Konted's Make My Day 2: baguio city

Showing posts with label baguio city. Show all posts

Friday, 29 January 2021

The New Road To Baguio City

The New Road To Baguio City

Kennon Road, most of the time, is closed to traffic. Marcos Highway, during weekends and long holidays, is clogged with buses, trucks, vans and other types of vehicles. Naguilian Road in Bauang, La Union is still many kilometers away.

Taking all the above into consideration, the DPWH constructed a new road to Baguio City, which is officially called San Pascual- Nangalisan- Asin Road.

To get there, at the Pugo Junction, instead of turning right at Marcos Highway for Baguio City, turn left, and, after a few kilometers, there is a diversionary road leading to the much-talked about San Pascual--Nangalisan--Asin Road. You will not get lost as there are enough signages to guide you.

Landmarks/ structures/ sceneries that are noticeable along the way are: steel and concrete bridges, hanging bridges, free-flowing river, waterfalls, one public c.r., man-made tunnels, hot springs resorts, Bencab museum, etc.

Exit point is at Naguilian Road near the Coyeesan Gym and Lourdes Grotto. Estimated travel time is 1 1/2 hours.

WARNING: EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN TRAVERSING THE SAN PASCUAL-NANGALISAN-ASIN ROAD. THERE ARE STEEP INCLINES, DEEP DESCENT AND NARROW PORTIONS. BE SURE YOUR VEHICLE IS IN TIP TOP CONDITION.

- KONTED

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road.
The 3 -- San Pascual, Nangalisan and Tadiangan -- are barangays of Tuba, Benguet that have been there since the time of the Americans.

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road (Nangalisan River)

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road (Brgy. Nangalisan in Tuba, Benguet)

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road. (Public comfort room in Brgy.Nangalisan in Tuba, Benguet)

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road (Brgy. Nangalisan in Tuba, Benguet)

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road (Nangalisan River)

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road (Asin Tunnel)

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road (Asin Tunnel marker)

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road

San Pascual-Nangalisan-Asin Road (Bencab Museum on Asin Road at Brgy. Tadiangan in Tuba, Benguet)

Naguilian Road is exit point.

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Sunday, 29 July 2018

Baguio And The Monsoon Rains

Baguio And The Monsoon Rains

Hard and drenching. But the monsoon rains did not stop us and by 7 a.m., we were exiting at Pozzorubio in Pangasinan, the farthest tollgate of the TPLEX. Kennon Road was closed and we took the wider Marcos Highway with its steep inclines made harder by thick fog that restricted our visibility. At the Green Valley area, approaching the city proper, traffic was moving at a snail's pace.

Anticipating a high vehicle density at Legarda Road and Kisad, we decided to drive southeast by way of Military Cut-Off and South Drive. With our hotel check-in time still a few hours away, sight seeing was the order of the day. The horses were wet and out in the rain at Wright Park as there was no run-in shed. The stalls offering ethnic costumes for pictorials were not crowded. Here one could be an Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Isneg, Kalinga or Bontok. Even with intermittent rains, Mansion House had tourists crowding the main gate and taking photos. At the view deck of Mines View Park, thick, low clouds blocked the sight of the mining exploration sites that were active during the time of the Americans.

At Outlook Drive, which is the enclave of the rich and famous, we stopped to do some routine check up. An eatery by the side of the road beckoned. And we could not resist. For Decades Fusion Restaurant, located on a ridge, has an ambiance no longer easy to find in the City of Pines. With varnished, hardwood tables and chairs, the main dining area provides a good view of tall Benguet Pines. The place exudes the Old Baguio. A fireplace, cage-like dining table, full bar and old-style lighting make the interior a cozy one.

Decades resto serves good food. A standout is Strawberry Glazed Ribs with Lettuce and Onions. The meat is tender. Another excellent dish is the Beef Shank Steak with Gravy, Baguio Beans and Carrots. Waiting time for food to be served is about 20 minutes. Waiters are extra attentive to customers' needs. At Decades, it is fine dining without being expensive.

Next time, you need not drive to downtown Baguio where traffic is horrific most of the time. Simply drive to Decades at Outlook Drive, take a table by the window, place your orders and relax. Let Decades' staff do the rest for you.

- Konted

Decades Fusion Restaurant's main dining area

Good ambiance at Decades

View of Benguet Pines from the dining area. At this time of the year, it is often foggy.

Cage-like dining area

Strawberry Glazed Ribs with Lettuce and Onions

Grilled Pork Belly with Lettuce and Onions

Beef Shank Steak with Gravy, Baguio Beans and Carrots

Salmon with Aligue, Vegetable Salad and Red Rice

Fine dining at Decades

Decades' Full Bar

Too early for a drink?

Another group picture at the bar

Baguio is Konted's 2nd home

At the balcony facing the road

Where to dine al fresco

Baguio flower at Decades' front garden

Foggy Outlook Drive

Decades offers yummy food, fine service and good ambiance. Time to try it.

Monday, 23 July 2018

The Haunted Ruins Of Dominican Hill

The Haunted Ruins Of Dominican Hill

There is that eerie silence when one steps inside the old structure. The hallways are bare with walls in fading, dirty white. There are spots that look like blood stains.

Rain water occasionally drops on the floor, forming puddles. The inner courtyard, with ornamental plants visible and moss sticking to the walls, has, for its center piece, an old fountain with water gently flowing. And as one makes his way to the upper level through a narrow, old staircase, the creepiness increases.

Located at the highest point of Dominican Hill, the place used to be a vacation house of the Dominican Fathers during the American Regime.

When World War II broke out, civilians took refuge at what seemed to be a safe place. But Japanese troops forcibly occupied it until 1945 when the American Forces bombed the place to begin the liberation of Baguio and the Cordilleras.

The area, thickly forested with Benguet Pines, gained prominence in the 70s when psychic healer Tony Agpaoa turned it into what was then popularly known as Diplomat Hotel. But with his untimely death a few years after, it was abandoned and remained idle. The City Government of Baguio now owns the wide area atop Dominican Hill.

Old folks tell stories of ghost sightings, of wailings presumably from victims of Japanese atrocities, of screeches said to be from the spirit of Japanese soldiers who didn't make it back to their homeland, of moans from Agpaoa's patients who breathed their last at the numerous rooms of the old hotel. These stories all the more make the place mysterious and scary.

Today, the old haunted house at Dominican Hill is one of Baguio's top tourist attractions. Visitors, from near and far, come in droves to see for themselves what others before them have experienced.

Paranormal believers, as well as skeptics, make their own observations to further prove their point. Some photography enthusiasts, using SLR or digicam, have made the 17-hectare city government property their training ground. Admission is free and with ample parking slots.

- Konted