We were only in Baguio for 2 and a half days but we've been to so many places. And so I have to write separate articles about the places we went to as there are so many pictures I took. We went to the Baguio Botanical Gardens on our first day, and on that day, there was a light drizzle throughout the whole morning, so it was very cold, which made me very happy!
We arrived very early in the morning in Baguio, and we went to the bed and breakfast we were staying just to leave our bags since it was too early to check in, and right after having breakfast, we were on our way exploring.
Originally we were supposed to go to La Trinidad, but since it was drizzly, we changed our schedule which was for the best since it would have been too muddy to walk in the fields.
One of the places we visited of course was the Botanical Garden, as I read that the City of Baguio is now refurbishing the park to attract more visitors. And the best thing about places in Baguio, they are free! You don't have to pay anything to get into the parks.
It was a good thing the rain was not pouring hard, only a drizzle, so we could still walk unencumbered by an umbrella. There were times we had to use it, but my sweater had a hoodie so only my niece used the umbrella from time to time. The weather cleared after lunch, which was a blessing.
The park is located between Teacher's Camp and Pacdal Circle, and its main entrance is at Leonard Wood Rd.
Inside the park are several areas dedicated to Baguio's 'sister cities', and features of the sister cities can be seen in the park. This area shows the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco.
There were quite a lot of visitors like us even though it was a Thursday. Personally, I think it is best to visit the city during weekdays if you don't want to be stuck in traffic most of the time during weekends.
This is the Chinese area- can't remember which city in China is featured but the area has a pavilion and an arch and also a walkway that features Chinese style decorations.
You also see Chinese style parasols in the background, and the huge pine trees provide a very nice background and shade for people exploring the park.
The arch has a sign that says Filipino-Chinese friendship garden. And here a visitor asked us if me and my niece would like a picture together, so of course we said yes, and then later on his wife asked us if we are Filipinos, and we said yes, and then belatedly she said we looked like Chinese that's why she asked. Her husband talked to us in Tagalog though, when he asked if we wanted a picture. Go figure. :-)
There are even Chinese lanterns hung in preparation for the Chinese New Year which was the coming week during the time we were there.
This path leads to the Japanese area. Since it was drizzling, the pathway was a bit slippery so we had to walk carefully.
The path leads to a torii gate, which is commonly found at the entrance to Japanese Shinto temples. The structure beyond the gate is not a temple here though.
It was a tunnel dug by the Japanese during World War II, and they used this tunnel to store ammunition and foods.
The tunnel is several hundred meters long, and there are several walkways that are well lit for safe exploration. Imagine walking in these tunnels in total darkness at night, or imagine how it was used during war time.
There are also giant ferns, other trees aside from pine trees in the garden which provides a variation to the plants and trees that you see.
As we were walking around, we saw a sayote vine, and since it was my first time to see one, I went nearer. Then I saw a sayote fruit on the ground that already had a sprout. The stories I heard about putting a sayote on the ground and it will grow was proven. This fruit just fell down, and since the soil was fertile, it already budded, ready to grow and bear more fruits in the coming days.
This picture gives off the impression that we were in the jungle. And the government of Baguio should do even more to preserve what pine trees are left in the city.
I just took a picture of this as I was reminded of my Botany lessons back in college, ha ha. This type of grass, if I may call it that, actually prevents soil erosion as they cover the ground.
Of course there are flowers all around, and you just have to enjoy them as you walk leisurely. In our case, we walked all the way down from Mines View Park, and another post will be written about that.
This bridge was near the Japanese area, and can be seen from Leonard Wood Rd above.
There were also sunflowers in the park, and this is near the Thailand display area.
This was near the Japanese tunnel area, typical of Japanese gardens are ponds and bridges.
And what better thing that most represents Thailand than an elephant? Thus it was what we saw on their area. A mom and a baby no less.
My niece talking to the daddy elephant to take the mommy out on a date on Valentine's day.
There was also an archway made of vines and there was a couple at the end trying to take a cute picture together like it was a pre-nup shoot, haha.
If there is a Japanese and Chinese display, there was also a Korean display. This is a pavilion but we couldn't go near as there was a couple inside who stayed for so long we got tired waiting. And of course we didn't want to disturb them.
This again was near the Japanese area and it was a good thing that the rain already stopped and we were able to walk around freely.
Near the Japanese area as well, near where I found the sayote on the ground.
The area for Canada only had this. Not sure why there was nothing more that stood out.
You notice that the pathway looks slippery from the drizzle, and walking is a bit tricky if your shoes do not have a grip, so one must make sure to walk carefully.
And of course a showcase highlighting the life of the Igorot is shown here as well with the nipa huts and the rice terraces that is so characteristic of life in the Cordilleras.
There were also several more statues but I did not take a picture. Overall, I think we spent a good two hours or less walking around the park, and at the entrance there are souvenir shops as is usual for tourist spots.
Here ends the Baguio Botanical post, and watch out for the next one!
For more travel articles. please go to this page.
Comments
Post a Comment