Ever since I can remember, Baguio has been known by (aside from its amazing climate) its luscious parks and cultural landmarks. Thus, any time I hear Baguio mentioned, I automatically imagine the distinctive green of Burnham Park, Wright Park, Mines View Park, and even Camp John Hay.
I know people who had been to Baguio many times before will say the parks are not as glorious as they used to be many years ago. But this did not dissuade me from wanting to visit them. The reason is simply because I haven't experienced what almost all Filipino kids have experienced in those parks before (boat ride, horse ride, biking, etc.) I have been to Baguio six years prior but, it was for our high school re-collection and retreat. So for 5 days, I've been holed up inside a retreat house in Benguet and only on our last day were we able to actually go out. But then, we only went to PMA (Philippine Military Academy) and SM Baguio (which isn't really fun since it's just...a mall).
BURNHAM PARK
So when Borgy and I planned our tip, visiting the parks is on top of my list. :) It's good that our accommodation, Baguio Burnham Suites, is just in front of the Burnham Park. We did not have any difficulty getting there. All we had to do is cross the road and we're already there.
Burnham Park is all gloriously green. It was a Friday when we got there so very few people are around. The park's main attraction is probably the Burnham Lake, a visitor's favorite. That's where we first headed to. We rented a swan boat for a hundred peso an hour and we took our first official romantic boat ride around the lake.
Fortunately for us, it was overcast but it didn't rain. There was a slight drizzle at first but it quickly stopped.
The lake's water is very murky green and it gives you the impression that it hasn't been changed for years. But surprisingly enough, it didn't smell foul as I expected it to.
From the lake you can see SM Baguio's upper exterior, which ruins what bit of a mood I was in.
Other activities are also available like biking and strolling around the park.
WRIGHT PARK
Wright Park is located at the eastern side of the city where there are tall trees of pine lining the roads accessing all sides of the park. The park's main attraction is the "Pool of Pines" right across The Mansion's wrought iron gates.
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| Pool of Pines |
The Mansion's gates are open when we got there so of course, we grabbed the chance to take a picture on their beautifully manicured and well-maintained lawn. The Mansion has been used by various Philippine presidents whenever they come up to Baguio for their official visits.
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| The Mansion |
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| The Mansion and my adorable prince. |
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| Mansion House |
According to my quick online research, the embellished and intricately designed gates are a replica of the gates of London's Buckingham Palace. Another quick google search: it looks different though. :\
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| Mansion House Gates |
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| Panoramic view inside the gates of Mansion House |
BOTANICAL GARDEN
From Wright Park, we walked to get to Bagiou's Botanical Garden. Along the gates, Igorots are lined up willing to take a picture with the visitors for a fee of P10 per person included in the picture. I felt bad for the Igorots, though because whether or not it rains, they're always there at the side of the stone slab, waiting for tourists so they can make a living. :(
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| Baguio Botanical Garden |
We didn't really went around the entire garden because the ground was really muddy and slippery; it was getting hard to walk on. Still, we got some pretty nice pictures around the area.
Due to my insistence that we follow the impossible itinerary I've prepared for us, we were not able to go around Camp John Hay and Mines Vew Park. But there's always a next time. ;)
Seeing the parks of Baguio made me feel homesick. Although Zambales' greenery cannot compete with Baguio's ultimate lush parks, I still missed the green view every time I'm on my way to school or to home. I know Baguio has probably changed a lot in the past years. It became more urbanized over the years but it is relieving to witness how the residents and the visitors still indulge the city's natural forests. At least somehow, they're still maintaining Baguio's ever-green. :)
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| Bobbie at Baguio's Botanical Garden :) |
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