Lion's Head (Baguio City)

March 15, 2015

It was our last day on our first Baguio road trip with our son. Since we're heading to Kennon Road and the famous Lion's head is located in Kennon Road, we've decided to drop by for a breakfast and check our motorcycle breaks before continuing our Journey back to Manila.



So how to get there?

If you have your own vehicle you must take the Kennon Road instead of following public buses route which is the Marcos highway, because you won't be able to see this tourist spot instead you'll see Marcos off course.

Through public transport; if you're already in Baguio and decided to visit the famous Lion's Head, you can always ride a cab but you should make sure that you already make arrangement with your taxi driver to wait for you and bring you back to Baguio, because you won't be able to get back easily to the City unless another tourist will visit the place and you'll get there cab.


Explanation: On our first visit here with my husband's family, we easily get a cab going TO Lion's head, but we were not able to get a new cab going back to Baguio. There will be a few PUJ's traveling from La Union to Baguio but it is always full and most of the tourist riding a cab already make arrangement to send them back to Baguio. Good thing a good Samaritan driving a truck a vegetable delivery truck was able to give us a ride up back Baguio City, we were very much thankful because we're with a couple of kids with us.


So don't forget to take a note of that, or else you'll be left with this Lion if no Good Samaritan will pick you up.


What to do here?

Honestly, since it's along the road, what people who visited here probably done,,, PICTURE TAKING. Yes! you can take a lot of pictures of the famous Lion's head. But aside from that, there are also "pasalubong" stores here, Where you can buy different handicrafts, mostly made from mats and woods.

My son bought for his car collections 

tourist taking there photo ops 

me & my son having our picture taken 

There are also a couple of food stores where you can buy water, soda drinks, and some foods. But we decided to take a sip of Baguio's strawberry taho instead.




Done with the Lion's Head adventure.


Happy planning!


Location: Camp 6, Kennon Road Baguio City

TACAY Lodge Drive Inn Hotel (Baguio City)

So it was the 2nd day of our Baguio Road Trip 2015.

The previous day was a bit tiring from finding PKNY to the steep parking area of Hill Station at Casa Vallejo, from driving here and forth at Leonard to Luna Road.

From having a super full brunch at 50's Diner to being blessed at Baguio Cathedral. Dropping by at SM Baguio to waiting for my husband's best friend at Tacay Road and then finally a couple of hours waiting for my husband to finish their "Inuman session" at Erky's Ninong Edwin's house.

|

|

|

Since we are already at Tacay Road and the place where we are is already in front of Tacay Lodge, we decided to stay there and take a rest for the night before going to Manaoag church and finally going home to Manila.



Honestly, at first, we thought that the place was really for couples who would want to just have a one night you know?!? hihi☺

Why? Because as we inquire on the receptionist, they mentioned that the price of their room is 1000/night, same check in and check out time as other hotels, but since it's already past 12am of March 15 and we're also planning to leave by 9am we asked for a discount, guess what they have told us?

"Ma'am, Sir mag short time nalang po kayo."


Huwatt?!? as in short time!


Well, my husband just says "I am with my wife and son."


We've had 2nd thoughts on staying at Tacay Lodge at first, but then after my husband's reunion with his best friend since he is already "almost" drunk should I say, we decided to stay at this Lodge for safety purposes and for the excitement of lying in bed to rest.


Once you enter the vicinity, you would be asked, what's the enclosed gate'S with Letter and Numbers all about?


Guess what my husband thought at that time?

|

Since its name implies DRIVE INN, the couples who'd want to have a "short time" as the staffs would say, couples will just get their cars inside and that's it!

|

Hahahaha! Silly husband!


They've got us a room in the basement. I thought for the meantime that they'll give us their smallest room since we haggle for a discount.


But this lodge surprised us! I think a thousand peso will be worth your stay here, especially if you have your own precious cars.


1st the enclosed gates we thought of something else is way more different than we thought. Gladly, the enclosed gate will be for each guest's cars.


Surprise! Surprise!

Absolutely! This spacious parking lot is all yours while you stay here.

It's like your renting your own space!

Own parking lot at B2

The Bathroom

The stairs connecting to our room from the parking

So we've had an up and down room/lodge, 2nd floor is the parking lot, the 1st floor is our room.

Nothing special with the room itself, it's just a simple but clean room. It has drawers, well a comfortable bed, a table, cable TV, but sorry they don't have WiFi access, I believe the signal is really bad at their area cause even our cellphones can't find a good signal, given also that we are at the basement.

The bedroom

Tacay Lodging House Bath Towel; after use. 

Would like to note, that compared to our previous post (Prince Plaza Hotel), this simple lodge has a complete complimentary soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, a plus points for that.

But wait there's more! They gave us a discount to have our room until 9am for 660pesos only. Since my son is super tired and sleepy at 9am, we decided to extend so my husband could also extend his rest before taking a drive back to Quezon City. And we are happy because an hour extension would only cost us an additional 50pesos per hour.


Budget friendly lodge in Baguio for someone as picky as me.


Rating:

Price & Value of Money - 4.5 out of 5 stars
Cleanliness - 3 out of 5 stars, because the bed sheets when we arrived have footmarks on it! OMG, it seems a "kapre" has put his foot on it.
Service - 2 out of 5 stars, maybe not all, but the receptionist is kinda "masungit". She showed us a room upstairs but after a couple of minutes when we decided already to get the room, she says someone has already taken the room, so she'll just give us the room at the basement. Makes me lose my temper! 
Ambiance - 4 out of 5 stars, cause I love waking up in the morning with the view of the trees and mountains and the sun rising. (which I wasn't able to take a picture, due to the overwhelming happiness of peace ☺.)

the view outside the hotel

If we would try checking in again? YES! We will! Definitely. Especially if we'll drive our own car to Baguio. 

Location: Lt. Tacay Road Baguio City

Mines View Park (Baguio City)

March 14, 2015


After visiting Laperal White House, we then decided to go to Mines View Park which is a bit too far from Leonard Wood Road.




This is not our first time visiting this place, but we still want to take a visit over and over again, every time we're in Baguio City. Mainly because this is a tourist destination, famous in Baguio, plus the fact that this place has been progressive over the years. A lot of souvenir shops has been built already, including this Islands souvenir shop located at the entrance at Mines View Park, and a mini-museum which is the Cordillera World.






Besides from the souvenir shops, of course, what people do here and what tourist visit here is the view of the mines located at the boundary of the park.











I know for sure, being progressive is not really a bad thing, but with what has happened to Mines View Park, since we have seen this long before a lot of shops has been built here, it has been bad impressions for some of the tourists that the park has been very crowded. Not with just the tourists but also with vendors and everything. The prettiness of the place has reduced because of being overcrowded with vendors.




But still, the place is being visited for thousands of tourist every year especially every summer.




So how to get here?

As I've always mentioned, being in Baguio is the best time to ride a taxi all the time. Because the taxi cab driver here is always nice and they don't take extra charge whether you'll go near or far. Just mentioned you want to go to Mines View and no hassle at all.




You can also ride a public utility jeepney going to Mines View Park, they have terminals near the marketplace and in Session Road.




What to do here?

Off course, photo opp is a must! Have your pictures taken with the mines on your background.



















And another shot at the big shed.









Happy planning!

Laperal White House (Baguio City)

March 14, 2015

Since a few years ago where my sister in law decided to live in Baguio and grow her family, we never had a chance to visit the famous Laperal White House. Simply because we not yet ready to face our fears then.

Famous Baguio White House

And so this 2015, my family decided to face our fears and since my son is so fond of horror movies and because his favorite movie is INSIDIOUS, finally we have visited the famous Laperal White House.

Please take note, that is an entrance fee/involuntary donation if you'd like to visit this site. It's 50 pesos per head, kids are free. Entrance fee covers your entrance for both Lapera white house and the Ifugao bamboo art gallery.

So what's that round light shadow on the door? Creepy

So you want to know how it feels to first put your feet on this house floors? 

To be honest, I was really scared, I have that unexplained feeling of fear, maybe because I was just thinking about it and the 2 guys I am with is adding the scare on me, but really, I felt heavy when we stepped in. 

So who says #13 is the scariest number? Well it's actually 14.

So what's inside? As you enter, you will notice that it was actually an extension of the Ifugao Bamboo Art Exhibit under this house. You will see a couple of bamboo handicrafts displayed in every corner, I guess the idea is to revert or remove the thought of fear and be amazed by those wonderful well crafted bamboo arts.

So who's really enjoying the exhibit?

Father & Son

Aside from the bamboo crafts, you will also see antique furniture's, I'm just not sure if those are the original furniture's of the house, though they all really look old and scary to touch, or I'm just so paranoid at that time, hihi.

Dining area + Exhibit area

Just look at the window...

oh, noh...not the shadow...

and I would have wanted to have this clock, very antique! Nice but not working.

And I also love the fact that they have a chimney, I only saw those on Princess Sarah days, so nice that I see one for myself in flesh.

ang chimenea.

You would also love the center of this house, very dramatic.

 And off course, I wouldn't forget the stairs.

And on the 2nd floor, actually there's nothing you can see upstairs, no more bamboo handicrafts, no more special furniture's or antiques, as in there's nothing.

Except that you would be surprised when you reach the next floor, because outside you would only thought it was just a 2 story house, and really doesn't seem big outside, but there are a couple of rooms, I forgot to count exactly how many rooms, but I am guessing at the 2nd floor there are at least 4 BIG rooms, yes you got it right! 

They really have big rooms, as I say, "pang mayaman"; but at the rooms, you will only see a bed with no bed sheets at all, just a plain bed and a plain room and that old TV.

Just be ready to be surprised as you enter this room, I won't tell it anymore, it's for you to see.

one of the rooms

So Who would have thought, that there's also a 3rd floor for this house, actually it looked like an attic already because it's a bit small space. Or like a viewing deck where you can see top view in front of the house.

the viewing deck at the attic

Doesn't seem scary yet? 

girl in the window

Oh well that's just me :).

And here's a small garden outside the house.

little pond outside

So when you visit this place, please make sure to say a little prayer before your entrance and before you leave, for safety precaution, I can't believe it yet though I have felt heavy as I've said a couple of times. 
Just like to share that there's a family who also visited this place before us and we've met them at the attic and they are saying that they have captured a picture of kids on their cameras, haven't seen it with our own eyes, not so "usisera", they just said so. But it would be better and no harm done if we say a little prayer for those souls and for our families safety.

So how to get there? This is just near 50's Diner, you just have to ride a cab since cab is really affordable in Baguio.

Happy planning!

White House Gallery - Ifugao Bamboo Art (Baguio City)

March 14, 2015


So who would have thought that behind this creepy house is an art gallery waiting to be seen and would change your thoughts from frightening to amazing?

The right side of Laperal House 

Yes, this is the famous White House in Baguio City, the Laperal White House, but aside from the scary thoughts we got from a lot of Pinoy horror movies featuring this old house is a hidden, well not so hidden Art gallery featuring Ifugao Bamboo arts/Philippine bamboos.

Bench located before the entrance of Ifugao bamboo art 

View from the gate 

The entrance fee is already included on the 50 pesos you have to pay when you want to visit the famous white house, so it's a package deal already, you visit the house, you visit the art gallery.

Welcome! 

Well actually based on the ticket they'll give you upon entering the vicinity, "it's a donation", though I can't help but ask why a donation should have a specific amount?


But when I read it again, the cost you have to pay is for the preservation and nursing of the Ifugao bamboos, we'll it's Philippine bamboos, where they have nursed on the lower part of the area. It's in our own little ways of helping our fellow citizens grow bamboos in the Philippines while we can't right?

Directions. 

So what you'll see here? Bamboos, art crafts made of bamboos, the photo exhibit of bamboos and a lot of bamboo artwork. In short, it's more bamboos.

crucifix made of bamboos 

Red carpet exhibit of different types of crafts all made of bamboos 

See photos here:

Bamboo Exhibit 

Ifugao Bamboo Carving Projects 

yes, It's Pinoy! 

So to wrap it all out, basically it's more on pictures and bamboo handicrafts. 50 pesos for entrance fee per head, might be too much but not bad if you know how to appreciate art and the hard works/love works given by our indigenous fellow citizens.


I really love how detailed they've done all those bamboo handicrafts, patience and hard work really makes an amazing result.


Please don't forget to add this up to your itinerary when visiting the City of Pines.


Happy planning!

Prince Plaza Hotel (Baguio City)

It was a Friday the 13th when we decided to go on a road trip with my husband's new MC. It was quite a very longggggggggggggggggggggg trip from Quezon City to BAGUIO City! Given, our son Erky (6 yrs old) is with us for that very long trip.

|

|

|

We arrived at Baguio City proper at around past 12 in the morning. The breeze with fog was freezing cold already, though my husband's sister is living in San Carlos Baguio and we can stay there as long as we want, we decided to not go any further from the City proper since it is already dark, it is off course very cold + very foggy, our son is with us, my husband's sight is not good in the dark, and the fact that we are all exhausted already from the very long trip since 2 in the afternoon from March 13...

Prince Plaza Hotel 

And so we decided to find a nice place to sleep in through the night, we were dreaming of a room with a very nice bed where we can really rest our backs! We go to a hotel hopping first, the 1st hotel we ask was the Prince Plaza hotel, but first, we thought, "ah! 2k (2000php) will be too expensive for we know that the room has no AC, and there is no breakfast inclusion! and it is almost 1am and were planning to leave at 9am, nah! let's go find another place". Not too far is the Lindi Hotel where we have stayed before but they are fully booked already. My husband is really tired and he wants to take a rest already, and so we decided, OK fine, let's just go back to Prince Plaza.

Lobby

Going back, the receptionist recognized that it's us again. Luckily he offered us to stay until 9am for 1,350 Php, it's not really a big discount but at least.

lovely carpeted stairs with my son 

I really thought that it was just a typical normal room with a normal bed. Judgmental me!

Well, the 2000php from 2pm-12pm, I think is worth for your money.


From the stairs, where every flooring is carpeted, loved the feel of our feet when we stepped in.

The room is complete with a very comfy 2 single beds, big and small drawers, cable TV, they have a strong WiFi connection. What my son loves about this hotel is, of course, his favorite, the bathtub, but since we don't have enough time, he wasn't able to use it, oh well maybe next time.

furniture's 

comfy bed 

closet

the bathtub

Terrace

soap and towel

The room also has a veranda, overlooking Legarda road, the veranda is just good for smokers, but not for viewers, since you will only see the streets and the wire cables.

One thing I don't like about this is that they don't provide a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a shampoo, they only provide you with bath towels and 2 soaps. For us who were able to stay in a couple of hotels, from the cheapest to the grandest, they ALL provide, complimentary soap, bath towels, shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste plus 2 bottles of mineral waters, that's a standard already.

In the morning, I have called their attention to ask whether they provide other items than soap, the girl told me that they ONLY provide soap. OMG!


Thanks to Mercury Drug near the hotel or we'll stroll at Baguio without cleaning our hairs and mouth ew!


Rating:

Price & Value of Money - 3 out 5 stars

Cleanliness - 3 out of 5 stars, because the tub and comfort room seems to have clogged dirt on the tiles.

Service - 3 out of 5 stars, because of unsatisfied complimentary bath essentials, though the hotel staffs are all accommodating 5 stars for them.

Ambiance - 4 out of 5 stars, because it is very relaxing and welcoming from the time you entered their lobby.




Here are more photos:











Overall I could say that our stay is very much comfortable, especially for the beds. Still worth your money and worth the try.


If we would try checking in again? YES of course, definitely, but hopefully next time they'll have much better complimentary bath essentials and with breakfast, please?


Location: #17 Legarda Road 2600 Baguio City

Landline: (074) 442 5082