#BAGUIO MYSANCTUARY PHILIPPINES

[janegerdelacruz]

My Sanctuary: Baguio City

“Take every chance you get in life because some things only happen once.” Great opportunity comes in our way once, and when we miss it, we cannot take back the time. Sometimes we had to look for something that is new to us, searching and having an adventure is such a great experience. Traveling and enjoying the nature is great way to relax and calm our senses. Baguio City is the one of the busiest place in the North. It is also called  as the summer capital and most visited tourist destination in our country. As you walked around, soaring green pines filled  the city. Thick fog and cold breeze greet you at the morning as you step outside or as you open the window. Baguio City is my sanctuary, a place where I can relax and escape from the reality.

  Long journey won’t matter, cinematic view entertains us and filled our eyes with the beauty of nature along the way. But, once we enter the zigzag road (Marcos Highway), the feeling suddenly changes into an exciting, not just it’s a hint that any moment will be in Baguio, instead the road itself. Every turns, ups and down give me a feeling as if I was in a roller coaster ride. If you had a chicken heart, I recommend you to sleep. After an hour, finally the long wait is over: Welcome to the City of Pines, welcome to my sanctuary; welcome to Baguio.

I remember the first time I stepped in Baguio, the hotel we’ve been stayed has no aircon, so I asked my friend, ‘we don’t have an aircon”? They all laugh at me instead of answering my question. And how did I get the answer? Its, already 4 pm, and the sun is still out; shines brightly along with the clouds, but the icy cold breeze started to blow. After an hour, the whole place is now covered with darkness adorned with the twinkling stars; and the funny thing is, I’m already freezing to death.

The first place we visited is the Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad Valley. The climate suits with the place, the ambiance is overwhelming and gives you the relaxation that calms our stressed out senses. The farm is crowded with locals and tourist, enjoying picking and buying different accessories along the stores. A small red oval shaped fruit makes my mouth watery and succumb myself of temptation to suck its sweetness, though it still on its little branches. Picking strawberry is such a great experienced, it gives you the feeling of being light and contented.

  Although, I’m not fond watching horror story, I got the chance to see the famous Laperal Mansion. It is famous not just in Baguio, but all over the country due to its chilling story that is featured in different television shows. The house is inspired in a Victorian Architecture. It is made of narra and yakal wood—wooden planks and steep roof. According to the believers, the house is haunted because during the World War II the house was occupied by Japanese soldier and was used as a garrison. The motorists slow down as they pass through as a sign of respect. But now, the Mansion is transformed to a Bamboo Foundation Museum were Filipino art works based on bamboo and woods.

Next stop, is the Burnham Park. It is one of my favourite spot in Baguio. Didn’t you know that this place is named after Daniel Burnham, an American architect who was city planner of Baguio. The parks overlooks the region’s tallest mountain, Mount Kabuyao. The park also played an important role when it served as a place of refuge for the people of Baguio following a devastating earthquake in 1990. The roses, marigolds, daisies and hollyhocks which thrive in Burnham Park’s temperate environment are an unusual sight in the mostly tropical in the Philippines. It includes a man-made lake lagoon, lawns, wooded areas, paved roads, and many flower beds. The place is a field with soaring green pine trees added up with the sun rays passes through its branches and leaves giving the place a mellow dramatic view. Pedaling a personalized bicycle along the park together with the other tourist gives me adrenaline rush. Laughing out with their heart and lungs filled the whole park. I feel like I’m a battery that is now fully charged. Recharge by the environment, recharge by the nature. And if you’re tired on cycling, riding on a boat is great way to rest the tired feet. The first time I ride in a boat, I freaked out and turn my knees into a jelly. But I finally made myself calm and make myself appreciate the beauty of the place. If you don’t know how to paddle, you can hire someone to accommodate your 30 minutes ride with a cheap price (50 pesos). 

The most important thing I’ve always looked for every time I visited Baguio is the famous strawberry taho. I prefer to savour it at morning because it serves hot and it gives me warmth I needed on a cold foggy morning. It is a cup made delicate soya bean curd or tofu and custard pearl cutting beat with rich dark syrup. And just like Taho vendors, they’re cashing in on anything with strawberry in it, including ice cream. Clanking of the bells, calling the attention of  all passers-by. The creaminess with a little chunks of the strawberry as it melted in your tongue. Ice cream vendors omnipresently pedaling this unique flavour around Baguio City and they can bug you to buy them.  

Truly, visiting Baguio is such a great adventure. Getting along with the other people, experiencing their nature and culture is a great opportunity to us. Pampering our self, feeding our soul with a nature experiences is such a great self reward. So, if you had the opportunity, go travel; relax and take a break from the busy city.

References:

·         WheretogoPhilippines. (2019). Baguio’s Extraordinary Sweet Strawberry Taho. Retrieved from: https://www.wheretogo.com.ph/food/baguios-extraordinary-sweet-strawberry-taho

·         The Poor Traveler Official Site .(2013) Inside Baguio’s Most Haunted: The Laperal White Mansion. Retrieved from: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2013/08/laperal-haunted-house-bamboo-art-gallery-baguio-city-philippines/