[New post] City of Pines (Baguio) Travel Experience 2022 + Colz Travel Honest Review
Jen Magalona posted: " Before the Travel Me and my friend, Jelena, decided to take this very bold decision. Magpunta ng Baguio City. I have been eyeing the tour package of Atok + Baguio tour from Colz Travel since beginning of this year and I just didn't have the gut pa" Lakbay at Kain with Jen
Me and my friend, Jelena, decided to take this very bold decision. Magpunta ng Baguio City. I have been eyeing the tour package of Atok + Baguio tour from Colz Travel since beginning of this year and I just didn't have the gut pa to finally go for it. Madalas kasi ako pangunahan ng takot. But when I met Jelena last March I believe, she mentioned na she wanted to try new things this year, go to new places this year, and just explore mo, niyaya ko siya agad dito sa Baguio + Atok tour na 'to and that we need to save money para by the end of May, makaalis kami. Actually, June nga ang plano namin pero dahil super excited kami and we think na afford naman na namin, last week of June, nag go na kami.
Colz Travel Review (Part one)
We looked for different travel agencies, though nasa utak ko talaga ang Colz, naghanap pa kami ng iba kasi baka merong mas mura, etc. Kaso, 'yung mga nakikita namin is hindi kilala, mas mahal, and since this is our first time na mag travel na kaming dalawa lang, medyo takot kami lumapit sa mga travel agencies na walang masyadong credebility and we all know how credible Colz Travel is. I mean, influencers lang naman ang mga nag bu-book sa kanila. So we decided to go for them na.
Last minute kami nag inquire and gabi na, we are not expecting immediate response but they responded agad which is good. During my conversation with their customer service representative, I was amazed kasi mabait and very accomodating nila. Last minute na rin kami nag pay ng down payment kaya nagulat kami na nabigay nila agad 'yung voucher which is again, good.
A few days after, do'n na nag start magkaroon ng miscommunication. We thought na during travel date namin ibibigay 'yung balance because that is what's indicated in their terms and policy. Nag message lang kami sa page nila just to make sure kasi ayaw namin ng aberya kapag nando'n na kami sa pick up location. That's when they said na need daw pala ibigay na 'yung balance 7 days prior sa travel date. Medyo na disappoint ako sa part na 'yon kasi hassle sa part ko since malayo 'yung area sa kung saan kami pwede mag cash in and out dito. But I have no choice but to comply of course.
After that, nilagay nila kami sa gc namin sa viber. That way, mas mabilis namin sila ma co-contact. Which is good din naman. We we're expecting lang na nando'n din 'yung ibang kasama namin sa trip but turns out, dalawa lang kami ng friend ko nasa gc, including one of their coor, the owncer/ceo of Colz, and admin ata nila sa page. I'm not going to mention names na lang.
On the way to Pick Up location
So the itinerary said na 10 PM ng Friday kami pipickup-in sa Eton Centris and Saturday morning mag sstart 'yung tour. Which is wala naman problem sa'min ni Jelena. Takot lang kami kasi nga, first time namin. So tanong-tanong is the key talaga haha. Nagkita kami sa Grand Central ng 8 PM para mamili ng baon namin. Later, I will give you the list kung ano-ano mga dinala ko/namin sa trip namin and suggestions kung ano pwede niyo dalhin para mas mapadali biyahe niyo. After namin mamili sa Grand Central, dumiretso na kami sa Eton Centris and nag dinner sa Mcdo.
During Pick Up
All throughout our waiting time, we were able to contact them naman kasi again, may group kami sa viber. At around 10 PM, we were expecting na male-late talaga because of course, Filipino time. We texted lang our coor na nando'n na kami sa pick up location kasi hindi namin alam 'yung contact number ng driver. They called us after a few minutes saying if naka recieve daw ba kami ng message from the driver which is wala. So they gave us the details via text and medyo nagulat kami bakit iba na 'yung car tsaka plate number sa pinresent nila sa voucher sa sasakyan namin. Pero hindi na namin pinansin after. Mahalaga, nakuha na namin 'yung contact ng driver. 11:00 PM dumating 'yung sasakyan and sa likod kami ng sasakyan naka pwesto ni Jelena.
During the trip
I was so uncomfortable during the biyahe. Maybe because hindi ako sanay sa napaka bilis na pagpapaandar ng sasakyan. Sobrang bilis and 'yung anxiety ko talaga is tumataas. I was kind of thinking that time na dapat pala dinala ko meds ko but tiniis ko na lang. Since nasa likod din kami ng sasakyan, with that speed, you know what to expect na. Humihiwalay talaga kaluluwa namin every time na umaalog sasakyan. Tinatawanan na lang namin ng mga nasa likod (apat kami by the way) but nahihilo na talaga ako that time. Hindi ako maarte to be honest, sadyang nahihilo lang ako that time kaya hindi ako makangiti ng maayos kay Jelena. Good thing is, may stop over kami kaya nakakapag pahinga kami kahit saglit and with that speed, ang bilis din namin nakarating ng Baguio!
Lion's Head
Obviously, the first stop is the Lion's head. The moment that we stepped out of the car and saw the Lion's Head, that's when I realized na nando'n na talaga kami and my heart was super happy. Saglit lang kami ro'n. Nag picture lang, take ng videos, then si Jelena, bumili ng strawberry taho. I want to rin kaso, like what I said, nahihilo ako and natatakot na baka magkalat ako sa biyahe kaya hindi ko nilagyan ng laman 'yung tiyan ko but according to Jelena, hindi daw masarap hahahaha. We all have our different taste and si Jelena, hindi niya nagustuhan but it was a great experience because strawberry taho is a trademark for Baguio. Hindi rin ako mahilig sa strawberry kaya hindi na rin ako tumikim but Lion's Head pa lang, we sure did had fun na.
Northern Blossom
From what I know, Northern Blosson is one of the newest attractions ng Atok. Going here, sobrang nagandahan talaga ako sa nakita ko. I was able to see rice terraces in person! Sobrang ganda and breath taking ng view. I can't believe I was there. Sobrang saya ng puso ko. We spent 2 hours sa place. Entrance fee is ₱250.00. Pricey siya for me actually but I guess the experience was okay naman. We took a lot of photos and videos. Super laki ng place and sobrang daming bulaklak talaga na pwedeng makita. Nakakapagod siya pabalik kasi super taas and niya. So much better magdala kayo water. Malamig but pagpapawisan kayo after. Though sa exit, merong free coffee and bread. Of course, 'di na ako kumuha because again, takot ako baka magkalat ako sa biyahe haha.
Highest Point
What you can do here is basically just look at the view. As the name speaks, it's the highest point. What we did here is take photos and dito na rin kami kumain ng lunch namin which I will be making a separate blog entry and review. May mga vendor din sa gilid. Super babait ng mga locals. That's one thing na super nagustuhan ko when we went there. Super babait nila. And nakakatawa kasi diyan ko na realize na when you go to Baguio, mas practical na ang bilhin mong pasalubong ay gulay instead of jams and other sweet delicacies. Why? Kasi nagulat ako na 'yung isang kilong patatas nila is ₱35.00 lang and kapag bumili ka ng 3 kilos ng assorted gulay (in my case, 1 kg of patatas, 1 kg of carrots, 1 kg of kamote), ₱100.00 lang! Super natuwa ako kaya napabili kami kaagad ng friend ko. Sulit!
Colz Travel Review (Part two)
After three destination, we finally arrived on our accomodation. The name was on the gate and medyo nagulat ako because again, it was different sa binigay sa'min sa voucher. What we know is shared accomodation, and we expect a different transient house because sinearch ko 'yung binigay nila. Bumaba kami without questioning anyone. Even our coor. When the owner of the accomodation asked us sino daw 'yung dalawa pa, nagtaas ako kamay. Kaya binigay sa'min 'yung isang room na pang 2 pax lang. Natuwa kami ng kaibigan of course because again, we though shared siya and sabi ko, mas maganda 'yung bagong accomodation compare sa nakita kong binigay ng Colz.
Then nagka aberya na no'ng kumatok 'yung owner na sabi, kulang daw 'yung room na pinareserve. Apparently, para pala sa isang couple na kasama namin 'yung room na binigay sa'min and nilipat kami sa ibang room. The owner asked us anong klaseng accomodation ba binigay Ma'am Jem and na confuse kami kasi wala kaming nakakausap na Jem and iba 'yung name ng coor namin. Hanggang sa pinalipat kami and pina share kami kila Tita (we call them tita now) together with our coor and driver. So bali, 7 kami sa isang room.
No'ng naka kwentuhan na namin 'yung coor and driver, even sila Tita (tatlo sila), that's when we realized na nilipat pala kami sa ibang agency and we were not informed by Colz. We asked for the name of their travel agency and nag usap kami ng friend ko na mas okay if sa kanila na kami mag book next time.
We were just disappointed kasi we were so confused simula palang sa pick up location. We're so glad na sinabi na lang sa'min na nailipat kami. Hindi naman kami maarte ng friend ko. We're okay if ilipat kami kasi we know na gano'n talaga ginagawa ng mga travel agencies especially when hindi na meet 'yung minimum pax. Kaso, wala kaming narinig from Colz about it. Edi sana, maayos namin na nakausap 'yung coor and owner ng accomodation. It's very upsetting and I don't think we'll book for Colz again. Maybe they treat influencers better lang talaga because they are influencers.
Super thankful lang kami kay God na napunta kami sa napaka bait and accomodating na travel agency. Super bait pa nila Tita na nakasama namin sa room kaya sobrang nag enjoy kami.
Accomodation
Nakalimutan namin 'yung name ng accomodation namin but it was good. Owners are so kind, very helpful and accomodating sa guests. They know how to treate their guests well. The rooms are clean! May malinis na bathroom, clean bed and sheets. May wifi, electric fan, electric kettle if you want hot drinks, and aparador. Meron ding tv but hindi na namin ginamit because we're all entertained with our kwentuhan na. Hindi rin namin nagamit 'yung electricfan because it's already cold and feeling namin habang natutulog is naka aircon kami. Super lamig! If maalala ko 'yung name, I will update it here. Super recommended ko talaga sila.
Night Market
Umuulan no'ng nag night market kami. Nag sstart pa lang sila mag set up kaya we decided to walk around the city, session road, while waiting for the night market to open up. Hirap kaming makakita ng kakainan. What we want is something local kasi talaga. A karinderya much better. We avoid eating sa mga fast food restaurants kahit na puno ng fast food chains 'yung place. We're too hungry na rin to wait for Night Market pa. Buti na lang, may parang palengke or food stalls na open somewhere and do'n kami kumain ng friend ko. Beef Shawarma, Takoyaki, and Buko Juice. Kasama namin kumain 'yung coor namin and si kuya driver. Naging official kuya and ate na talaga namin sila and naging super close. After that, we waiter na mag open and namasyal saglit sa Night Market. Most of it puro jackets and medyas ang tinda. May ilang nagtitinda ng t-shirts, bags, shoes, and meron ding place sa mga food lang. Gusto namin pumunta kaso busog and ayaw na namin gumastos. Bumili lang ako ng medyas for kuya. ₱100.00 per 3 pairs and good quality na siya for me. There are jackets na worth ₱100.00 lang din. Sulit talaga kahit umaambon!
Diplomat Hotel
Day 2. Isa 'to sa mga anticipated destination namin. Naglolokohan kami ng friend ko na mag go-ghost hunting kami. Sadly, hindi na allowed pumasok and hanggang labas na lang ang mga tourists. Though meron naman magandang small garden sa likod na pwede mag take ng pictures. Still, worth it puntahan.
Tam-Awan Village
Isa 'to sa mga favorite ko sa pinuntahan namin. Paakyat 'yung place and may bilihan din ng souveenirs. May free traditional dance performance pa. Maraming cool spots to take photos. Super ganda and super sulit ang pagpunta. You should definitely add this to your travel list sa Baguio.
Igorot Stone Village
Isa sa mga newest attractions ulit ng Baguio and I believe, 2021 lang nila binuksan. Ginagawa pa 'yung ilang parts and medyo mahaba ang pila and super daming tao. Maybe because bago nga lang siya and ito, super nakakapagod din 'yung pagakyat because mataas talaga siya but worth it naman pag akyat sa taas. Nakakapagod pero I suggest umakyat kayo for the experience. Minsan lang so sulitin niyo na!
Wright Park
Wala kaming masyadong ginawa rito. Hindi rin kami nakapasok sa The Mansion kasi bawal na rin sa loob. Kumain lang kami ng lunch dito and I will create another blog entry about it.
Mines View Park
Last destination. Probably least sa favorite ko. There's nothing so much to see here unless you like to see animals being used for profit. Maawain kasi talaga ako sa mga gano'n kaya hindi ako nag enjoy dito. May magandang view lang then that's it. Super crowded pa. We highly suggest na pumunta na lang kayo ng Botanical Garden or ng Bamboo Sanctuary which in our case, 'di na namin napuntahan. If you're looking for a place to buy great tshirts, this is the place. Ang gaganda ng tshirt. But sa labas and not sa loob.
Summary
Destination
Entrance Fee
Rate
Notes/Reminder
Lion's Head
₱0.00 (FREE)
You can buy strawberry taho for ₱50.00 a cup. Hindi gaano pa malamig. Maraming tao.
Northern Blossom
₱250.00
Bring water kasi nakakapagod pabalik. Malamig but don't wear jacket because pagpapawisan kayo after.
Highest Point
₱0.00 (FREE)
You can but vegetables here for as long as ₱100.00 per 3 kg if hindi kayo dadaan sa public market. You can also eat your lunch here, Highest Point Cafe to be exact.
Accomodation
N/A
Forgot the name but it was great. Malinis 'yung room. Maganda 'yung view. May wifi. Walang heater but it was okay for us.
Night Market
₱0.00 (FREE)
You guys don't want to miss this!
Diplomat Hotel
₱10.00
Bawal na pumasok sa loob. May small garden sa likod. Worth it pa rin puntahan.
Tam-Awan Village
₱100.00
One of the best and nagustuhan ko sa mga pinuntahan namin. Pataas and medyo nakakapagod but maganda 'yung place.
Igorot Stone Village
₱100.00
Nakakapagod, maganda but super daming tao.
Wright Park
₱0.00 (FREE)
Nothing to do but pictures lang and mag lakad. Kumain lang kami ng lunch dito. Bawal na pumasok sa The Mansion.
Mines View Park
₱10.00
Least favorite. Nothing to do much. May mga nagbebenta ng magagandang tshirts sa labas.
Tote bag is necessary. Less hassle kapag namamasyal na kayo.
Camera. A good camera to keep memories!
Powerbank
Extra money just in case
That's it. Mahaba but I think this is okay because this trip is something that I want to remember talaga kaya I want to be as detailed as possible. Will I be coming back? DEFINITELY! And I'll make sure na 3 days 2 nights na ang iaavail ko para sure na mapuntahan ko lahat because and dami pa naming hindi nadaanan. By the way, we also went to public market and you guys should go there as well. Super daming gulay na mabibili na super mura lang. Our pocket money is supposedly ₱2,000.00 lang but naging ₱3,000.00 because super dami naming gusto bilhin. But in that ₱3,000.00, included na lahat. Pamasage on and off to pick up location (nag grab pa kami pauwi), food namin all throughout the trip, pambili ng baon, pambili ng pasalubong, and entrance fees.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I hope nakatulong. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to message me in my Instagram account @lakbayatkainwithjen!
If you want to watch our cinematic vlog, just go to my VLOG page here in my website.
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