Hi there mga Ka-hive. How have you been? I hope you are all in good condition during this rainy season.
So today's blog is the second episode of my "BevVoyage: Travel Stories Throughout The Years". And let's go to Baguio this time.
My Facebook account notified me about a memory happened a year ago. It was a set of memories of my solo travel to Baguio and Manila on July 14-17, 2023. Since it is still the month of July, now is the perfect time for me to share to you about it.
Backstory.
It was around May of 2023 when I decided to travel somewhere. After receiving my mid-year bonus, I want to do it outside Cebu as it has been a long time since I traveled outside of the province. But where?
I have a very close friend who was residing in La Union at that time. We have been friends since high school. She got married in Manila and moved to Elyu (La Union) for work. It has been a long time since our last meeting and I promised her that I will be the one to visit her next time. I told her about my plan and she was delighted.
I immediately booked a flight to Clark International Airport in Pampanga as it is closer to La Union compared to NAIA. Then filed a leave from work on July 14-17. When I informed her that I already booked a ticket, she gave me a set of instructions as to what bus should I take and where should I drop off. She will just meet me on the drop off area in La Union. After a while, she proposed that we should go to Baguio for a day trip instead because it has a lot of tourist spots to offer compared to Elyu. It is just only a 2 hour bus travel. I haven't been to Baguio and it happened to be one of the places I would love to visit. As a happy go lucky person, I agreed to her proposal.
We exchanged Tiktok clips of places we wanted to visit in Baguio and the things we would do. Each were expectant of the trip and could not wait to see each other again to catch up.
Unexpected Turn of Events.
What could have been a bonding trip between two close friends turned out to be a solo travel.
July came and days prior my flight, she messaged me about a very unfortunate event. A stranger peeked in her through a small hole while she was taking a pee in her apartment's comfort room. The power went off that time so it was completely dark. She noticed that someone was peeking at her when she heard squeaky noises. She immediately reported the incident to the police. That incident greatly traumatized her. Sadly, she told me that she could not accommodate me in La Union and could not go to our Baguio trip. I truly understand her side and wished her well. I was downhearted but her well-being is my top priority.
With that, I know I should make changes with my trip. A detour. I asked assistance from one of my closest friends at work who is also a travel junkie. I made last minute bookings to my accommodation in Baguio and contacted a sort of travel agency and they offered me to join in a certain group who happens to take a day tour to Baguio on my scheduled date. For short, a "joiner".
And it was official, I became a solo traveler. It was my first time to travel solo outside Cebu. Exciting yet nervous.
Going to the Mactan International Airport was easy. The big challenge for me was the Clark International Airport. I haven't been there. It was unknown to me. But thank God for internet, I made research prior my flight. Thank you for making my life easy.
Obligatory photo inside the plane.
I reached Clark at 7:45pm and I just followed the flow of the people who was on their way to the airport's exit. I acted like a natural. Finally, I was already at the exit and my research informed me that the bus terminal was just across the airport and was just a few minutes walk. True enough, it was.
A huge proud moment when I sat on the window seat of the bus bound to Baguio.
The fare costs 500php. Since it was night, I was not able to get a sight of the picturesque view of each cities. Tired from the flight, I took a nap the entire trip. I woke up when the conductor informed me that we were already at the Baguio Bus Terminal.
It was drizzling by the time I got off the bus. I arrived at 12 midnight. The gloomy weather, the midnight temperature were the factors of the freezing. And it's Baguio, known for its cold temperature. I dropped by the nearest 7/11 to buy some umbrella because I did not bring one though I was warned since July is a rainy season. Guess, I was too confident. I then hired a taxi to bring me to my accommodation at Lyn's Transient Homes which is at Camp Alley, Baguio City. They are near the Burnham Park.
It is a budget friendly accommodation. My room is just 800, perfect for a solo traveler like me.
I woke up at 5 in the morning as our call time for the travel tour was 7am.
This was my view from my room. A gloomy Baguio, nonetheless, GOOD MORNING!
Had breakfast at Jollibee where they would pick me up.
At exactly 7 in the morning, the white van arrived and kuya tour guide happily welcomed me. With me on the tour were 2 couples, 2 groups of friends and a family. I was the only solo traveler. I may be alone but never lonely. Again, I love my own company.
And these were the tourist spots we visited in chronological order:
📍Diplomat Hotel. Entrance fee is 10Php.
Do you see something that I don't see? 👻
📍Mirador Ecopark. Entrance fee is 100Php.
My go to pose - finger heart sign.
📍Stone Kingdom. Entrance fee is 100Php for adults while 80Php for children under 12 years old.
Aside from kuya tour guide, you'll just have to muster up all your courage and ask some strangers to take a photo of you.
📍Bell Church. Entrance fee is 20Php.
Always thankful to Kuya for taking these great pictures.
📍Colorful Houses
Colorful Houses, indeed.
📍Strawberry Farm
We had our lunch there and this was what I ordered. I forgot the name. The vegetable with strawberry sauce was delicious.
Was not able to take my photo with the big strawberry. I got shy already. hihihi
There were a lot of souvenir shops there and I bought strawberry and ube jam. I also bought strawberries which are 150 Php for 2 packs. I also had their strawberry shakes and ice creams. No pictures though. But all were good that my stomach was full.
📍Botanical Garden
A strawberry taho is a must. We did not go inside the garden. Just took a stroll outside.
📍Mines View. Entrance fee is 10Php.
You can see little raindrops here.
Starring the umbrella that I brought at 7/11.
Look how foggy it was. It would have been a beautiful view should the weather was fine.
Your Baguio trip would not be complete without wearing their Igorot Native Dress.
This was the last tourist spot we visited and we traveled back to Manila. I will share to you my travel to Manila on my next blog.
I never thought that I could do that alone, honestly. I mean I am already used of doing things on my own but traveling outside Cebu alone was a different story. You will definitely get out of your comfort zone. As previously mentioned, you really need to muster up all your courage to ask for someone who could take a photo of you and even ask for directions. You will learn how to use google maps as well. It is a must. You'll get to meet new friends. It will really stretch you in ways unimaginable. I know that there are still tourist spots that we need to visit but because of time constraints, we could not tour all of them. Nevertheless, it was enchanting to know Baguio in just one day.
Traveling there alone was a fulfilling journey and is one for keeps. A memory I will always and surely treasure.
My trip to Baguio was a breather.
Truly, Breathe Baguio.
Until the next blog.
With so much love, XOXO,
Bev 😘