Summer begins, unto the mountains of the North | Baguio City, Benguet 🇵🇭

Last March, summer has began and the shift from cold to hot and humid days has become everyone's complain. I am more comfortable in the warm days of summer than the cold days of the rainy season, so it was just okay for me. Since the pandemic began, this is the first summer that our country can somehow enjoy. Travel restrictions have been eased. Some are already hitting the beach, but my circle of friends wanted to have that feeling of being cold again, that is why we opt to go to Baguio City. It's located within the mountains of the northern Philippines.

Since it's only a 2-hr drive from our home, and I have been visiting Baguio in the past months with my family, I wasn't that excited at first. I had that feeling that it was already a very familiar place for me. But guess what, since we spent the whole weekend in the city, I realized that there are still a lot of places I haven't been. There's still a lot of beautiful places: nooks and streets, to go to. So here goes a new adventure in the same old place I've been going to for years.

Good Taste Restaurant: The last time I ate in this restaurant was also the first time I got a taste of great the food they serve. It's one of the most popular food places in the city because of its value for money. Here, you can really say that you get what you pay for, sometimes, even more. They serve big servings of food that taste soo good! It was five years ago when I went here with my college friends, we were in Baguio City for a conference and we made sure to visit the famous food places in the city. I remember how I enjoyed their buttered chicken, and so I made sure that it's one of the things we've ordered as I come back and enjoy it again.

Lemon & Olives Greek Taverna: The ambience of the place is perfect for brunch, since we woke up late for breakfast, we decided that our plans for lunch can be adjusted a little. It's situated nicely where its veranda has an overlooking view of the mountains. The interior of the place is adorned with wood and painted in white, blue, and yellow.

It was first time having a taste of authentic Greek dish. I was particularly drawn to the Moussaka because it reminds of Ratatouille, a dish made of eggplant and tomatoes. Moussaka on the other hand, is made of eggplant, potato, ground beef, and béchamel sauce. My friends wanted to experience what street food is in Greece so we also ordered the Souvlaki plate, it's a mixed of lamb, beef, and pork meat served with pita bread. The coffee they serve is really good too, although, I'm not sure if it fits with the food we ate in the restaurant. It's just that I can't miss my coffee dose in the morning. 😅

Egginc: What has been a go-to dessert for me in the city is this pastry shop that serves delicious cream puffs. Their usual treats were the size of a palm, but here's their new dessert, bites! Don't you just love it when treats become bite-sized?

When I first heard of the term forest bathing, I thought of it, literally. Haha. Gladly, this activity is something I've been wanting to do, I just didn't it was the term for it. It's to take it all in, the serenity and calmness of being in the midst of the beautiful nature. The truth is, even you're not deep within the forest, the pine trees within the city already gives that kind of feeling. It is also the reason why the city looks like a place from the old times.

We spent the whole afternoon, walking and exploring down some slopes. It feels nice to be outside, to experience and be reminded how little we are in all these beauty that we see in nature.

During our visit, it was coincidental that the city was celebrating its annual flower festival, Panagbenga, which means "season of blooming". Since the city is located in the mountains, it is graced with a weather that allows plants to have beautiful flowers. Usually, this month-long festival has a float parade, marching bands, and dance troupes, celebrating the festival. However, since there's still the threat of the pandemic, the city is still celebrating this festival in a quiet and simple way. The season of blooming can still be seen everywhere in the city. I was really happy to see a lot of colors from the different flowers that bloomed, in the street market and gardens.

The weekend passed by like a noon break, this is what happens when you enjoy the present. The trip I spent with friends wasn't just the one I was with them in Baguio city, it was also during the time we spent on the road. We were driving to our destination for 12 hours! We've seen a glorious sunrise as we set on for our trip and a beautiful sunset as we go home to where our daily lives revolve in. One thing I was sure, being able to enjoy life and spending time with the people important to you are the both things that make me go on with life. 🛣