Photo Vlog: The Old Diplomat Hotel

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

Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral (Baguio City)

March 14, 2015


After visiting Glenn 50's Diner, Laperal White House, Mines View, been to SM Baguio to buy some new clothes and check out what's on sale, we then headed to the famous church in Baguio, the Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral beside Session road.


We were supposed to head to this church upon arrival to Baguio City to give thanks for our safe trip way up to the city, but unfortunately, we came in too early too late for the church mass. And unfortunately again, when we got to the church, there's no scheduled mass in the afternoon.






Me & my son in front of Baguio Cathedral


I really loved this church from the first time we visited this church a long time ago, back when my status is still "In a Relationship" and not "Married". I have this dream that someday when we decided to renew our vows and finally decided to have a church wedding ceremony, we will be blessed in this church. Oh, what a dream.


The church is located in Upper Session Baguio City, the church architecture is very romantic and vintage, not your typical kind of church, that's why most women dream of having their wedding done here.


Apart from being a heritage site, the distinctive pink facade is very feminine, hihihi, so girly.

the center of the church

And how about the aisle? Oh, the aisle is very ideal for women who want their wedding to be very dramatic and considering their long aisle who most girls consider on their wedding day.

Long Aisle of Baguio Cathedral

Please see Mass schedules according to their FB page:


Mass Schedule


EVERY SUNDAYS
5:00 am - Ilocano
6:00 am - English
7:00 am - English
8:00 am - English
9:00 am - Ilocano
10:00 am - Tagalog
11:00 am - English
12:00 nn - English
1:00 pm - English
2:00 pm - English
300 pm - English
4:00 pm - English
5:00 pm - English
6:00 pm - English
7:00 pm - English


EVERY SATURDAYS
6:00 am
6:30 am
7:00 am

Anticipated masses
5:00 pm
6:00 pm


EVERY WEEKDAYS
6:00 am
6:30 am
7:00 am
12:15 nn
5:15 pm


CONTACT INFORMATION:
Parish Office : (074) 424-7871
Catechetical Office : (074) 442-4256
Accounting Office : (074) 304-4064
Telefax : (074) 304-4064


Facebook Page: Baguio Cathedral


Here are more photos:

Erky with Pope Francis

Me & my son with Pope Francis standee

For Baguio Traveler's, let us make it that every time we visit the City of Pines, let's not forget to visit this church so say Thanks for a long and safe trip, if we can make it a habit that before starting your visit to our favorite tourist spots in Baguio, let us pay a visit to our Lord first so he can bless and guide us safely on our travel.


Happy planning on your next vacation!

The Old Diplomat Hotel (Baguio City)

March 14, 2015


So after visiting Mines View Park we then proceed to another known scary place in Baguio City, The Old Diplomat Hotel.

The Old Diplomat HoteL

This place is located in a secluded area in Baguio City, so better grab a cab to easily locate it, I believe there's no jeepney's traveling in that area. But do not worry, taxi cabs in Baguio are very accommodating and is far more different than taxi cabs in Manila.

Entrance fee? There's no entrance fee for this place, we just have to make sure that we won't litter or damage anything that is inside the park or else someone will hunt you! hahaha just kidding!

The biggest tablet of 10 commandments of God I have ever seen

When you arrive in the vicinity you'll first notice this chapel-like place adjacent to the parking lot. We thought it's a must that you enter the chapel first before touring around the hotel to be blessed and be safe with unseen creatures.

But that's only in my thoughts, hihi, paranoid me. It's like a healing prayer for those who will enter their chapel. A woman entertained us and gives us a small prayer leaflet and she prayed for us all who was in there. And then after the prayers, she will anoint the sick with oil. And then after that a photo opp.

And then we've proceeded with the tour, nothing special really. It's just a simple old building, well clean building. They have a couple of benches inside and some photo exhibit on one wall. It's really the same as what we usually saw on TV.

Photo Exhibit 

In the photo exhibit, you will see several pictures of somewhat like an operation using the faith healers bare hands. And some photos of friars who used to live in the hotel. Some photos are freaky, especially those of friars who seems to be looking straight at you.


I think what's really unforgettable about this place is the garden. It is not scary here compared to Laperal White House. The place is very clean and very relaxing. The garden looks like it was taken care of seriously.

So here's the famous central garden at the old Diplomat hotel.

And one more thing you will see here that you will never forget is the huge sunflower all around the garden. It's like plants versus zombies came into life. So cute!

View on the other side of the building.

So don't forget to visit this place when you go up north, I would prefer you do it in the morning, cause you'll know.


Here are more pictures:

Happy planning!


Location: Dominican Hill 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!