addition to my life’s simple joys. 

 On the way home, we had late lunch at Isdaan at Gerona, Tarlac.  It’s one of Barrio Fiesta’s chains of restaurants.  We were all hungry when we got there as the travel down from Baguio gave us all a dizzy-woozy-head.  Plus+ we would want to beat traffic at the expressway knowing that a lot of Manileno’s went out of town.  Food was great at Isdaan.  We ordered this so-called “bilao” which has liempo, chicken and fried crunchy fish and pork.  We had additional order of their famous “tinupig na chicken” and pakbet.  Yummy!  It was a feast for both the adults and kids.  We did visit their ‘Tacsyapo wall’ too.  We literally broke plates and mugs!  

 That’s our Baguio escapade.  It was tiring but it was all well worth the fun and family bonding.  It’s a good thing that my will power won over my apprehensions to do this trip given that CJ is just 9-months old.   And mind you, we didn’t tag along any yaya.  CJ was so manageable.  Good thing was that everyone in the family (including the kids) is so willing to carry him at times when Cloyd and I can’t.  I think he’s ready for an out-of-the-country trip.  Yehey!

 

Cruise Experience

  

Charity & Cloyd, cruising!

Early this year, my husband and I were able to experience cruising via Star Virgo, an Asian world-class luxury cruise ship for almost a week. It was a dream that had to wait for four long years since we got married.  As everyone may know, it’s an expensive way of traveling although very unique, exciting and different.  We had to reserve months in advance so we could get early bird discounts.  Believe me, it’s worth it.  I got our package at almost 40% discount.  Good thing, I had a very dependable travel agent.  Thanks to her for concerting all efforts just to put us on the go at the dates that we wanted.    (Leave me a note should you want to get in touch with her.)  We had to reserve the dates where my birthday and our wedding anniversary would exactly fall.

 Anyway, we only got an inside stateroom.  Getting a room with an ocean view and a balcony was way too much.  Our budget might just go ballistic although it could really have been better if we got the rooms with a view.  J  But what’s important was we have a place to retreat when we’re exhausted getting nomadic in the ship.  Another important thing, which I made sure, was the food.  All meals were included and served on board.  The food was just overflowing at Star Virgo.  They have a great selection of restaurants.  They have Japanese, Chinese and Indian restaurants.  Their Mediterranean buffet was superb.  They have an exceptional variety of meals to choose from.  My husband was particularly happy with the overflow of summer fruits like watermelon, honey dew and pineapples.  We never really got hungry.  We even really had to schedule our meals in a way that each meal doesn’t overlap with the next meal.   My favorite was one time when they served dinner near the pool.  It’s like a barbeque party for everyone in the ship and it was a happy site.  They also have this gala night where ship guests are given a chance to take pictures and talk to the captain of the ship and its crew.  Of course, it meant getting dressed up for the gala moment.  It was another noteworthy moment.

The ship’s crew/s were also very gracious and courteous.  We really felt at home.  Take into account that almost 50% of the crew population were Filipinos.  Front liners and receptionists were mostly Filipino.  Luckily, our cabin attendant was a Filipino too.  We were really pampered to the max and I could really say that cruisin’ through the Pacific Ocean was such a breeze! Aside from the endless eating we did on board, there were other fun-filled activities in the ship.  They have the Parthenon pool and four Jacuzzis where you could take a dip.  They have a gym wherein most of the trainers are Filipinos. At the ship’s roof deck, they have the basketball hoops, mini golf area, the tread wall and the disco area when you feel like dancing and grooving at night.  They also have the Lido, where nightly shows are being held.  It’s like a big theater.  On our second night on the ship, the crew did a beautiful musical presentation.  We also had a chance to play Bingo.  Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on our side.  We didn’t win anything, not even a consolation prize.   The countries visited by our cruise were Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.  There were shore excursions offered for the areas of Penang, Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur and Malacca at Malaysia; and Phuket in Thailand.  Phuket was the place I enjoyed the most.  It’s like Boracay but Phuket was more crowded mostly white foreigners.  We also saw the place hit by the 2005 tsunami.  It’s amazing though how fast the place was easily brought to life after the catastrophe.  At Kuala Lumpur, we just saw the Petronas Twin Towers and that’s it.  Well, that would depend I guess on the excursion you’re getting.  Of course, we were on a budget.  I’d like to think that we’d just travel to KL again some other time to really travel around the place. Overall, our cruise experience went astonishingly well.  It actually exceeded our expectations.

Now that I’ve got the feel of if, we just might try a Caribbean or a Mediterranean cruise next time. God willing.  J