I recently went on a solo trip up the north to seek new perspectives, try things I have never tried before and most importantly find healing, not really knowing what I was getting myself into, I just knew that I wanted to do this. I have been planning on going on a solo trip for a while now and I just didn’t know what was stopping me. So, while I was working my last weeks at my old company, I was looking at my motivation quotes displayed on my desk, like I always do when I get too stressed out, and my eyes chanced upon the quote “What’s stopping you?” followed by “There will never be a perfect time” then wham-bam-pajama-slaaaaaam! I decided I wouldn’t hold myself back from doing this any longer, yes, it’s scary but hey, if it scares you, it might be a good thing to try, if I tell my sister this, I better live up to it.
I went to 3 places for about 3 and half days, overnight in each of them. First, I went to La Union, this place is ultimately foreign to me, we pass it whenever we go to Baguio but we never really did stay or went to the beach there. Second place would be Baguio, I’m familiar with the place but not an expert on it and I wanted to try beers from Baguio Craft Brewery. Third place would be my birthplace, Manaoag, I wanted to go home and visit Our Lady of Manaoag, to seek guidance for the decisions that I was about to make and for the new journey that I’m about to take because I was clueless, I was lost, and I wanted direction.
Now, for the moment that everybody has been waiting for, finding answers to their questions! I mostly got what was my budget for a certain place, to address this, I will be sharing my budget with a sample of my itinerary for each place that I visited, so you can just pick which one you wanna read about. Please do note that I really didn’t have an itinerary, I just knew what I wanted to try, where I wanted to eat, where I wanted to go and come what may, so these are my working itineraries and just made itself out along the way. Also, google map will be your best friend during your trip, so make sure you always have data or pocket wifi with you.
Travel dates: March 8 – 11, 2018 (Thursday to Sunday)
LA UNION
Where did I stay: Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel
Budget: 1080 per bed/per night for their 4 bed AC room with breakfast
Book here: https://apac.littlehotelier.com/properties/flotsamandjetsamhostel?locale=en
How to get there from Manila: Ride a Partas bus bound for Abra or Vigan tell the conductor that you are going to San Juan, La Union. Usually, if your hotel is along the highway they drop you off there, I got off across the highway of Flotsam and Jetsam. Travel time is around 4-7 hours, depending on what time you leave the Metro.
What did I do there?
I was being my mermaid self and was mostly out by the beach, taking in all the vitamin D that I can. The sound of the waves crashing to the shore calms my mind.
I went to El Union Café for brunch, I had their grilled cheese and The Dirty White coffee. I highly reco that you go and grab coffee there, it’s so chill and millennial and everything, I can’t even describe it. They have great food and great people who work there who provide good conversation. It was relatively chill the time that I went to La Union, it was a good decision that I went there on a Thursday because I enjoyed the peace and the calm, one of the guys there did mention that it gets really crazy on the weekends, that’s why I got to chill there for hours because it ain’t a friggin’ weekend. Plus, I got an Iced Mocha on the house, woohoo!
I read magazines and talked to the locals, it’s amazing what you can from them, you have to be friendly to the locals because they can help you out big time. What surprised me though was that, I felt an urge write, which I haven’t done in a long time. Writing has been my best defense mechanism to counter all the bullshit life throws at me, I’ve been so busy with life that I barely have the time to hold a pen and just write and I’m really so happy that I got to do it here.
Then I went to take nap on the hammock at Flotsam and Jetsam, while waiting for 2 PM, so I can check in. This is what it looks like:
Had a little siesta time and gone surfen’, I mean, that’s the whole point of La Union other than the beach, learn how to surf. Luckily, there is a stand that offers surfing lessons just next to FlotJet, so I signed up there with my roomie, Lau.
Surfing is fairly easy, I got the full swing by the third round and it was awesome, I mean being able to stand and conquer and maneuver through the waves. I highly enjoyed surfing and this was the highlight of my trip, no photo for proof though because we were all busy in the water.
After that me and Lau got dinner and a few drinks and we were joined by Enzo and things just got crazy and fun. That’s all, no need to elaborate, the party was good ❤ ❤ ❤
It’s so good waking up and being able to see the beach first thing in the morning. I got breakfast at FlotJet and try the Kamias Jelly guys, you will not regret it, I promise. They have a healthy continental selection, I wish breakfast in Manila could be this damn good.
Itinerary:
Day 1
11:30-12:00MN – Arrival at Partas Terminal Cubao
12:00MD-4:30AM – Enroute to San Juan, La Union
4:30–5:30AM – Chill at hostel front desk
5:30-6:30AM – Watch the sunrise and chill by the beach
6:30-8:30AM – Go back to hostel and charge phone
8:30-10:30AM – Sun bathing, stroll by the beach and photo op
10:30AM-1:30PM – Brunch and chill at El Union Café
1:30-2:00PM – Chill at Flotsam and Jetsam resto, while waiting for check in
2:00-5:00PM – Check in hostel, settle down and nap time
5:00-5:30PM – Prep for surfing lesson
5:30-6:30 – Gone Surfen’
6:30PM-3:00AM Dinner, drinks & just partying
And a half
6:00-8:30AM – Bath and packing up stuff
8:30-11:30AM – Breakfast and chill by the hostel resto
11:30-12:00NN – check out and bound to Partas Terminal, San Fernando
Budget:
Total: P 2,652
Uber to Partas Cubao – P 113
Ticket to La Union – P 479
Bus Stop Snacks: P 50
Accommodation: P 1080
Brunch: P 280
Dinner: FREE (Thank you, Lau <3)
Drinks: Mule is P 100 per bottle I got like 2 and 2 other for free (Thank you, Enzo!)
Jeep to San Fernando: P 11
Surfing Lesson: P 400 for 1 hours, inclusive of instructor and board
Additional P 50 for back and forth van transfer because the waves in front of FlotJet was not good for beginners, so we to go somewhere else.
BAGUIO
Where did I stay: Bed and Bath at Station 120
Budget: 660 room/per night, no breakfast, shared bathroom
Book here: https://www.agoda.com/bed-and-bath-at-station-120/
Second stop, somewhere cold, as you might have noticed, I barely ate at La Union, I made the wrong decision of not having lunch first before I went on my next journey because when I got there I was so famished, I could eat a cow.
How to go there from San Juan, La Union: Ride a jeep going to San Fernando and ask the driver to drop you off Partas terminal and ride a bus bound to Baguio.
Bed and Bath at Station 120 is so conveniently located at the heart of the city, lucky me for booking this place, it’s near Baguio Public Market, SM Baguio, Burnham Park, Baguio Cathedral, Session Road and many more. A lot of places is just walking distance; hence, I did a lot of walking, which felt like I was doing cardio since the road goes up and down. Although, there toilet room is really lacking on leg room, so para-paraan nalang guys.
But, what did I do in Baguio? I went on a gastronomic journey, I ate and ate and drank and ate some more. I had Korean late lunch at Geney’s near the bus terminal, really cheap but really good. I’m not a fan of rice and they’re all for the rice, so I only had a small meal since it was already 3:00 when I ate, I wouldn’t want to get an upset stomach.
Then I went to SM Baguio since it was relatively near Geney’s, and I really didn’t know what I was gonna do while waiting for night time, I saw they had a 3D art wall exhibit and decided to check it out and I was not disappointed. Just look at those colorful and pretty creations! Sorry, they looked washed out by the light, the sun was blazing.
Then, I decided to check out the Baguio Museum, but unfortunately they were closed the time I went there, so I just opted to walk around the Sunshine Park and see beautiful flowers.
Then, I decided to eat at Tskolateria (only an hour after I ate at Geney’s haha), so I walked there, it was only 15 minutes away and Baguio’s temperature made walking bearable and enjoyable.
Tsokolateria’s menu is comprised of everything chocolate, which I was willing to try. Price is kind of expensive but, taste wise, it will not disappoint. I opted for the Chocolate Ah! with crispy lechon (what a combo diba?), it’s good for 2 people. I don’t eat lechon, FYI and boy, oh boy! Did Tsokolateria change my perspective on lechon, it’s so flavorful and perfectly crispy that I devoured the entire thing, bes as in, simot sarap, walang tira. Their tablea is the best tablea I have ever tasted in my life, it’s like drinking champorado and heaven knows how much I love champorado.
The Igorot Stairs signage will be the first thing that you will seeing when you are looking for this place
Igorot Stairs:
Then, I headed back to the hostel to rest for a bit and freshen up before I set off to Baguio Craft Brewery. I was really tempted to just lay down and sleep the night away because the blanket was so soft and smelled so good, I loved being burrito-ed by it.
But, if I did that, it would defeat my purpose of going to Baguio, so I got my lazy ass up and set off to Baguio Craft Brewery, which is t=the highlight of this Baguio trip. Me and my dad has been eyeing for a couple of years now to try drinking there but we always didn’t have the time, so I did it by myself.
BCB is quite pricey but trust me, it’s worth every cent. Food is very good and the beer was awesome! They had about 20 different flavors and would reco what you should go for. Since I wasn’t a beer drinker and I’m only trying to incorporate beer back into my life, I stayed with the fruit flavored beers. You can ask to taste 3-4 samples before you decide on what you’re getting, btw.
I opted for a glass of KiWheat(Kiwi), Strawberry and Lychee(2 glasses of this actually). I also ordered fish and chips, they have a big serving for a relatively low price for this one and the fries are not your usually salt and pepper, they also have rosemary in them. They use cream for the sauce and not mayonnaise, so that’s good because I don’t do mayo.
I opted to stay at the Biergarden, where I met Vinz, a fellow solo traveler from Iloilo. It’s so chill and so pretty there, I wish they had a branch in the Metro.
The next morning, I woke up really early, so I opted to walk around and head to Baguio Public Market to go buy pasalubong for my family, and just stroll around Session Road and find a good place to get breakfast.
I ended eating at Vizco’s because, I am absolutely inlove with their Strawberry shortcake, well strawberry in general tbh, but yes, if I am in Baguio and I do not get to eat strawberries, I guarantee that I will throw a tantrum. Lol
And here are some shots I took while going on a stroll:
Went back to the hostel and prepared for my next stop, the Tam-Awan Village, I would like to thank Vinz for letting me know about this place, it showcases the Cordillera region, and is the home of the International Art Festival, your artsy heart will not be let down, I promise, I highly reco that you guys go here.
There are tour guides to explain each station and entry.
Itinerary:
Day 1
11:30-12:00NN – Enroute to Partas San Fernando
12:00NN-2:30PM – Enroute Baguio
2:30–3:00PM – Check in at hostel and settle down
3:00-3:30PM – Late lunch at Geney’s
3:30-4:00PM – Stroll at SM Baguio
4:00-4:30PM – Stroll at Sunshine Park
4:30AM-5:30PM – Merienda at Tsokolateria
5:30-7:00PM – Head back to hotel to rest and freshen
7:00-7:20PM – Enroute to Baguio Craft Brewery
7:20PM-1:30AM – Chill drinking
And a half
6:00-7:30AM – Baguio Public Market and stroll around
7:30-8:30AM – Breakfast at Vizco’s
8:30-10:00AM – Continue pasalubong shopping
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Prepare for check out
11:30 AM – 12:00 NN – Check out and eat ice cream crepe at Scoop at Station 120
12:00 – 12:20 – Enroute to Tam-Awan Village
12:20 – 1:30 – Tour Tam-Awan Village
1:30-1:50 – Enroute to Station 120
1:50 – 2:10 – Enroute to van station to Manaoag
Budget:
Total: P 2,730
Bus to Baguio – P 104
Geney’s Lunch – P 75
Tsokolateria – P 250
Scoop – 105
Taxi to Tam-Awan Village – 77
Taxi back to hostel from Tam-Awan – 150 (Grab Taxi, it was hard to hail a cab going back to city proper)
Taxi to Baguio Craft Brewery – 74
Taxi back to hostel from BCB – 74
Accommodation – P 660/per night
Tam-Awan Village entrance fee – P 50
Baguio Craft Brewery: P 600 from original 900 – food and 4 glasses off beer but since Grab has a promo of 100 pesos off fruit flavored beer for 100 points, minus 300 hehehe
299 for souveneir shirt (optional)
Van to Manaoag – 110
Taxi to van station – 102
Other questions:
What is your travel bucket list for this trip?
- Learn something new
- L I V E
- Go to Baguio when the temperature drops real low and feel the cold wind
- Drink at Baguio Craft Brewery
- Have tablea at Tsokolateria
- Drink coffee at El Union Café
- Go somewhere I haven’t been to
I am glad to share that I have achieved all of them 😊
Should you have any more questions, fire away and I will answer them. I deliberately excluded my Manaoag trip in this article because that trip is a personal endeavor, but if you really want to know where I went, shoot me a message and I will share it with you.
This trip has been so liberating and I have never felt so free and alive. It’s very refreshing, despite only running on a 2-4 hour sleep each trip. I had all the energy to burn and I even made walwal for 3 consecutive nights. Are you planning a solo travel? GO FOR IT! Just remember “What’s stopping you?” because “There will never be a perfect time”
Lots of love,
Trish the Mermaid ❤
The Inverted Trish 