Baguio isn't far from San Fernando but it is in the mountains. About 5000 feet up. A mile vertically. So it is a lot cooler than where we were. Maybe 10 or 15 Centigrade colder. That makes it a popular holiday destination in the summer but it is also popular at Christmas and Easter. The US Army used to have an R and R centre here called Camp John Hay. This is now a nice park.
When we arrived after passing through beautiful mountain scenery we went for lunch. Actually, the city is getting a bit crowded and over developed. I think it used to be nicer. But it is still in a nice place and the bits that haven't been built on are good. Our lunch was in a restaurant called Fiesta that does Filipino food. I guess its really aimed at the tourists by the way it is decorated and the sculptures of various tribal people around it. Anyway, the food is good and its a pleasant atmosphere.
There were those of us that came on the bus. We were supposed to meet some relatives that live in Baguio but we couldn't get in touch and so met them later. Also Donna phoned her sister Sheryl and brother in law Bogs to tease them by inviting them to lunch in this nice place. Unfortunately we didn't know they were also in Baguio for the day and so the teasing backfired and we invited them too. Also, they were at the time in the shopping mall where the other sister, Maya, was working and so she also came.
Later we met the other relatives. They went shopping for a while and later met Donna and me in the Camp John Hay. Donna and me tried to get a room in a nice hotel there but it was full. With the others we walked around a while and then went on the bumper cars and had a go at roller blading. The older adults and kids then all went home and soon after Sheryl and Bogs joined us. We had some food and did some shopping. The shopping got sent home with Sheryl and Bogs while me and Donna stayed.
I didn't tell you - Donna went to University in Baguio City , so she still has some friends there. We found one of them and he helped us look for a hotel. It was not easy. There are lots of hotels but all full. No room at the inn.
Finally we found somewhere but it was not a very nice place and over priced for what it was (20 pounds for the 2 of us) but it was somewhere to stay. It wasn't that bad. We called some other friends and invited them to our room and we shared a bottle tequila between the 5 of us before going out to a bar that had a band on.
Next day we checked out of the hotel. We then looked around the shops and again went to Camp John Hay but this time more of a walk in the forest areas. Then some lunch and we visited a butterfly centre. I'm sure that we must have done more that day but I can't remember right now. We then left our stuff at Donna's relatives place and changed our clothes before going with the friends from last night to see one of the Philippines most famous singers perform at the exclusive Baguio Country Club. We got free tickets arranged by Donna's friend.
After this was finished we rushed to collect our things and then get the last bus back to San Fernando City . We got home late.
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