My husband and I got new jobs last 2015 so we were so focused on working. We were so focused in working that we never went on an out-of-town trip. Kaya last December 2015, we decided to get out of the city for a breathe of fresh air, literally. We did not have the luxury of time to take a one week off from work that time, kaya saan pa ang pinaka malapit na vacation spot sa Manila, eh di BAGUIO! We decided to celebrate Christmas sa Summer Capital of the Philippines.
We decided to go to Baguio last December 14, just few days before Christmas. I tried to contact all the hotels, inns, and lodges but all were fully booked! It was a bad decision to book for a hotel just few days before Christmas (hindi na ako uulit).
It tried looking at AirBnB. Walang available. December 16 na, wala pa rin akong mahanap. I even tried browsing OLX for condos being rented per day but all were already booked for December 23-26.
Then, I finally found one on Facebook! Hurray!
Though the condo we got was not near Session Road, it was accessible by taxi and jeepneys. The rate was also affordable. Honestly, I prefer renting condos than hotels when staying in a place for more than 2 days. Not only that it's affordable, but the amenities are just the same when you book for a hotel. Our room had 2 single beds, a refrigerator and a stove! Even though the television was not working, it was still a good stay.
Well, staying in Baguio during Christmas (or peak seasons) is a not-so-good decision for us. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE BAGUIO. My grandparents are staying there. I have cousins and aunts, and uncles who are living there. Unfortunately, dahil it was the Christmas season, halos kalahati yata nang populasyon sa Manila ay nagbalak magpalamig sa Baguio. Maraming tao. But still, it's BAGUIO! Sino ba ang may ayaw nang libreng aircon habang naglalakad sa kahabaan nang Session Road. :)
Of course, a Baguio trip won't be complete without going to Minesview. Maraming tao, akala ko may shooting si Coco Martin.
My husband wanted to take home a lot of plants that were being sold. I just wanted to take this specific type of plant - MONEY MAKER. Baka yumaman ako. :)
And mawawala ba ang walis? Only Baguio sells that sturdiest and industrious brooms in the world. O ha!
And your Minesview trip won't be complete without the mandatory photo session with the St. Bernards! Hindi ako magpapatalo, sa halagang 100pesos per 3 shots, GO!
The St. Bernards were so cute that I want to take them home!
My husband and I had fun though we were not expecting that there would be a lot of people during the Christmas season. Burnham Park was flooded with people. The traffic was bad when we went to Minesview and we couldn't go to Camp John Hay at night because the traffic was awful. I do suggest that if you want to enjoy the beauty of Baguio and Benguet, try going during the off-season. You'll enjoy strolling and visiting the different places.
One thing I love about Baguio are the taxis. There is nothing special about the ride but taxi drivers in Baguio the exact opposites of the taxi drivers here in Manila (well, not all). They give back the change kahit 6 pesos man yan. They do not choose their passengers and the taxi drivers are all polite.
But we will always go back to Baguio. May not during the peak seasons (Summer, Christmas, New Year) but we will definitely go back. :)
