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. 

Tiger Airways - Singapore to Manila

ABBEY: At first I was hesitant to book out flight in this airline but we tried it when they conducted a fare sale. We got our ticket for 5k php. An additional 15kg check-in baggage costs 1071php.  

Upon checking in an hour before our flight we were accommodated warmly by their staff. Any flight-related query that we have were answered politely. The seats and food are almost the same as the other airlines. 

The flight is smooth and We arrived at Singapore on the expected time.

WILL: Tiger Airways is one of the budget airline that Filipinos can avail en route from Singapore to Manila.  Their plane lands and departs at NAIA 1 & Budget Terminal. Now, they also offers Davao and Cebu destination. 

      Plane is similar to other budget-fare planes. They have this black seat covers and I think they have more than 5 stewards on board. But I have some concern on this, If they have a lot of people on board, why the magazine holders have some trashes?

      Happy to experienced to ride this plane. I hope we can get more fare promos soon ;) 

Circles Event Cafe - Makati Shangri-la

ABBEY: I have heard about this restaurant back when I'm still working in Philippines. My co-workers kids our manager to have out team dinner there. It didn't happen as its too expensive and the price is out of the budget. 

I asked Wilma if we can have a buffet when we have a vacation. We landed a reservation for three at Circles at Shangri-la Hotel in Makati. One person is charged 1590php. They serve western, Turkish, Indian, Chinese and Japanese cuisines. 

I like the most is their roasted sweet pork. I had pasta in red sauce, asado siopao, grilled pork, longganisa fried rice, leche flan, watermelon and ripe mangoes. That dinner is great. I'm very full. You can have unlimited drink of different iced teas for top-up of 200php per person.

WILL: Circles is very famous for the buffet world in Manila. It is located at Shangri-la Makati ground floor. 
       Plane landed and directly from NAIA1 we headed to this sinful world of Circles. Gluttony it may seem but yes, we are very excited to do some buffet. Yes excited for food but more excited to fill out stomachs with my ever missed  Ate Francia. Aside for being an ATE, she is a true and loving friend. Huhu. Teary eyes. Anyways back on food. 
       They have selection of different cuisines. As usual, chinese, japanese, & indian foods are there, what u Love most? Their stake with this mushroom sauce. The sushi? Not enough variants to choose from. The dumplings? Not that quite tasty as I tastes others. A meager selection of fruits and desserts. 
For me, I am still in love with Sofitel's Spiral. It costs Php1,590+++ each and you can book online at 
rric.SLM@shangri-la.com