Atok, Benguet Escapade (and Team Lakay Gym Side Trip)

My sister and I went to the municipality of Atok, Benguet on the second day of our escapade. Atok, Benguet is two hours away from Baguio City. We rode a PUV to get there.

Kilala ang bayan ng Atok dahil dito makikita ang sikat ngayon na flower farm, ang Northern Blossom Flower Farm. Unfortunately, hindi namin napuntahan yon noong nandoon kami dahil sarado sila pag Monday (that was Monday, and actually I'm aware that they are not open every Monday lol) dahil nag i-spray sila ng gamot sa mga halaman. But, there are rumors from the locals there na nag o-open sila 2PM ng Monday para mapagbigyan yung ibang tourists na ma-explore ito. But we cannot wait until 2PM due to time constraint.

Another "But..." XD There is still a lot to explore here in Atok, Benguet, and that's what I'm going to share here in this blog. ;)

Backstory: Haight's Place lang dapat ang pupuntahan namin ng kapatid ko sa Atok, but we cannot find any transportation going there pagbaba namin ng PUV, as in kahit jeep, even tricycles are "not willing" (I guess) to take us there (dahil baka lugi sila sa ganoon). Ibang way pa daw kase yon. The only way we can get there is mag-avail ng tour sa Barangay, in which not fair since we're only 2. Imagine, 2 persons for P1,200 (Circuit 1: Highest Point, Bosleng Grotto, and Haight's Place). We have no choice, mahaba pa kase ang araw and we do not want to waste time (di bale na yung pera, basta may marating lol). So we grabbed the deal. But luckily, there was a group of 3 came with same fate, and they are willing to join us, so 5 na kaming naghati-hati sa P1,200. Yey! Nakamura na, may new friends pa. They are from Manila. SKL.

Highest Point of Halsema Highway
Ayon sa aming tour guide, ito ang unang pinakamataas na highway sa buong Pilipinas. Pero ngayon, pumapangalawa na lang ito. Nasa Ifugao na ang pinakamataas na highway sa ating bansa. Pero dahil malayo iyon, hindi daw siya ganoon nag-trend. Kaya yung isang signage ng highest point binalik dito. Naging paboritong side trip ito ng mga tao especially ng mga tourists na pupunta ng Sagada.

Magandang view ang makikita mo sa overlook ng Highest Point of Halsema. Nakakalungkot lang na hindi sea of clouds ang makikita niyo sa picture below, kundi bush fire.

Bosleng Lourdes Grotto
It is a potential man-made attraction located here in Atok. May chapel sa loob na ginagamit ng locals dito para mag simba at mag alay ng dasal. You can climb the rock formation here to see the mountainous beauty of Benguet. Just be careful in descending the rock.

Ayon ulit sa aming tour guide, this place was managed by a priest (I forgot his nationality), and he promised to build a church here pagbalik niya galing ng bansa nila. Pero hindi na siya nakabalik ng Pilipinas at hindi na ito natupad because he passed away due to heart attack.

Sa taas ng rock formation, makikita mo ang napakalawak na taniman ng iba't ibang gulay.

Haight's Place
Haight's Place is another attraction in Atok, Benguet which showcases a variety of flowers. They also have rooms here if you want to stay for a night or more. You can also camp. You can bring your own tent, or you can rent one here. For the rates, you can visit their Facebook page. :)

Another reason to visit Haight's Place is their Sakura Park. Yakiwari and Sandaya Sakura trees were planted here year 2016. Although Atok has a perfect weather to plant Sakura trees, these trees are still young, and it will take years for them to bloom. 

There is a resto cafe available here in Haight's Place. It was almost lunch time and we didn't have our breakfast yet, so we decided to dine first before leaving. We tried Atok coffee, potato donut, and Kini-ing for the first time. Kini-ing is a salted pork preserved for 2 weeks, and smoked using pine woods. Curious about it? You can watch it in my vlog, just click here. :)

We ordered Kini-ing, potato donut, chopsuey, longanisa and egg, and red rice. The potato donut tastes like french fries :D But it's just a bread and potato. No sugar glaze.

And Atok coffee. Perfect for the cold weather of Atok, Benguet.

We finished the circuit 1 in a half day. All is worth it. Our tour guide gave us a bouquet of everlasting flowers before we part ways. :)

Team Lakay Gym
We had a side trip in Team Lakay Gym in La Trinidad, Benguet before going back to Baguio City. As a fan of mixed martial arts, hindi ko talaga pinalampas itong opportunity na maka-visit dito and to buy souvenirs as well. Dito nagte-training ang ilang sikat na MMA fighters from Team Lakay like Joshua Pacio and Eduard Folayang. Unfortunately, hindi ko sila nakita doon para mag fangirling sana (hehe), kase ang sabi ng bantay dito nung araw na yon, may bago daw silang gym sa La Trinidad din, at dun sila nagte-training ngayon, but they still visit this branch occasionally.

After we visited Team Lakay Gym, we went to SM Baguio to buy our dinner, and then we headed back to the hostel to rest.

More thoughts about Atok, Benguet:

- Napaka mura ng prutas at gulay sa Atok. Yung isang store na nadaanan namin sa may Highest Point of Halsema sells packs of potatoes and tomatoes (na tig kakalahating kilo siguro yon) for P100.00, for 3 packs. Yes, 3 for P100.00 moraytang morayta mga besh! (jaw drop) I also bought 4 packs of strawberries for P60.00 each only. And this korean radish in the picture below, P10.00 lang sa Haight's Place. Ten pesos only this is crazy!

- Napaka mura din ng plants don. Like for their succulent and cactus, you can buy 3 for P100.00. Some have weird names though. XD

- Na-share din sa amin ng aming tour guide, na ang mga locals doon, pag doon namatay, doon din daw sila nililibing sa lupain nila. Hmm... Interesting.

Aaand... That's all for our Atok, Benguet escapade! :)

My sister and I made vlogs/blogs about our entire travel (La Union - Baguio City - Benguet.) Watch/Read them all by clicking the links below: 

VLOG10 || La Union 2020

La Union 2020 Comeback Story

VLOG11 || Benguet 2020

VLOG12 || Baguio 2020

Our Second Visit in Baguio City 2020

Thank you guys for reading! Take care always and God bless! (^_^)v

Our Second Visit in Baguio City 2020

As planned, we went to Baguio City after our 2D1N stay in La Union. We had so much fun there. We discovered new places, we danced with the waves under the scorching sun, party at night, and we met new friends. Now it's time to beat the summer heat at the City of Pines.

This is the continuation of our La Union - Baguio - Benguet 2020 escapade. If you missed the first part, click the link below. :)
La Union 2020 Comeback Story

It is 1 and a half - 2 hours bus ride from San Fernando, La Union. Baguio City is very popular for its cool weather, and it is also considered as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines." Usually pag summer, beaches ang pinupuntahan ng tao, pero maraming tourists din ang pumupunta dito during summer para magpalamig.

The first time I went here is 13 years ago, magkakasama kami noon ng family ko sa company outing ng nanay ko, at 2nd year high school pa lang ako noon. Ang meron lang ako noon is a film camera. Tapos hindi ko pa ganoon na-enjoy yung bakasyon namin noon kase nasiraan ako ng tiyan. XD

The nature lover me still appreciates the beauty of Baguio City even on my second visit. Basta usapang nature, hindi ako nagsasawa. I also love being in a cold place, kaya favorite ko ang Tagaytay City. Pero muntik na din mapurnada ang pagpunta namin dito sa Baguio dahil sa Covid-19, yung virus o sakit na galing sa China. May mga tourists attractions dito na pansamantalang sinara para maiwasan ang infection, especially Atok, Benguet, and Sagada. Pero maayos ang pamamalakad dito, kaya nakokontrol nila, naaagapan, at muli nilang in-open to public ang ilang pasyalan.

3BU Hostel
As much as possible, makahanap dapat kami ng cheap deals for our travel, kase ang habol naman namin are not the fancy stuff, but the tourists spots. Buti nakita ko sa Facebook itong 3BU Hostel kase ang mura lang dito, perfect for budget-arians. It's a tribe-themed hostel. Dito kami nag check in ng kapatid ko for 3D2N. They offer bed spaces (pods/bunks, and huts). Wala silang private rooms, pero tahimik, malinis, and for sure magiging comfy naman ang stay mo dito. Very accessible pa sa mga tourists attractions dito sa Baguio, kase paglabas mo ng building, maraming dumadaang PUJs and taxis. Kung masipag ka maglakad, kaya ng 15-20 minutes walk going to Burnham Park, Baguio Night Market, or SM Baguio.

Inclusions are Wi-Fi, complimentary bottled water, and a kit containing basic amenities (towel, soap and shampoo, dental kit, and tissue roll). 

We chose to stay on their hut, and surprisingly, hindi compressed sa loob kahit ang liit lang niya tignan sa labas. Nakakatayo pa nga ako. Pwede ang 2 pax sa hut nila. May patungan ng gamit sa loob, outlet para makapag charge ng gadgets, and mirror. They also have lockers, but with additional cost na, as far as I can remember, it's for P50.00 lang naman.

They have the common room, where you can spend more time with your friends, watch movies, read books, and play games. May ref din doon para makapag store kayo ng food. You can also eat your packed food there, but make sure to observe CLAYGO. At may quiet time nga pala sila to observe as well from 10PM-10AM, para makasiguradong hindi naaabala ang mga guests nila dito.

Bukod yung rest room ng boys sa girls. Ito yung girls' rest room nila. Yung shower room nila, may heater naman so don't worry about the cold water sa paliligo. XD

May cafe sa 5th floor ng building. Kahit di na kayo lumabas, aakyat na lang kayo pag gusto niyo kumain.

Check their Facebook page, or visit their website for the availability, rates, and bookings.

Dominican Hill Retreat House
Alam na natin ito, guys... Basta tungkol sa katatakutan, ito ang unang pinupuntahan sa Baguio. This place is also known as the Diplomat Hotel. It is open daily from 8AM-5PM, and no entrance fee. Lakas ng loob lang ang i-ready mo (charot). To get there, you have to ride a taxi or a private car, since walang dumadaang jeep doon.

Ayon sa impormasyong nabasa ko online, dati itong simbahan, na naging ospital, na naging hotel. Sobrang tanda na nitong establishment na ito, guys. Marami daw tao ang ni-torture at pinatay dito dati. Maraming madre at pari daw ang pinugutan ng ulo dito noong World War II, kaya may mga apparitions na walang ulo daw silang nakikita dito. May ingay din daw sila naririnig dito like screaming, crying, saka mga kumakalampag na mga pinto at bintana, kahit wala namang tao sa loob. 

May mga ni-massacre na babies daw diyan dati sa fountain na yan.

Nabanggit ko na dati itong naging ospital. May nurse daw na nag-suicide dyan sa pwesto ng krus. Tumalon.

Kahit ang creepy dito, na-amaze din naman ako sa construction ng abandoned building na ito. Magandang view din ang makikita mo sa roof top. Actually, ang impression ko, sa labas parang wala lang eh. Pero nag iba na yung pakiramdam ko pagpasok namin sa loob, bagay na hindi rin ako sigurado kase baka imagination ko lang ang gumagawa ng kinakatakot ko the more na nililibot ko ang mga mata ko sa loob. Lalo na nung may naamoy akong mabaho sa loob. Amoy luma. Halos lahat ng kwarto ganoon ang amoy. Ang eerie.

Baka hindi na ako bumalik dito. Hindi dahil sa takot, kundi nasasaktan akong isipin na maraming pinatay dito. I hate violence. SKL.

Yes Pho
We had our veeery late lunch and early dinner (that was almost 5PM already) at Yes Pho. It is located at S.Building, Engineers' Hill, Upper Session Road, 2600 Baguio City.
They serve authentic Vietnamese food, and their specialty is Pho - rice noodles in herb-infused, flavorful broth, served with meat of choice, and a generous serving of vegetable. It is very healthy and delicious, and perfect sa cold weather ng Baguio City.

With Mr. Duy Trinh, the owner of Yes Pho.

We tried their Pho Ga (chicken pho) and Pho Hai San (seafood pho).

Burnham Park
Burnham Park is considered as one of the famous parks in the country. It is a big nature park with its own man-made lake, where you can ride a boat. It also has playgrounds, and picnic and biking area. People love to hang here and enjoy the fresh air and green scenery. Restaurants are also few steps away from here, if you want to eat.

Mines View Park
Mines View Park is another popular overlook park in Baguio City. Best time to come here is early morning to watch the sunrise. Entrance fee is P10.00. May mga pasalubong shops din dito.

May mga restaurant din sa labas. Dito namin na-try ng kapatid ko ang Sinigang na Baboy with Strawberry. May asim ng sinigang, plus konting tamis ng strawberry. Parang instead of sampaloc as pampa-asim, strawberry ang ginamit nila. Weird combination, pero hindi weird sa panlasa. Masarap! A must try dito sa Baguio.

May VLOG din. To watch, click here.

Botanical Garden
For only P10.00 entrance fee, you can explore the Botanical Garden. This garden features a variety of plants and colorful flowers. May mga mini parks din sa loob inspired by different countries, and there is a Japanese tunnel inside. Its length is 150 meters, with several exits (Outlook Drive, Presidential Mansion, and parts of Barangay Pacdal). Safe naman sa loob, they put lights to brighten the walkway, and tunnels were widened a bit to ensure safety. (Watch the video at the end of this blog to see.) :)

Wright Park
Kaunting lakad lang from Botanical Garden, mararating mo na ang Wright Park. It is another place to visit in Baguio to get closer to the nature. Nasa harap lang nito ang The Mansion. Some things you can do here are site seeing, picnic, and horse back riding. 

My sister made a vlog about our journey here in Baguio. To watch, click this link: VLOG12 || BAGUIO 2020

Thank you guys for reading! Take care and God bless ^_^