BAGUIO REVISITED

This was our second trip to Baguio as a family. The last time we were in Baguio Ruther was with us so I missed him a lot during this recent trip.


Last Sunday, June 10, we left Seaside Haven at around 9 in the morning to catch the Victory Liner bus going to Baguio. We were told that the earliest bus was at 10. When we got to the terminal, we waited for our bus only to find out that it needed some maintenance checks. We were kind of worried about that but we found out that we could take the bus to Dagupan and then transfer to another bus going to Baguio. And that's what we did. As usual, the driver was terribly fast and my mom was endlessly worried about the speed but the boys were having a lot of fun and yelling "Wheeee!" everytime the bus shifted from side to side.


It was a hot day and the bus was not airconditioned. When we got to Dagupan 2 hours later we were all surly and hot. But going up Marcos Highway in the second bus, the air became less stifling. As always, the view was spectacular. Pretty soon it was comfortably cool and we enjoyed the rest of the trip. We got to our stop at around 1pm, a good 5 hour-ride from Alaminos. Fortunately, our lodging was only a few meters away from the terminal so we walked there. We stayed at Vistro Pensionne before and so we were familiar with the place. We got a bigger room this time though. The owner was very nice as well and the place was clean and cozy and conveniently located with SM Baguio nearby and also the Cathedral.


After leaving our things in the room, we decided to have lunch at SM Baguio. The throng of people was a shock! It was 2pm already but the dining places and restaurants were filled with people. We then decided to eat at Max's. It was close to 3pm when we were done and we took a taxi to PMA (Philippine Military Academy). We did not visit PMA the last time we were in Baguio so we were excited to go around the place and take photos. The boys had a lot of fun and were excited upon seeing the plane and helicopter on display in an area there. We went around some more until we took as much photos as we could. At 4pm, we got another taxi to take us to Lourdes Grotto, a Catholic shrine. One thing that makes this place interesting is the 252 steps going up to the grotto. Before climbing the stairs though, I lighted some candles at the bottom. A bunch of those cost me P20 from a little girl. I kept 2 though as a souvenir. When we got to the top we said our prayers and rested a bit to catch our breath. Then at 445, we were off to Baguio Cathedral to hear the 5pm mass. Ethan was starting to become cranky and I was guessing he was getting sleepy. After the mass, it was back to SM Baguio. We had to buy some food for breakfast the next morning and also some snacks for the bus ride home. Then we had supper at Pizzahut. True enough, Ethan slept the moment we sat down. Poor baby. After dinner, we headed back to Vistro to rest. We watched an episode of Seconds From Disaster on National Geographic and then we took our shower, and then fixed our things for the morrow. After that everyone went to bed for the long day ahead.


The next day, my mom woke me up bright and early at 5am! We headed for the Cathedral at 545am to catch the mass. It was a Monday and Ruther's and my anniversary so I was quite glad to go to church. I said my prayers and asked God to continue to bless our marriage. At 620am, I called Ruther to wake him up (it was 720am in Japan). We greeted each other and exchanged "I love you's". I really do miss him a lot...


After church, we walked to the market to buy our pasalubong. We got some peanut brittle, some biscuits, ube (yam), vegetables, chocolate crinkles, keychains, choco flakes, marinated boneless bangus (milkfish) and I got some Baguio shirts for the boys. =D After that, we headed back in a taxi. We just couldn't walk back with all the stuff we had.


We were at Vistro at around 830am and our bus ride home was scheduled at 1050. So we had enough time to eat breakfast, pack our stuff, get the boys ready and take a few more photos. At 1015, we walked to the terminal and waited for our bus. This time we were seated in the front seats which pleased my mom a lot. Thankful for the airconditioning, we went down the winding road and in an hour or so, I fell asleep. When I woke up, we were still 3 hours away from our final stop. So we whiled the time away by watching tv, looking at the scenery, eating our snacks and dozing off some more. When we reached the end of the Expressway, it was close to 5pm, it was raining and it was traffic. Sigh. We finally got down at our stop just before 6pm and my father-in-law was there (with the driver) waiting to pick us up to bring us home.


It was wonderful going back to Baguio. The city is growing and bustling and yet remains cozy and clean. It really is a great vacation spot. A wonderful respite from the hectic pace in Manila. Hopefully the next time we go back to Baguio, Ruther will be with us.