Field trip nina Teh in Baguio

After shift, tumulak na sina Teh and former teammates to Baguio, Buti na lang, kahit pinaghiwa-hiwalay na nila kami, majority sa amin, magkaka-shift pa rin. So dizizit! Samahan sina Teh and friends sa aming adventures in Baguio! :D

Kasisimula pa lang ng trip pero nakaramdam na si Teh ng konting misadventures sa tiyan. Prepared naman ako, kaya lang, naparami ata ako ng inom ng tsaa. Goodluck talaga sa 6 hours na trip. Pero somehow, Teh managed to survived the bathroom dance feeling... >_<

Good morning Baguio! After roughly 11 years, finally, nakapag-McArthur si Teh dito. :)

One of the sweetest, yet coldest sunrise ever... (Charaught!)

6:45 AM, nakarating kami sa city proper. Bali-balitang malamig, super, 'nung nagpunta kami rito kaya heto, mega wear si Teh ng panlaban sa lamig. Not just one or two, but three! Napakaginawin ko kasi talaga. So first layer, normal na casual wear. 2nd layer, sweater. 3rd layer, brown, denim jacket. (Pati color specified. Trip lang.) At paglabas ng van... kulang ang effort. T_T Cold much! Parang puso ni Teh. Aww... (Charaught!)

Teh: Asan 'yung ruins??? @_@ (Chaught!)

~ Breakfast at Cafe By The Ruins ~

Ang mga kinain nina Teh and friends. Takaw mode!.. :))
P.S., panalo ang honey sa tea! ^_^'

Kahit 7 AM pa ang opening, pinayagan na kaming pumasok ng staff ng Cafe by the Ruins para sa buena mano breakfast ng team. The menu has promised dishes made from fresh, fine ingredients. And truelagen naman, dahil feel na feel ni Teh ang natural ingredients sa Duck Noodle Soup at Herb Tea na inorder ko. 










At mukhang nag-enjoy din naman ang mga kasama ko sa mga inorder nila. ^_^ Although needy na si Teh umupo sa trono nang mga moment na 'yon. T_T

First glances at the Grotto. Finally, I've seen you face to face. :)

~ Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto ~

Nagkaroon kami ng chance para mamili kung purely panhik by stairs or half-half ang gagawin naming pag-akyat dito. Salamat sa mga busy trucks na nagdaan, napapanhik ang aming sasakyan. So konti na lang aakyatin namin, yey! :D Sa parking, may mga nagtitinda ng candles of different colors for Php 20 per 5 pieces. So kung marami kang wish, mega buy na mga teh! At kung sakali namang tumanggi kang bumili ng wishing candles sa baba at nagbago ang isip mo tulad ni Teh, worry not dahil may mga white candles pa namang for sale sa may Grotto mismo. Walang nakabantay na tindera pero konsyensya na lang din. Php 3 per candle. :)

Although nagpunta na si Teh noon sa Baguio, first time kong makapunta rito. As a Christian pilgrim, this visit should be on your itinerary. Rewarding din ang magagandang landscape views dito sa taas ng Grotto.

Teh: ... -_- (Shhh, nagdadasal eh.)

After ng photo ops, dasal at wishing upon the candles, bumaba na sina Teh.

~ Baguio Pines Transient House ~

Overnight rate: Php 7000

The views by the window and the veranda... ~_~

Ah, finally. Our home sweet home in Baguio... Great view by the veranda. Samahan mo pa ng cool Baguio breeze... Very contemplating. ^_^

Before we went here, we had to kill some more time sa grocery (at sa van like Teh and sleepy friends) after the Grotto visit kasi 11:30AM pa kami makakapag-check in. Since we did not stay on a hotel, we need to secure the food that we will be cooking, toiletries and other basic house survival necessities. :D

The bedrooms and the bathrooms...

Pumunta kami rito na nasa 16 ang head count, including the kids. Pero sa palagay ni Teh, hanggang 18 adults, kasya rito, considering a comfortable stay. Sa 2nd floor, may dalawang family room, each equipped with toilet. Sa 3rd floor, kung saan natulog si Teh, may 2 rooms na kasya ang 4 pax each. Sa labas ng 3rd floor rooms, may nakalatag na 2 double-sized foam beds. Kaya party-party kami sa 3rd floor, kasi 11 kaming nag-stay do'n. Yeah! :))

Living room, kitchen, dining area and 2nd floor veranda.

Sa 1st floor naman, nando'n ang mga typical portions ng bahay. living room with fireplace, dining area, kitchen, at ang favorite ni Teh ~ ang overlooking terrace na pang-moment! ^_^

At dahil hindi na rin kami makatulog pare-pareho, nag-early lunch na lang kami ng napamiling liempo and lechong manok. Yummm, healthy! X_X

The very healthy breakfast ~ liempo and lechong manok. X_X
(Ba't ba?! Pasarapan ng buhay! :D)

And in a while, natupad ang pangarap ni Teh ~ ang mahawakan ang clouds! Nasa heaven na ba kami??? :))

This is the foggy Baguio for you! Heaven! :D

Sun down at Camp John Hay... 

~ Camp John Hay Outlet Stores ~

After the early lunch and the afternoon nap, we decided to visit Camp John Hay's outlet stores. Wala namang nabili si Teh pero ang mga kasama ko, namili ng chocolates dito. Quite cheap, pero wala eh. Diet mode kunwari si Teh. :)) Aside from chocolates and other imported goodies, you can find branded clothes, accessories, perfume and bags here. 

The elegant Manor... Siguradong mahal ang lodging dito.
Hanggang tingin ka na lang... </3

~ The Manor's Bakeshop ~

Moving further uphill from the outlet stores of Camp John Hay, we dropped by The Manor Hotel's bakeshop. Ang chika kasi, masarap ang mga baked goods na itinitinda nila rito. Aside from the bakeshop, Teh had a good look on the hotel lobby and restaurant. All I can say is that, natural is elegant. ;)

~ Vizco's Cake Shop ~

At dahil pare-pareho naming alam na wala pang nalutong dinner, bumili muna ang team ng cakes sa Vizco's. Sa lahat naman ng mga pantawid-gutom, isa ito sa pinaka-fulfilling sa tummy ~ Strawberry shortcake (for youngsters) and Ube cake (para raw sa mature)! Kahit hindi na magluto ng dinner... Pero siyempre, iba-ibang level naman ang gutom ng mga kasama ni Teh, so sige, meryenda lang 'to! :))

Vizco's along the Session road and Teh's plateful of their cakes!
A meeting of youngster and mature cakes. :D

Matapos mamroblema nina Kuya PJ at Kuya Jed sa pagpapaapoy...
F/P party by the fireplace! Yeah! :D

~ Mini Party ng F/P Team by the Fireplace ~

Pagkatapos maglamiyerda sa labas ng transient house, dizizit! The much-awaited and the belated exchange gift ng team! Probably, this is one of the best Christmas Parties Teh ever had. Thanks sa fireplace ng transient house... ♥^_^♥

Special thanks sa mga tindahang ito along the way... ^_^

Salamat pala sa nakabunot sa akin, ang new team lead ko na si Teh Andy. Binigyan niya ako ng travel guide book. Yey! May updated atlas na si Teh! ^_^ Special thanks din pala sa Abundance Store para sa panggatong na ginamit namin sa fireplace at sa Store Plus Convenience store for our chips and, ehem, party drinks! :))

~ Citylight Hotel Resto-Bar ~

Dahil nagpakawala ng bonggang usok ang fireplace after maubos ng panggatong, nag-decide ang team na iwanan muna ang bahay. Super toxic kasi! X_X

So after the fireplace fiasco, ipinagpatuloy namin ang party-party sa Resto-Bar ng Citylight Hotel. Hindi naman sa bitin kami pero para mas makapagkuwentuhan kami nang wala ring nagagalit na Koreanong kapitbahay. Hahaha.

Shot with F/P friendships and the night view outside the Transient House's veranda... :)

As usual, Teh ordered a glass of Jack[1] and then paired it with Kani Tempura with red ginger. Yum! ^_^ >burrrrrrrp!<

~ The Mansion ~

The first destination of the team on our 2nd day in Baguio is the Mansion. Ang chika eh, kapag dumadalaw sa Baguio ang presidente ng Pilipinas, dito siya tumitira. Kaya maraming soldiers na nakabantay ditey. Very Americanized ang look, at hindi siya nagbago since my childhood. Pero pansin lang ni Teh, kahit dumumi ang swamp sa tapat ng Mansion, may mga isda pa ring nabubuhay at nag-i-struggle mabuhay doon. :))

Welcome to Teh's Mansion! (Feeler much...)

~ Street food trip at Baguio ~ 

Kahit saan pa kayo mapadpad dito sa Baguio, 'wag kalimutang subukan ang mga sumusunod ~ inihaw na dried pusit, inihaw na mais, at ang panalo sa lahat, ang strawberry taho with free straw! :D

Chow time! Street food kayo diyan! ^_^

Murdered, but living. Struggling to survive the cold world. (Chaught!)

~ The "Murdered" Tree ~

Something that was murdered could have died, but sometimes  the act of murder becomes an expression of art. Good example ay ang punong ito in the middle of nowhere. So mga teh, enjoy exploring ang bawat sulok ng punong ito. Amazingly beautiful, most especially for people who have eyes for woodcarvings... ;)

~ Mines View Park ~

Mawala na lahat ng Baguio destination sa checklist ni Teh, 'wag lang ito! Don't forget to grab the opportunity to meet, greet and have a photo with the most famous St. Bernard in Baguio ~ Douglas! Just bring your own cameras. Php 20 for single shot and Php 50 for 3 shots! ^_^

Moments at Mines View that completed Teh's Baguio adventures... ^_^
Top photo, from left to right: Kuya James, Kuya Marlon, Teh Jen, Kuya Noel, Teh, and Teh Ria

Kung tinamad dumaan (or hindi mo kineri ang smell) sa Wright Park para mag-horseback riding, worry not dahil you can have a photo op with a beautiful horse here at Mines View! Pahihiramin ka pa ni kuya caretaker ng cowboy hat! Php 10 per camera shot. :)

At dahil nag-uulan at nilamon na ng ulap ang view dito noong nagpunta kami, just to give you an idea on the breathtaking view, heto ang picture ng batang Teh. Hehehe... :))

The view at the Mines View when Teh was young... classic.
Ahm, hindi po si Teh ang view. (GGSS[2] lang?!) :))

Actually, kahit ito lang puntahan mo sa Baguio, unless gusto mo ring mag-strawberry fields, kumpleto na ang adventures mo! Kabayo, Douglas the dog and Baguio's landscape ~ andito lahat! ^_^

~ Lunch at Forest House ~

As recommended by Teh Ria for food trip, pagkatapos naming mag-adventure sa Mines View Park, dito kami nag-lunch. Puwede sa mga healthy living people tulad namin ang mga food dito. (Kelan pa???)

Welcome, welcome! ^_^

Mushroom soup, dinuguan, lechong sisig, lechong kawali + gulay... Healthy 'no? :)) Ah basta, pasarapan naman ng buhay ito mga teh kaya let's eat! Minsan lang 'to! ^_^ (Gaano kadalas ang minsan?... @_@)

Suggestion lang mga teh. Mas makakamura kayo kung magga-gather ang apat or lima sa grupo ninyo para umorder ng combo dishes. May soup, main course dishes like liempo and veggies, isang bandehadong kanin (feeling ni Teh ganyan kadami eh), at desserts! Winner! :D

And kung katulad ni Teh, adik kayo sa tsaa, Strawberry Tea is highly recommended! Mabango na, masarap pa! ^_^

Our "healthy" and delicious dishes...
Combo-finished with Strawberry Tea and mouthwatering desserts. ^_^

~ Pasalubong hunting nina Teh and friends ~

Dito sa Baguio, saan ka man mapadpad na tourist attraction, hinding-hindi ka mawawalan ng tindahang mabibilhan ng pasalubong. Wright Park, Mines View Park, Grotto, and many more! Pero Teh recommends the following...

Kung mamimili sa Mines View Park, bumaba muna kayo sa bandang viewdeck para makapagtanong-tanong ng mga presyo. 'Wag bibili agad at tumawad nang bongga kapag maraming bibilhin. Pero para kay Teh, it's still best to go to the public market kasi nando'n na lahat. Handicrafts, the famous Baguio walis tambo, cheap veggies (as in kailangan mo ng bayong, super mura kaya mapaparami ka ng bili), pinipig at sundot-kulangot of different sizes (small and big) ~ lahat mabibili mo na rito! ^_^

A souvenir of Baguio everywhere... Bili-bili na mga teh! ^_^

For the famous Good Shepherd products like Ube Jam, Strawberry Jam, Peanut Brittle and other sweet delicacies, you can visit the Good Shepherd Convent's livelihood store. Buy direct from our sisters and convent's beneficiaries! Nakatulong ka na, may pasalubong ka pa! And actually, mas mahal ng konti sa palengke compared dito kasi nga direct from manufacturer. But in case of last minute buying, it's not bad to buy in the public market as well... ;)

Mga napamili ni Teh: Good shepherd goodies, breads from the Manor,
Strawberry Wine, Veggies at Pinipig. Checklist completed! ^_^

At para maiba rin, para sa mga mahilig sa shot, bili na ng Strawberry Wine! Php 100 per bottle. Tagay na! :))

~ Mr. Ching Cuisine ~

For our last food trip in Baguio, dito na kami kumain since nasa baba lang ito ng hotel ng friends nina Kuya PJ at Kuya Lem, sa Baguio Palace Hotel. By the name of the restaurant itself, mahirap hulaang Chinese food ang pagkain dito. :))

Anyway, pahinga-pahinga rin sa karne and fat overload ng mga nakaraang Baguio food trip. For the last time in Baguio, we had to be health-conscious na. Like, for real. (Arte?!) Seafood, tofu at gulay naman ang peg nina Teh and friends. Yum! Sulit na ang small-sized orders para sa 2-3 persons. Kahit small ang size, malaki na ang serving. Mura pa, kasi marami kayong makakapaghati! :)

Teh, ikaw gusto Chinese food? Kain dito ikaw Mr. Ching! :D

The 1st ever Starbucks Coffee Baguio. Kape-kape rin! :D

~ The First Starbucks Baguio ~

First attempt to tambay here failed dahil puno rito lagi (at kumusta naman ang size ng team), so dumaan na lang kami rito bago bumaba ng Baguio. Not a typical tourist spot pero ito lang naman ang first Starbucks dito sa Baguio. 'Yun lang. Masabi lang na napuntahan at nakita 'to ni Teh. Pareho lang ang lasa ng kape rito sa ibang Starbucks. (Aba'y dapat, kundi, hindi Starbucks 'to!) :))

Baon ang mga masasayang alaala, sina Teh and friends ay bumalik ng Manila nang may ngiti sa kanilang mga mata... (Chaught!) Napaghiwa-hiwalay man kami sa opisina, sa gala hinding-hindi nila kami mapaghihiwalay. >:))

Sunset along the way... ♥

Maikli man at medyo konti ang napuntahan nina Teh and friends (mas masaya kasi ngumanga altogether 'pag marami kayo), sana ay kinapulutan ninyo kahit papaano ng konting tips ang chika ni Teh about Baguio. Till Teh's next adventure/misadventure! Thank you so much for visiting! ^_^

Special thanks to the following people who made the Adventures of Teh in Baguio successful:

• Fast and Pluto team for the memories (aww...)
• Kuya Lem for the transpo and discount sa transient house
• Kapitbahay naming Koreano sa transient house :))

~ Vocabulary ni Teh ~

[1] Jack - Jack Daniel's Bourbon. 
[2] GGSS - Gandang-ganda/Guwapong-guwapo sa sarili. :))