Botanical Gardens

I remember visiting the Botanical Gardens as a child, and so it is very disappointing to see how much it has deteriorated through the years.

It's one of the more popular tourist spots being in the same vicinity as The Mansion and Wright Park, although it is obvious that its maintenance is taken for granted. For instance, the place had too much trash pits--- good if they weren't packed and oozing. I understand that garbage has a potentially important role in gardening but I guess it's got nothing to do with being on display.

The Igorot huts were no longer as amazing in December of 2007, particularly because the roofing which used to be made of dried leaves was replaced by tattered plastic sheets. The statues were no longer majestic as some of them were too badly damaged to even be presented to visitors. My husband shook his head to this sight, saying, "Botanical garbage."

I don't know if I will still include this spot in our next visit if only to see the artists' hub inside. Maybe not if I already see that other cultural/artistic sites like Tam-awan Village or Easter Weaving Room easily satisfies that creative urge.

Cafe By The Ruins

Your Baguio experience can never be complete without a visit to the Cafe By The Ruins. All taxi cabs know about this place; besides, its almost within the Burnham Park area so there is no excuse not to indulge in its earthy yet sophisticated offerings.

The menu includes sandwiches and pastas and even native delicacies like pinikpikang manok. My daughter tried the ever reliable carbonara, I forgot what pasta I ordered, and we also tasted the native iced tea.


We had the chance to try the calabasa (squash) soup which was intensely delicious--- except that my little boy got too excited with it and spilled his serving not just on the table but also all over my pink shirt... Hmmm, pink and bright orange? That cut our gastronomic adventure short but it was worth the visit. There will be a McArthur though! Total bill for my family's snack was Php840.

Prices are higher than the usual cafe/deli, and crowd is definitely high society and artistic.

The Only Rowing You Might Handle

You could practically spend the whole day in a boat in this lagoon for Php80. Before you ask, here's why:

1. This boat ride gives you marvelous city views, where the trees stand as tall as buildings.

2. Knowing how crowded Baguio is most of the time, this is your ultimate time-alone zone.

3. Thirsty or hungry after 3 hours of paddling? No worries--- there are probably 2 or 3 boats around that have been rented by hawkers. Your only problem now is a restroom.

4. Don't know how to row? There are foot-paddled boats (like the ones in the photo) that can easily be maneuvered even by the likes of Paris, Britney, and Lindsay.

5. If you support this lagoon, you justify its continued existence in a city that is pressured to develop every usable square inch (including all of Burnham Park) into a highly commercial area (i.e., theme park instead of a nature park.)

Don't be a wet blanket. Take your family to this place even once in your lifetime and convince Baguio city that the Burnham Park (including the lagoon) is wonderful just the way it is.

Just Before You Leave Baguio...

The Good Shepherd nuns generously shares their treats to the public through a humble goodie-shop within the convent's lot. This is a must-stop-by-to-buy-at item in any Baguio lover's itinerary.

Their ube jam is the ultimate diet breaker, and the last time I bought a medium sized jar, it cost me about P265. That's more than a year ago though, so it must be close to P300 now. Will update the price after my Panagbenga 2009 holiday for those who plan to expand their waistlines by summer!

You have to get your Baguio pasalubongs from this place, because those who sell the same brand in other places automatically add around P30 to the base price.

Of course, the staple strawberry jam can be found here, a little cheaper than the ube if I remember right.. Alhough strawberry jam and strawberry preserves are two different things, the latter having a lot of strawberry chunks mixed in. They also have baked delights like cookies, and for the figure conscious--- they have pickled veggies which are perrrrfect for all grilled items or just on their own. That jar cost me about Php180 back then.

This Is On My Desk Right Now

Those who are close to me know what a sucker I still am for Baguio City after so many visits there. I have been there as a child, as a company guest, as a ghost hunter, as a honeymooner, and now as a mom. Yep, the last dozen times or so, as a mom.

Panagbenga, here I come (again)!

SIMS ADDICTION

This started with a wrong click to a place called a123.com, which later on led to a regular visit of y8.com.... soon, I was searching for the hottest simulation games available, which brought me to the local cybershop to purchase the old version of this image you see on the right.

I spent many nights building houses, families, and eventually breaking them down only to be put up again. The characters in the game had jobs, lovelives, actual feelings that could be measured through light bars. Amazing.

I wasn't contented with that, though. I went back to the cybershop to get the DVD of the newer game, The Sims 2. This one is the bomb. This version allows you to modify genetics, download custom content from other addicted gamers through so many different sites, and so on. No explanation would be good enough because this is really an experiential game more than anything.

There is no trashing The Sims even with all the flack the newest (Sims 3) is getting right now. The 7+ sign you see on the box--- even if there is a ton of sexual content in the game--- is a great thing for me. See, I get to hang out when my daughter plays, so that works well for us. I mean, it doesn't work too well for her, but, ah, who cares--- more than I do? For most parts, I get to explain to her through the game how learning skills, building social networks and having recreation helps in improving life. She now has a good idea of what an aspiration is.

I have removed my YM, Limewire, Metacafe, and a whole bunch of other programs just to accommodate my huge Sims 2 game. And even if my computer hardly runs now because of this large file, no regrets. I guess this is how all addicts feel, huh?