Baguio City | Heart-warming Coolness

Ever have a place that has taken a soft spot in your heart that no matter how difficult it is to get there, you'd return again and again?

Baguio City comes in mind.

The bus trip from Manila (either Pasay or Cubao) to Baguio could take up to seven (7) hours long.  It's a day's work! You're lucky if you take the Deluxe bus, your agony is shortened. If you're coming from Cubao Terminal, there are 5 scheduled trips to choose from, 4 in Pasay. Note, however, that these seats sell like home-made pancakes. They disappear in no time; so travel smart by purchasing your ticket online ahead of time. That saves you from  standing in a long queue in any of the two terminals.

I usually take the Deluxe bus that leaves at 11:45PM from Pasay City Terminal. For me, it's the best time to travel. You would forget about the seemingly endless hours of sitting in a bus and it would spare you from experiencing motion sickness due to long, winding, uphill road. The bus takes the SCTEX route, stops somewhere in Tarlac for as 15-minute break, then off to final destination - the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio City.

When you're approaching Kennon Road, stay awake, try not to miss the "lion's head". A lot of people stop by at Camp 6 to get a closer glimpse of the lion's head or even take some photos with this iconic piece at the background. The lion's head is definitely one of the most-photographed spots in Baguio. Unfortunately, despite my frequent travels in and out of Baguio,  I have no lion's head photo to show off.

But I have this -

Baguio's most famous thoroughfare, the "Session Road".

One of the things I love in Baguio is the Session Road. You'll get to know Baguio in a glance just by walking along this road. There's plenty of action, sights to see, and places to go - mobile food stalls selling sliced green mangoes with spicy shrimp paste dipping, sidewalk vendors displaying their local seasonal produce like strawberries & carrots, 'wag-wag' (second-hand items) shops, ice cream parlors, shawarma, DVDs, food chains, convenience stores, restaurants, pharmacies, clinics, name it!

Vizco's Restaurant & Cake Shop

There are two places in Session where I frequented! One of them is at Vizco's Restaurant & Cake Shop. When I don't feel like cooking, this is where I go to eat. Not only because it's accessible but also because of their delish food selection. This tiny restaurant is best with it's baby back ribs! So if you happen to be in Session, drop by at Vizco's. Indulge in a meal so savoury. And don't forget to take home with you a bottle of Vizco's in-house hot sauce. This concoction of spicy ingredients has a distinct character on its own. There isn't any commercial branded sauce that is similar to this one. So save a space for it in your pantry! While in Vizco's, never ever fail to try a slice of the strawberry shortcake! You will definitely say, "Every strawberry shortcake should be made like this"!

Oh My Gulay!

If you’ve been to Session Road several times but haven’t gone to ‘Oh My Gulay!’ then you’ve missed out big time! It’s like walking right past a familiar, busy street not knowing that there’s a hidden treasure just few meters underneath just waiting to be found. That's OMG, if you don't search for it, then you won't find it!

When you’re in Session, look for that circular, mosaic tiles on the sidewalk – it will lead you to the very location of this hidden treasure, right up at the La Azotea Building (green building).  Just follow the flight of the rustic winding stairs up to the fifth floor of the building, there you’ll find an artist’s haven - "Oh My Gulay"!

 

The moment you step inside the OMG’s den, you’re in another world. It’s almost impossible to imagine how much work goes into carefully transforming this place creating such a huge, intricately detailed masterpiece.

OMG doesn’t only give you the opportunity to see and touch the artists’ works but to enjoy a variety of vegetarian foodies. My personal favourite is OMG’s “Anak ng Putanesca” (spaghetti with olives, capers, cayenne pepper). Must try is ‘Oh My Gulay Rice’ – native brown rice garnished with ten kinds of veggies in season, made savoury with Mongolian sauce, and topped with steamed tofu and omelette.

Take a look around while waiting for your order to be served, and be wowed with the creative way in which the artists turned scraps into fascinating works of art or  just simply enjoy the sweeping view of Burnham Park from OMG’s balcony.

PNKY Travel Cafe

On the upper side of Leonard Wood Rd., not far from the Teachers' Camp, lies a tiny cocoon of travel elegance. Thoughtfully furnished with wooden dining furniture and accessorized with rustic travel luggage, retro cameras, passports, travel diaries, PNKY offers a refreshing disconnect yet still just few minutes away from the city center.

From the main road, the cafe looks stunningly beautiful especially during the night with its tasteful lantern string lights deco.This travel-themed cafe is my ultimate favourite!

PNKY's rustic elegance with its beautifully presented foods makes it a perfect spot for cosy dining. As you’ll flip through the pages of their travel-inspired menu, you’ll find an ample selection of foodie delights. Think soups & salads, nibbles, main course, pasta, pita & sandwiches, guilty pleasures, coffee , tea, & chocolate, beverages, frappes & smoothies, wine…I keep coming back in PNKY, to enjoy my favourites such as “The Great Divide” {carrot & spinach soup}, “Beef a la Seine { sautéed beef with mushroom, pepper & strawberry}, "Colosseo" {beef caldereta topped with mozzarella cheese & black olives – and of course, the guilty pleasures – of which “Message in a Bottle" {Ube Crepes} and ‘In Bruges’ {Uber Moist Chocolate Cake} top the list.

These are just few of the many reasons why I love Baguio.

There's one more thing that impresses me about Baguio - something that's worth noting - their taxi drivers. They're honest, helpful, and courteous. They'll hand you your change even if it's just 50 cents!!! Now, that is impressive! I'd say that's what makes Baguio standout from the rest - its beautiful people.

So If I had to do that dreaded 7- to even 8-hour bus ride again, I would; because Baguio, despite it's crisp mountain breeze, is a heart-warming place!