Baguio: "City of Pines"

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The City of Baguio (Ilokano: Ciudad ti Baguio; Filipino: Lungsod ng Baguio) is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon in the Philippines. Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway. Baguio City was designated by the Philippine Commission as the Summer Capital of the Philippines on June 1, 1903 and incorporated as a city by the Philippine Assembly on September 1, 1909. There is a presidential mansion, as well as supreme court and legislative offices in Baguio.

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SM BAGUIO – the SM mall with no aircon. It’s not that cold inside even if SM is open air. I’m wondering what would their situation be if it’s rainy season. Basically what SM has to offer is the same as the SM Malls in Metro Manila.

BOTANICAL GARDEN – It’s along Leonard Wood. As expected, nice plants and trees by the entrance  you can have your photos taken with the Igorots for i think 10 or 20  There are giant sizes igorots made of wood. There are igorot huts inside for picture taking also.

THE MANSION – 


WRIGHT PARK –


MINES VIEW –  the view from the deck was spectacular Before you go in, you’ll pass by the picture taking area where you’ll wear the Igorot hat and the second picture taking area of hut full of artificial sunflowers. You have to donate at least P10 per head to have your picture taken there. Then we saw doglas – the famous cutie St. Bernard dog of Baguio. Too bad, he’s being used for business, P20 per shot (as in per shot huh).


CAMP JOHN HAY –   butterfly Santuary, and horse back riding

BURNHAM PARK –  crowded of all places in Baguio. I don’t know why but there’s not much to see at Burnham park except for the old rusty, boats.

BSU - Stands for Benguet State University – My first time also here. The vegetables and other baguio delicacies here are super cheap.

STRAWBERRY FIELD – Another first for me. It’s near BSU lang. No more strawberries to pick at the time we went there at around 4-5 pm. And the strawberry field is dominated by flowers. There’s so many stores here and some of the items are cheaper than Mines View.

Mt. Sto Tomas -  highest peak in baguio

Asin HotSpring - The best

GOOD SHEPERD –

crystalline cave -

Some travel tips to Baguio
1. You can commute around Baguio if you want to and if you’re comfortable doing it. (That;s why we didn’t!) But it’s less the hassle of looking for parking areas but hassle to wait for jeepney rides.
2. No need to bring food or grocery stuff before going to Baguio. SM is a few minute drive away and is open even on Holy Week
3. Wear comfy walking shoes
4. It’s not that cold during Summer, so no need to pack heavy and bulky sweaters. But it’s a must to bring on rainy and Christmas season.
5. Always watch out for your belongings






BURNHAM PARK





 baguio_cathedral

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Airport on a Plateau. This is Baguio City's Loakan airport. You overshoot it to the west, you fall of a cliff. You overshoot the runway to the east, you will fall off to an even deeper ravine. This airport is not for the faint of heart pilots. Nor is it for pilots who are only after the flight attendants -- one of the worst trait of commercial pilots.




Map: Baguio Airport Area

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=16.374662,120.619326&spn=0.062174,0.090637&z=14

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Igorot is the name of an ethnic group found in the Cordillera region of the Philippines...

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Baguio @ nite

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SM BAGUIO

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Some hotels

Camp John Hay have rooms for 5200-5700. Nice views from the room balcony. Good restaurant, and a fireplace in the bar at night. it's expensive but fair value for the money.

Microtel  is located next door to the Victory liner terminal. P2500 old and dirty not recommended

Summer Place hotel P2500 is the max you should pay, check the rooms first some need reparing some don’t have a view

Concord, hotel 1930's Spanish style Looks classy from the outside not recommended
Threadbare bedding and bath towels, filthy bathroom with broken plumbing, broken electrical fittings with exposed wires in the bedroom, and mummified insects on the window sills.