Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Enjoyable fun at the Camp John Hay Mini Golf

27 September 2016

Having just eaten at the Mile Hi Diner at the Mile Hi Center, everyone was energized and raring to go for some fun activity.  Next on the agenda was to play a round of Mini Golf.  The place was about 10 minutes away from the Mile Hi Center and we actually couldn't find it the first time we went around Camp John Hay.  The next time we did find it, it was raining hard and though it was open, playing was out of the question.  This time, the rain had subsided and a bit of sun was out :)

Dining at the Mile Hi Diner at the Mile Hi Center in Camp John Hay in Baguio

27 September 2016

After the kids had their horseback riding adventure at Shalan ni Kabadjo, we knew it was time for some grub.  We passed by Mile Hi Center on the way to the Riding Center one time and we thought it would be a good idea to pick our restaurant from there.  Looking around, Dana chose to eat at Mile Hi Diner, I guess to avoid Tapa King and Dencio's which were Manila-based franchises.

Horseback riding at Shalan ni Kabadjo in Camp John Hay, Baguio City

27 September 2016

After a very enjoyable boating experience in Burnham Park, the kids were in very high spirits and had more energy to spare so we decided to try the Shalan ni Kabadjo Horseback Riding now that the rain has dissipated.  It's a little out of the way since we had to travel to Camp John Hay but it's got more of a nature feel to it compared to the Wright Park riding trail.  Again, we were the only ones there so it was great!

Boating in Burnham Park in Baguio

27 September 2016

Now we come to the place for kids and kids at heart - Burnham Park.  After shopping at the Baguio Public Market and ending up with 2 kilos of freshly ground coffee, the kids were excited that the rains stopped and we could visit Burnham Park.  They weren't disappointed and this was probably one of their favorite destinations on the trip.

Garcia's Coffee at the Baguio Public Market

27 September 2016

After our trip to the Strawberry Farms in Benguet, we were debating where to go next since it was drizzling so any outdoor activities had to be postponed.  Patrick and I decided to visit the Baguio Public Market instead to check if we can get the souvenir items that friends asked us to buy.  We parked next to the Igorot Park along Harrison Road and walked the overpass to get to the Baguio Public Market.  Our noses were tantalized by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and that led us to Garcia's Coffee where we were staggered by the affordability of freshly ground coffee beans.  There were also a number of different flavors that blew our minds :)

The wrong time to visit the Strawberry Farms in Benguet

27 September 2016

If you want to visit the Strawberry Farms in La, Trinidad, Benguet and participate in their strawberry picking activities, then don't go at this time :)  Harvest season is between November and May.  We told the kids not to expect that they'll be berry picking and they understood.  We still went though because we were curious and at least the next time that we come back, we already know the way.  I have included directions to get there from the City.

A rainy day with the kids at Wright Park in Baguio City

26 September 2016

Visiting The Mansion in Baguio City is a fast process.  You go there, take your pictures and leave.  At least, that's what we did since it's not possible to get any closer than just inside the gate.  So, we crossed the street and headed to Wright Park.  This was the first time we've gone to Wright Park from this direction so it was an adventure of sorts :)

Visiting The Mansion in Baguio

26 September 2016

After a hearty lunch at Amare La Cucina and checking in at C Boutique Hotel, we headed straight to The Mansion as it is one of the landmarks that is close to where we were and we already knew how to get there.  The Mansion is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines and this is the closest that you can get inside.

Kids' first visit to Mines View Park

26 September 2016

When we reached Baguio City, we first headed to our hotel, C Boutique Hotel Baguio near Mines View Park to check-in.  But our room wasn't ready yet so we headed to the nearest tourist attraction which was, of course, Mines View Park.  It was the first time for the kids to visit this destination and they were pretty excited.

Visiting Cafe in the Sky in Benguet

26 September 2016

When we reached Baguio, we didn't immediately go to our hotel because it was too early to check in.  Instead, Patrick drove us quite a ways to the location called Cafe in the Sky in Sto. Tomas, Benguet.  He said that it was a popular destination because of the stunning views from atop the mountain.  We didn't anticipate what we would find when we got there.

First Stop on the way to Baguio: Petron Lakeshore, NLEX Northbound, Mexico, Pampanga

26 September 2016

Leaving as early as 6AM, it's expected that somewhere along the long NLEX route, the kids are bound to get hungry.  We avoided the crowded gas station/service facilities most proximate to the Balintawak Toll Gate and instead went straight to the Petron Lakeshore facility which was closer to the SCTEX.

Review: Exceptional stay at C Boutique Hotel Baguio

26 - 28 September 2016

I discovered C Boutique Hotel from the Deal Grocer site when they had a Getaway Deal (Cozy Baguio Stay for 3 in a Deluxe Suite with Breakfast) which I subsequently purchased.  All I can say is that I don't regret my purchase because our stay was exceptionally satisfying.  The location, the room, the breakfast and most importantly, the service, all contributed to an enjoyable stay.

Driving Directions to Baguio via TPLEX and Kennon Road

26 September 2016




If you're coming from Manila, the ideal way to start your journey to Baguio is via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) with Balintawak as your entry point.  We paid P55 at the Toll Gate since we were driving a Class 1 vehicle.  From here to Baguio, you will drive more than 230 kilometers for about 4 hours.  There are many gasoline stations with restaurants, shops and restrooms along the way should you feel the need to refuel, dine, shop or use the restrooms.

Update:  Via Marcos Highway with 2018 Toll Fees

Purchased "Cozy Baguio Stay for 3 in a Deluxe Suite with Breakfast" coupons from Deal Grocer

19 September 2016

Just today, I purchased two Deal Grocer coupons for the following Getaway Deal.  It's for a "Cozy Baguio Stay for 3 in a Deluxe Suite with Breakfast" at the C Boutique Hotel.  Each coupon was worth P3,490 per night.  I bought them because I've always wanted to bring the kids to Baguio and with this deal, I could make this wish into a reality.

Visiting the PAF Aerospace Museum Aircraft Park

06 August 2016

When the birthday celebration of Grayson Lucas ended at around 2PM, we took the chance to visit the PAF Aerospace Museum Aircraft Park, right on the grounds of the PAF Aerospace Museum.  It was a great chance to be up close and personal with different historic aircraft used by the Philippine Air Force.  This was the first time for me and the kids.  Patrick visited the place when he chaperoned my niece Den during her field trip in school.

Travel: Trip to Museo Pambata - Free Entrance because of International Museum Day 2016

18 May 2016

Today is my Mom's 69th birthday.  In her honor, we went to the Museo Pambata (the first hands-on children's interactive museum in the Philippines)  because as an Educator of young minds, my mom absolutely loved museums and the wealth of knowledge that they can impart.  It was incidentally International Museum Day so Museo Pambata's entrance fees were waived for the day which was a blessing too! :)  Read on to see what's inside Museo Pambata :)

Travel: Visiting Rizal Park in Manila

13 May 2016

When we visited the National Museum and the Museum of the Filipino People last May 5th (see the posts here and here), we knew that we needed more time to visit Rizal Park and its environs.  Today was the day we came back for more.  We started around 4PM to avoid the hot summer sun and we ended our walking tour around 6PM.  It was enough to visit most of the attractions between the Quirino Grandstand and Luneta, but ideally, we should have taken more time to include the ones opposite the Museum of the Filipino People. Read on for more of our adventure.

Visit to the Quezon City Parks and Wildlife Center

07 May 2016

We went to the Quezon City Parks and Wildlife Center primarily to attend Joe Inoue's Meet and Greet with his Filipino fans (story here).  After the event, we decided to go around the place since it's been a while since we've been here and it appears that a lot has changed.  On the way to the venue, we passed a lot of people having a picnic or just walking around and relaxing.

Meet and Greet with Joe Inoue at the Quezon City Parks and Wildlife Center

07 May 2016

The best way to be on "stalker mode" with your favorite celebrity is to set their posts to "see first" on your News Feed on Facebook.  Since we saw Joe Inoue at the Nihonggo Festival last February (related post here), Dana and I have taken to keeping updated with his meet and greet events for fans.  We were excited when we saw him post that he was in the Philippines and will be at the Quezon City Parks and Wildlife Center (he originally posted that the venue was to be at the Quezon Memorial Circle).  This was so doable since it was pretty accessible and we made sure that we'd make it.

Walking around Intramuros: Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral and Bacolod Chicken House


05 May 2016

This post is really a continuation of our trip from the National Museum and the Museum of Anthropology,  From these two museums, Intramuros was just a stone's throw away and I wanted to visit Fort Santiago (which was within Intramuros) so that Dana can have the chance to visit it as Dylan already had.