pinkislovebynix

Finally back in Baguio again last October 11-14, 2018 for a 4d3n trip. If you've been following my blog, you might notice that I have this yearly trip to Baguio ever since 2016. The reason I do this is because I miss the cold weather, food and just the laid back life in Baguio. I also go back to Baguio in different months just because I want to experience different weather here.

Previous BAGUIO BLOGS: Feb 2016. Nov 2016. 2017.
I'm almost done with my to-go and to-do bucket list in Baguio so I really a hard time deciding where to go next. Since I came along with 2 of my friends here (yes, I'm a third wheel on this trip haha), they relied on me on this trip. Since we have 4 days in Baguio, we had a lot of time to chill and just relax. Not much rush compared to my usual 3d2n trip. Baguio City, located in the province of Benguet, is known to have a coolly climate because of its geography. It’s basically located in the northern part of the Philippines, up in mountains of Benguet.

From Manila, travel time took for about 5-6 hours (from Victory Liner, ordinary aircon bus) with 2 stop overs in Tarlac and Pangasinan. It was a Thursday and we departed Manila at 3am and arrived in Baguio at around 8am.
8am was too early for our check in at 12nn (supposedly) so we decided to have our breakfast at Choco-Late de Batirol in Camp John Hay.

Good thing the transient owners allowed us for an early check in so we immediately went to our transient house after breakfast.
We checked in at Pine-View Transient House in Balacbac, Baguio - near Marcos Highway. If you commute, you can ask the driver to drop you off at Balacbac near near Tita Lea's before Interior A. There's a signage of the Pine-View on the gate.

The room we got is Unit B which is good for 8-10 guests and we're just 3. Complete with kitchen, sala, dining table, refrigerator, TV, restroom and 2 bed rooms, the place is really huge for the 3 of us. There is a balcony on the common area while I also got the balcony room. The overview of Baguio is so amazing here! Won't say much about this transient since I'll be making a separate blog post of the area on the next post HERE.
We then decided to sleep first since my friends were straight from work to Baguio so we took some nap until 6pm. Then we decided to have our dinner at 50's Diner at Porta Vaga Mall in Session Road.

After dinner, we stroll along Session Road and waited until the Night Market in Harrison Road opened at around 9pm. Went back to our transient at around 11-12md.

During the 2nd day, we had a light breakfast in our transient and went out a little late. For our first stop, we went to explore the Botanical Garden.

After that we went to Stobosa in La Trinidad though I didn't take any photos. Then we walked our way to see the Bell Church.

For our early dinner, we went to Ummason Korean Restaurant in Leonard Wood. Been here last 2016 so I decided to take my friends back here.

We went home a little earlier, about 7pm. By the way, the trip going back to our transient was a bit long due to the traffic. Our taxi fare was about Php200+. Anyway, slept earlier since I have really slept well during this day.

Hello Day 3! Got a good 10-11 hours of sleep in Baguio and felt energized. We got up early and had our early lunch at Ili-Likha Artist Village in Assumption Road near Session Road. It's really nice to explore this tree house which was made by different artists.

Then we went to Bencab Museum at Asin Road. It's been my 2nd time here and at first, I was a bit hesitant to ask the drivers to take us to Bencab Museum since it's a bit far from the city. But it was surprisingly easy to tell the driver to take us here. By the way, I saw Mr. Ben Cabrera and took a selfie with him! Yay!

We were supposed to go to Laperal House (White House) after but good thing that the driver told us that it's already closed to the public. Been to Laperal House in 2016 and didn't know that it's now closed to the public. So we went at Cafe Yagam instead for a merianda.

Then went to the market to buy some pasalubongs and went back to our transient to drop off our things.

Nowhere to go, we went to SM Baguio and back at Session Road again. We just strolled and explore the Session Road and found the 108 Session Road Bar. It's a bar with live acoustic band and we sat in the middle, in front of the singers. haha Since we were waiting for the Harrison Night Market to open, we decided to chill here while eating pizza and drinking iced tea (while all of the people around were drinking beers. haha). Then we just ate street foods at the Night Market until late night.

Woke up late on the 4th and last day in Baguio. It was a Sunday. We first decided to have our lunch at Victory Liner but then we met one of my Kiseeeg friend (college barkada) who was in the place. We then came back at Ili-Likha Artist Village for a quick lunch.

Departed Baguio at 1pm and arrived in Manila at around 7-8pm.

4d3n wasn't still enough to really explore everything in Baguio but what I like about this trip is that I was able to really enjoy the place and the restaurant we went to. We were not in a rush and most of the time was searching on the internet for the next place to visit since I have already visited most of the tourists spots in Baguio. I can say that I have crossed out almost ALL of the places I want to to visit here.
On the last minute, I was a third wheel during this trip. It was uneasy at first. Long trip bus ride without anyone on my side. I wasn't use to traveling this way (drama ko! haha) but every seat feels empty. I really thought that I wouldn't enjoy this trip alone. This trip made me realize that yes, I can do things on my own and just enjoy the moment.

By the way, I’ll be posting separate blogs about the food and place experience on the next posts so please stay tuned for that. For the mean time, I'll be putting the Youtube links of my 4-day vlogs below. And if you have any suggestions on what other places and restaurants to go in Baguio, I would highly appreciate that. Thanks for patiently reading! :)

PARADISE!!!!!! Word, I always say whenever I remember Aninuan Beach.

Third time in Puerto Galera but I never miss the chance of visiting my favorite beach here. I first came across Aninuan Beach in June 2017, the first time I went to Puerto Galera. Aninuan Beach is the nearest beach when we stayed at Amihan Del Sol during that time. During my first visit here, I didn’t get the chance to swim here since the waves were huge and we’re 2 girls alone in the beach who doesn’t know how to swim. I got the chance swim here on my 2^nd visit which was in October 2017 and good thing that the waves were calm. Went back at Puerto Galera again last June 2018 and I told myself that I need to be back here since we’re staying longer.

Went here during our 2^nd day at around 3pm and it’s the perfect time to be here! Going to Aninuan Beach can be a little tricky especially if you’re unfamiliar to the place. The entrance is located at the highway with rope as the landmark. Not sure of the parking available but since we rode a motor bike going here, we parked it near the entrance. It’s safe though! Then we entered the forest going to the beach. Just follow your heart and instinct when going to this place for the first time. haha And then you’ll hear the waves and enter the Aninuan Beach.

It’s the perfect time when we went there. The sun was up and the beauty of Aninuan beach was so majestic! Same as the last time, there weren’t much people around except a group of foreigners and Filipino tour guides who didn’t really mind us plus some local passerby. So basically, we have this paradise all to ourselves!

Aninuan Beach has a very nice view of the other sea plus a mountain view on the other side.

I like that there’s usually few or no people here but you must swim at your own risk since there’s no one to look after you around. The view was great during our visit though the waves were high and washing us back at the shore. Not sure if it’s because of the wind since it was raining very hard a week prior going here.

We stayed here for about 30 minutes or so. Took some photos and chill a little bit behind a small bush together with the foreigners who were on picnic during that time. They even offer us some shots under the heat of the sun! haha

You can watch my Puerto Galera vlogs on my Youtube channel below:

By the way, I don’t recommend staying here after sunset since there’s not much people around and you still need to walk again in the forest just to get to the highway. No electricity or lights in the area/beach. But overall, I highly recommend visiting Aninuan Beach when you visit Puerto Galera.

OTHER LINKS:
http://pinkislovebynix.blogspot.com/2018/07/puerto-galera-2018.html
http://pinkislovebynix.blogspot.com/2018/07/where-to-stay-in-puerto-galera-squares.html
http://pinkislovebynix.blogspot.com/2018/07/where-to-eat-in-puerto-galera-badladz.html
http://pinkislovebynix.blogspot.com/2018/07/where-to-go-in-puerto-galera-aninuan.html

http://pinkislovebynix.blogspot.com/2018/07/where-to-go-in-puerto-galera-white.html

Last June 18-20, 2018, I went back to Puerto Galera for a vacation. Been here twice last year and this time I chose a different resort/accommodation for this trip.

Looking for a new and affordable accommodation in Puerto Galera, I came across the Squares Beachfront Apartments in Booking.com. I was kind of hesitant to book here at first since it is located at the other side of Puerto Galera, exactly at Small Tabinay Poblacion. Meaning, it’s a little bit far from the famous White Beach plus the view here is different as well. (Already went to Amihan Del Sol during my first trip here and Casa Mia on my 2^nd one).

How To Get Here:

Coming from Muelle Port, we rode a tricycle going here. Please don’t be fooled by the some of the tricycle drivers like the one I encounter. I know that they there are pricing higher than usual to tourists but I was so tired to bargain/refuse that’s why I rode the Php50/person ride going to Squares. But it’s just Php20-30 per trip. The travel time is 5-10 minutes coming from Muelle Port.

We entered a residential area going to the apartment. Then we were welcomed with the huge door at the Squares Beachfront Apartments.

Just a tip before going to a place you are unfamiliar: Do a research. I searched Squares Beachfront Apartments on Google Map to familiarize how the resort would look like and the route to get there.

Since we came here during June and it’s already a lean season, there were few guests around, mostly the elderly. The place is quiet and far from the party life in the White beach so it’s a perfect place to unwind and just relax. And the place is huge! It looks like I was transported to Greek days because of its white and blue interiors.

We check in at their café/bar area. They asked for my name and ID then paid for the remaining balance. Then they assisted us to our room at the 2^nd floor.

The room is huge and seems like a home! Well there are called “Apartments” for a reason. Let me share with you the accommodation we got.

We got the Deluxe Room which is priced for Php2000/night. No breakfast included. Additional of Php250 if with free breakfast. Though they only served 2 breakfast which the Filipino Breakfast (Php150) and American Breakfast (Php250).

Since I don’t have a credit card, I booked thru text and paid via Palawan Express. Though you can also pay at LBC.

Sala/Living Area – With cable TV, Electric Fan

Kitchenette – Ref, microwave, Electric Kettle, Stove, Toaster, Rice Cooker, kitchenware (spoon, fork, knife, mug, glasses, pans)

Washing Machine

Small Dining area

Veranda/Terrace – with tables and chairs, with sampayan and sipit

Room (55 m2) – Queen Size bed, Aircon, towels, linens, pillows, 2 lamps, Closet, Vanity area with mirror, private bathroom, Tissue, bidet, shower

All the rooms have a garden view and is beachfront. They have a huge garden area which I fail to take a photo. You can also grill for free at the garden area.

They also have a café/bar area and even a library!

Home away from home. I really love the extra huge spaces of the room plus the beachfront view from our terrace. The view from the shore is also great too! The beach in front is swimmable even for children. During our visit here, there was only little waves. It’s a little bit rocky, sands are not that white compared to the White Beach or Aninuan Beach but it’s okay.

If you forgot something, Squares has a mini store wherein you can buy your needs. Or there is a store near the resort.

By the way, they only serve breakfast meals (Filipino Breakfast – Php150, American Breakfast – Php250). We ordered their American Breakfast during our 2^nd day. The meal is okay and the serving was just enough.

Though you can dine at the nearby resort called, Badladz Beach Resort. Price range from Php150-500.

In case you want to explore Puerto Galera, I suggest renting a motor bike from the neighborhood. There’s one house in the area that offers motor bike rental for Php400/overnight. It’s called Iron Cross though I forgot to take a photo. You just must surrender your ID and pay them. Since I’m a bit familiar with some place is Puerto Galera, we chose to rent a motor bike instead. I think motor bike is one of the mode of transportation in Puerto Galera and I’ve seen a lot of foreigners riding a motor bike. If unsure, you can ride a tricycle which is located on the highway.

White Beach and Aninuan Beach are 15-20 minutes away from Squares. Market is just 5 minutes away.

Squares Beachfront Apartments.

The like that the place is quiet and it’s a great place to relax. If you’re not going elsewhere, this place is already good for a stay-cation.

Would you believe that I washed some of my dirty clothes on our 2^nd night! They even have a dryer! It’s great since I won’t have to bring wet clothes back. They even have a sampayan and sipit on the terrace.

Place has a Wi-Fi though I only have 1 bar of WIFI that time. It’s good for browsing and uploading but not streaming or watching videos. Though it’s okay since I’m not there to watch, right? Also, no worries with the cellular signal.

Overall, I really had a great time staying here. Though I feel bad for not being able to maximize our stay on the resort/apartment itself. I wish we can extend our stay during that time but I’m planning to come back here maybe this year or next year. Will stay longer for sure! I want to thank Ms. Rose Warren for being so accommodating to my text messages and the staff of Squares which are very friendly.

You can watch my Puerto Galera Vlogs on my Youtube Channel below:

Squares Beachfront Apartments

Located at: 577 Small Tabinay Puerto Galera Oriental Mindoro Philippines

Contact number: 0995 380 9680 (Ms. Rose Warren)

OTHER LINKS:
http://pinkislovebynix.blogspot.com/2018/07/puerto-galera-2018.html
http://pinkislovebynix.blogspot.com/2018/07/where-to-stay-in-puerto-galera-squares.html
http://pinkislovebynix.blogspot.com/2018/07/where-to-eat-in-puerto-galera-badladz.html
http://pinkislovebynix.blogspot.com/2018/07/where-to-go-in-puerto-galera-aninuan.html

http://pinkislovebynix.blogspot.com/2018/07/where-to-go-in-puerto-galera-white.html

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