It had been a busy and an exciting semestral break my family and I had a few weeks back. We have spent eight days traveling and exploring some of our Country’s northern provinces
. It’s only now after almost a month, I have found the luxury of time to sit again in front of my computer to doodle the things we had just a few weeks past. Semestral break was over and all my three kids (a college son and two grade school daughters) were back and busy with their school activities again.
Friday, October 26, 2007 was the day we left for Baguio city to start our family’s “Northern Region Exciting Activities” tour. After much planning, endless research in internet, hotels reservation, here we are ready to start our travel. My husband decided that instead of the usual Visayas region tour, this school semestral break, he opted to explore the Ilocos Norte Region.
The plan was to tr
avel by land for eight days from our place here in Parañaque all the way to the northern tip of the Philippines main island and back. This is something new to all of us and everybody was too excited specially my Mom with the thought that finally she’ll have the cha
nce to see the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos mausoleum. The travel would covers almost 1,400.00 kilometers from start to finish. Since hubby would be the only one driving, planned stop over, places to cover and other day to day activities was almost a daily topic with me and my hubby for a couple of days before we leave. Journey for eight days would be as follows:
· First Leg would be Parañaque – Baguio
· Second Leg would be Baguio – Pagudpud
· Third Leg would be Pagudpud – Ilocandia
· Fourth Leg would be Laoag City – Vigan City
· Final Leg would be Vigan City – Parañaque
It was 1:00 AM early morning of Friday October 26 when we left our house and starte
d our “Northern Region Exciting Activities” tour. PAGASA’s website advance three days weather forecast covering Baguio City and Ilocos regions were generally cloudy with occasional rain showers. Though it was raining in our place the time when we left, when in Quezon City, EDSA was dry and no signs of rain.
Kid’s energy was at the fullest that time, they have arguing inside the van on so many plans as to what things to do first in the city of flowers. We have been to Baguio many times, but if I remember it right, this trip was not until three years be
fore the last one. Baguio and La union was the furthest place we have been to in the Northern Region (South ward of Luzon, we have reached the province of Sorsogon which was the last pro vince in the southern part of the island of Luzon).
Traffic was light at EDSA and we easily reached Balintawak Toll Plaza with no any problem. Since we have plenty of time, it was a slow phase drive, an average of 75 - 85 Kph, since hubby doesn’t want to arrive too early at Shell Station at Rosario, La Union. (It is much safer to dr
ive at Kennon or Marcos road when it is not totally dark) Most people stop at this Shell Gas Station to freshen up before negotiating either Kennon or Marcos road heading to Baguio City. First stop, for a clean comfort room, was at Petron Gas Station. Was it in Bocaue or Pulilan, I’m not sure but it’s in NLEX. The long bridge at Candaba was fully repaired not like the last time since we have passed here. As usual, asphalted roads of NLEX were amazing so is its toll fee at Dau Plaza.
There was a light drizzle at Mabalacat, Pampanga. Tarlac towns were quiet, Luisita Mall was d
im lighted, and lanterns hanging from big acacia tree at the Mall were not visible that time. I saw lined of park Victory Liner buses at Gerona, passengers having a quick chow or a sip of coffee. In Urdaneta, road widening was on going. I wonder how much traffic in this place during day time. Just before we exit the city proper of Urdaneta, we slow down for a check-point manned by militaries I believe. Hubby opens our cabin light as a courtesy to those very polite Officers. Since it was early morning that time, we passed Pozorobia, Binalonan and Sison with very little
traffic. The ride was a bit bumpy since there were many pathholes along the highway in these towns. Not like last time when the asphalt overlay of these roads in these area was in better shape.
Past 4:00 AM and we were at the bridge separating Sison, Pangasinan and Rosario, La Union. Since it was still dark, the sight of Mountain Province on our right is not yet visible. At 4:30 we were at Shell Gas Station at Rosario. There were other travelers who have their vehicles parked in front of the Shell’s 24 hours convenient store. I and my second daughter, who was seated with me at the middle row of the van, went to the comfort room. While
my Mom stays at the back of the van were my youngest daughter was sleeping with her. My son and hubby, they were the one talking to each
other during the entire trip, went straight inside the convenient store to grab cups of coffee. When I came back from the comfort room, my youngest daughter was up already, a bit irritated and was asking how much time more to reach Baguio. She and her Ate followed their Dad inside the convenient store and were in good spirit when they came back with a Pringles on their hand. I look at my watch, it was 5:15 AM, when we left Shell gas station and headed to Marcos Highway. We s
kipped Kennon road this time, though Kennon was much shorter route, Marcos highway is well paved since it was last rehabilitated. Hubby was not sure about the condition of Kennon road this time.
It was almost daylight when we started bending and turning along Marcos Highway. After an hour of endless zigzag we finally reached the city of Baguio. I opened the window to check how cold it is, a fresh breeze of air scented with flowers and pines, filled the van. Made me think how I wish Parañaque’s ambiance would be like this. A wishfulthinking though.
Our reservation was at the Baguio Pines Villa (It was our first time in this place, I just saw their website on the net), it is a fully furnished appartelle which was
outside the city proper and is along the Naguillan Road near the place of Jun Labo (Former F. Marcos faith healer turned Mayor of the city) Hubby check his GPS waypoints and it showed almost 4.50 kilometers from our location to our Appartelle. It was still early and my pre arrange early check-in booking was at 8:00 AM, we stopped at Burnham Park and hubby made a quick walked to the public market to buy things that we need. He was back on a Taxi with a bag of fresh vegetables and newly cut me
ats and ofcourse bundle of fresh flowers for me.
Before 8:00 AM, we were at the Baguio Pines Villa. At the gated entrance we were politely asked by the on duty security guards about our reservations and after confirming it with their staffs thru phone, our van were allowed to enter the gate and we proceed to the appartelle units which were few meters from the gate. There were many appartelle units inside the gated private subdivision and we were met by one lady staff that was waiting for us. She introduced herself as Rose and showed
us our reserved unit. The place was nice, it looks impressive on their website but I never thought it would be as good as this. Copy of house rule was given together with the list of complete furnishing items that was inside the unit. Rose came back and installed a brandnew shower curtain at the toilet and place rugs and doormats. It was a two bedroom unit with a servant quarter, a clean kitchen and one comfort room. All units have its own private terrace over looking the Asin Road area. Parking for our 
van was below our unit. The place is owned and managed by MJ Properties. To be honest, I like this place. Its outside the noise of the city, the place was clean and you will feel secured and welcomed in their place.
After the breakfast which I have prepared we were all asleep except for my Mom and two daughters who was asleep in most of our trip. I woke up from a smell of steaming Sinigang na liempo and a beef sauté in garlic with broccoli, m
ushroom, young corn and other fresh vegetables. I can't hide my smile, thinking this is what vacation should be. On times like this it’s always my hubby who is doing the cooking. Not that I don’t know how to cook but he is a better cook than I and he treat us with his cooking. But on ordinary day ask him to cook and he’ll tell you just to serve him his favorite instant noodle, so to avoid any cooking. We had our lunch and after everybody took a bath and freshen up, at 1:00PM we are ready to re-claim the City of Baguio.............To be continue.
. It’s only now after almost a month, I have found the luxury of time to sit again in front of my computer to doodle the things we had just a few weeks past. Semestral break was over and all my three kids (a college son and two grade school daughters) were back and busy with their school activities again. Friday, October 26, 2007 was the day we left for Baguio city to start our family’s “Northern Region Exciting Activities” tour. After much planning, endless research in internet, hotels reservation, here we are ready to start our travel. My husband decided that instead of the usual Visayas region tour, this school semestral break, he opted to explore the Ilocos Norte Region.
The plan was to tr
avel by land for eight days from our place here in Parañaque all the way to the northern tip of the Philippines main island and back. This is something new to all of us and everybody was too excited specially my Mom with the thought that finally she’ll have the cha
nce to see the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos mausoleum. The travel would covers almost 1,400.00 kilometers from start to finish. Since hubby would be the only one driving, planned stop over, places to cover and other day to day activities was almost a daily topic with me and my hubby for a couple of days before we leave. Journey for eight days would be as follows:· First Leg would be Parañaque – Baguio
· Second Leg would be Baguio – Pagudpud
· Third Leg would be Pagudpud – Ilocandia
· Fourth Leg would be Laoag City – Vigan City
· Final Leg would be Vigan City – Parañaque
It was 1:00 AM early morning of Friday October 26 when we left our house and starte
d our “Northern Region Exciting Activities” tour. PAGASA’s website advance three days weather forecast covering Baguio City and Ilocos regions were generally cloudy with occasional rain showers. Though it was raining in our place the time when we left, when in Quezon City, EDSA was dry and no signs of rain. Kid’s energy was at the fullest that time, they have arguing inside the van on so many plans as to what things to do first in the city of flowers. We have been to Baguio many times, but if I remember it right, this trip was not until three years be
fore the last one. Baguio and La union was the furthest place we have been to in the Northern Region (South ward of Luzon, we have reached the province of Sorsogon which was the last pro vince in the southern part of the island of Luzon).Traffic was light at EDSA and we easily reached Balintawak Toll Plaza with no any problem. Since we have plenty of time, it was a slow phase drive, an average of 75 - 85 Kph, since hubby doesn’t want to arrive too early at Shell Station at Rosario, La Union. (It is much safer to dr
ive at Kennon or Marcos road when it is not totally dark) Most people stop at this Shell Gas Station to freshen up before negotiating either Kennon or Marcos road heading to Baguio City. First stop, for a clean comfort room, was at Petron Gas Station. Was it in Bocaue or Pulilan, I’m not sure but it’s in NLEX. The long bridge at Candaba was fully repaired not like the last time since we have passed here. As usual, asphalted roads of NLEX were amazing so is its toll fee at Dau Plaza. There was a light drizzle at Mabalacat, Pampanga. Tarlac towns were quiet, Luisita Mall was d
im lighted, and lanterns hanging from big acacia tree at the Mall were not visible that time. I saw lined of park Victory Liner buses at Gerona, passengers having a quick chow or a sip of coffee. In Urdaneta, road widening was on going. I wonder how much traffic in this place during day time. Just before we exit the city proper of Urdaneta, we slow down for a check-point manned by militaries I believe. Hubby opens our cabin light as a courtesy to those very polite Officers. Since it was early morning that time, we passed Pozorobia, Binalonan and Sison with very little
traffic. The ride was a bit bumpy since there were many pathholes along the highway in these towns. Not like last time when the asphalt overlay of these roads in these area was in better shape. Past 4:00 AM and we were at the bridge separating Sison, Pangasinan and Rosario, La Union. Since it was still dark, the sight of Mountain Province on our right is not yet visible. At 4:30 we were at Shell Gas Station at Rosario. There were other travelers who have their vehicles parked in front of the Shell’s 24 hours convenient store. I and my second daughter, who was seated with me at the middle row of the van, went to the comfort room. While
my Mom stays at the back of the van were my youngest daughter was sleeping with her. My son and hubby, they were the one talking to each
other during the entire trip, went straight inside the convenient store to grab cups of coffee. When I came back from the comfort room, my youngest daughter was up already, a bit irritated and was asking how much time more to reach Baguio. She and her Ate followed their Dad inside the convenient store and were in good spirit when they came back with a Pringles on their hand. I look at my watch, it was 5:15 AM, when we left Shell gas station and headed to Marcos Highway. We s
kipped Kennon road this time, though Kennon was much shorter route, Marcos highway is well paved since it was last rehabilitated. Hubby was not sure about the condition of Kennon road this time.It was almost daylight when we started bending and turning along Marcos Highway. After an hour of endless zigzag we finally reached the city of Baguio. I opened the window to check how cold it is, a fresh breeze of air scented with flowers and pines, filled the van. Made me think how I wish Parañaque’s ambiance would be like this. A wishfulthinking though.
Our reservation was at the Baguio Pines Villa (It was our first time in this place, I just saw their website on the net), it is a fully furnished appartelle which was
outside the city proper and is along the Naguillan Road near the place of Jun Labo (Former F. Marcos faith healer turned Mayor of the city) Hubby check his GPS waypoints and it showed almost 4.50 kilometers from our location to our Appartelle. It was still early and my pre arrange early check-in booking was at 8:00 AM, we stopped at Burnham Park and hubby made a quick walked to the public market to buy things that we need. He was back on a Taxi with a bag of fresh vegetables and newly cut me
ats and ofcourse bundle of fresh flowers for me.Before 8:00 AM, we were at the Baguio Pines Villa. At the gated entrance we were politely asked by the on duty security guards about our reservations and after confirming it with their staffs thru phone, our van were allowed to enter the gate and we proceed to the appartelle units which were few meters from the gate. There were many appartelle units inside the gated private subdivision and we were met by one lady staff that was waiting for us. She introduced herself as Rose and showed
us our reserved unit. The place was nice, it looks impressive on their website but I never thought it would be as good as this. Copy of house rule was given together with the list of complete furnishing items that was inside the unit. Rose came back and installed a brandnew shower curtain at the toilet and place rugs and doormats. It was a two bedroom unit with a servant quarter, a clean kitchen and one comfort room. All units have its own private terrace over looking the Asin Road area. Parking for our 
van was below our unit. The place is owned and managed by MJ Properties. To be honest, I like this place. Its outside the noise of the city, the place was clean and you will feel secured and welcomed in their place.After the breakfast which I have prepared we were all asleep except for my Mom and two daughters who was asleep in most of our trip. I woke up from a smell of steaming Sinigang na liempo and a beef sauté in garlic with broccoli, m
ushroom, young corn and other fresh vegetables. I can't hide my smile, thinking this is what vacation should be. On times like this it’s always my hubby who is doing the cooking. Not that I don’t know how to cook but he is a better cook than I and he treat us with his cooking. But on ordinary day ask him to cook and he’ll tell you just to serve him his favorite instant noodle, so to avoid any cooking. We had our lunch and after everybody took a bath and freshen up, at 1:00PM we are ready to re-claim the City of Baguio.............To be continue.
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