La Union - Baguio getaway

Finally! Sa dinami-dami ng pinangarap kong out-of-town trips, may natuloy! :D I had an amazing weekend. I've never felt so relaxed and energized like that since I started working. Thanks to my officemates, especially to Heidi for being the organizer of this trip and to her Ate Cynthia and kids for welcoming us so warmly to her home.

We had a tour around Naguilian, a town in La Union. We got to visit where their local wine is made, a house that makes silver accessories and the river that runs through the town. It's under recovery from the Pepeng storm, I have a feeling it used to be so refreshing.

(basi, the locally-produced wine; Heids&me before the river; the hut that sheltered us from the heat; all 5 of us :)

Then of course, there's San Juan beach. Wow daming machong surfers! :D I didn't try to surf because I was a little unsure if I want to, but next time I'm there, I promise I would. Watching them from a distance, they look so cool and confident, and I wanna be cool and confident too, you know! :D I had so much fun playing with the waves. Every time a big wave would hit me and knock me down, I shriek like there's no tomorrow. And then, the sunset. To witness sunset in the beach is always a blessing. Night time, we went by the beach and had some alcohol in our system, while playing Bullshit and talking about anything & everything (office rants mostly :D ). Being sleepless for 36 hours then a few bottles of beer, sleep that night couldn't get any sweeter.

(the machong surfers; the beach; the waves; the jump)

(sunset; beer while playing Bullshit)

I also had the chance to reflect about my plans, my dreams and my life in general. Cliche but I realized while I was alone looking at the beach enjoying the wind on my face, that life is so darn beautiful. Sure, it is clouded with problems and endless worries but wonderful still. Emo!! :D Ganyan ako mag-isip pag nahahanginan. That one hour I spent alone staring at the waves was so precious to me. I truly needed a peaceful hour like that one :)

(my luya-shaped feet having their moment)

And off we travelled up going to Baguio! An hour or less travel from Naguilian, we boarded an ordinary bus and were lucky and kapalmuks enough to avail student discounts. BTW, it was my first time in Baguio, ssssh! We did not have much time to visit all possible pasyalans in Baguio. It was like a semi-Amazing Race, except we do not have competitors.

(strawberry farm; fresh strawberries; Tam-awan; natives dancing; Mines View Park; last hangout-SM Baguio, overlooking the whole city)

It was a great weekend, that I didn't feel like getting back to work anymore. But of course I knew I have to. How would I be able to finance next getaways if I'm poor and penniless, right? Thank you Lord for the gift of rest and adventure. :)


photos grabbed from Heids&Ai
San Juan, La Union; Baguio City.
February 6&7, 2009



Oh hey, Happy Valentine's Day! <3