Baguio City

The country's summer capital, Baguio city stands amidst the mountainous region of the Cordillera. Situated 1,500 meters above the sea, Baguio in one of the few places in the country blessed with a cool climate. At any given time, it is eight degrees cooler in Baguio than the Burnham Park, Club John Hay, Lourdes Grotto and Mines View Park. Baguio is also a great shopping place. Delight on freshest vegetables and strawberries. Baguio also is the jump-off point to the famous Banawe Rice Terraces.

One of the Lists members, Jiri Doucette wrote about Baguio Baguio City, The Tourist capital of the Philippines also known as the "City of Pines" or the "Summer Capital" Baguio City is known for its cool crisp climate in relation to other cities in the Philippines, you can expect the tempter to be on average 8-10 degrees lower then in the lowlands, Baguio is approx. 1400 - 1500 meters above see level and is located in Northern Luzon about 250 kames. from Manila. How to get to Baguio, there are a number of ways to get to Baguio from Manila, by land you can take the bus either Philippine Rabbit or Victory liner. There are 3 Hi-ways that can be taken, Marcos Hwy. Kennon Rd. also known as "Zig-zag rd" for it's numerous bends and turns and there is Naguillian rd. each route is about equal give or take an hour depending on the weather and traffic conditions. Travel time is about 6 hours from Manila.

Traveling by air with Asian Spirits, there are one or two flights a day to Baguio from Manila the cost is under a hundred dollars and takes approx. 55 min. take note that the Baguio airport (Loakan airport) closes due to dense fog certain times of the year, it would be a good idea to call ahead to make sure there are flights available.

Baguio is also the jumping off point to other great locations in Northern Luzon such as the world famous Banaue Rice Terraces and Sagada Mountain Province famous for their hanging coffins.

Once in Baguio, you will find a bustling little city, you will not find Tricycles like in the low lands, but you will see your share of Jeepneys and taxi's, getting around town is never a problem.Session rd. is the main strip it's also the main business district, you will find great little shops on either side of the road there is lower and upper session rd, to help guide you, from specialty shops, restaurants, and American franchises like McDonalds you will also see your share of street vendors selling everything from kids toys to small home appliances, water heater act.Public Market, now this is the heart of Baguio it is spilt into wet and dry, regardless of where you are from, there is a good chance you will find what you are looking for, not only your basic food groups are sold here but you can also find the freshest fruits and veggies, food is not the only products you can find in the public markets, you can also find clothes, shoes and just about everything under the sun including have your clothes tailored while you shop, there is an entire section dedicated to tailoring and repairs, I brought a bag to be repaired while I did my shopping and I could not believe the quality of the repair when I got back, I thought I was looking at a new bag, very professional service.

SM (Shoe mart) is the newest addition to Bagnio’s sky line, it is a very modern, open air mall with literally everything under the sun, from Furniture stores, Brand name clothing, Movie house, department store, hardware store, modern Dental office, modern Americanized supermarket, Food court, coffee houses, bake shops, Barbers, Pizza hut, and other eating establishments, you can also get a great view of Baguio from one of the second and third floor outlook decks.

What to see and do while in Baguio, Even though Baguio is only about 49 sq. Km. there is always a lot to see and places to go, some of the more popular attractions are Mines view park, Wright Park, Burnham Park, Mansion house, Botanical garden, Lion's head Park, Rizal Park, Lourdes Grotto, Camp John Hay, Baguio Catholic Cathedral, PMA (Philippine Military Academy), Bell Church, Tam-awan village, Teacher's Camp, Easter weaving room, Aguinaldo Museum, Crystal caves, Good shepherd Convent, Dominican Hill, there are also two quality golf courses one at Camp John Hay and the other Baguio Country Club they are both in close walking distance from one another.

Horse back riding can be found at Wright Park and Baguio Country Club Village, great rates and guides are available. Camp John Hay also has 5 star accommodations and dinning, the Manor is Baguio's crème' de la crème' of class and style. You can also find things for the kids, like Bumper cars, bike riding, Roller skating/blading, video arcades, pool hall, play ground, picnic areas can also be found at Camp John Hay, not to mention shopping, miss some of thing you had back home? It can all be found in the shops and stores in John Hay. If night life is what you crave you can find a number of popular night clubs as well as pub style bars with live bands that are very good, there are also plenty of Karaoke bars and Pool halls. Baguio City has something for everyone, not only is it a very clean City but it's my favorite City that I call it home as it has stolen my heart with its charm and the people are just great, you can also find many foreigners both living and traveling in Baguio.

So if you are planning a trip to the Philippines, you owe it to yourself to spend a couple day's in Baguio and just let it all soak in, you be glad you did and hey who knows maybe we'll run into each other.

(Jiri Doucette)

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Palawan Island

An island of peace and quiet, it seems time has stood still for Palawan. Situated between Mindoro Island and North Borneo, Palawan is the country's last frontier. It is home to over 80 cultural minority groups. It is sanctuary for the most exotic animals, plants and aquatic life in the country including the Calamian deer and Palawan Bearbat. Palawan also features white sand beaches, black marble caves, exquisite corals and breathtaking dive sites. Visit Calauit Island, Ursula Island, El Nido Beach and St. Paul Park for an unforgettable Palawan adventure.

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Ortigas, Center, Manila

Metro Manila has a population of more than 10 million and is the country’s business and political hub. It also has congestion and pollution -- probably more of those things than most retirees would care for. But it also has urban energy and excitement, and if you thrive on that, Manila might be for you.

CARS FOR RENT IN METRO MANILA

CAR VANS Tel. no.929-2811
Carsvans Coaster Bus Tel. no.422-9296

CARS/VANS/BRIDAL Tel. no.896-9956
Cheap Van Rental Tel. no.933-0311

L300 Urvan Starex
MB100 Vios Altis Tel. no.726-8388

STAREX'05 MB100 Tel. no.948-3535
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RENT A VAN
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FOR HIRE:

Cars / Vans
Trucks / Buses
Heavy Equipt.
Jeepney
Others CARS / VANS

D'AMMROSE     Tel.no. 890-6025 or 890-7570

MOBELINE         Tel.no. 890-2778 or 562-8107

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VANS/EXPE/BRIDAL     Tel.no. 928-5570

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FORWARD  ELF 4&6W 24FT 12TON LD Prov'l Trip 929-6544  926-1414  411-9475

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For a positive look at Manila below is a letter from this member of our List who lives in Manila into consideration:

Living In Manila:

Dear List Members,

I often wonder why so many folks who have never even been to the Philippines are so positive that they will live _anywhere_ except Manila? To have the kind of infrastructure around you that you desire, you're going to wind up in a city. And although many members of this group live in and around Cebu (a city I haven't yet visited, but I would certainly not cross off my list) there are a number of members from Metro Manila. Manila certainly has the drawbacks of big city life, but it also has some very lovely neighborhoods and suburbs. It is my opinion (and thus worth no more than a few centavos) that you'll get more out of your research and trip if you approach it with an open mind

I live in Manila and put some of this down to fact that when people visit, they stay more in the centre such as Ermita, Mabini, Roxas Boulevard or the financial and business district of Makati. In most cases they see a traffic congested, polluted, not so clean area or Makati, traffic congested, polluted and expensive. In the high end sub divisions of Makati such as Forbes Park it is for the rich or those on a nice ex-pat package. Even there as you come out, it is right at EDSA with all its traffic problems, but at least with a light rail system. What most people are not seeing are the suburbs, where in most cases tourists do not go.

Living in a good residential area in a Manila suburb has a lot to offer. For instance here in Alabang it is as nice as most suburbs I have seen in other cities around the world, it is relatively safe, traffic or pollution is not problem. It is green with wide tree planted roads. On top of all this it has what a city has to offer. Many shopping malls in particular two large ones, Alabang Town Centre and Festival Mall, which in my opinion are better than the ones in Makati, such as Glorietta or Megamall in Ortigas. The shops are very similar better laid out with easy parking. On top of this there are many restaurants of different nationalities (the same as what is in makati), coffee shops, not only the 3 starbucks, cinemas, bowling alley, indoor amusement park, top class fitness centers and spas. Add to that US style supermarkets with the Ruston's owned Shopwise, and the membership shopping Pricesmart.

Within the shopping centers there is a very little I cannot get. Both outside and inside the shopping centers, I have every food fast food chain you need and yet another starbucks making it 4 plus the night market. Also in the area are Golf Courses and other sporting clubs. I sit at my local tennis club surrounded by the coconut palms paying only 15 pesos for a San Miguel Beer, to refresh the first in between games, what more do you need? If you have children you are close to a number of top international schools. Close by is a water park and within 30 minutes, the Enchanted Kingdom, Philippines largest theme park. Add to this the best hospital in the Philippines and one of the best in Asia. Nearby is a proper international airport and the domestic hub, okay those in Cebu will say there is an international airport there, but we are talking about an airport with many flights a day across the globe, not the odd few flights. If you want to go in the centre of the city, a skyway will take you into the centre of Makati in twenty minutes. Manila is also the cultural and entertainment centre of the Philippines, and known as one Asia's most exciting cities for nightlife, with activities to sort all tastes. Living out in the suburbs also means you are close to more rural areas, completely missing the main centre.

There are toll ways passing by which makes the journey to the crater resort of Tagaytay only 45 minutes, the hot springs spa resort of Los Banos in one hour, and the beaches of Batangas in two hours. A significant part of the highway to Batangas city is complete making a journey to the jumping off point to Puerto Gallera very quick. The drawback of all this is that cities are not for everybody or suburbs either, it is also more expensive mainly the rental price, plus you will spend more as there are more things to spend your money on. Ayala Alabang is not the only residential area there are many and you can find reasonable housing such as a 3 bedroom house in a sub division on 280 sq mt. lot from about 20,000 upwards. It is still compared to other high class suburbs in other cities a very cheap place to live and as good as anywhere I have lived.

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