Bataan.. Oh Bataan (Part 1)

Our trip to Bataan happened in two tranches: December of 2013 and December of 2014.

My family and that of  my sister's decided to explore what Bataan had to offer.

That was sometime in December of 2013. Our itineraries were based on  Google, and our first stop was at Dambana ng Kagitingan at Mt. Samat. With a very minimal entrance fee (P20), we were able to educate ourselves regarding WWII. On our way to Mt. Samat itself had already given us goosebumps considering that this was the very same road that was used during the Death March sometime in the 1940's.

I must admit, the place is well-maintained and this is something that we can be proud of.

The pictures below were inside the cross. My baby was scared of elevators but she conquered her fear! This was really a tall structure.

This was the beautiful grounds of the park, in front was the stage used every April 9.

We ate lunch at Gerry's Grill, Subic.

The next few hours were spent looking for Morong Special Economic Zone which was scary and a big disappointment. I think we were the only ones in the area and some staff who were so few. (We will never pass that way again. Thanks to Google maps hmp!)

This was in the Pawikan Conservatory for turtle lovers.

There was so much fun along the way! Never mind the "sort-of-NPA-infested-area" that we passed on going to the economic zone--- it was a funny experience! (Pero natakot talaga kami!) The point is traveling as a family makes good and beautiful memories which our children will eventually cherish in the years to come.

A Treat to our Li'l Girl (Baguio City)

After having achieved much for the whole school year, our li’l girl truly deserved a “grand vacation” (that was how she called it) two weeks after her Recognition Day. 

Our destination: Baguio City for two days and two nights!

Our first stop was at Burnham Park. Isha’s  endless fascination with playgrounds brought us here. After breakfast, she was so unstoppable! Doing what every kid did in the park- running, jumping, sliding, swinging, doing the monkey bar thing and others. The coldness was nothing to her and she ended up sweating her heart out!

After all her tiring tactics at the playground, we brought her to Camp John Hay because I want her to see Baguio at its finest. We showed her the amphitheater, Bell House and the Cemetery of Negativism, Then, we ate our lunch at the picnic grounds to have a more-feel of the Baguio ambiance-- something that couldn't be felt and seen in the city. Cold breeze, pines, lush, the greens and serenity.

Hotel Grande behind us. Sorry, Xander was not around!

Thanks to Chalet for providing us a home-away-from-home accommodation. It is located at Upper Military Cutoff Road, Baguio. Our trip was really stress-free!

The second day was at the Strawberry Farm at La Trinidad, Benguet. It was raining the first time  we brought her here so she never had the chance to go out and see the farm. We strolled along the farm but decided not to go for strawberry picking. 

We ate lunch at the Ketchup Republic particularly the resto that offered Malaysian and Indonesian Cuisine. My! Her appetite was really in full blast in Baguio and I felt so happy about it.

Then off we went to Mines View Park and she was really in awe with the view. She exclaimed: “Oh my gosh!” She was also fond of the pink horsy but not so much with Beethoven (the St. Bernard).

with pink horsy

Beethoven

Our last itinerary was at the Philippine Military Academy. I simply wanted her to appreciate what these brave men do for our country not to mention how nice the school is particularly where it is situated. Thank goodness she did.

We had our dinner at the most-talked-about 50’s Diner which was a stone’s throw away from our hotel and there was nothing much to tell about that resto.

But what really concluded our trip was the buffet breakfast of the hotel (Dulcinea is the name of their resto) which I think they offer every weekends. Ours were happy tummies! I love it!

 For two nights that we were in Baguio, this she kept on telling me before going to sleep “best day ever, mommy” – and that has painted a beautiful smile on my face.

Date traveled: April 9- 11, 2015