In our first day in Baguio City, we were lucky to meet Mang Domeng at Microtel where we rode in his cab to Burnham Park. He offered us a tour to the different places in Baguio City from 8am to 4:30pm for only P2,200. The price was reasonable considering that the rate I know is already P3,000 for a whole day Baguio tour. That night when we have experienced how difficult it was to find a cab and Grab car, I sent him a text message, expressing my intent to book for a tour on December 29, 2017.
Mang Domeng
The day after, we saw him at Microtel where he usually hangs out to pick out passengers. We formally booked a tour for the following day and fortunately, he had no booking at that time.
We had our breakfast at past 6am and went back to the room to prepare our things. When we went out, Mang Domeng was already waiting outside. Not only did he serve as our driver, but a tour guide and photographer as well.
Here are the places that we visited:
- THE FAMOUS LAPERAL WHITE HAUNTED HOUSE
Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City
We wanted to go inside but our time was limited then, probably next time we will do that.
2. BELL CHURCH/CHINESE TEMPLE
FA 347 Bell Church Rd, La Trinidad, Benguet
We went inside but unfortunately taking photos is prohibited. You may buy incense at the church door entrance and pray at the altar.
3. VALLEY OF COLORS
La Trinidad – Bontoc Rd, Baguio, 2601 Benguet
4. STRAWBERRY FARM
The Trinity, Benguet
We didn’t pick strawberries and lettuce, but we bought vegetables and some pasalubongs. Those are quite expensive–we didn’t have any choice. If we only had time, we could have dropped by to the market where goods and vegetables are much cheaper.
5. TAM-AWAN VILLAGE
Long Benguet Road, Baguio,Benguet
We didn’t enjoy here much because we had to go up and down to see the Igorot houses. We just visited the gallery and craft store. Entrance fee per head is p50.00. If you are a first-timer here and you are not in a hurry, you might be able to enjoy the tour here.
6. OUR LADY OF LOURDES GROTTO
Dominican Hill Rd., Benguet
I planned to vlog how I managed to climb the 200 plus steps in the grotto, but it didn’t materialize at all because at 70 steps, we were dead-tired already. Hubby also, would like to rest and his stomach was rumbling. We just bought apples and rested for a while before we got back to the car.
7. OLD DIPLOMAT HOTEL/DOMINICAN HILL RETREAT HOUSE
Dominican Hill, Diplomat Road, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
It was our first time to visit the place and we were pleased to include this in our itinerary. I was visualizing how it looked like when it was still operational. We explored the place and went to the rooftop where we saw the fog. (I have shared the video in my Instagram account).
8. CAMP JOHN HAY
Loakan Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
CJH is comercialized now- you can see different restaurants, boutiques and other business establishments. I wasn’t able to explore much– I just visited Belfrei Spa in Ayala Technohub in my first day. We just took some photos in front of the Manor Hotel and The White House of Scents. Next time, I will be needing one whole day to stroll in CJH, but like what I’ve mentioned before, you won’t enjoy here if you don’t have a car/transport service.
9. Wright Park
Gibraltar Rd, Baguio, Benguet
After the horseback riding
Horseback riding was really included in my itinerary. We chose 30 minutes for P200 per person instead of P400 per person for 1 hour. Personally, I wanted to go for the 1 hour ride because it will also lead you to CJH, but we had prior commitments. We were bored because for 30 minutes, we just circled the Wright Park. I requested one of our guides to take a video, but I don’t like the shot 🙁
We were not able to go to the other places like Mines View Park and the Mansion because I requested Mang Domeng to drop us to Sage Café, Route 55 and Romanelle Spa. We dropped hubby at Microtel before we go to Romanelle Spa because he needed to rest. Because Mang Domeng had to go home and meet his children, he couldn’t pick me up at 9pm at the spa but he asked another driver to pick me up.
Side Trips:
- Sage Cafe
95 Military Cutoff Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
I highly recommend SAGE Cafe– not only the ambiance is perfect, but also the food and drinks. (A feature about this cafe will be posted in my blog. )
2. Route 55 Diner
No.55 Legarda Road, 55 Legarda Rd, Barangay Burnham – Legarda, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
This is another restaurant that I recommend. It might be familiar to you because it was shown in ABS-CBN’s teleserye Forevermore, where the character of Enrique Hill worked there as a vocalist of the band. The ambiance is very comfy and the food is also delectable and affordable! (This will also be featured in my blog soon).
3. Romanelle Spa
241 Upper Bonifacio St. cor. Laurel St., Upper Bonifacio Street, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
I wanted to destress after the tour that’s why I included this in my itinerary. It was just ok, but nothing to rave about. I tried the Body Therapy package which consists of the following: Sauna, Facial, Body Scrub, Body Fruit Wrap, Underarm Bleaching and Waxing and Foor Scrub with Paraffin wax). Of all the inclusions, I prefer the foot scrub and undearm bleaching.
We arrived at Microtel at past 9pm and I was kinda bothered because after paying online the previous night at Iwantseats.com, they wouldn’t send me the bus voucher. I checked their system and found out that my transaction has already expired. I also checked my Paypal account and the payment didn’t get through. I remember I tried to pay online twice—the other one didn’t get through, but in the most recent transaction, it appeared as a guest account wherein I had to enter my credit card details and when I did that, I received a text message from the bank informing me that the recent purchase that I made might affect my limit. I thought everything was okay already but then when I told hubby about it, we decided to go to Victory Bus terminal in our pajamas. In almost an hour, it was finally our turn to purchase tickets. Fortunately, there were still tickets (though de luxe buses are not available anymore) and we were able to book a ride for 9:50 am to Cubao. If you plan to visit Baguio City, I recommend Microtel Inn because of its good location-very close to the Victory Bus Liner terminal and the town proper. I also suggest that you book a Baguio tour with Mang Domeng. You may contact him in his mobile number: 0947 581-4245.
WARNING: Do NOT book in Iwantseats.com anymore. It will be more convenient if you will book in Victory Bus online. Microtel owns Victory Bus Liner so you just have to walk from the terminal to the hotel and vice versa. You can even ask for FREE luggage assistance which will make your trip hassle and stress-free.
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