Konted's Make My Day 2: kennon road

Showing posts with label kennon road. 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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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

Thursday, 31 March 2016

Spending The Holy Week In Baguio City

Spending The Holy Week In Baguio City

It was dawn when we were cruising the North Luzon Expressway on our way to Baguio City for the Holy Week. Sunlight was beginning to appear in the sky. And everyone took notice of the rose pink light of dawn. In a little while, majestic Mount Arayat, where goddess Maria Sinukuan reigns supreme, loomed on the horizon. The vast open fields, with mist making the grass greener, were a feast for the eyes.

Sans traffic, sans trouble, we made it to the City of Pines a little past 8 a.m. and proceeded right away to a cozy restaurant near Brent Road for our breakfast. Walking past a parked vintage VW, we took the table nearest the bar. The place obviously had a retro theme. Bar stools, black booth seats, posters of a bygone era and a vintage jukebox could be seen. We tried Pancake Sandwich and found it to be satisfying. Looking through the clear glass panel, volume of vehicles started increasing, what with the arrival of more visitors from the lowlands.

Baguio City is a favorite destination of tourists or travelers wanting to escape the scorching heat in the lowlands and, at the same time, spend some time visiting churches during the Holy Week. Most visited places during Semana Santa are the Lourdes Grotto Chapel, Baguio Cathedral, Saint Joseph Church near Wright Park, Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel, St. Vincent Church and Lourdes Church on Kisad Road. Of course, places like Burnham Park, Mines View Park, Wright Park, Strawberry Fields in La Trinidad, Session Road and Camp John Hay are included in the not-to-be-missed places to visit. Almost all hotels and inns are fully booked and stores and restaurants are raking in money.

It was 1:30 pm of Maundy Thursday when we left the city proper and started descending Marcos Highway. There was a drizzle as thick fog enveloped the wide highway, prompting drivers to switch on their yellow lights. After several minutes, after crossing the long bridge, the light rain stopped and the fog disappeared. The sun was visible as we continued our travel down the highway. At the Rosario Junction, northbound vehicles were at a standstill. From Rosario junction, it extended to the town of Pozzorubio in Pangasinan. As the southbound lane traffic was moving, it was easy travel for us. We turned right at the main road near the Caltex station in Pozzorubio for the last leg of our 2016 Holy Week travel to the North-- a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag.

- Konted

Our bantam service vehicle making it to the top without trouble and with plenty to spare.

Kennon Road as seen from the Viewpoint

50's Diner at Leonard Wood Road near Brent Road in Baguio City

Single pedestal stools at the bar

Black booth seats that match the black and white tiles

Vintage jukebox

Pancake

Pancake Sandwich

Omelette

Corned beef with fired egg

Satisfied diners

The Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel on Brent Road

Complete silence is observed at all times inside the chapel. The Pink Sisters spend most of their time praying and meditating. Anyone may write his prayer intentions on a piece of paper which he drops at a designated box. The Pink Sisters then do the praying.

Statues of Saint Arnold Janssen, founder of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters (Pink Sisters) and another Society of Divine Word (SVD) missionary St. Joseph Freinademetz.

In front of the convent

Previously owned by the rich Laperal family, the Laperal White House was built in the early 1900s. Paranormal sightings or apparitions have been reported.

The Laperal White House is located along Leonard Wood Road near Teachers Camp. The Japanese Imperial Army forcibly occupied it during WWII. Tortures, beheadings and other atrocities were common occurrences during the war. The place is now owned by Chinese Filipino businessman Lucio Tan.