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Baguio Vacation

October 1st, 2013 2 comments

10 days after school started this year there was a holiday on a Wednesday and then the following Monday. We decided to pull Kalani out of school for 2 days and go on another vacation!  We headed up north to Baguio where there were trees that resembled pine trees and reminded us of Tahoe in California.  The only down side to our trip was that there was a monsoon…good thing we have a driver who took care of us and all of the driving.

Driving to Baguio.  So thankful we have a driver.

Driving to Baguio during a monsoon. So thankful we have a driver.

Driving to Baguio in a monsoon storm.  It took us about 5 hours to get there with a lunch stop along the way.

We either had rain or fog during the drive. It took us about 5 hours to get there with a lunch stop along the way.

Since we had our own car and driver we created our own itinerary of things to see on our first day in Baguio. Thanks to the hotel for their recommendations and TripAdivsor for other people’s experiences, we put together a nice day of activities.

There was a drizzle while exploring the Botanical Garden, but we all had a good time.

There was a drizzle while exploring the Botanical Garden, but we all had a good time.

2nd stop: The Good Shepherd Convent.  Bought homemade goodies here

2nd stop: The Good Shepherd Convent where we bought homemade goodies

We bought some inexpensive souvenirs here...and the locals even have a loptop at their shop to get on FaceBook

Souvenir item for sale…minus the laptop

Mason was excited to get a wooden snake for his treat and to get a photo with this "cool dog"

Mason was excited to get a wooden snake for his treat and to get a photo with this “cool dog”

It was still raining pretty good while we were at Mine's View Park.  The local way to get rid of the water that collects on the tarps without getting water in all the shops.

It was still raining pretty good while we were at Mine’s View Park. The local way to get rid of the water that collects on the tarps without getting water in all the shops.

4th stop: Bell Church with some history of China on site as well

4th stop: Bell Church with some history of China on site as well

Leaving the Bell church Matt was asked if he wouldn't mind taking a photo with some Filipinas

Leaving the Bell church Matt was asked if he wouldn’t mind taking a photo with some Filipinas

The next day we decided to drive from Baguio to Banaue to see the 2000 year old rice terraces.  It was a beautiful drive that took 6 hours to reach our destination.  We only looked at the rice terraces for about 10 minutes because of a downpour.  So we took a longer, safer way home that took 8 hours.  The kids and adults did very well on that 14 hour car ride!

The clouds would come and go on our drive to Banaue...but it was still a beautiful drive

The clouds would come and go on our drive to Banaue…but it was still a beautiful drive

We stopped to stretch our legs and check out Ambuklao Dam on our way to Banaue

We stopped to stretch our legs and check out Ambuklao Dam on our way to Banaue

Local Igorat ladies that wait for tourist to come take a photo.  Matt gave this lady more than a the usual tip!

Local Igorot ladies that wait for tourist to come take a photo. Matt gave this lady more than the usual tip!

On the way home from Banaue we pulled off the side of the road and purchased some wood furniture at a rock bottom price!

On the way home from Banaue we pulled off the side of the road and purchased some wood furniture at a rock bottom price!

We stayed at The Manor at Camp John Hay and had a wonderful time. Matt and I worked out every day and then got a massage. The kids loved exploring the place (when it wasn’t raining) and they also had art classes at the hotel.  We met up with a co-worker/basketball teammate of Matt’s for dinner on Saturday night. Also on Saturday, 4 families from our church arrived in Baguio but stayed at another hotel.  We actually didn’t get to see any of our church friends until church on Sunday…before we headed back to Manila.

The kids each painted 3 art pieces at the hotel on a rainy day.

The kids each painted 3 art pieces at the hotel on a rainy day.

Our Manila church friends that were in Baguio the same time as us.

Our Manila church friends that were in Baguio the same time as us.

Random lion head we saw on our drive back to Manila

Random lion head we saw on our drive back to Manila

Bridal Veil Falls was a good place for pictures and to get out and stretch our legs while heading home.

Bridal Veil Falls was a good place for pictures and to get out and stretch our legs while heading home.

Before we return home to the states, I want to go back to Baguio when it isn’t raining and we can pick local strawberries! More Baguio photos here.