Much needed break in Baguio

I owe myself a much needed break so I went to Baguio. The last time I was in Baguio was in December 2007 with my then-boyfriend. We did all the touristy stuff since he studied in Baguio. This time, I went to visit and stay with my friend who is a Baguio resident and "chilled" like a local. After all, what I came up here for is our year-long catch up over cooking, cold weather and some thrift store and designer outlet shopping that I never had the chance to do before.

This time I tagged along with Paolo, who's on a solo trip to Baguio. We both booked a Victory Liner deluxe bus that is set to leave at 8:15 in the evening. We plan to go together and just meet up before we head home to elbi.

Side story: It was the long weekend and we got caught up in a horrifying traffic, drenched in our own sweat, went down earlier from the bus to take a faster route, ran and squeezed ourselves in the MRT, and walked on two overpass. Just as we were 2 minutes away from the terminal, Paolo caught this man trying to steal the contents of my backpack. Paolo smacked the guy's head when he caught him and we didn't have time to argue because we arrived at the bus terminal just as our bus was preparing to board.

We arrived at 1:20 in the morning and I was at my friend's house by 2am. I have no photos of touristy stuff, not even tried the strawberry taho, but I had such a good time with my friend that I just cannot wait to be back. 

Thank God we made it safe just in time!

I changed shirts inside the bus (the bus had its own restroom) and hanged my wet clothes and hanky on the sides #TitaMoves

First stop: Say Hello to sister campus, UP Baguio! ( This is the last photo of my umbrella too as I left it in the cab) 

We shopped at bargain shops and designer outlet stores and got the best deal. I was able to buy 1 poncho cardigan for 100, 2 Zara scarves for 800 and a Vera Wang dress for 500. 

On my first day we went to Cafe by the ruins and had a good merienda. 

We were home for dinner and  just chilled. She baked cookies while we tell stories until 1 in the morning. Every night during my stay there. 

Meet Sparkle's! My friend's daughter's dog. We immediately hit it off. 

We had merienda in this lovely place in Camp John Hay

The traffic when I was on my way back to Manila

 I booked Joy Bus for my 1pm ticket. I dropped by SM Baguio's book sale for my bus read. They even provided a nice comforter for everybody on board the deluxe bus.

It was a good 5 hour road trip. I was actually sad to see the NLex end and enter the city.

What I learned in my short stay:

1. The awful rubber smell while in traffic along Marcos Hiway are actually the smell of the clutch. It is usually non-Baguio residents who uses clutch a lot when in traffic.

2. Baguio drivers are not hot headed at all and there are good Samaritans assisting when stuck in "short cu route"traffic situation. Plus, they return change!

3. Tourists in Baguio hail cabs like they are in Manila. Baguio residents hail cabs in designated areas.

4. There is a 5 second mandatory stop before each pedestrian, and tourists pay zero attention and break the rules.

5. There's Grab Taxi Service in Baguio! My first time and it happened to be the just two weeks old available in Baguio.

6. Baguio residents stay in during tourist season. I can see why.

7. Poverty level is low in Baguio. There are some, but its relatively lower and most of them are migrants.

8. Cost of living is relatively high. Same in Manila/Makati.

9. The best Choco Flakes and Lengua de Gato is the one manufactured by SIZZLING PLATE, by REYNOSO-ANTON Bakeshop. 

I can't wait to be back! Long weekend's just not enough.