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

Mines View Park

Mines View Park

          

         When the Americans built Kennon Road in the early 1900s, there were two forceful reasons why they doggedly pursued such ambitious project.  One was to escape the scorching heat in the lowlands.  The other reason was the presence of gold and copper and other mining extracts. Some of these mining camps or quarries were situated somewhere near the northeastern side of Baguio City.

          When the Americans left the Philippines and these mining sites eventually dried up, after years of non-stop operations, they became tourist attractions.  From the ridge of what is now known as Mines View Park, these mining exploration sites can be viewed on a clear day.  During the rainy months, however, fog envelopes the area, mostly in the afternoons, denying the visitors the much vaunted spectacular view of the Cordilleras.

          But that is not all there is to it.  There are stalls selling wood carvings, knitted wears, silver works, walis tambo and small items such as key chains, ashtrays, slingshots, and many more.  But prices are much higher than those sold in the public market. A tourist has to haggle with the vendors or store owners.

           Some Baguio residents have become enterprising. For a little over P20 pesos, one can pose, for posterity's sake, with a Saint Bernard dog. Or wear an original highlander costume and have his photo taken for a measly sum. Or buy a Cactus plant.  Or an everlasting flower with a scent that lasts for weeks. Or have a car wash while waiting for companions.  Or walk to the nearby Good Shepherd Convent for a few bottles of Ube or Strawberry jams.

          Mines View Park, undoubtedly, rivals the popularity of Burnham Park which is located at the heart of the City. Business has always been that good.  Stores never run out of keepsakes such as the Barrel Man, the naughty key holders, ukelele, caburata and the sungka.  And tourists or visitors continue coming back for more.  Mines View Park is always on their itinerary.  It will always be. You can bet on that.

- Konted

The way to the viewing deck

Old lady  sips hot coffee while tending to her stall.

Ash trays for only 25 pesos

Stall attendant does some weaving which she later sells.  Everlasting flowers are fast selling items at Mines View Park.

Beautiful Anthuriums

Flowers/ plants are tagged so that buyers need not ask.

Sweet corn at the sidewalk

Stalls selling souvenir items 

Mines View Park draws the crowd especially during holidays and weekends.

A big store selling a wide variety of native products

Attractive items

Specially woven sweaters, blankets, shirts, hoods, etc.

Keychains are sold in almost all stores.

Delicious strawberries

Knick knacks 

Silver works such as rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, etc. are Baguio-made.

Naughty key chains

Bottled jams and brittles are bestsellers.

The native Sungka for P150

Sling shots for the little boys.

More key chains

Walis tambo or brooms 

Heavy fog covers the view.

The tandem that covered the Baguio-Pangasinan event.