There was a cool 17°- 22° Celsius temperature all through out our four - day outing in Baguio City. The increment weather had invariably brought an enveloping fog across the city. We savor to view this panoramic sight as the presence of this intense mist only adds up to Baguio’s mystic beauty.
Invariable heavy fog covers Baguio 
We were set to originally go back to Manila today but we decided to stay for another day considering the reported impassability of certain roads back to the National Capital Region.
Junior checks out the hotel’s Gretsch drum set
Having our complimentary Continental breakfasts
We visit the designer restaurant 'Bliss Cafe'
Our morning wanderings brought Junior, Sonny and I to Bliss Café located at the ground floor of the hotel. Into their sixth year of “blending veggie food, art & music into a fine science”, we didn’t have the opportunity to try out their dishes but reviews claim that the “awesome” vegetarian dishes prepared by owners Jim and Shanti Ward don’t taste like vegetables! Now that’s something even my carnivorous children will surely be pleased about!
The place is adorned with oriental works of art 
A colorful gecko hangs from the ceiling
Sonny Boy meditates seeking enlightenment
My daughter’s silhouette next to Baguio’s heavy fog
My family goes around the hotel
On a tight budget, we had to stay overnight somewhere else. But before we finally left the hotel, my family spent some time to go around the place. Something we weren’t really able to do since we arrived.
Between the fireplace and a pastoral themed fresco
The hotel’s Mediterranean style is said to be the brainchild of famous interior designer Tess Prieto
Hotel Elizabeth’s beautiful garden pavilions
With so much more to offer, Hotel Elizabeth is surely a place I would like to return to in the future. Probably a bit pricey for the budget conscious Filipino family on vacation, I would rather recommend it for those who have the resources and/or for those who are saving for those very special occasions.
Overall rating for Hotel Elizabeth: 3 and a half out of five stars
Speaking of the budget conscious traveler, my family transferred to Mile-Hi Inn inside Camp John Hay.
“Clean, cozy and comfy.” That’s how Mile-Hi Inn described itself in its leaflet. I believe that was an honest self assessment. Their standard rooms are tidy and very practical. Similar rooms (Forest view room) that face the back of the Inn have a picturesque view of the camp’s forested area. Both types of room can accommodate three to four people though there is ample space for additional people in a room. Note however that there are additional charges for extra persons and extra beds in a room.
We got a forest view room which had a queen-sized bed and a double-decker. Since we were there during the off-peak season, we were also able to avail of the 50% percent discount on room rates.
Back for lunch at family favorite Chocolate de Batirol Our extended stay gave us much time to leisurely go around as Baguio should be experienced slowly --- not in a hurry.
Welcome to the Philippine Military Academy
First time to this Marian grotto inside the Academy 
Another first visit: PMA’s St. Ignatius Chapel
Inside the PMA’s large cafeteria
The Lopez Hall of Leaders building
“Constructum eduro” (Built to last)
Built by the Lopez Group Foundation, Inc., the Lopez Hall of Leaders is said to be “dedicated to the past, present and future cadets of the Philippine Military Academy.”
Souvenirs from this PMA visit included two refrigerator magnets and a cool sweater I bought at the commissary area.
Convenience and a diminishing budget led us to a regular dinner at the McDonald’s branch at Hotel Veniz. After which we came back to our room at Mile-Hi Inn.
We didn’t want to leave the Camp without visiting another Baguio favorite, the local Starbuck’s branch located on the road going to the Golf Clubhouse. So that night, with one small flashlight, the boys and I braved the near impenetrable night fog to feel that unique Starbucks -Camp John Hay experience!
Before going back, we also passed by the adjacent Italian Restaurant named Cantinetta. I noticed their streamer announcing a “Centennial Bash” promo where you can get a buy one take one pasta and/or pizza deal from June to September. Something I look forward to relish with my family tomorrow.
A room with a view: Inside the Mile Hi Inn
The forest view outside….
...with a dense fog that never seems to lift
Good morning, Joshua!
Small room but comfy
Overall rating for Mile-Hi Inn: Three (3) out of five (5) stars
A pleasant breakfast at “….everything nice”
The early morning fog remains to engulf the Camp quite beautifully if I may say so. To complement the stunning ambiance is the wonderful breakfast meals we ate at the “Everything Nice Cakeshop and Café. Personally, I highly recommend one tries their longganisa meals (try the garlic version).
Hard to beat delicious longganisa meal
Joshua opts for an equally tasty corned beef meal
Not really a water drinker, I just loved their cold refreshing water! Then I realized their secret, mint leaves are put in every water pitcher which accounts for its extra taste of freshness!
Faith and Joshua in pajamas - my family enjoys the cozy environment
From cakes to longganisa, there’s something good for everyone at “…everything nice”
Italian lunch food at Cantinetta
Pushing through with my goal last night, my family later had a sumptuous lunch at the Cantinetta Restaurant inside Camp John Hay.
Everywhere you look reminds you of Italia!
Family pictures at the Cantinetta
Joshua and Faith pose
Wine….
…and more wine bottles!
The reserved sign in the picture above reminded me of the restaurant’s manager story that Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao’s coach and trainer and company recently ate there. While Pacquiao trains in Baguio, I’m not surprised if they would go back to this place again and again because of its delicious Italian food.
Finally…the pizzas arrive!
We ordered three different pizzas.
First was the Quattro Formaggi a thin crust pizza topped with four classic Italian cheeses – ricotta, mozzarella, gorgonzola and parmesan. The second was the Cantinetta Classica, a pizza with Italian sausage, pepperoni and minced beef. The third was the Romagna Pizza covered with anchovies, olives and capers (which we got another pizza because of the promo). The Quattro Formaggi quickly disappeared with the Cantinetta Classica a close second. The Romagna didn’t get obliterated early as my family members weren’t much into anchovies, olives and capers as much as I was.
We tried out several pasta cooking too!
The different pasta we ordered was also equally delectable. We had servings of Pesto Mare (fresh seafood tossed in pesto sauce), Fettucini Alfredo (pasta in cream sauce), Contadina (Italian sausage with mushrooms in tomato sauce) and Aglio Olio e Peperoncino (pasta with extra virgin oil, chili and garlic sauce).
Panna cota - traditional Italian desert
For dessert, we treated ourselves to spoonfuls of Panna Cotta, a light, silky custard pie very much like our Filipino leche flan.
Kudos to the manager/patron of Cantinetta-CJH, Ms. Nanette Filler for her warm hospitality and friendly service during our short but pleasant stay in the restaurant.
Overall rating for Cantinetta-CJH: Four stars out of five
We’ll be back at Cantinetta!
The presidential white Mansion seemed to “vanish in the haze”
Our final wanderings around Baguio brought us to the Presidential Mansion, the Good Shepherd Convent and to the food stalls of Camp Seven.
Family portrait at the Good Shepherd’s view deck
Welcome to the garden of St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier (Foundress of the Good Shepherd Sisters)
One should never leave Baguio without tasting the famous food products of the Good Shepherd Convent’s Mountain Maid Training and Development Foundation store near the Mines View Park. Famous products include their strawberry jam, lengua de gato and peanut brittle products. But my personal favorites include their finely textured ube jam and exotic blueberry jam.
Aside from enjoying their delicious food products, one would feel good by the fact that every time you buy from the foundation, you help their working students earn a decent living while earning a useful form of vocational education.
After buying pasalubong from the Good Shepherd Convent and from the Camp Seven stalls, we start the long way back home via Kennon Road.
The stormy weather and the knowledge of the widespread havoc Typhoon Ondoy has spread over the country may have somewhat dampened our Baguio-loving mood. But there is always sunshine after the rains. Baguio remains a special happy place for my family.
We look forward again to rediscovering Baguio the next time we come back.
Goodbye misty Baguio…’til next time!
