We slept well and woke a little later this morning (about 7:00am). Sis Jinky had prepared a delicious breakfast of rice, marinated beef and fried eggs.
After breakfast we all proceeded to pack our bags for the trip to Baguio. We weren't ready until just before 10:00am. Sis Consing and Bro Joel came to the hall to see us off. The six of us managed to pack our things into five backpacks and one small suitcase – better than I first imagined.
 |
| Waiting for the bus to Dagupan Sis Consing is on the far left of the photo |
 |
| Silas and Bro Joel saying goodbye |
It was only a short wait for a bus to Dagupan, we had the whole back seat to ourselves. The bus dropped us about 50m from the van terminal (it would have only been a 50m walk if I had not started walking in the wrong direction). A van was just leaving when we arrived, so a short half hour wait for the next van to fill-up and we were off. An old Hiace diesel with 18people and luggage aboard, and a driver in a hurry to get there. There was quite a lot of roadworks happening on the winding road to Baguio. We arrived about lunch time. Noah, Eden, Silas and Sarah all managed a sleep on the way there.
 |
| Waiting at the van terminal in Dagupan to go to Baguio |
 |
| The snack shop at the van terminal |
Bro Joas met us at the Pines garage/van terminal. Following the introductions he took us to Chow King for lunch. I indicated that I had a booking at Mountain Lodge, but he was keen to show me the hall.
Baguio is so different from the rest of the Philippines. Apart from being a lot cooler, it is a lot greener, there are many pine trees and grassed kerbs – that in Manila would be concrete or rubble. There seems to be a lot more stone-work on the buildings (even if most of it is just a facade) that looks much nicer that concrete blocks.
 |
| Some of the scenery taken from a taxi - very steep hills! |
 |
| Houses built anywhere |
It feels closer to Australia, most of the people seem to be wealthier (at least their clothing etc...)
The ecclesial hall is two small rooms tucked away at the back of a house. It is very clean inside, with tiled floor in the sleeping quarters. The bunk bed will sleep three people, and there is a small gas cooker.
 |
| Posing with the Incredible Hulk just out the front of the ecclesial hall |
We were not able to stay there, with the six of us it would be just too crammed for sleeping, and we were not prepared with our own bedding (sheets, pillows or mozzie nets). So we took a taxi to Mountain Lodge. I mentioned our booking only to be told that the webmail doesn't work – so I had no booking at all, never-the-less they had a large room with just enough room for all of us.
To get tea we took a cab to the SM mall. On the third floor we could walk out onto the balcony that overlooks the city and admire the view.
 |
| The view from SM (Shopping Mall) |
Tea consisted of about two drinks each, salads and pizza from Figaro's.
 |
| Eden in the final stages of shock, after she saw the drink Noah received! |
 |
| Very thirsty!!!! |
And the amazing thing is we have been cold here up in the mountains of Baguio, very refreshing!
No comments:
Post a Comment