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From left to right: Blessie Cruz, Business Unit Head, 2GO Retail; Jasmin Igot, Sales & Operations Manager, Goldberry Suites Mactan & Cebu Branches; Andrew Jamadre, Marketing Consultant, Coralpoint
I had my first ever breakfast at the original Café by the Ruins in Baguio.
I like Baguio. The breeze is different. I learned when I got there that most roads are never fully flat as they are usually ascending or descending. The city itself is a hilly place and walking can be exhausting if you're not used to going through upward slopes. Most people are also notably nice. I felt like the place itself was laid back, without it actually feeling urban. My only negative comment is that the place is extremely crowded. There were too many people everywhere. Either that or weekends just aren't the best time to visit.
Daang Matuwid at Camp John Hay. (IG: @bjornjovi)
I recall having to endure heavy traffic from Camp John Hay to Mine's View only to be disappointed upon reaching the place, as the area was swarmed. Another bummer for me was not being able to go to the BenCab Museum because of time constraints. Rains were also intermittent all throughout the day. Still, my day was packed.
I capped off my night by visiting the famous night market at Harrison Road--the ultimate ukay-ukay haven. I was able to buy a pair of new, white sneakers for only P300, too! Since I had one more night only, I decided to stay at the same lodge but have my room upgraded. Luckily, there was a vacant room. My room was P400 more expensive, but it was a lot better. I had my own bathroom, a cabled-television, a fan, and 2 electricity outlets this time.
When it was time to leave, I realized late that I failed to book a bus ticket to Manila. Along with hundreds of bystanders at the terminal, I ended up becoming a chance passenger. A piece of advice: if you intend to visit Baguio any time soon, make sure you reserve your bus tickets earlier online. This will save you not only time, but also ensure comfort. Do not be a chance passenger. Dili tanan taw mataga-an ug chance. Masakitan ra ka. I remember walking to different buses and asking dispatchers if there was one more available seat. I mostly got a 'no.'
I was running out of time and hope, until a bus gofer of a certain bus line scored a seat for me--in their competitor's bus! I was surprised. After informing me that they were full, he looked around, entered a random bus, spoke to the driver and yelled to me from the window. I felt like a Jollibee crew member was escorting me to Mcdonald's. Thank you, God, for kind people. Travel time to Pasay took around 8 hours in all. Not sure if the bus ran slow, or if the traffic was heavier than usual.
Me and my heavy duffle bag on the way to Bagiuo from Sagada. I bought a pair of tribal sandals at a local souvenir shop in Sagada because I had nothing to wear anymore after my shoes got wet.
Overall, I had a few hits and I had a few misses. It wasn't exactly how I pictured my Sagada-Baguio experience, but it was a breathtaking experience nonetheless. What's great about taking long trips by yourself is that it gives you a lot of time to think--think about where you are in your life, what you need to fight for and what you need to leave behind.
There is a list of things I re-learned, too: I re-learned the importance of arranging tours ahead. Responsible traveling starts with you. I also re-learned that you don't always need a hand to hold to ease the fear of being lost; and that you don't always need company to validate the beauty of a sunrise or the magic of the night sky. It is important to surround yourself with friends, but it is also empowering to be strong on your own. There is freedom in strength, and there is strength in independence.
Now that the Cordillera Mountains are off my list, it's time to work on my abs.
Bjorn Tabanera
iSTORYA Contributor
Bjorn is a Trainer and occasional events host and freelance writer.
Part 1 - Mountains and Mishaps: My Sagada-Baguio Adventure
Part 2 - The Journey Begins
Part 3 - Kiltepan
Part 4 - Misfortune!
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