The Pinay Solo Backpacker

The last time I’ve been there was 5 years ago with my classmate Equa, I slept at their place in Pangasinan & we took the Dagupan-Baguio route. It was a sad journey, I lost a friend back in college after a tragic incident. We were doing fieldwork in a secluded island, I was graduating  so I couldn’t see her. I stayed at KM5 Balili in La Trinidad with my friend’s family for 1 week, but I lost contact with them when my phone got stolen.
At 11 am, I boarded a Victory Liner Bus in Pasay headed to Baguio. The trip took  roughly 7 hours,  passing through Central Luzon with its awesome scenery.

rice fields somewhere in Central Luzon

a river along the highway of Pangasinan

sunset somewhere along La Union

Manila- Baguio buses  takes Marcos Highway route, one of the most scenic route  and most reliable route as it can withstand heavy rain compared  to Kennon Road.

the picturesque view of the mountains at Marcos Highway

The  upward climb reveals a picturesque view of the mountains, lush vegetation, and pine trees as you get closer to Baguio.

somewhere in Tuba, Benguet as seen from Marcos highway

Arrived in Baguio past 6pm. It was already dark, I don’t wanna take a cab, only problem is…I’ve never commute in Baguio before! So when I saw most people riding the only jeep parked in front of the terminal, I  hurriedly hopped in and asked the driver if it’s off to Burnham Park.  I remember Equa reminded me before, that if  I get lost, just find a way to go back to  Burnham.

So I asked the girl beside me, named Carolyn, it so happend we were on the same bus & she’s headed home to KM11 in La Trinidad.  Talk about perfect timing! So we dropped off the market as  she wanted to buy vegetables, which is also exactly the place I need to go to first before heading to KM 5 as I had to buy a dozen of red roses for my dear friend.   That’s just one of the things I like about Baguio, the flowers & vegetables are super cheap!  One rose cost Php 5 & 1 bundle of vegetables like okra, tomato, pechay, etc is Php 10. Then we ate dinner at Chowking, and  boarded a jeep to La Trinidad in front of  Burnham Park.

The driver dropped me off at KM5 Balili, just right in front of  PNB beside McDonalds and Benguet State University, it was dark already.  There, you can find a small rough street and an old wooden bridge  which leads to a mountain full of houses. The once vacant lot owned by my family’s friend is now full of houses so I got lost…

houses lined up on the mountains of Balili

but found my way after asking an old woman.

Since everybody has work, I had to tour Baguio and La Trinidad on my own.

Balili is a baranggay of the Municipality of La Trinidad in Benguet, Philippines.

It is said that the name “Benguet” was once limited to the area of what is now the La Trinidad Valley.

vegetables instead of strawberries @ the Strawberry farm

On my 2nd day, I went shopping for ukay-ukay in Baguio! I had the chance to walk around Burnham Park, then  I spent the rest of my stay in Balili relaxing and enjoying it’s cool fresh air.

view of La Trinidad from KM5 Balili

KM5 Balili

man-made garden @ BSU

a lost tandang in Balili

After 4 days, I had to go back.  The  trip back to Manila is long, but the pleasure  of this newfound sanctuary gave me enough reason to return.

Igorot since Birth

The backpacker’s way:

Baguio:

via Bus:

• Victory Liner: Cubao-Baguio, Pasay-Baguio, Sampaloc-Baguio, Caloocan-Baguio,  Olongapo-Baguio,
• Partas Transportation Co: Bangued-Baguio, Laoag-Baguio, Vigan-Baguio, Bangued-Baguio
• Dagupan Bus: Cubao-Baguio

to La Trinidad from Baguio :

board a jeep going to La Trinidad on General Luna near University of Baguio.

Pinay solo backpacker would like to thank :

Baldo Family for the free accomodation & their hospitality and Carolyn for the company & direction.

@ Benguet State University

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