After we visited the Mansion, we rode the taxi and headed to the famous Mines View Park. As I remembered before, it is not as crowded unlike today. Commercialism was evidently seen as more restaurants and stores continuously sprouting like mushrooms.
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Mountain Ranges welcoming us upon reaching the view deck
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MINES VIEW PARK is one of the most frequented tourist spots in Baguio City which has a view deck where one can have an unobstructed view of Balatok, Antamok and Atok mines and a spectacular view of the Cordillera mountain range. These mines used to be rich in gold and copper.
Tourists also have the chance to wear native Igorot costumes for minimal fee or have their photos taken with the wonder dog.
Because it is Sunday, more families were gathering here and it was literally overcrowded. Since our purpose was just for picture taking, we just stayed here for about 20-30 minutes and headed to Good Shepherd for our pasalubongs. On our way out, we also checked out some wooden souvenirs and magnets.
Right after Mines View, we just walked few minutes and went straight to Good Shepherd Convent to buy more delicacies such as their famous Ube Jam and Strawberry Jam. At first I was hesitant to buy because of tight budget, but when I've tasted their Ube Jam, hmmmmmmmm,,, it was really worth it. It was so creamy, freshly made and still hot when they gave it to me. I can't stop myself from muching it. =D hehehe... And to know that the profit they earned from it will send native Cordillera children to school, it pinch my heart.
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Ube Jam for 130php,,so Y-U-M-M-Y!
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After that, we went to Plaza to eat in Cafe by the Ruins, but unfortunately none of them knew were it was located.. huhuhu.. We ended up eating in Chowking in the Plaza. I ordered halo-halo even it was cold outside. I love it and I love their big serving.. =) By the way, it's already around 1:30 pm when we had our lunch. After that, we took a short nap in our transient house and started to take another tour.
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Lourdes Grotto
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We started our tour in Lourdes Grotto, just 5 minutes away from our transient house. The LOURDES GROTTO is another Catholic shrine and place of meditation in Baguio. It is located on a high hill in the western part of the city where you will find the image of the Lady of Lourdes.
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The centerpiece attraction at the foot of Lourdes Grotto
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It was a challenge again for me because we have to climb around 250+ steps and because I'm afraid of heights, my knees are usually shaking. grrrr..
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This is it guys, conquer my fear.. I can do this, 250+ stairs here I come =)
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We climbed it with all our might and with the help of those railings..hehehe.. The place is quiet and very solemn. Most catholic devotees go here to pray with the miraculous Our Lady of Lourdes.
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In the middle of the staircase, catching our breaths and enjoying the scenic spot.
I made it!! Yehey!
Our Lady of Lourdes is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary invoked by Roman Catholics in honor of the Marian apparitions which are said to have taken place before various individuals on separate occasions around Lourdes, France. |
The Our Lady of Lourdes in Baguio is the same replica of those in Lourdes, France. Many devotees come here especially on Holy Week to offer their prayers and intentions. Candles can also be lighted at the mount of the grotto.
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The Ten Commandments
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Another way to go up here is to walk on the zigzag road where car can also pass through. Along the zigzag road, you can see this gigantic image of the Lord like preaching us.
Walking down, you'll see the mountains of Cordillera and most part of Baguio. It started getting dark in the afternoon, we thought it would rain but thank God, it didn't.
We headed to plaza and tried some activities in the Burnham Park.
It was named after the American architect and urban planner, Daniel Hudson Burnham who laid the plans for the city. The park features a man-made lake situated at the center where tourists can enjoy boating with rented boats.
We were both excited with this part because none of us know how to row a boat. The cost of the boat is 150php for maximum of 6 persons for 1 hour. For tight budget like us, 150 is big already so what we do, we waited for some passengers who are willing to go with us. Luckily, we found 3 men, yes men in military having their vacations as well. They're so generous and kind hearted. They also row the boat for us! Yehey..
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So relaxed while those 3 men were suffering in rowing our boat...hehehe.. =)
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Burnham Park is also known for biking, skating and other fun activities. You can stroll around the place or go to Rose garden near the area. We also saw groups of young people practicing their dances. After that, we walked around Session Road and go to Baguio Church for the Sunday Mass, 6pm-7pm.
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Baguio Cathedral
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According to Wikipedia
, Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral, better known as Baguio Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral located at Cathedral Loop, adjacent to Session Road in Baguio City, the Philippines. The building is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the Marian title of Our Lady of Atonement. It is distinct for its rose-colored exterior, twin spires and traditional stained glass windows and is one of the most photographed iconic buildings in Baguio City. It served as an evacuation center during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II.
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My First Visit to Baguio Cathedral when I was 12.
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Across the cathedral is now one of the famous tourist spots, the SM City Baguio. You can have a vast panorama of the city of Baguio, greener surroundings during the day and bright lights on the evening.
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Bright lights in the big city.. (Singing the song in Billy Crawford's tune)
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We ate in Mini Shabu Shabu and it was so delicious. According to Wikipedia,
Shabu-shabu (しゃぶしゃぶ , also spelled syabu-syabu) is a Japanese dish. The term is an onomatopœia, derived from the sound emitted when the ingredients are stirred in the cooking pot. The dish is related to sukiyaki in style: Both consist of thinly sliced meat and vegetables and served with dipping sauces. However, Shabu-shabu is considered to be more savory and less sweet than sukiyaki.
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Health Advisory! =)
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Kristina and I were so excited with this.. not my first time though =) We really love to eat and this is the highest paid food with this trip.
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Our Master Chef: Sir Leony! Cooking our first batch =)
I'm on sweat already because of the steam.. =)
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Eating time.. We almost spend 2 hours here.. =) After that we walked from SM Baguio to the plaza and saw some merchandise being sold in the street such as clothes, shoes and bags. Ukay-ukay style.. Sadly, we don't have money left in our wallets. =( We ended this day with sound sleep.
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