Konted's Make My Day 2: burnham park

Thursday, 15 December 2016

Azalea in Baguio City

Azalea in Baguio City

Fog was covering a wide area of Marcos Highway as we were negotiating the Sto. Tomas portion on our way to Baguio City. Visibility was poor and drivers were switching on their hazard lights. There was intermittent drizzle and that was an indication that it would be a sunless day. It was cold, very cold.

At Leonard Wood Road, near Teachers Camp, we turned left on a narrow, ascending street that opened up to a loop where there was still an abundance of tall pine trees, where vacation houses were made more beautiful by tropical plants and flowers, and where the scent of burning pine cone pervaded the air. Shades of the old Baguio.

One car parked by the side of the road had its windshield, back glass, windows and side mirrors covered by mist. To the left of the road was a four story structure with an eye-catching water fountain at its circular driveway. It was our picked lodging and as we disembarked from our Hi Ace van, courteous receptionists greeted us: Welcome to Azalea, sir, ma'am.

Azalea Residences is a relatively new player in the hotel industry in Baguio City but this early, it has made its presence felt. Visitors may avail of suites with one or two comfortable bedrooms. With kitchen, dining area and other amenities, there is nothing more the finical guest can ask for. At the lobby is a bar lounge called 8 Degrees where one can exchange pleasantries with friends over a bottle of good wine.

We were up by 7 a.m. the next day and made our way to Tradisyon Coffee Shop for that free breakfast buffet. Crispy bacon, omelette, fresh vegetable salad were irresistible items. Strawberry juice and lemonade were delightful. All in all, food served met our expectations and provided us with the much needed energy for our one day tour of Baguio's main attractions.

Agyamanak ti dakkel, Sir Argie !!

- Konted

Azalea Residences at Leonard Wood Road near Teachers Camp

Beautiful fountain at Azalea Residences

Closer shot of the fountain

Early morning regrouping in front of the hotel

With our special guests from Melbourne

Breakfast buffet at Tradisyon Coffee Shop

Our guests from the Land Down Under

Strawberry juice and lemonade

Crunchy bacon

Breakfast buffet at Tradisyon Coffee Shop

Good Morning

Thank you Sir Argie

Bound for Camp John Hay

Good Shepherd Convent near Mines View Park

At Baguio Country Club

Waiting for Alexander's group

At Fort Del Pilar (PMA)

Stopover at a gas station along Marcos Highway

Saturday, 13 February 2016

Taking the Victory Liner Bus to Baguio City

Taking the Victory Liner Bus to Baguio City

Leaving my old, reliable Toyota Altis behind, I took a Baguio-bound Victory Liner aircon bus at its Metro Manila terminal. With the bus travelling at an average speed of 90 kms. per hour, we breezed past the provinces of Tarlac, Pangasinan and Rosario, La Union. By 3pm, we were ascending the gentle bends of Marcos Highway and I had a glimpse of the woodcarving shops that have been there for decades. It was foggy and vehicles had their headlights on.

A little past 4pm, I caught sight of the steeples of Baguio Cathedral as the Victory Liner bus slowly approached the terminal. There was a drizzle and being the passenger closest to the door, I was the first to disembark. Though it was my nth time to visit the City of Pines in recent years, I still had that nostalgic feeling. Of years gone by, of special people I had missed. As I was adjusting the straps of my backpack, two boys walked by and were talking in the native tongue. For sure I was in a distant place, a place I once called "my home".

It was dusk when I hooked up with my old buddy Peter at Lower Session Road. The lights of the city were starting to glitter. We had chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes and macaroni salad. Through the clear glass panels, I could see commuters falling in line for their ride home. Traffic was heavy. There was heavy concentration of people and vehicles. Clearly the city is overpopulated. Session Road is no longer the Session Road I used to know.

At my behest, we started walking the inner streets of the city. We stopped at one bar and grill restaurant where two entertainers were singing alternately old country music, reminiscent of our Abanao days in the 80s. The owner was complaining that business was not as good as it used to be. Next we proceeded to that narrow street where our gang would wind up our day with shots of hard liquor. But sadly we could not find that hole-in-the-wall hangout anymore. In its place were stalls of wagwagan. Indeed, times and places have changed.

It was 4 a.m., two days later, when I boarded the Victory Liner bus bound for Manila. As we were negotiating the winding highway, I peered through the glass window. There was nothing to see, only darkness. I took the reclining position as weariness began to exact its toll on my aging body. I was half dazed with my mind wandering. Not yet in deep slumber but consciousness slowly slipping away, I began having hazy images. I started hearing distant voices from the distant past. I was travelling back in time. To the early 80s. To the good old days. George, with his beige corduroy jacket and brown topsider, was strumming the guitar and singing an all-too familiar song as the group feasted on Jumping Salad. Totally losing grip of reality, the voice and the song became clearer and more distinct: " Four strong winds that blow lonely, seven seas that run high....All these things that don't change, come what may....But our good times are all gone, and I am bound for moving on.....I'll look for you if I am ever back this way....."

- Konted