My First Ever Baguio Experience

Being four hours away from Manila, Baguio was my first out of town vacation ever!  I was around 10 years old when I went to Baguio with my aunts, uncles and cousins.  Back then Baguio was surrounded by pine trees.  It was so cold that when we were near the top of the beautiful plateau, we would turn off the air conditioning and open the windows to enjoy the cool breeze.  You could see cold mist and fog surrounding the area.  My cousins would fool around and breath in the air and see if fog would come from our mouths.

credits to the owners of the photos

We went to so many places on a single day.  We tried boating at the man-made lake in the middle of Burnham Park.  Back then, the lake looked so big and wide to me.   After that was my favorite activity, pony riding at Wright Park Circle.  I can still recall that the pony I rode was color brown.  Some of my cousins were afraid to ride but that was ridiculous since we were assisted by staffs and we couldn't even make the ponies gallop faster.=)  We dined at Camp John Hay during dinner and shopped around the city before hit the sack.  It was the first time I ever saw "ukay-ukay" shops.  We also saw lots of interesting native products and word works like the barrel man.

credits to titakosivilma.com

The next day, we visited Mines View Park.  The view was so nice.  We also ate "pinipig" being sold on the streets.  My aunts also went to the market.  They came back with boxes of FRESH vegetables and strawberries.  I love strawberries!  The strawberries in Baguio are so fresh and sweet I ate to my hearts content.  We also visited Good Shepherd to buy peanut brittle and strawberry jam.  On the way home, we also purchased brooms.  It was so much fun!

So why am I reminiscing?  It's because Baguio City is celebrating its 102nd year.  Happy Birthday!=)

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Nuffnang's Nuffamily Day at Crosswinds Tagaytay

Last week, we joined a Nuffnang's contest to be one of 50 lucky bloggers who will take part in its Nuffamily Day (see separate entry).   We were very fortunate to be chosen!

We arrived at Figaro B5 at around 2:15 p.m.  Soon, we were led to the Jac Liner Bus and we departed to go to Crosswinds Tagaytay.  Most of the bloggers came with their family.  But for us, its just Kurt and me.  We are practically like family.  Besides, our families are too busy making a living that we are the only ones available for this.

After an hour and a half, we arrived at our destination.  Cross Winds Swiss Luxury Resort was so hospitable that there was even a sign at the entrance welcoming Nuffnangers.

As we got off the bus, we were welcomed by the fresh aroma coming from numerous pine trees surrounding us.  The pine trees were beautiful.  The last time I saw pine trees so many healthy pine trees was a decade ago at Baguio City.  Just last summer, we visited the forest of the mountain provinces and saw pine trees drying up due to the drought so I was glad to see them seeking refuge at Cross Winds.

We followed the Nuffnang team uphill to our picnic site.  We set up our picnic blanket like the rest.  The day was perfect for a picnic.  The sky was beautiful and the air was fresh and clean.  

Ms. Trixie Esguerra of Nuffnang

Soon, the Nuffnang team started their speeches.  They started throwing out snacks.  We only got to grab the Vega so we have no idea what the other were.  They also distributed my favorite Fluffy Mamon from Goldilocks!  Kurt thinks our place was cursed because we were not given the Jollibee Crunchy Chicken Burger and Del Monte Pineapple Juice when everyone had one.  We just literally stared at other picnic mates as they munched on their burgers.

Everyone munching on their Jollibee Chicken Burger

Hep Hep Hooray

As soon as we thought that it was all about snacks, games ensued.  The games were "Bring me" (prize: 500 gc from 7-11), "Hep Hep Hooray", "Boat is sinking", "Manila Paper Dance" (prize: neo gift packs) and "Name that tune".  I have never been to a family picnic before so my idea of it just comes from cartoons and movies.  Based on watch I've watched,  I was kind of expecting games to be something interactive or requires team work like relays.  Since we were there, we participated and lost. Haha!

Manila paper dance winners

Winners with Neo Gift Packs

After a few games, pizza came.  We were given one box to share with our picnic neighbors.  We were also given Pizza Hut Mozzarella sticks.  I loved it.  But it is better when its hot.

Sharing our pizza with the picnickers beside us

Pizza Hut Mozzarella Sticks

Creative way to spell Nuffnang Contest

Last but not the least, the last contest everyone had been waiting for was the "Spell Nuffnang in a creative way" to win an overnight stay at Cross Winds.  All of the contestants were awarded a prize.

The last activity of the night and the best part was the lifting of lanterns.  Thank you to the one who helped me inflate my lantern when I was almost hopeless.=)

Lantern with instructions

Placing the wick at the lantern

Lighting the wick

Filling the lantern with hot air

Away it goes

Our lanterns flew into the dark skies

Nuffnangers lantern filled the dark sky

Nuffnangers going downhill with lootbags

It was a long day.  We all went downhill to ride our bus once again.  Please see our next entry Cross Winds Christmas Village (see separate entry) for continuation.