At first, Ben kept saying that he didn't want to go because it'll be stormy in Baguio (bagyo, get it?), but on the whole, the kid had lots of fun. It was his first time there, and while we weren't able to visit all the sights, he did enjoy himself at the places we went to. Lots of photos, of course, but most of them are in my friends' cameras. I'm posting some now from my own camera, but more will follow.
So, our first stop was of course, downtown Baguio. We went to the market to buy veggies to cook. Then we headed over to Burnham Park. Karen, Carrie, Ben and I went boat riding (photo to follow later), then we had a late lunch at Cafe by the Ruins before heading back to Genie's house (where we stayed) to get some rest. That night we decided to stay in and rest by the fireplace. The fire was soothing on the cold nights.
The following day, we had breakfast at Camp John Hay (photo to follow). Ben wanted blueberry waffles, but managed to finish only a third of his order, so of course I had to eat part of it (couldn't finish it either, it was just too big).
We went back downtown; the girls went shopping at the ukay-ukay or wagwagan (as the locals call it); Genie and Erwin went somewhere; Ben and I had some fun biking and checking out the playground.
We wanted to go to Wright Park so Ben could ride a horse, but it rained late Friday afternoon and we weren't able to go anymore. We just went and had dinner at John Hay again, then bought some wine and beer and pulutan and headed back to the house. A fun night again, although Ben slept through our laughter.
The following day we went to Mines View Park, the Good Shepherd Convent and the market before heading back down to Manila. Ben wasn't able to see as much of Baguio as I'd like, but he sure had a lot of fun just running around the park and all over Genie's house and garden. Anyway, there'll be other chances to head up there again. And he really does want to go back.
An anecdote: While we're up in Baguio, Ben kept asking why it rains? It became tiresome to keep answering him, so I told him to ask his Tito Genie. The reply: condensation. Now, Ben knows the word, but still doesn't know it's meaning fully.
Another one: Ben is big fan of Thomas the Tank Engine. In one story, there is mention of a tank engine (or something) falling off the ravine below. So while we were in Baguio, ravine below (there were plenty, of course) was a constant blurt out. It got to be that whenever we were out and he realizes that we're on the mountains, he would say ravine below. I'm sure the girls and guys got fed up.
Here are some photos from my camera (Those that aren't very clear are from the video camera). The other ones I will just post in the Plastic Banoms fotopic site.
in Burnham Park
standing on the round stone table like structure in Cafe by the Ruins
Ben and his tita karen on the steps in Genie's garden
Me and Ben at the garden in the lower level of Genie's house
Ben with his Tita Karen in the garden. The garden is multi-leveled
enjoying the swing in Burnham's playground
going up to the slide
trying out the horsy swing
watching the boats with his red balloon
in front of Genie's house the day we left for Manila
Ben and his Tita Terrie in the garden
Ben inside the house with Tito Genie, Tita Carrie, Tita Terrie, Tito Erwin, and Tita Karen
Ben ready to ride in the back of the van for the return trip?
The Baguio Weekend Group
Ben with his Tita Karen in Mines View Park (that's the ravine below :))
up on a pink-maned horse...he was afraid to get up on the much bigger brown-and-white horse
