Baguio: A Travel Guide for First-Timers

During the summertime from March to May, the heat in the Philippines becomes unbearable. No wonder the American colonizers in the early 1900s, who weren't used to this kind of heat, looked for a mountain town with a cool climate to develop as a refuge from the tropical fatigue in the lowlands. It was through this that Baguio was developed and declared as the summer capital of the country.  

Baguio is a refuge from the tropical heat of the lowlands

With continuous development, Baguio has become a bustling metropolis and one of the most popular destinations for those who are looking to escape the heat and noise of the lowland cities. Surprisingly, even during the height of the wet season from July to September, the city remains to be a great destination.

If you are planning to visit Baguio, it's best to know a few of the basics. Here's our beginner's guide for travelers to this cool city.

The City
Baguio is situated within the province of Benguet in the Cordillera Administrative Region. It is approximately 57 square kilometers in size and is bounded by the towns of Itogon, Tuba, Sablan, and La Trinidad. Based on census, the city has a population of around 350,000. Common languages spoken are Ibaloi, Kankana-ey, Ifugao, Ilokano, Tagalog, and English. 

Getting Out of Bed for Breakfast at Okada Manila's Medley Buffet

Who doesn't love a delicious and hearty hotel breakfast? Certainly not the Two Juanderers and certainly not a lot of you. In fact, in a survey conducted by Google among travelers, breakfast is the hotel feature most look forward to every time. 

Whenever we travel or go on a staycation, we always make it a point to wake up early for the breakfast. Our second stay at Okada Manila was no different. As soon as we've rolled out of bed at around 6:00AM, we proceeded to Medley Buffet, the hotel's all-day dining restaurant. 

Our usual requirement for breakfast? It doesn't have to be fancy just whipped up fresh and delicious. But the breakfast buffet at Medley is not only delicious, it is fancy with a sumptuous and abundant spread. There is also an innovative open kitchen design showcasing a brigade of chefs preparing the food that adds a marvelous vibe to the morning meal. 

Here are photos of Medley Buffet so you'll have an idea of what to expect when you decide to try this awesome breakfast spot.

The Assorted Cold Cuts, Charcuterie, and Condiments Station.

Making Splash at Kawit's Water Camp Resort

Planning to escape from the daily hustle and bustle of Metro Manila? Wanting to take a break from the normal city routine without venturing too far from home? If yes, then a visit to the Water Camp Resort is one activity that is Two Juanderers-recommended. The resort is an accessible, affordable, and all-season destination that can be squeezed into any Manila-dweller's schedule. 

Water Camp Resort as seen in its Facebook page

Water Camp Resort is located within Josephine Village in the historic town of Kawit, Cavite. For those not familiar with its history, the place was originally a fishpond in the 1960s and was supposed to be converted into a subdivision. But in a twist of fate, a restaurant named Josephine's was opened which soon became popular all over the metro and the nearby provinces. Over the years, the resort was built to complement the natural landscape of the place and the thriving restaurant. Today, Water Camp is a wholesome all-season oasis for many to enjoy and create fun-filled memories. 

The Diorama Experience at Ayala Museum: A New Way of Learning Philippine History

Last May, as communities all across the world celebrated the International Museum Day, we seized the opportunity to visit the Ayala Museum. Although the day gets the better-known museums pretty much crowded including this one in Makati, we didn't let the chance to save hundreds of pesos go to waste. We have never been to the museum and it was a great occasion to finally see its permanent exhibits, all for free.

Envisioned around 60 years ago, the Ayala Museum is considered as one of the country's finest museums. It showcases finely curated exhibits on Philippine culture, history, and art. 

The Ayala Museum facade

Arguably the highlight of it's entire exhibition is The Philippine Diorama Experience. Here, sixty dioramas are on display, visually narrating the milestones of Philippine history. The dioramas are handmade from baticulin wood by local master woodcarvers from Paete in Laguna. The dioramas were completed and installed in 1974 but has only been seen by more than a million visitors, or around 1% of the entire Philippine population. A surprise, really, that the museum is not drawing the numbers of people it should.

The Diorama Experience, located at the second level of the museum building