Solitude

Travelling alone is such a liberating and fun idea. Why? You..

1. are compelled to interact to locals (in a very good way).

2. are a good candidate for a chance passenger slot.

3. own your time.

But also travelling alone is somewhat sad. Because..

1. you are ALONE.

2. your pictures (without tripod) would all be SELFIES.

3. you will feel the full weight of taxi fares.

Going... to Baguio!

Well one can argue those "sad" things listed above. How you approach your loneliness would greatly affect your experience of travelling alone. Lucky me because this fact doesn't hindered me at all! I happened to enjoy my travel and got the most of it.

At first I planned to make my trip more self-centered than it needs to be. I got my music and novel to accompany me through... But fortunately (or not) my headset got broke 2 hours before I reach my destination AND my eyes were sore reading the virtual version of the novel.

The novel I tried to finish 

I traveled early in the morning so I grab the opportunity to "sleep". The deluxe bus offered by Victory Liner was AWESOME! I love the lazy boy and generally spacious seat allotment for every passenger! But I think with amenities like that, such offer would fully be appreciated when you're in a >8 hours land travel. They can also incorporate in-house merchandise.

I arrived on time (6AM) according to my ticket. Because of that I am compelled to kill time in the silliest way. On a side note.. Daybreak in Baguio was freezing! 

Because I arrived early, the guard didn't allow me inside the premises. One of the cons when you travel alone? Passing time! Ugh, I've done the most pathetic things just to pass time. I went to a convenience store and bought 2 oatmeal cookies and it very very VERY S-L-O-W-L-Y. Then I used my oh-so-techie phone to do some fake calls and messages. 

When I finished my primary goal, I was advised to tour the city and wait for a notification for further something. So there I was walking the streets of the coldest city in the Philippines finding my way through by the help of locals which is by the way very welcoming! Or am I just that pitiful?

I manage to find the jeepney terminal going to Mines View by asking 1 jeepney driver, 3 bystanders, and 1 taho vendor. The regular fare was 8.50 and they are meticulous with that .50 cents!  I get off the jeep when it arrived at the Botanical Garden -- which is my first destination. 

Ugh the botanist in me was very HAPPY! Seeing the Pinus species esp the P. kesiya on their natural habitat (and alive) was awesome. 

Pinus kesiya

Of course the numerous garden (non-native) flowering plants and the fern trees were also a sight to see. Everything there was awesome! The last time I went there (2003) it was dominated by P. kesiya trees and few other flowering plants on the side. 

In situ akala ko Oxalidaceae. Apparently Tropaeolum sp.

Frond! Cute!

Tree Fern

Now there are mini bridges and other aesthetic structures that are sponsored by some groups which added to its already beautiful scenery.

Random View

Park of the Zen Garden area (if I'm right)

In the garden, I obliged myself to look for a fern that has a fully developed sori. Just to keep me busy. :P

Sori! Yay!

The coldness of Baguio failed to overcome my hyperhydrosis! Given the 22 deg C (which is hotter than a normal February weather there) I still sweat profusely! 

When I got tired of exploring some of the native and exotic species in Baguio I now go to the next destination in my itinerary. Wright Park which would just be a transient destination going to Mines View. As I stroll around I saw a staircase which I THOUGHT WOULD LEAD ME TO MINES VIEW... BUT ITS NOT!  (It was a route going to The Mansion -- the summer residence of the President).

With little (to no) sleep, no proper stretching and generally 30% worked up body (not to mention no breakfast if oatmeal cookies are not of breakfast value) I climbed the stairs. At first I was brisking because I thought I'm well trained for stairs but as I reach the half of its length, it is certain that I'm not! My legs were shocked and I can feel a cramp coming but the competitive me won. I was unfortunate enough to be followed by a mother with her agile toddler as I go up; it would be such a shame for me not to finish that!

View from Ate's stall

When I reached the top, a lady whose business is taking a souvenir photo welcomed me but I don’t mind her instead I went directly to a seat on her stall(probably because she also doesn't have a customer). Because of her kindness I took her service because I'm tired of taking selfies.

Wahahaha!

Another WAHAHAHA!

Because I planned my trip using google maps without scale, I thought the distance from Wright Park going to Mines View is just a walk away.

I've never been so wrong!

I belittled the elevation of the place. I CANNOT walk going to Mines View anymore!

I haven't took any selfies because there are lots of other tourists. Instead, I went directly to souvenir shopping. Every item I fancied there's a voice inside my head telling me "meron niyan sa Divisoria!" (Yes Nica that's you!) which makes it so difficult to find something. Well I managed... ☺

All in all it was fun! I get to do something I really want for the longest time -- and definitely it would not be the last!