Baguio Orchidarium

Hi!

Last Sunday (Yes, my posts are quite delayed by a week.), when there still wasn't a storm or a typhoon and the rain was tolerable, my family and I went to the orchidarium after lunch.  My mom has been filling up all our side tables with plants, especially orchids since they're really pretty and last longer.  She and my dad have a thing for plants and flowers they even have books on them.

We went in the afternoon and it wasn't as sunny already.  When you're from Baguio or somewhere where plants and flowers are more abundant, the site of all the plants and flowers together won't be as overwhelming unlike if you were a tourist from other cities I think.  I chose to take closer shots on some plants and flowers I found interesting.  Of course, there'll be portraits too. =)

Ella and an Orchid

Lady in Blue

The Furry Plant. (I forgot to get the names.)

  

The only withered flower I saw.

Barrel Man's brother

Some spiky plant.

The enormous lemon.

I don't know how long the Orchidarium's been around but they're divided into stalls too and some of them sell in Session Road during Panagbenga's Session in Bloom.  They're located near Burnham.  I actually think the place could be a good spot for shoots during the summer.  It might draw more tourists if there would be a quaint cafe of some sort. 

Go visit! =)

Photo Walk: Baguio Market

A week ago I was invited by Ma'am Eliza Consul and Sir Ompong Tan to a photo walk, an activity where you simply walk around and shoot whatever you want to shoot (camera/photo speaking).  This photo walk though had a purpose, which I will be discussing some time soon.  The pictures posted aren't that processed.  I just tweaked the contrast a bit for some of them. 

We met up, along with Ma'am Marissa of The Makeup Central, at the side of Abanao Square at a time too early for the both of us, 6 AM.  I just couldn't resist not going since I haven't really participated in similar activities recently.  Because it was such an early time to go about the market, some stalls were still about to open.  Though, it was a nice experience to actually see the market without too much people.  It was even my first time to go to some parts of the market.

Ricarda Luvfunan

Plastic wares.

Pilar Ramos and her infamous chickens.

Eye of the Tiger

Sir Ompong

I hope the brooms won't reach a hundred anytime soon.

Typical Baguio pasalubong.

And that ends our Market photos.  On to some random photos on the way up to Session Road for breakfast.  It was nice to see this old man just reading the paper early in the morning in one of Baguio's parks. 

DBP guard.

Easy to spot Yellow Cab bikes.

The elderly in McDonalds, Session for breakfast.

 Finally, we headed on to Easter Weaving Room to take more photos!

Julia Chumacog of Easter Weaving

8.

I really enjoyed my first photo walk!  If only time and energy would permit, I'd probably do more. I got to spend my morning differently considering I'd probably still be in bed by the time we met up.  I felt productive and I'm happy to have learned a bit more about Baguio since my usual day would go from house to SM and then back.

Hopefully, I could do more.  It doesn't necessarily have to be during the mornings anyway. 

I hope you liked the photos! 

FTW Goes to Forest House

Hi!  Happy Sunday!

My family and I most of the time dine out for Sunday lunch.  This week our choice of restaurant was Forest House, a quaint restaurant that has been recognized by Philippine Tatler as one of Philippines' best restaurants of 2011.  And this time I think I have good photos.   

My dad bought the book, and here's what they had to say about Forest House Bistro & Cafe:

Forest House is the quintessential restaurant in Baguio, blessed with beautiful mountain views.  It has long been one of the favourites to go to in the summer capital - 10 years and going strong among locals, Manila denizens and foreigners alike.

But, lets get on with the food. LOL.   Their signature dish is Forest House Homemade Bagnet, which was actually a starter dish, which I had as my main course with a side order of rice. Very Filipino, am I not.  LOL.  It was good!  I think I'm even craving now as I'm typing.  Hoped for it to be a little bit more crispy but it was fine considering the thickness was just right.  Serving size was not that great too, but I'm not a heavy eater (at least this time I wasn't) so I wasn't too disappointed. 

Dad got the Bagnet with Chicken Adobo.  He said it wasn't anything special and I quite agree with him when I had a taste of it.

Mom's usual order, the safest thing to order actually, is their Lengua con Setas, which I believe is also one of their specialties.

Brother got a chicken dish.  Chicken with peanut garlic sauce of some sort.  I'm sorry I wasn't able to get the exact name but I didn't get a taste of it.  But according to him it was good enough. 

My brother was the only one who ordered a different drink - Chocolate with Amaretto.  He liked it.

While resting before having dessert, I took some shots of the interiors to prove the homeyness.  I get why Philippine Tatler calls it the quintessential "Baguio" restaurant.  The restaurant is made of wood, chairs and tables are wood, and the table setting is sort of country.

 

To cap of our visit, we had Tiramisu and Blueberry cheesecake which were all good, but I've tasted better cheesecake.  But props to their "plate art".  LOL.

So, that was all for this weeks lunch with the family.  I hope this was helpful to those looking for places to visit here in Baguio or at least visually attractive to those who enjoy looking at photos of food. 

Girls Night, We Wish

Sometime this month, I met up with my friends for dinner.  After procrastinating on where to eat as Baguio has so many choices (this is me being sarcastic), we ended up in Picarre, a simple but reasonably-priced cafe in SM Baguio.  They have a branch in Porta Vaga, which was the first one I think, but SM's the most convenient place to meet up in Baguio.  

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take pictures of our food since we were quite hungry and only remembered to take shots after we've devoured them.  But let me introduce my friends instead. =)

This is Jaja.  She hates me for getting stolen shots of her, which is hard cause she always poses.

Julie and Nessa, the bestfriends.

This is where Nessa fed Julie her lipstick.

 For dessert, we had yogurt in The White Hat, which is the only yogurt place in SM Baguio if you don't count Teriyaki Boy. LOL.

I barely get to see this particular group of friends.  We've always been the type to just have dinner and it will end there.  Never like the cliche "Girls Night Out" where we go drinking and such.  

Hopefully, our plans of vacationing abroad would push through so we really have something to look forward to. =)

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! =)

FTW (always) goes to O Mai Khan

Hi there!  Long time no blog.  Aside from the stressful quota I have to meet, my brother was 24/7 on the desktop, maximizing all the time he has before school starts.  I'm not really as comfortable blogging in my laptop, since most photos I have are at the desktop.  Anyway, I'm back. :)

If you're from Baguio, it would be a surprise if you don't know of O Mai Khan.  Baguio has a few "tourist go-to's" when it comes to food.  But I think O Mai Khan's one that my family (or as I've observed people from Baguio in general) actually like; thus the "always" in the title.  It used to be a quaint little restaurant near Burnham, which I think had more charm for me.  Now, they've transferred to a bigger and more accessible spot near SM and Victory Liner.

I usually go for their Mongolian buffet or the "Ag-luto Khan Special", which are, if I'm not mistaken, pan grilled shrimps with lemon butter sauce.  Some of their food and the restaurant's name too is spelled in a "Mongolian" way, but when pronounced it actually means something in Ilokano (I.e. O Mai Khan, when said would sound like "Oh, come". Imagine one gesturing you to join them to eat... Something like that. LOL.)  Their a la carte food items are bountiful in servings too; so you get your money's worth.

My absolute favorite dessert has got to be their Calamansi cream pie.  It isn't sour at all.  It removes that after taste you get or in a better way to call it, "suya", you get from the main course.  Their lemon cheese cake's great too.

I don't think I have much pictures of the restaurant itself but here's a bit of a preview for the restaurant's interiors with me in it. LOL.  Its nothing fancy. Its pretty simple actually.  White table cloths, wait staff in aprons and hair nets (not really that appealing to me, but better safe and clean), and pictures of their food hung on their walls.  Still, they're full most of the time so its better to make a reservation.  Parking's quite crazy too. LOL.  

O Mai Khan's great! In a month, our family dines twice or thrice.  Hopefully, you can try the restaurant soon if you haven't. :)