Baguio, alone
For the love of
Last July 27, I made an quick trip to Baguio. The reason? Well, there is a Taiko no Tatsujin Machine there and it's the only well-maintained machine in the Philippines.
My last visit to Baguio was in my college days. It was my first time to see SM Baguio at that time. My first visit was when I was 10 years old. It was before the deadly earthquake.
The one-day trip
I woke up at 3 AM, since my bus is running by 4:30 AM. Went for a quick shower, check of things, money, all check. Went at Genesis Cubao Terminal using Uber.
First time riding at Joybus, the bus that has lazyboy seats and a comfort room as well. This means we go to Baguio without any stopovers! Fare is P720 per trip.
I am using Waze as the bus traverses the highway to Baguio. Hoo boy, at least I know how far I am to Baguio.
The sun is almost up! But, the journey is far from over.
I slept, and woke up at 8 AM, and arrived at the Governor Pack Road at 8:40 AM, the bus terminal road that is near SM Baguio. So clocking, it was a 4 hour and 10 minute journey. Very fast, compared to my last trip of more than 8 hours.
The mall is still far from opening, so I was just walking about the terminals and observing things. Upon arrival, I noticed that in this time of the year, Baguio isn't as cold as it was. Well, our last visit there was December, so duh. The wind is still cold though, but the sun is really stinging hot.
Anyway, mall is now open. Went to Quantum and..
Found what I was looking for. 2 credits per game. Let's go.
I don't remember how many credits I used. Probably over 10 but my arms still want to play. Only if the machine was still responding properly. It doesn't respond to my custom bachi sticks properly. I want a new Taiko machine here in the Philippines.
Anyway, my time is limited in Baguio, so after a few games, I went strolling around SM Baguio. Oh yes, SM Baguio is an open-air mall, pretty much like the Seaside Boulevard half of SM Mall of Asia. Here's a shot from a view from the top floor of SM Baguio, just outside the veranda of Quantum Amusement.
Also, since I was using my phone and powerbank almost the whole journey, the powerbank was down to zero and my phone is also almost dying at that time. I think this was 2 PM. So since I was also hungry, I went to the Starbucks at the ground floor, bought some coffee (which the staff told me they don't have ice for now) and a sandwich, went to an outlet and charged my gadgets.
After maybe an hour, my powerbank was up to 97% (It won't go higher than this, for a reason I don't know), and my phone is about half charged, I hailed a taxi outside and asked to be brought to the Baguio Public Market. I wanted to buy strawberries for my wife and in-laws.
While in the taxi, I took some quick shots of the city. Nothing spectacular, just RNG shots.
This is when I was leaving SM Baguio, and off to the Public Market. Just below is the Governor Pack Road.
This is also somewhere along the way. Traffic made it possible for me to shoot.
Harrison Road, if I'm not mistaken. Again, traffic. The taxi driver told me that there are unfinished constructions that are causing the traffic.
Finally, I arrive.
Saw this strawberry stall, and bought 2 kilos. P350 per kilo. Not the best price since it's not the right season. Perhaps February is the best season.
Packed and ready for transport!
Time is running out, and I need to get to the terminal. The bus leaves at 5 PM, and it's 4 PM already. Went back to SM Baguio, and bought a few pasalubongs at the stalls at the ground floor. Just a few lenguas, Ube Jam, Polvoron. No peanut brittles.
Finally, time to go home. It was quick, but really fun. It really is good to travel alone. I wish I had more time though, as I wanted to visit the Ketchup Food Community.
That evening on the way home, I tracked the fastest speed my Waze app has ever logged:
It's TPLEX, so no problem.
I arrived at around 9:50 PM at the Genesis Cubao terminal.
Until the next trip!
Mood Meter
I want another Baguio trip XD
Last July 27, I made an quick trip to Baguio. The reason? Well, there is a Taiko no Tatsujin Machine there and it's the only well-maintained machine in the Philippines.
My last visit to Baguio was in my college days. It was my first time to see SM Baguio at that time. My first visit was when I was 10 years old. It was before the deadly earthquake.
The one-day trip
I woke up at 3 AM, since my bus is running by 4:30 AM. Went for a quick shower, check of things, money, all check. Went at Genesis Cubao Terminal using Uber.
First time riding at Joybus, the bus that has lazyboy seats and a comfort room as well. This means we go to Baguio without any stopovers! Fare is P720 per trip.
I am using Waze as the bus traverses the highway to Baguio. Hoo boy, at least I know how far I am to Baguio.
The sun is almost up! But, the journey is far from over.
I slept, and woke up at 8 AM, and arrived at the Governor Pack Road at 8:40 AM, the bus terminal road that is near SM Baguio. So clocking, it was a 4 hour and 10 minute journey. Very fast, compared to my last trip of more than 8 hours.
The mall is still far from opening, so I was just walking about the terminals and observing things. Upon arrival, I noticed that in this time of the year, Baguio isn't as cold as it was. Well, our last visit there was December, so duh. The wind is still cold though, but the sun is really stinging hot.
Anyway, mall is now open. Went to Quantum and..
Found what I was looking for. 2 credits per game. Let's go.
I don't remember how many credits I used. Probably over 10 but my arms still want to play. Only if the machine was still responding properly. It doesn't respond to my custom bachi sticks properly. I want a new Taiko machine here in the Philippines.
Anyway, my time is limited in Baguio, so after a few games, I went strolling around SM Baguio. Oh yes, SM Baguio is an open-air mall, pretty much like the Seaside Boulevard half of SM Mall of Asia. Here's a shot from a view from the top floor of SM Baguio, just outside the veranda of Quantum Amusement.
Also, since I was using my phone and powerbank almost the whole journey, the powerbank was down to zero and my phone is also almost dying at that time. I think this was 2 PM. So since I was also hungry, I went to the Starbucks at the ground floor, bought some coffee (which the staff told me they don't have ice for now) and a sandwich, went to an outlet and charged my gadgets.
After maybe an hour, my powerbank was up to 97% (It won't go higher than this, for a reason I don't know), and my phone is about half charged, I hailed a taxi outside and asked to be brought to the Baguio Public Market. I wanted to buy strawberries for my wife and in-laws.
While in the taxi, I took some quick shots of the city. Nothing spectacular, just RNG shots.
This is when I was leaving SM Baguio, and off to the Public Market. Just below is the Governor Pack Road.
This is also somewhere along the way. Traffic made it possible for me to shoot.
Harrison Road, if I'm not mistaken. Again, traffic. The taxi driver told me that there are unfinished constructions that are causing the traffic.
Finally, I arrive.
Saw this strawberry stall, and bought 2 kilos. P350 per kilo. Not the best price since it's not the right season. Perhaps February is the best season.
Packed and ready for transport!
Time is running out, and I need to get to the terminal. The bus leaves at 5 PM, and it's 4 PM already. Went back to SM Baguio, and bought a few pasalubongs at the stalls at the ground floor. Just a few lenguas, Ube Jam, Polvoron. No peanut brittles.
Finally, time to go home. It was quick, but really fun. It really is good to travel alone. I wish I had more time though, as I wanted to visit the Ketchup Food Community.
That evening on the way home, I tracked the fastest speed my Waze app has ever logged:
It's TPLEX, so no problem.
I arrived at around 9:50 PM at the Genesis Cubao terminal.
Until the next trip!
Mood Meter
I want another Baguio trip XD