Baguio: Café by the ruins

"Where do you go to have a delicious yet filling breakfast in Baguio?" I’ve asked this of my friends and searched for the answers on the web. And the one place that almost all are recommending – "Café by the Ruins". So then, I’ve decided to check this place out and to see and taste for myself, what all the fuss was about.

Breakfast Menu

First thing that popped in my head when I entered the café “Wow they really build this café by the ruins!” The place was beautiful. It had this homey and welcoming feeling that you wouldn’t feel in any ruins. So I say kudos to the interior designer in making the ambiance of this café perfect.

Family photo in front of Cafe by the Ruins

If you are lucky (meaning there are a few customers), you may choose where you would like to sit. I wanted to sit outside in the garden area, unfortunately, there was no space, so we were placed inside.

Not the best place in the cafe -- good thing we where able to transfer eventually.

Since I came here for food, these are what we ordered:
*all breakfast meal comes with 1 cup of mountain rice (healthy and yummy!), 1 bowl of fresh fruits and a choice of drinks (coffee or tea).

Mushroom Omelete with huge-ass pandesal - Php 280

Sweetened button and shiitake mushroom in egg roll

Filipino "Lon-silog" - Php 340

Longanisang hubad, sinangag at itlog

Bacon and Eggs - Php 340

Thick sliced of home-cured bacon, 1 egg and rice

Tinapang bangus with itlog na maalat - Php 340

All breakfast meal comes with a bowl of fresh fruits

Milk with hard sweetener

Lemon Grass Ice Tea

Rizal's Tsokalate - Php 145

After finishing my plate, I must say it was definitely worth it! Sure, it may be considered an expensive breakfast but it is definitely something you should try and keep going back to whenever you are in Baguio. It was only when we paid the bill, did I notice that they have changed the menu as well – mmmm maybe next time I will try their lunch menu!

Tips:

• Before going, familiarize yourself with the area. We got lost looking for the place and it took asking more than 2 locals to find the place.
• Breakfast menu is until 11am
• Wear insect repellent
• Best to get there early due to a continuous flow of customers

Pagudpud: Kapuluan Vista Resort

The word on the street is, Kapuluan Vista is THE place to be in when you visit the Blue Lagoon. Getting here is not an easy task, especially if you aren’t familiar with the place (like me). To get here, take the national highway, and after passing the arc of Pagudpud, it will be about an hour and a half away. Look out for an area where you will see a lot of flags and a sign saying "Panzian Beach 7.5km away", turn left turn left right after the sign. You will be stopped immediately at the toll station and asked to pay an entrance fee of Php 20/10 per person (adult/student). Pass on by the overly advertised Hannah’s Resort,  and go further down the dirt road till you enter the surf spot of Pagudpud, where Kapuluan Vista Resort is at.

Kapuluan Vista Resort

Since my family is big, we decided to get the deluxe room with loft. The maximum capacity of the room is 6 people. The room costs approximately Php 4750 (for 4 pax) + Php 1100 (for 2 additional pax)

Tip: You can book your driver at the dormitory style room, which is only Php 650 a night. Although I think it looks more like a Spartan type of room.

As part of our package, breakfast was included, where we were given a choice of 4 variants.

Breakfast: Illocano Special comes with coffee =) 

Since this is a known surfing spot, my brother and I decided to learn how to surf. Kapuluan Vista Resort has partnered up with Alona sports for their surfing lessons which is priced at Php 400 per hour. This is inclusive of board rental and time with the surfing instructor. The best time to learn how to surf is at 7am when the morning sun isn’t that hot and the waves aren't that big yet. However if you come here by August, then the entire shore line will be a surfer’s heaven.

Sufing at Blue Lagoon

If you are like the rest of my family who aren’t into surfing, Kapuluan Vista Resort has the following amenities :

• Swimming pool

The Swimming pool in Kapuluan Vista Resort

My nephew being the naughty taz!

• Lounge Area facing the beach.

Kapuluan Vista Resort Lounge Area

Caught my mom sleeping again!

Now, this lounge area was quite windy and very serene. It was here, where I often caught my mom sleeping. And if you just want to just chill, relax and eat, the staff are always on-hand to get your order.

However, if you are still not satisfied, and you just want to swim by the beach, don’t worry, you may just walk towards Hannah’s beach front. The water here is so clear that you will see small fishes swimming with you.

The next time I travel up north, and back to Blue Lagoon, I would definitely book my stay with  Kapuluan Vista Resort. The rooms are relatively clean, the food is fantastic, and the ambiance is great. I definitely recommend this place if you want to get away from all the chaos of urbanization, and find some peace and tranquillity.

Tips:

• Book in advance, as this place has limited rooms
• Order your food in advance, as food is prepare only after you order it.
• Just enjoy and have fun!

Pagudpud: Going to the tip of Northern Luzon island

Summer 2013 was decided to be the day my family conquered the Northern part of Luzon, the Ilocos region. We left Manila around 11:30 pm and we were hoping to reach the Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud before lunch, but alas that didn’t happen. We had many stop overs, made a few changes to the itinerary and settled on a better plan!

North Luzon Google Map

From Manila, just take the NLEX route, get out of the Sta. Inis exit and proceed onto the National Highway. We opted to not pass the SCTEX since we figured that there wouldn't be any traffic. Around 3am, we reached the Municipality of Rosario and had a short coffee break at a gasoline station. By 6:30am we arrived, the city of Vigan and looked for breakfast. The town looked so peaceful and quiet, and the only restaurant that was open at that time is Chowking. If you want Jollibee breakfast, you needed to wait till 7am, too long according to the noises made by our tummies.

Laoag City: Laoag City Church and Bell Tower

After 2 hours, we reached the city of Laoag, where we took another stop over at Mcdonalds. Little did we know that behind of Mcdo, was the Laoag church and bell tower. More photo opportunities and sightseeing!

Cape Bojeador

Since we were going up to the Blue Lagoon, we would be passing by most of the "Must see"destinations in Pagudpud, we decided not to give it a miss and headed over to check them out as well.  2 hours down the national highway, you will pass by Cape Bojeador. This is an old lighthouse that was established in the Spanish Colonial Period.

Bangui Windmills

Further down the road you will see signs that would direct you to the Bangui Windmills. 

Don’t worry if you miss the first entrance, there are 2 more up ahead. I would suggest you take the directional sign before crossing a bridge, as this will lead you directly under the Bangui windmills. There will be a row of vendors, where you can buy your Bangui Windmill T-shirts for Php 180, miniature windmills keychains/magnets as well as various other pasalubong.

Pagudpud Arc

By 1:30pm we finally reached the arc of Pagudpud.

Shore line at Saud Beach

You will pass by Saud beach in approximately 30-45 minutes, and since we were all hungry by this time, everyone decide to have lunch at Saud Beach and Resort.

Patapat Viaduct

After refilling our tummies, we left and proceeded to Blue Lagoon which was roughly another 30 minutes away. However, we overshot the turn and ended up near the Patapat Viaduct, which was technically the tip of Luzon. If we had continued further we would have reach Cagayan.

Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud

Finally by 4pm we have reached the Majestic Blue Lagoon.