Going from Manaoag to Baguio City

December is the best month to visit Baguio City. However, wouldn’t it be nice to pay respect first to Our Lady of Manaoag  before heading towards the summer capital of the Philippines? 

By the time we visited the Church, its front entrance was being renovated. So we were directed to its side entrance which is just along the main road. 

A year ago , I have written a blog on how to go to Manaoag by bus (http://swazigirl.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-to-go-to-manaoag-by-bus.html).  Well, we still traveled by bus, though this time, we headed to Baguio City afterwards.

Now going to Baguio City is very easy. There are vans across the side entrance of the church that could take you there for 90 pesos. Travel time is  approximately 2  to 2 1/2 hours.

Once you reach the terminal, there are taxi cabs everywhere that could take you to your desired place of stay. In our case, we stayed at HOTEL 45 (extension) which is conveniently located at Leonard Wood Road. It has easy access to Baguio Cathedral, SM Baguio and etc. At a rate of 1100pesos/ night ( with breakfast), what more could you ask for? 

Strawberry Farm ( Baguio)

Strawberries,anyone?

It took me 34years before I finally made it to Baguio’s much-visited Strawberry Farm. I have been to Baguio City for countless times- -visiting its tourist attractions-- but no one in my group ever suggested that we go to the farm… Although I am not a big fan of strawberries, I just want to experience how it’s like picking these fruits.

The farm is located at La Trinidad, Benguet—just in the outskirt of Baguio City. It is best to go there early in the morning, maybe around 7 am or earlier. From your hotel (ours is located in Leonard Wood Road), hire a taxi cab that will take you there for about 20 to 30 minutes. We paid 100php (more or less) for the ride.

Per kilo of strawberries cost 350 pesos. But we were able to bargain for Php 300/kilo. Although it’s still expensive as compared to the strawberries being sold, remember that we are paying for the ‘experience’ and the fruits.

Besides the fresh fruits, also try their strawberry flavored taho ( 30 pesos)  and ice cream (20 pesos). I highly recommend it since it tastes so good!

Better yet, why not take these ‘ pasalubongs’ with you. J