Reminiscing the Past: Puerto Princesa Tour - Day 2

Last time I blogged about Day 1 of my Puerto Princesa tour with my husband.  Day 1 of the tour included the half-day City Tour, which is at the South part of the city.  Now I will share the Day 2 of the tour, which will include the enchanting trip to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Underground River), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

DAY 2 (February 16, 2011)

The famous Underground River is located in the St. Paul mountain range at the North part of the city and is about an hour away from the city proper.  It is actually a river flowing inside a cave full of limestones.  I am not so much of a nature lover but visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site is really an honor, pride and joy for me.

The tour guide on Day 1 told us that the tour van would fetch us around 7:30 am.  So my husband and I decided to have our free breakfast in the hotel at 6:30 am (my hubby had beef tapa and I ordered tocino).  To our surprise, the tour van arrived at 6:30 am! Therefore we hurried our breakfast.  We had a new tour guide, Kuya Ian, and he seemed to be in a hurry because he wanted us to be early in the Underground River tour so that we won't be with the crowded tourists.  We also had new tour-mates in the van--- a young couple, an old couple, and a family (with a foreigner and kids).  We were jampacked inside the van!

The road trip was a silent one.  It was like going to Baguio because all you can see are mountain ranges along the way.  We also passed by a community wherein their their main source of power and electricity comes from solar cells.  My husband became interested about the solar cells, which are on the lamp posts beside the main road because he works at a solar cells manufacturing company. 

Solar cells on posts

When we reached the bay wherein we would take a boat ride to Mt. St. Paul, Kuya Ian collected our ID's for registration.  While waiting for him to register us, we took time to take shots of the scenery.

I love the waves! :)

The group were divided into half to ride in two motorboats.  The first batch included the old couple and the family.  The second batch included the young couple and us (my husband and I).  After minutes of boat ride, we finally came to the other side of the shore.

Almost there....

From the shore, we had to register our names and walk on a monkey trail towards the river where the cave is located.  There were not too many people when we got there yet.  We wore our life jacket and headgear for safety.  My husband and I were requested by the tour guide (which is not Kuya Ian, but a tour guide specifically for the Underground River) to seat infront of the boat.  He also requested my husband to hold the flashlight.  Then when everyone's ready, the boat began to paddle its way towards the darkness of the cave....

Lightbearers.

going inside...

The cave was so dark and quiet, only our tour guide was talking, since he gave information about the place.  He also shared the different rock formations inside, in which, when we use our imagination, formed into things such as vegetables, faces, buildings, animals, and many more.  My favorite rock formation was the catherdral.  When our tour guide intorduced the cathedral and other rock formations around it that looked like holy things (there's  a rock formation that looked like the Blessed Mary, angels, etc.), I was so amazed and awed.  I couldn't help but to think that this subterranean must be sacred, and the Heavens take care of it.

The Cathedral

Aside from rocks, we also saw bats on the ceiling.  The journey must be very scary for other people but let me assure you that fears would fade away once you see the interesting scenery inside.

When we paddled out of the cave, we saw lots of tourists outside, waiting for their turn to ride.  Thank goodness we entered th cave before them!

We had lots of picture taking before going back to the bay where Kuya Ian first registered us.  Then we went to Sabang Beach to take our yummy free lunch.  After that, we finally went home.

At the beautiful Sabang Beach

My husband and I freshen up (I took a looooong hot bath! I loooove it!) and at 7:00pm we dined at Ka Lui Restaurant.  Dining at Ka Lui requires reservation and we the hotel already arranged our reservation that morning before our tour.  What is nice about this restaurant is that customers have to take off their shoes when entering and while dining.  My husband and I got the table for two wherein we had to seat on the floor (reminds me of Japanese culture!).  The dinner choices were few, actually, but we ordered a complete set meal (which was hmm...quite expensive, hehe, but sulit and delicious). 

Day 2 dinner at Ka Lui

The tour was more than just fun.  It was enlightening.  It made me a person closer to nature.  It made me realize that there are still wonders in this world that are still virgin from man's greedy and worldly acts...and we need to value such wonders so that our children would still see the beauty of our Mother Nature.

Upnext...Day 3 of our Puerto Princesa adventure.


--VANENI--

Reminiscing the Past: Puerto Princesa Tour - Day 1

Wow, it's been months since I last blogged.  This means that I had been a busy career woman for the past few months.  However, since I am on my mandatory leave for two weeks, I guess it's time to catch up on my writing.  And the first thing I want to blog for this year is all about my Palawan tour with my husband.  My husband Jeff and I planned our Palawan tour late last year to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary and Valentines day for this year.  Our "honeymoon" planning was very timely because we got the chance to get seats from the 50% off promo of Cebu Pacific and got a good travel and tours agency in Palawan which was referred by Jeff's friends (Hadefe Travel and Tours).

Puerto Princesa City is the Philippine's largest city with lots of magestic nature spots from land to water.  My hubby and I picked this city for our 2011 tour because we love its sense of adveture and nature awe.  Hey, it's a pleasure to visit a place with world wonder destinations.  The city is also known to be the City in the Forest because you won't see big buildings in the area, but it is surrounded by big mountains and rainforests.  Since we stayed for 5 days and visited lots of tourist sites, I plan on blogging about our tour per day so that I may be able to fully describe and share our Palawan experience.

DAY 1 (February 15, 2011)

We arrived at Puerto Princesa Airport at around lunchtime.  The hotel service fetched us and brought us to the hotel, Ysabelle Mansion, which was just 5 minutes away from the airport.  The hotel was very cozy and quiet, perfect for a peaceful stay away from the hussle city of Manila.  It has free wifi (but the strength was not very high), free breakfast, and free airport transfer.  But then, it doesn't have swimming pool or jacuzzi.  What I liked most about the hotel is its long list of breakfast choices.  All through my life of traveling in the Philippines, this hotel has the longest list of choices for breakfast (other hotels only have 2 to 3 choices).  Choices include chicken / pork longganisa, tocino, beef tapa, corned beef, dried fish, sardines, etc.  For other information about the hotel, you can visit its website to know its room rates and packages.

Since we arrived at Puerto Princesa during lunchtime, our contact from the travel and tours agency, Sir Hanny, fetched us from the hotel and suggested us to take lunch at Balinsasayaw Restaurant.  Balinsasayaw means "bird's nest".  Obviously, it's the restaurant's delicacy.  However, we didn't order it because that time, we craved for rice and meat (we were super hungry!).  After the lunch, our tour guide, Ms. Joms, fetched us at the restaurant.  In the tour van, we were with several oldies who were mostly balikbayans (and a foreigner).

At Balinsasayaw Restaurant

It was the start of the City Tour.

Ms. Joms, our tour guide, was very accommodating.  She introduced herself and let us introduced ourselves to one another.  She was very talkative all throughout the tour, which was fine with me because there was not a dull moment especially while we were on the road.

Our first stop was at the Crocodile Farm.  It is a breeding house of crocodiles and mini zoo at Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center about 30 minutes away from the city center.  Aside from live crocodiles, big and small, we also saw the remains (the bones and skin) of one of the largest crocodile caught in the wild which attacked fishermen in the area.  What I liked most in this destination was the picture taking while holding a live baby crocodile, for only 30.00 Php per shot.  Holding my breath, I got to hold the live crocodile while posing infront of the camera (and guess what, the croc placed its feet on my arm and tummy!  It's kinda scary but sweet...but still, ahhh...exciting?  Hehe).

  Crocs....



Brave me and my hubby...and the croc... :D

Our next stop was at the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm.  This is the prison without cells, wherein inmates live like in a farming community rather than in jail.  Inmates here could earn a living through farming, handicraft, or being a househelp for employees who live there.  They could also build their own nipa hut! On our way there, we saw a group of inmates doing some farming, with only just 2 security watchmen to look after them.  Prisoners here came from other correctional institutions all over the country, and were brought here probably because of their good conduct while in prison, or even old age.  We asked the tour guide if there were prison breaking incidents.  There were, but they could be easily caught because Puerto Princesa is a city in an island, and the population is not very large, so it's easy to locate those who tried to run away.  But most of the inmates rather stay in the cell-less prison, living like an almost normal life, rather than break the rules and be back behind bars again.  Anyway, we stopped by the souvenir shop wherein my husband and I bought keychains to give to our siblings.

The inmates willingly took this photo for free!

After the Iwahig Prison, we visited Mitra's Ranch, which felt like you're in Tagaytay, because it is situated on top of the mountain, overviewing the sea.  It was not as cold as Tagaytay but it was very windy.  The place is actually owned by Mitra's. 

A lovely spot for a quiet just-want-to-be-with-you date on top of the mountain.

Next, as we went down the mountain, we stopped by Baker's Hill and bought some of their yummy delicacy, hopia, for pasalubong.

Photo galore at Baker's Hill

We also went to Binuatan Creations.  It is a handicraft weaving place, where its products are export quality.  Guess what, I tried some actual weaving to experience it...and I found out that one needs to have good hands and feet coordination because it was like biking or walking on a treadmill.  I bought some good stuff there also...handwoven bags.  Quite a price, but even my husband couldn't stop me! Hehe.  I also bought a bag for my mother, and placemat for my mother in law (Jeff's choice, of course).

I'm weavin'!

Our last stop was at a tiangge souvenir shop in the city proper. The shop sells Palawan t-shirts, keychains, pearls (pearls here are so cheap, as well as the well known South Sea pearls), cashew nuts (also a delicacy of Palawan), bags, and many more.  I got to buy pearl earrings because earrings are my favorite everyday accessory.  After the shopping, we passed by the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral and Baywalk (they call it Baybay).  We didn't get the chance to stop to those places because our companions in the van are already tired.

My husband and I dropped off the hotel to freshen up, since the City Tour was very tiring (and hey, the temperature was so hot!).  Around 7:00 pm, we had our dinner at Kinabuchs Restaurant, wherein their specialty is crocodile meat.  We didn't order crocodile meat because we were afraid that our stomach might get upset during the first day of our tour.  Therefore we just indulged into sisig and kangkong.  After dinner, we walked towards Tiki Restobar (which was just a minute or two away from Kinabuchs Restaurant), and ordered a pitcher of cherry margarita there.  I felt so lucky that night because I learned that it was a reggae night.  I love reggae!

Night life is not too popular in Puerto Princesa, but we're glad to found Tiki Restobar to grab some drinks.  Margarita + reggae + hunny with me = happiness!

And the night went on...and I guess, I don't have to talk about it on my blog, do I? *wink*

So that made the DAY 1 of our Puerto Princesa tour.  How would I describe it?  Tiring, informative, and expensive! (Hey, it was just the first day and we already did a lot of shopping!).  Next time I'll blog about the DAY 2 ---  the Underground River tour adventure.

Reminiscing the Past: Enchanting Trip

Enchanted Kingdom was my husband Jeff and I's first gimik trip...and that was way back when he was still courting me.  It was a summer of 2007 when he invited me for a carnival date with him to celebrate his birthday, and of course, I did not resist to spend that day with him because it was my first time to enter Enchanted Kingdom (imagine, I lived in Laguna but I had never experienced its amazing rides until that special day!). 

Infront of the Grand Carousel...under the heat of the summer sun

The most unforgettable ride I experienced was the Space Shuttle-- and believe me, it's also the one I think I would never ride again.  My eyes were shut the whole time, especially during the heartstopping loop! And when the ride finally ended, and Jeff asked me how was I, I couldn't say anything but a mumbling "moooommmyyyyy!!!" because I was soooo terrified.  Jeff just laughed at me.  He loved the Space Shuttle ride!

Space Shuttle.  This was before the ride started.  What should I expect???

My favorite ride was the Log Jam.  It was a bit romantic ride because we got to ride a boat (in a shape of a log), but also an exciting and adventurous one because the log boat would slide on top of a hill, causing us to be splashed with water afterwards.  The best thing about it was our slide was caught by photo in action.  I haven't got to scan the picture until now, but I swear, the photo was still existing (somewhere around the house....).

Background: The Log Jam.  And we're all wet!

We got to experience almost all the amazing and famous rides of Enchanted Kingdom.  We actually stayed there until almost closing so that we would be able to see the fireworks.  I was so happy, I gaved him my "yes, I want to be your girlfriend" answer that night when he dropped me off my place.  Nakalog ang utak ko sa mga rides, napasagot tuloy niya ako. Haha!

I haven't been in Enchanted Kingdom again.  Maybe next time, when our daughter will be old enough to appreciate the rides.  I'm sure she would love to experience the magical carnival place (and I wonder if she would say the same line after riding the Space Shuttle....hehe).

Me...and the Enchanted Kingdom's headmaster and her...uh...chick?

Reminiscing the Past: Family Trip at the Zoo

The last time I went to Manila Zoo was way back when I was 7 or 8 years old, during our grade school field trip.  That's why during the long weekend last week, I suggested my husband to visit Manila Zoo, and bring along our daughter.  I was quite surprised to know that my husband had never been in Manila Zoo!  Because of our need to get out and de-stress (and our baby was also wanting to get out of the house too!),  we went there last Sunday, August 29, 2010.  It became a wonderful family trip.

My husband and I would have wanted to go to Avilon Zoo instead, because reviews say it is much better than Manila Zoo.  But since it was far from our place and it is more expensive than Manila Zoo (medyo tipid kami ngayon e), we decided to visit Manila Zoo instead.  Well, Manila Zoo isn't really bad at all.  I admit, It is not a good place to educationally tour around because the animals were quite old (and there's no more Giraffe).  But if you want a cheaper place wherein you can just bond and spend time with your loved ones, it is a very good place because you can take your family out for a picnic there and ride a boat for a cheap price.  There is also a playground for kids, complete with slides and swings.  It is a good place for them to mingle with other kids.  For me, Manila Zoo is not a zoo with a park, but a park with a zoo. Hehe :D

At the background: Boat ride in Manila Zoo

It was a Sunday, and my husband and I were shocked to know that despite of the bad reviews, Manila Zoo was jampacked!  Ang daming tao pa rin pala pumupunta dun!  We paid for only P80.00 for entrance fee (P40.00 per head, and my 1 year old baby had it for free!).  Our first stop was the birds (which my baby was not very interested in.  She was more interested to watch the people around her.  I guess she was amazed on so many people she saw).  Then we also got to see the monkeys (ok, in this stop, our daughter finally showed interest in the animals.  She made a loud babble when she saw the monkey which bounced in his cage).  We also saw a horse, a zebra...and their crossbred baby, the famous Hebra!

Can you spot the Hebra?

We also visited the boring crocodiles and alligators (they were not moving at all!  Oh, I was so bored just looking at them!).  We also went in the Reptile House.  Then outside at the other end of the Reptile House, we got to see the elephant!  And our daughter was so amazed, she began mumbling and babbling while looking at the elephant-- she was actually talking to the big long nosed guy!  Haha!

Rian just made friends with the Elephant!

We also saw ostrich, tigers, carabaos, cows.... Anyway, when we passed by a toy store kiosk, Rian pointed at a toy monkey.  Since she was a good girl and I was in a good mood, I bought her the toy monkey she picked and put it around her neck.  During the rest of our tour, she mumbled and babbled at the monkey, and pointing her finger around (like what i had been doing to her the whole time, pointing to animals to show them to her).  She was actually touring her new toy monkey around the zoo!  And all the while she had been kissing and hugging the stuff toy.  She never took it away from her neck.  She loved it so much.  I was glad I bought it for her. It would serve as a remembrance for her first visit in Manila Zoo.  :)

"This is my pet monkey.  Don't you dare to take it away from me!"

 Our last stop was a carinderia, wherein my husband ordered Pancit Canton for the two of us.  I fed Rian with her favorite biscuit and milk.  Then we drove home.  Rian slept in the car peacefully.  We were all tired from the trip...just imagine how long we walked and how hot was the heat.  We got home tired, but we were happy.  Aside from being de-stressed, we were happy because we got to spend the day with our family.

Quality time is an important ingredient in having a happy family. :)

Reminiscing the Past: Subic Galore!

December of 2007.  Jeff and I, along with some of his officemates, decided to take a Holiday out of town trip at Subic.  Subic Bay in Olongapo City is one of the famous tourist spots in the Philippines bceause it is developed to be an Eco-tourism place wherein you can experience different kinds of activities such as jungle activities, water sports, night life, and visiting historical and natural sites. As for us, since we only had two-days and one-night stay, just visited the Zoobic Safari and Ocean Adventure.  But we also had fun in the beach because we stayed in a bay-side hotel.

My hunny, me, and the beach of subic!

Our first stop after we unloaded our bags in the hotel was the Zoobic Safari.  It's actually a big zoo but the experience was more natural because at times, there were animals which was just lurking around!  Well, they were the friendly ones.  But there was a part in the tour wherein we had to ride in a bus because we would go inside a big secured place wherein tigers were freely doing their own thing!  Some of them were salivating especially when we threw them dressed chicken.  Some of them even jumped on the bus!  We also got to feed crocodiles.  I didn't like the feeling of feeding them because at first, they were so still, they looked like statues.  But when the moment you get showed them the dressed chicken (again!), they would suddenly jump to bite the it.  It startled me a lot.  But anyway, I really enjoyed the zoo tour.  It was like a tour in the African Safari.

Inside the bus cage...while the tigers are freely lurking around outside!

That night, after the kids of my husband's officemate had gone to sleep, we started to drink and relax.  I didn't drink much.  I wanted to dive in the beach waters...but since it was dark, of course, I was frightened to do so.  After drinking, Jeff and I walked on the shores, with hands clasped together, breathing the sea air, hearing each others heartbeat.  It was a warm starry night and I was very happy to be with the one I love.  I had dreamed of that scenario before...to walk on the shores with my loved one beside me.  We didn't talk much because the silence said it all.

The next day, we went to Ocean Adventure to see the dolphin exhibition.  Well, we first watched the sea lion's show, then in the middle of the day (and the sun was too high), it as a good thing we visited the fish museum (it was cool there because of the aircon! Hehe).  We were delighted with the fishes we saw in there.  Then in the afternoon, it was time for the dolphin exhibition.  Though the crowd was thick, we still managed to get good seats wherein we could see the show better.  The show was amazing!

And so we wondered...how was it like being the fish!

After the Ocean Adventure, we prepared to go home.  The tours were really enjoying and sooo sulit.  I promise myself I would tour my daughter Rian there when she turns 2 or 3 years old.  I'm sure she will love each moment of her experience there!

Reminiscing the Past: Experiencing Indoor Pool at Los Banos, Laguna

Thi blog is about my summer get-away with my hunny last May 2010.

Los Banos, Laguna is most famous in hot springs resorts in the Philippines (and I'm very proud of it because I grew up in this town!).  It is also famous for its Buko Pies, Espasols, and Cow's milk (yummy!).  And of course, the well-known legend of Maria Makiling took place in here (in the deep forests of Mount Makiling).

My husband and I neither celebrated Mothers Day on May 10 nor his 30th birthday on May 13 because we just decided to have a weekend summer overnight at a hot spring resort in Los Banos, Laguna on May 15 to 16.  We chose to stay at City of Springs Resort because we wanted to experience its indoor pool (as in there's a pool inside your very own room!) and it's beside Laguna Lake.  We reserved a room a week before, and we were very thankful because there were still rooms available, considering the fact that it's a peak month for summer destinations such as resorts and beaches.  The room we got was worth almost Php 1900 per night (couple room, airconditioned, and with waist-deep indoor pool ).

Experiencing the indoor pool!

After checking in the resort hotel, we visited our daughter Rian at my parent's home, where she was staying for 3 weeks.  My parent's home was just 5 minutes away from the resort.  Then we bought snacks, vodka, and even an FHM Magazine copy at the grocery.  Before dinner time, we tried the indoor pool...and the water in it was hot!  Well, what can you expect from a hot springs resort, huh?  Even the shower was hot too (no need to put a heater, indeed!).  But it was so relaxing, especially when I let my back touch the flowing water which fills the swimming pool...it's like I'm having a water massage! Haha!  But I couldn't stay too long in the water because its heat made me thirsty.  My husband and I took out Barbeque Chicken Joy at Jollibee.  And after dinner, we dived again in the pool and started to drink our vodkas.

Hmm...I don't have to continue the story after our vodka drinking, do I? ;-)

I suddenly loved my Mudshake vodka!!!!!

The next day, we had breakfast in the hotel, facing the outdoor swimming pool.  Yummy tapsilog.  Then I dived again into the indoor pool (hey, it looked like we totally ignored the outside swimming pool!).  This time my hubby didn't join me so I enjoyed my one last swim in it alone.  Then around lunchtime, we checked out of the hotel, went to my parent's house to give Rian hugs and kisses, and went back to Alabang.

We realy did have a stress-free weekend!

@ City of Springs Resort at Los Banos, Laguna

Reminiscing the Past: Bohol Escapade!

It's been three years since my husband and I went to Bohol to take another out of town trip to get away from the stress caused by work for a short time.  Actually,our Bohol trip was his birthday gift to me back then.  We went there just after my birthday.  Bohol is the place in the Visayas region of the Philippines wherein you would get to see famous attractions like Chocolate Hills and the smallest monkey in the world (the Tarsiers).  The place is also rich in historical attractions, as well as land and water adventure sites.  Since we only had 3 days and 2 nights stay in the island, we just got to tour the spots on land (we never had the chance to go near the beach because of lack of time).

A plane ride from Manila to Tagbilaran (Bohol)

It was the end of September back then and we availed Philippine Airline's PALakbayan promo (with complete package-- fare and hotel for two). We spent almost P10000 for the complete package. I was already quite familiar about the tourist spots in Bohol because I had already gone there before (I contacted my college brod, Thirdy, who lives there and he took me for a quick tour at Chocolae Hills and Loboc River).  When my husband (who was my boyfriend back then) and I went there, Thirdy was not available to tour us around, so he suggested to rent his father's car and take his father with us for a day tour. 

Jeff (my husband) and I stayed at Bee Farm hotel.  It was a really nice hotel.  I recommend it for all those who want to visit Bohol.  It is located beside the beach.  It is like a country house wherein the aura is warm and relaxing.  A sure get away place from the city full of big buildings and lots of traffic and pollution.  The meals are healthy too because all that they serve is organic (I love their salad!  Imagine I ate fresh rose petals! Hehe!).  The rooms are accomodating and spacious.  What I loved most about our hotel roomm was the toilet / shower room.  The moment I took a bath, it's like I did not want to get out.  Too bad I forgot to take a picture of the toilet / shower room!  Too bad the weather's not good when we arrived there...we had a rainy first day at Bohol.

Spacious hotel room at Bee Farm

My hubby would like to post this pic in this blog...to show off the foods we ate at the hotel!

Drool on everyone! Teheee!

The next day (thank goodness, the sun appeared!) is the tour day.  Thirdy's father arrived at the hotel early in the morning to take us around the nice places in Bohol.  As I said earlier, we just went at the spots on land (someday we'll gonna go back at Bohol and go to other places we didn't able to reach that time), such as the Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, the Tarsiers, Prony the snake, the underground cave, and the Blood Compact site (it's a historic spot in Bohol wherein a treaty was made between Spaniards and Filipnos by slashing their skin to drip blood to another one's slashed skin.  Wasn't that horrifying? Hehe. Don't worry, that was yearsssss ago.  people nowadays prefer to sign contracts with their Parker pens. Hehe).  I share to you our Bohol picture collection:

The Blood Compact Site.  Was my hubby one of them?????!!!!!

Prony the big goooooood phyton

Sooo....who among us is the Tarsier?

If Chocolate Hills are really chocolates...I would eat them all! Haha!

Lunch on the boat ride on Loboc River.  Eat all you can!

In the Hinagdanan Cave.  We can't picture the unerground pool water because it was too dark in there!

Back at the hotel...relaxing beside the beach with the waves

During our day 3, we woke up early to take a breakfast and enjoy the final moments in the hotel.  We took more pictures by the beach.  we even had a tour around the vicinity of the hotel, like their organic farm and bee hives (well, that's why the hotel was called Bee Farm because they specialize in Bee and honey products).  Then before lunch, we packed our things and went to the airport.  It was time to go back home in Luzon island. 

Just behind the hotel...

With the busy bees...

My hubby and I had an amazing time in Bohol.  In all the places I traveled in our country so far, Bohol is the province I really like best and I would really love to go back there someday.  But for the meantime, my hubby and I plan to visit Palawan by next year, on our 2nd anniversary, because it's our dream honeymoon place. 

Next time, I'll gonna share to you our Subic trip.  :)

Reminiscing the Past: Baguio Escapade!

Baguio City (the Philippines' summer capital) is one of the beautiful tourist destinations in our country.  It was a city on top of the mountain in the northern Philippines.  People love to go there especially during summer because of its cold weather there.  It does not snow there (how I wish!), but you really need a warm jacket to keep you warm (or a sweetheart close to you might just be enough!).

It's been 3 years ago (in 2007) since my husband and I went to Baguio City together to breathe some fresh cold air and get away from our stressed work life even for just a weekend.  We were still not married back then but we're already in a relationship.  Our out of town adventure was not planned...it was spontaneous. It was a Wednesday when I decided I wanted to go to Baguio and it was a Thursday when he said he wanted to come with me.  Then it was a Friday night when we went there for a 1 night-2days stay (I remember that we watched a baskeball game first before our departure.  The game was for the championship between the basketball team of his company, Sunpower Corp & our company, Toshiba Info Equipment Phils Inc.).

We left from Sta. Rosa, Laguna to Metro Manila at around 9:00pm.  We stayed first at Xaymaca Bar at Timog to waste time because our scheduled trip to Baguio City was at 12:00 midnight.  We hung out with Brownman Revival band members (I was friends with them).  After the gig, we left for Baguio City via land transportation (Victory Liner Bus).  We took the last trip which was at 12:00 midnight.  The fare back then was aroung 400 Php-500 Php.  We had a 6 hour travel, with some stop-overs at Tarlac and La Union.  I was not worried about being lost around Baguio City because it wasn't my first time to go there (it was my nth time!  Baguio was a second home to me because I took my college freshman year there before.  That's why I'm quite familiar with the place).

My hubby and I in the bus, on the way to Baguio City!

We arrived at Baguio City aroung 6:00am. Taxi cabs waited at the bus terminal to assist tourists and suggest hotels around (for a fee, of course).  I already forgot the hotel we checked in but it was quite far from the main town.  When we're unpacking our bags, my hunny gave me a surprise gift...a stuff toy.  I was very happy because it was the stuff toy I really like to buy for myself before.  It was a fluffy brown cat.

My favorite fluffy stuff toy cat named Baby Siops

During our stay in Baguio City, of course, we never missed to tour around and visit the famous places there.  My hunny was so happy that time because, though it wasn't his first time to go there, it was his first time to go to some of the tour spots there, like PMA (Philippine Military Academy).  And I was also happy because I got to tour him around.  We bought pasalubong goodies like peanut brittles, marshmallows, strawberries, ube jams, and chocolate chips (I looove the chocolate chips.  I can never get enough of it!).  And oh, we also bought strawberry wine...but we drank it all after dinner. Haha! I definitely would buy that wine again the next time I'll go there!

The King and Queen of Bundok Tralala! (taken at Minesview Park)

Row row row your boat hunny! (taken at Burnham Park)

A visit at the church (taken at Baguio Cathedral)

Release the horses! (taken at Wright Park)

Our home? I wish! (taken at The Mansion)

Home of the soldirs-to-be (taken at Philippine Military Academy)

A big hat for a big soldier (taken at Philippine Military Academy)

We stayed for 2 days at Baguio City (a Saturday until Sunday morning).  And on Sunday after lunch, we traveled back home.  Our escapade was a very enjoyable one, because we spent it together.  Certainly, our work stress faded and we were ready to face our work loads again. :)

P.S. Did you notice in the pictures that I was wearing a Bohol T-shirt at Baguio City?  Hehe. Next time, I'll blog about our trip in Bohol.  It was also an enjoyable one. :)