Getting there: Drive from Manila. Friends who have left at 4AM say it has taken as little as four hours, but leaving between 6:30 and 7:30 AM (both directions), it took us about six. The first two to three hours from Manila is on a relatively well built highway (NLEX and SCTEX), but then you have to go through towns on McArthur Hi-Way.
Of course, the towns afford some interesting views, so it's not terrible -- unless you get stuck going 10 km/h behind a tricycle (or even worse, a pedicab) whose driver refuses to pull over to the side so you can pass. The construction to add a second lane both directions on McArthur Hi-Way is almost complete. The last 30 minutes is on Kennon Road - a twisty turvy drive up into the mountains.
Where to stay: If you are a foreign service officer - or directly employed by Embassy Manila - there's no where else to stay except the Ambassador's Residence! The residence itself has seven rooms (some with shared and some with private baths) - but if you have kids, the cottage (sleeps 6 to 11) or the cabin (sleeps 4 to 6) are a better bet.
What to do: With kids, a must do is Burnham Park. You can boat and rent bikes, and there's a good playground, too
Of course, the towns afford some interesting views, so it's not terrible -- unless you get stuck going 10 km/h behind a tricycle (or even worse, a pedicab) whose driver refuses to pull over to the side so you can pass. The construction to add a second lane both directions on McArthur Hi-Way is almost complete. The last 30 minutes is on Kennon Road - a twisty turvy drive up into the mountains.
Where to stay: If you are a foreign service officer - or directly employed by Embassy Manila - there's no where else to stay except the Ambassador's Residence! The residence itself has seven rooms (some with shared and some with private baths) - but if you have kids, the cottage (sleeps 6 to 11) or the cabin (sleeps 4 to 6) are a better bet.
What to do: With kids, a must do is Burnham Park. You can boat and rent bikes, and there's a good playground, too
Other sights include Baguio Cathedral, Mines View Park (take coins for a wishing well and take your photo dressed in Ifugao costumes - which my children refused to do), exploring the pine forests at Camp John Hay, BenCab Museum and nearby Tamawan Park (we didn't make it to either)
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| Where ever you go, be prepared for the hills - and even better if you have a brother to help you along |
What to buy: Even Greg said that he found the shopping in Baguio worthwhile - so that's saying something. Check out the Baguio City Market to experience a clean - and functional - city market. We bought super sweet strawberries for $3/kilo, santols for 50 cents/kilo, broccoli for $1 for three heads. Our nanny stocked up on some short sized brooms and hit the ukay-ukay (second hand) clothing stores to get some winter things to bring to the U.S.
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| Sausages at the market (not purchased) |
Mines View Park also has some great stalls - we bought textiles (e.g., three king sized lightweight blankets which we will use for top sheets at three for $22). Narda's is a must for woven items - and we found some great sweaters for Greg and Wm. Good Shepherd Convent has famous peanut brittle and strawberry jam. Lots of people buy hot chocolate, too -- but with our imminent departure, we didn't want to buy food. I had wanted to check out a third textile place run by the Episcopal Church, but didn't make it, sadly. A friend sponsored a guest pass for the Baguio Country Club so we could get the famous raisin bread. Oh - and the obligatory Starbuck's city mug, with a sunflower!
Where to eat: We self-catered for a few meals, which is so much easier with kids. We ate at Oh Mai Khan (mongolian bbq) and 50's Diner with kids. (plus one stop at McD's when we were starving and it was there). Greg and I had nice dinners out at Hill Station and Cafe By the Ruins - both delicious!
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