Baguio Off the Beaten Track

July 8, 2011; We were on our way to the summer capital of the Philippines but not during summer where lots of tourist flock to Baguio to enjoy the cooler weather. But during this time of the year when monsoon rains and super typhoons frequent the country. We would like to enjoy Baguio during the rainy season. We were fortunate enough to borrow for free the log house of Kuya Marlon and Ate Emy which is a 10 minute drive from the city proper.

Since we planned this trip to be a different Baguio trip, we went to visit not the usual tourist destinations in Baguio.  Did you know that somewhere in Baguio you can find a hot spring pool? Yes hot spring pools can be found at the end of Asin Road. To reach the hot spring pools, we needed to cross 2 wooden bridges and a tunnel built even before the world war.

Another interesting place we visited was the Ben Cab museum.  The master pieces of Ben Cab were on display.

Along the way we passed by the Shrine of the Brown Madonna. The Shrine was built inside a cave at road side. It was the same route to the Wood carvers village. 

Very near the log house were we stayed was the Easter Weaving academy. They teach the youth the traditional way of cloth weaving where the Ifugaos are famous for. 

The Tam Awan village was also a stone throw away. They had tried to preseve how the Ifugaos lived during the early days. 

A trip to Baguio will not be complete without dropping by Benguet market where fresh produce from the entire province were brought in for distribution and dispatching to other provinces. 

On our way back from Benguet market, we passed by the Bell Church. A taoist temple in the heart of the city.

The weather cooperated during our stay in Baguio. It was cloudy most of the time and rained only in the late afternoon.   The Francisco family (Jun, Monette, Fran, Carlo) joined us in this fun filled adventure.

It was indeed a memorable trip seeing the other side of Baguio.