Choco-Late de Batirol

ABBEY: A cup of hot chocolate made in an old fashioned way? Here is the place to go. This is located inside Camp John Hay. A cup costs less than 100php. You can also add to your list is their delicious arrozcaldo and tokwa't baboy (the soy sauce and vinegar combination has a very distinct taste). The hot choco as well as the porridge complement well the coldness of the camp. In here you can relax and enjoy nature while having a good chat with your loved ones and friends.

WILL:  I miss the chocolate batirol of my Lola and even I will ask her to prepare something for me, she can't do it because she do not know where she should buy the ingredients. Hehe. 
       So here at Camp John Hay, we headed to suffice my cravings. For Php80 per cup, you can linger on this very delicious chocolate de batirol. 
      I asked Abbey not to order any food because we are just almost 2 hours away for dinner. But he insist. He ordered to Lugaw and Tokwa't Baboy. OMG! I am so happy, haha! The lugaw and tokwa't baboy is such a perfect couple. The tokwa't baboy sou sauce has this unexplainable taste. Hehe. Sweet, sour, salty and spicy in one. I am drooling thinking back the taste. Hehe. 

Cafe by the Ruins

ABBEY: This cafe is located across Baguio city hall. They not only serve coffee and sandwiches but lunch and dinner as well. A meal starts at 150php but its very reasonable. I got my BLT sandwich. The buns were made from kamote. The sandwich is juicy and tastes great. Bacon is crispy, the lettuce and tomato are fresh. Wooden chairs and tables are used and vines covers the roof. By the way this cafe also serves wine.

WILL: This restaurant is very famous here in Baguio City. Almost everybody knew its location. From Burnham Park, it's just 5 minutes walk towards in front of Baguio City Hall. 
      Its place's designed as if you are in a era of 1960-1970's.  It might be like a homey place for your mom and dad. I ordered a tuna sandwich. But i do not expect that this tuna will be look like just burgers. Hehe. The bun is amazing, the veggies are so fresh that once you crunched up on it, the greenery aroma is there. 
      It is quite pricey for budget travelers. 

Baguio City Philippines

ABBEY: This is my second trip to this summer capital. The first one is an officer's retreat of our church. I just visited PMA and central market due to limited time.

On the second trip we stayed at Veniz hotel located at the center of the city (near the KM 0 mark). We went also to Mines View, Wright and Burnham parks, SM Baguio, had a dinner at Session Road, strawberry farm, and Central Market for pasalubong. We took the deluxe bus of Victory Liner for the trip.

WILL: Okay, okay, okay this is my fourth time in here, but until now, Baguio never fails to give me a shivering experience. 
Baguio is the summer capital of the Philippines. As this is one of the coldest part of Luzon that metro people can go. From Manila you can take Victory Liner Bus from its Cubao terminal or Monumento and take the 6 hour journey. I will suggest to take the night trip as it will save time for you. This city is very small that you can explore all the great places just for a day. 
Some that we explored with Ate Beth and her husband were the following. 

1. Strawberry Farm - a one jeepney away from the city. If you have a chance to pick some strawberry do it but be cautious because this is more expensive than the packed one in city's market. Do not forget to taste the strawberry flavored taho! Sarap-sarap! 

2. Still, the fantastic Mines View. The bustling sound of Pine Trees is priceless. I hope government will still protect this tourist attraction. 

3. The Wright Park. Due to many horses staying in this park, beware of their poops and its stench.  

4. The Mansion. Philippines' President home here in Baguio. 

5. The Botanical Garden is under renovation. Nothing so much to see here. This place is so much commercialized. So many stores inside. :( 

6. Burnham Park. Here you can rent a boat, do some picnic.

7. SM Baguio is now one of the tourist spot here. Why? This is their only mall that not uses air conditioner. Haha! They have a scheduled fireworks show too. 

8. Session Road. This is most crowded place that I can see here in Baguio. Traffic Jam never leaves that road. People were like ants flocking and roaming around. Banks, restaurants were all here. ;)

9. Camp John Hay. The high ranking officials place. Scenic and very serene. You can play golf here, do some outdoor activities and even rent a room for a night. 

     There's more places to go and visit here. Try to visit Baguio, choose Philippines.