some touristy-stuff

We tried to do some touristy stuffs with the kids. With all the crowd of people around, traffic anywhere. at the least, we were able to check out the strawberry farm.

Then, we had a really late lunch.... in Sizzling Plate/Steakhouse place. Still more line and waiting.

Since after, it was decided to turn back and just stay in the apartment. We only went out to buy some take away for dinner. Then eventually, it was decided to cut the trip short and drive back home early tomorrow to avoid the traffic and all this nightmares with the crowds.

Baguio

We did not expect this hell of a traffic going to Baguio. Looks like everyone is set to spent the holidays in the City of Pines and now, everyone is jammed in the same traffic going there. The 5-6hrs drive became a whole day drive and there's no turning back. From sunrise to sunset we've been in the road.

A quick stopover for a break and dinner at a rest stop parking area of a gasoline station where, again, all people decided to stop, buy food and use the bathroom. Luckily, mom always prepare food packed enough for all of us to share.

We arrived late in the rented apartment.. just in time for me to log in for work.

Unfortunately, my network sucks big time! *sigh* Maybe it has something to do with a lot of people in the area is using it at the same time.

I just want to rest and go home and skip this crowd and traffic. =(

Gastro-tour alone

I woke up early this morning as usual when I am out some place not home. I am a light sleeper and I can function with little or even without sleep for a day. I took a shower and started packing my things then breakfast alone.

I had my coffee by the veranda while looking at these..

And by the looks of it, it's going to be a great day.

I finished my coffee and started getting ready to leave. My agenda for today was try a couple of places to eat, attend mass if possible, find the boasted Strawberry shortcake from Vizco and anything I can come up of doing.

I bid my goodbyes with Ate Belinda and with her is Justine, the kid I played with last night while I waited for my pizza and chicken.

with Ate Belinda and Justine

I walked my way out to find a cab since the area was mostly residential and cabs were pretty uncommon to pass by this area. And when I found one, wow! Mr. Driver was a flirt and I can't wait to get off to my destination. Anyway, my first stop is Café by the Ruins.

 I'm not really hungry and I had my coffee earlier but I am craving for some butter croissant and chocolate and I searched for this café because they have croissant and chocolate in addition to the good reviews I read. Maybe next time I'll head here for a real meal.

my date for today =P

I stayed in here for a couple of hours writing some notes and trying to finish my food and chocolate. The chocolate was really thick and I thought when I ordered it it was made for drinking. By the looks of it now, it's more like a dip to me. And I wish I was able to take the leftover home, such a waste. I'm pretty bad at finishing my food in reality. As Aya always saying I just like ordering things, looking at it, tasting a bit and that's it. I have a bad eating habit. yikes!

Time for lunch now and I'm not yet hungry so instead of heading to another restaurant I hunted for the strawberry shortcake. Hailed another cab and turned my GPS mobile application ON.

I can't help myself I need to post that..! Cab's plate number was similar to my Citrix initials. hihi it's lame I know. =D

It's a success! I was able to point Mr. Cab driver to the right direction and I just walked a bit from the drop off. Now I have my strawberry shortcake to bring home and it's past lunch time. I walked around a little and after a while my backpack is killing me. It's too heavy with all the glass jar containers of ube jam, strawberry jam, strawberry preserves, peanut brittle, etc. I needed a place to stay for a bit and I tried to find Oh My Gulay restaurant.

Mind you this is a vegetarian restaurant and I am not sure what I'm doing in here. I am no vegetarian and I don't even eat any vegetables. My curious brain was just here to see I think. er.. Looking at the menu I was shouting and strangling myself "Why am I here!!!" Yes, I have nothing to eat in here with all the food choices made up of vegetables, so I settled with a safe choice.. MUSHROOMS!

And while I stayed, I looked around the art works mentioned in every reviews I read about the restaurant. The place was not the typical restaurant, it has a kind of mystery in it. It is located in a building and is unnoticeable unless you're really looking for it. It took me a while to realize that I was walking in circles while I'm looking for it. Thanks to Mr. Security guard I was able to locate it. Looking at the interior, it is very arts-y and every nook offers a different kind of seclusion.

So I'm really thinking it wasn't really the food why I came here, it's the place that I've really come to look for. My eyes was satisfied even if I wasn't able to explore the whole place. (It sucks travelling with a huge backpack attached! lesson learned!)

I had my mostly untouched pasta wrapped and now ready to walk around once more. A few meters away was the church so I'm praying I could catch a mass at this hour in the afternoon. Luckily, I did.

Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral

The cathedral was amassed with people attending the church service so I stayed outside standing while listening to it.

After the mass I headed to SM Baguio to find something else to do for the rest of the day since my bus wasn't due until 11 tonight. Walking towards SM, I am starting to regret it. I really dislike huge crowds and I cannot turn back now because I am in line with a lot of people going to the mall. *sigh*

Okay.. nothing else to do and I am not really hungry to eat more instead I checked out the movies. Er.. nothing interesting for me so I settled with After Earth. Another waiting time, I've got an hour or so before the movie. And because I was a bit disappointed with the hot chocolate this morning (disappointed not because it's not tasty but really because it was not a hot chocolate drink) I saw this spot near the cinemas.

Well, it looks cute and I felt intrigued so I tried it. The staffs were urging me to order more, every now and then asking me if I'm okay with everything, do i need anything else, and the likes of those questions. Really sweet people too bad I'm still full and just waiting around for the movie.

The movie wasn't that bad but not my cup of tea as well. I'm speechless I think I went in to rest and cool off from the warm weather outside. Now this ends my walking tour by myself. Calling it a day I searched for a cab to bring me to the bus terminal for the ride home. At this time, traffic was really bad and it's a wise choice to end the day early and head to the bus terminal.

Yay! I survived with my GPS for directions and I was able to walk around by myself, no hurrying up and changes in plans depended solely on me. I didn't look for places to see because I've gone and seen most of it before so I tried to navigate around the eating spots. I wish I could eat as much as I wanted too, guess I am not a foodie after all. It was a fun experience and I'm looking forward to a real trip alone. It was a bit annoying that the parents were texting every minute that by the time I am already in the bus terminal my mobile was almost dead. It was fortunate that I was able to charge my phone on the way home in the bus! Glad I booked on the deluxe bus going home. Hope they can trust my independence and choices. I love them all the same and I know they were just worried about my safety. *sigh*

I wish my next alone trip would be Europe! hihi Nobody says I can only dream small.. =P

happy and exhausted... with lalalalalooove! ♥A

alone time...

They already head home, my newly found friends in MVC, and now I'm braving myself to spend the night alone with empty rooms. I almost chickened out earlier because of all their ghost stories. I did mention that a couple of us can see / feel things unusual right? And the fright started again once we're back and while they're packing their things. Er.. truly I am not a fan of scary stories. And since they reassured me that I am safe and nothing would harm me I stand by with my plan on staying until tomorrow but instead of going out alone to dine and explore some more I changed into my jammies and called for pizza delivery. =D

I called Yellow Cab and ordered chicken barbecue pizza and chicken wings. I shared the pizza with Ate Belinda and her family then locked myself back into my room. Thank goodness Pagz, Kenn and Kurtie started chatting me in Facebook so I have distractions. Add to that my blasting music, I slowly felt sleepy and slipped into oblivion..

Post outreach event (day after)

Starting the day right with breakfast!

We then start exploring Baguio as early as we can. We did try you know. Stepping outside.. Mr. Sunshine is already in tow looking like we're going to have fun even before we started the tour-thing.

Our first stop was in Tam-Awan Village. This looked more different from when I visited it over the past year or so. Changes might be brought by the not so nice weather before. =( But the flowers and greens were still intact and looking pretty as ever before. Entrance fee now was around 50 pesos without the guide. I do believe children's entrance fee is cheaper not sure how much though, I wasn't able to check it out.

 Fertility statue touched by Marisue. Yes, she would like to have another baby after her son. We're praying with her now.

Mirrored path and lots of mirrors by the trees. I'm sorry it slipped my mind to ask what it was for.

Mossy is posing for one with all the reds. He loves red A LOT!

And few of the lovely flowers.

I caught our guide is posing.... on the way to the other side! or I did not caught him? In fact, he posed for my camera and I did not fool anybody. toink!

Walking around some more and checking out the huts where the natives used to live. Actually, it can be rented by tourists. It has an available rates if you'd like to experience it yourself. It looks safe to me, it's just that I am not cut out for that sort. And the city girl reigns! ugh!

And our last stop in Tam-awan Village was a short dance show by the Igorot people and a mini photo ops with our guide who was also one of those who performed the traditional Igorot dance few minutes before.

blurry snapshot of the dance

 Gwiyomi pose! lol

We spent most of the morning in Tam-awan and now we're heading to Mines View Park for... hmm.. some view and some food too. Food again! lol

spotted! grilled corn for snack 

Mine View Park.. we covered the view. 

After agreeing to skip lunch, I'm not sure why we're on our way to Star Café for more food after a little bit of shopping in Baguio's famous Good Shepherd. Star Café is a Chinese restaurant located in one of the busiest roads of Baguio, Session road. After eating, I can't really blame the loyal customers of the restaurant.

Lumpiang Shanghai, pancit and rice.. solve!

Full from another meal, we walked our way to the public market nearby to shop for a cheaper version of strawberry preserves, peanut brittle and the likes.

Mer also bought some vegetables and look at what I found introduced by Mer.

Fresh pinipig for snack. This was being sold by an elderly woman along with varieties of sticky rice concoctions. She even added some more to my purchase for free because she said I am pretty. Really, I love grannies! =D

After everybody's settled, we're on our way to eat again, merienda this time. Hot chocolate for a cloudy day, just perfect.

If you are not looking properly, you might really miss it! The place was lovely surrounded by all the greens and sorts of flowers. Choco-laté de Batirol is a must visit place in Baguio I must say. Hot chocolate is always a must on a cozy and cold weather. And with a serene place like this one, you can truly relax while feeding yourself with some traditional sweet treats.

bibingka, suman, turon 

 Mossy is so cute here posing with the food. It was a candid shot. I intended to take pictures of the food but instead I caught Mossy making this snobby face. =P

Raziel, I, Jing and our official Photographer, Beedee Oh

We did some cam-whoring around the café since we'll be going back to Hale Opua for them to pack their things and head back to Manila. I am staying until Sunday, ALONE which worries the parents a loooot. *stubborn me*

i love this scene ♥

 Caught in action! 

Onin doing the pose

Onin and Raziel

And then some of our decent photos together. Thanks Bee dee!!