The First Timer In Baguio

They say that Baguio is one of the most beautiful places in North. I think it is an understatement. It is heaven.

Our vacation in this, what I call, “my dream place” was a long overdue plan. We never materialize the plan because for one, I don’t like long hours of travel. I cant imagine myself traveling for 8 hours, passing 6 provinces in Luzon before you reach this place.

So when I learned that they (Victory Liner) invented Deluxe fare--- my hubby and I decided to take this much awaited vacation (it would be much faster now to travel to Baguio with approximately 5 hours only to go there.)






Baguio is truly gifted with all scenic attractions that make it a
favorite destination for those who want to escape from fast paced life in the city, and the most favorited by local and foreign tourists. With its great natural beauty plus the hospitable and friendly people (most especially taxi drivers), the City of Pines is the highest point of your search for the idyllic escape.

We stayed at the Hotel 45, the most talked about hotel in the city of pines. We learned about this hotel at a trip advisor website, being the only hotel with the least negative reviews. The rates are really cheap but the real advantage of staying here is that you get to enjoy some quiet location but still, a walking distance to the Session Road. It is also near SM Baguio. The only thing that needs improvement is the shower---- they only emit droplets of water.
You would stay long in the bathroom rinsing. But still and all, this hotel is truly a gift to all travelers who are not so picky on accommodations.




Taxi drivers are my favorite people there. Living in Manila all my life, there is so much to compare between Manila and Baguio cab drivers. Baguio cab drivers will not rob you. They always have loose coins to give you your exact change.
Unlike here, your total fare will always be rounded to the nearest and highest hundredth.
You would not need to tell them the exact location of your destination. You can just tell them name of the establishment, and they will take you there. In cases of some drivers who don’t know the place (perhaps maybe they are newbies), they would find ways to know how to go to your destination. They even call their co-drivers to ask and they will not start the taxi meter until you are ready to go. And they are extremely hospitable and sweet. They are like trained to be like that. There’s this one cab we hired for a couple of hours to drive us around Baguio.
He gave us a fair rate per hour. We filled in his 1 hr and 40 minutes time and we decided to give him the 2 hour rate after but he was reluctant to accept the money we're giving and he is giving us back the money for the fraction of the last hour. But we insisted and told him that it is, ok since he was so helpful in our tour (he also served as tourist guide, giving us some trivia about the places we pass by). He took the money and gave us an endless thanks, and said God Bless!


I will tell stories about my first time in Baguio on my next post.