Here are some of my photos from our Baguio Trip. Yellow is a bright and happy color. This can be uplifting..
note: click on the photos to appreciate it more š
Packing For Five
We’re going to Baguio tomorrow! yay! Nothing can stop us now, car’s been to casa, battery is new, brake something is new, we’re all set. It is kinda hard going up there, driving your own car. The lesser the baggage, the better. Oh I remember the first time we went there using our own car. We have the car sometimes in June, hubby did not went to some driving lessons, he learned it driving by himself (it’s a matic no hehe). In December the same year, we went up to Baguio. Jeez, I was really, really nervous then. OK it’s an understatement, I can’t breathe! I am on grip. To make things worse, it was almost dark and we’re still on the road, scary! We traveled through Marcos highway, if in Kennon Road, I am pretty sure I would have given birth that time. OK back to me being a considerate wife, yes I need to pack light! Oh come on, how can it be possible with three kids in tow? Even if we just re use our undies and don’t include it in the list, there is much more to put in our ever reliable bag. There’s the diaper, the matching sleep wear (promise to post a pic hehe), the toiletries etc. Then there’s the shoes, the kids does not like travelling with shoes, only slippers, because they like their smelly feet free. It is stressing for me too, to put back their shoes every time we have to stop, so for ease and comfort, slippers. Then there’s our blanket, part of me having OCD is I can’t use any other blanket but mine, wherever we go, blanket goes with us. It’s an endless list and I had to trim it down. Packing is a bit tasking for and I just can’t let anyone else do it for me. I am a very organized Mommy. I pack our clothes depending on the day we are going to wear them. So the clothes for Tuesday are somewhere underneath, our sleepwear is on the top. Then we have a separate small bags for emergency needs, like small towels and sando for the kids, baby wipes, wallet etc. Oh my why are mommies being stressed this way?
This happens all the way, as in, all the time. Whenever we are going somewhere, I have to pack the days before. The day of our getaway, I need to wake up early to put our bags in the car. The bags are inside, on the backseat, I always make a comfy bed like setting at the back. So before the king woke up and catch me doing something, I had to finish everything. Then I’d do the kids, prepare them and all. the king would wake up after waiting for him for an hour or two. He would sip coffee, take a bath and leave (with us of course). And if there is an instance that I was delayed because I can’t find my slippers, the king would jerk out and have the decency to say we are taking a lot of time. Huh? Anyways, I enjoy the challenge of beating him up, of hurrying before he wakes up. That’s why we worked so well.. Me on the works, he on the easy life.. just kidding guys. I know that when the engine starts, it’s his turn and me on the back seat can have a peaceful sleep.
I won’t be around that much starting tomorrow but there would still be some posts from me, stop by and comment. I will get back to you soon..for now I have to go back to pack š
Looking For A Place In Baguio?
Are you spending Holy Week in Baguio? Tired of looking for hotel to stay? Or not even sure of what kind of accommodation you want to rent? I am the answer! Just kidding guys, I sound like I am a promotional person no. Actually I just have some places to share. You know how my kids (and moi) love Baguio. Aside from blogging (blog hopping included), I usually surf for cheap accommodations, I have seen hotels from Baguio to Boracay (on pics only of course).
I usually look for accommodations with cooking facility. Traveling is expensive, eating out makes it more expensive. We experienced going to Baguio and staying in a hotel (not that much of a hotel actually). Our total bill in the hotel is not even half of what we spend eating out. Can you just believe that? I tell you it really is cheap if you will just cook, specially if you are traveling in a large group. If in case you have the moolah and you like hotels that much, here are my two recommendation for you:
Venus Parkview Hotel. We stayed here twice and the staffs were nice. The place is not bad, it is not the best but it is cheap. We like this place for one reason, it is very near Burnham Park. Actually it is just a road away from the park. Yup, you just need to cross the road and you’re there, that’s why Parkview. The food? er, just dine somewhere else. The rooms are not that great, I just love this place because it is a few meters away from the park. There was one time when we went there and the kid were playing in the park then it suddenly rained, theĀ convenienceĀ of just running to your hotel room (when it rains) got me.
Veniz Hotel. I have never been here, but it was our first choice when we planned our first Baguio trip. Why? well Veniz is in the heart of Baguio! Session road is just steps away, market is almost at the back. Burnham is some meters away, jeepney terminal is just there. There’s Mc Donald’s, there’s 7eleven. Why we stayed in Venus instead in Veniz? It was my mom’s fault. Apparently, her friend knew the owner of Venus and guests who are from my hometown are given a discount in their stay. We got 25% off on our bill.
For some not so hotel type of accommodations, you can go from native huts to dormitory types.
One of my dream accommodation is in Tam Awan Village. Have you been there? It is a tourist attraction in Baguio that gives you the feel of the natives.
In keeping with the spirit in which the village was originally conceived, Tam-awan Village has become a venue for art exhibits and workshops envisioned to foster a deeper understanding, respect and pride in the cultural heritage of the Cordillera people.
The village is an experience in itself. By living in the huts, guests get an opportunity to immerse in an atmosphere that allows them to get a glimpse of village life.
On a clear day, a magnificent China Sea sunset can be viewed from the village, being true to its name as Tam-awan, that is, vantage point. (source)
I dream of sleeping in one of the huts, accommodation is cheap, but the bathroom.. ahh forget it..
Robol 88 Hotel is another cheap place. This is not actually a hotel, more like a 4 story building with units. Each unit has cooking facility and 2 bedrooms. I have never been here but according to my brother in law, who stayed here last December, the place is OK. Another thing, the place is very near to the market (now that’s a thumbs up).
For more listings of houses with cooking facilities, you might want to check this site. They provide the rates and some pics of the house.
Happy Hotel Hunting!
