The BackPack Traveller Part 2

2nd Stop: Vigan

From Baguio, we woke up 12midnight to catch up an early trip going to Vigan to catch up the sun rise in Calle Crisologo. Arrived at 1 am in Partas Bus terminal but sad to know that the first trip is 4 in the morning. A good guy suggested that we rather took a van, stop in La Union then take another van going to Vigan. We took the van bound to La union and paid Php 100. The travel is just an hour.

stop over San Fernando City

We stopped in San Fernando, La Union around 2 am and took a bus named Fariñas with a wifi service. It's actually bound to Laoag but it will pass by Vigan. We paid Php 200 for Vigan. We know that it will be an another 3 hours of travel that's why we took a nap. (Thanks to my phone's GPS who was at that time, alive and kicking).

We arrived at almost 6 in the morning, and was sad to have not witnessed the sun rise in Calle Crisologo, we are so overwhelmed still for we arrived safe and sound by our second destination: VIGAN!

We were dropped and was immediately fetched by a motorcycle. We went straight to their famous vintage street called Calle Crisologo. And of course, you will never miss take selfie photos with this calle. The street marks a great history; from its road and the infrastructure. Amazingly Beautiful.

it so happened that a calesa passed by to us and offered us a great deal in touring us around the city. It is a Php 150 per hour used of the calesa around the city. Manong brought is in Bantay Belfry that is not by far, a vintage too. Next is the House of Padre Burgos who was one of the the GOMBURZA which flared up our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

Vigan Empanada

and for a good place to dine in, which happened to be our breakfast, Manong Kutchero suggested the Hidden Garden. it was indeed hidden for it is quite far from the center of the city. We took our breakfast and we never missed their notable Vigan Empanada. While waiting for our order, i took the chance to tour the place, and found out that it is indeed a garden. i even bought a plant (for a pasalubong) called Air Purifier that costs Php 50 only.

after having a good experience in hidden garden, we decided to go to Baluarte. We paid for Php 175 so we can have a chance to take pictures with their animals. The place is free but we have to pay so we can have a chance to take pictures with them and to even ride with the small breed of ponies.

we took the vigan tour for only a half day and decided to pursue our next stop: the BANGUI WINDMILLS.

The Backpack Traveller (Part 1)

I used to travel with a purpose and the story i will share to you this time is one of my travel with a purpose.

We are so privileged to have booked a piso fare ticket with Cebu Pacific dated October 29-November 4 to join the G12 National Conference. As you can see, it is a long vacation indeed hitting the To Dos Los Santos(November 1-2) season of the Philippines. The conference lasts for 2 days leaving the next 4 days as a bonus God gave us.

We planned a side trip after the conference. Read a lot of traveller's blogs who have gone before me in my target places to have an idea. We planned to travel with an agency which we really thought would happen. But as soon as we arrived in the place, we changed our mind and decided to travel with our backpacks.

First stop: BAGUIO

Right immediately after the conference, we rushed to Victory Liner's terminal in Pasay to get our ticket knowing that during this season, we will encounter people who also have an idea going to baguio like us. We dropped by MOA to buy some stuff(water and food like good for dinner and snacks). As soon as we arrived, we went straight to the ticket booth and was so happy to know that we just arrived in time. We arrived 8:20 in the evening and the next bus travelling to baguio is 8:30pm with no hassle, like we immediately got the trip. We really praise God for the favor He gave us for that travel. We took our dinner while we travel and made some sleep knowing that the travel will take 6 hours. The fare is Php455.

We arrived in Baguio around 4am in the morning and experienced 12°C temperature which is a lot freezing than the aircondition we experience inside the bus. With jackets and shawl on, still we feel the chill on our bones. As soon as you arrive, you need not to worry for you will be entertained by honest cab driver (salute to the man who brought us who happened to be a bisaya like us). Like the one we encountered, he suggested an inn with the lowest price with no hidden charges. He brought us to an inn (can no longer remember the name but it is the nearest lowest priced inn in victory liner bus terminal). We are expecting a Php350 per night but sadly, they were fully booked that time and took the Php1,200 room good for 3 instead( divided by 3, so we paid php400 each). We slept to prepare our body for this day's adventure.

Woke up at around 7 in the morning and still the weather is a lot freezing. we searched nearest tourist spot from where we are staying. and after the long search, we decided to go to Mines View Park as our first destination.

We rode a taxi from our place and was so amazed by their plug-down rate: Php35... since they do not need any aircondition due to freezing weather. And finally, we arrived. There's no entrance fee, like you are going to enjoy the unlimited wonderful sight seeing over Baguio!


Had an experience to ride and took photos with their cute pink horse and wore their traditional tribal outfit.

we will never go home without the taste of the strawberry taho.



 we also enjoyed the buying of the pasalubong in their stalls in Mines View Park.



after we got overwhelmed with the pasalubong, we rode a jeep going down to The Mansion and fronting The Mansion is Wright Park. We got a chance to have photos with the pine trees in Wright Park. One of the features in Wright Park is the Horse Back riding at Php200 for 30 minutes but you can share the ride with your friends. We met the horse named "Black Mamba", the tallest horse among the others.





we took our lunch in Volante's Pizza fronting Wright Park knowing that they are known for their pizza. We enjoyed their people's choice or saleable pizza (can no longer remember the flavor) and their chicken fillet for lunch.



we met with some friends who happened to got to Baguio just like us and joined us in our venture to Burnham Park. We rode with a cab in going there for it is quite far from Wright Park. When we arrived, we went straight to experience boating as they are known for that. the boat costs Php150 good for 5 persons (can no longer remember if you can use it with an unlimited time). After the boating, we experienced being like a kid once again when we went biking for Php50 good to use along the vicinity of the park.

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After we enjoyed the Burnham Park, We took a walk going to SM Baguio along with the Session Road. And finally went Back to our Inn to rest for the tomorrow's another travel: VIGAN!

Budget Breakdown:
Php 455 Bus Fare from Pasay Terminal of Victory Liner
Php 1,200/night (good for 3-4pax) in an Inn
Php 1000 for pasalubong (Strawberry Jam and everything at a very low prizes)
Php 150 Boating in Burnham Park
Php 50 Bike for rent in Burnham Park
Php 200 for Horse Back Riding for 30 minutes
Php 500 for the fare to tour around the city
Php 500 for food in a day