Tourism

Baguio's Fried Ice Cream

The City of Pines, Baguio City is the summer capital of the Philippines. I’ve never seen a residence and transient house with electric fans but water and/or water heater is a necessity because of their cold weather. In a hotel we stayed years ago when I was assigned for a certain project by known telecom company, it wasn’t airconditioned… no need because its too cold already.

Anyway, I’ve been looking for fried ice cream in Manila and never had luck of finding it in some of the shopping malls I know. Would you believe that there’s fried ice cream in Baguio? I never imagined that of all places I could found one in Baguio. My overwhelming happiness made me watch how it was made. The staff stirred the liquid cream and pour it into the stainless pan and she continuously stirring the liquid until it is frozen. If that so, how did they call it, “fried ice cream”?

The liquid or cream was “cooked” using dual temperature, hot and cold. I even requested the friendly staff if I can take a peak underneath the stainless pan. There are lots of hose there and a stainless tank. The kiosk can be found at SM City Baguio and the only branch they have. Price per cone is Php 12 only. Try it if you happen to pass by SM Baguio.

SM City Baguio

When somebody asked me what is SM Baguio looks like, I instantly says, “the only shopping mall in the Philippines that’s not airconditioned”. And I will explained that it doesn’t need to be airconditoned at all because its in Baguio already. Well, I suppose their theaters are airconditioned (I haven’t tried and don’t have plans of trying).

For travellers that passed by Baguio, feel at ease leaving your bags at SM baggage counter in the department store, I saw many bags there when I leave my backpack. No questions asked compared to SM hypermart at the ground floor. This mall was once the Pines Hotel that was caught in fire in 1982, SM Baguio opened in 2003. The good thing about having SM in Baguio is having a one stop shopping place for vacationists, my family usually rented transient house where we can cook. Every cooking things we need on the duration of our stay was bought in SM Hypermart. Unlike before that we will just bought what was available in some minimarts, no choice. Its advisable to pass by SM Baguio when you arrive and before you leave the City of Pines.

The entire complex stands on Luneta Hill at the northern tip of the city’s historic Session Road overlooking Burnham Park.SM Baguio is roofed with translucent white fiber enabling sunlight to illuminate the inside on a clear sunny day. Also, the verandas overlook the whole city, giving the best view of the city’s tourist attractions, such as the Burnham Lake, the city hall, the Athletic Bowl, as well as the Session Road. Use the telescope located in the veranda for Php 5 coin. Last image was Burnham Park from SM Baguio Veranda.

Pasalubong From La Union

Few years back, I was thinking of what to bring home as pasalubong from La Union. Since I was in La Union, pasalubong should be their native products. I didn’t know that their major products are basi, sukang iloko, honey and inabel not until I visited their website before we travel to La Union. Dried fish along the highway before Bauang, you could see stalls selling various kinds of dried fish.

Many years ago, we used to buy daing na espada (dried swordfish) in a specialty store in Baguio. I guess, this is also one of La Union’s products since I can’t see any store selling daing na espada in Baguio. I could say that its one of my favorites because of its crispiness and its not salty unlike any dried fish. However, I’m lucky to find a vendor selling the said dried fish on the overpass near Burnham Park and bought Php 100 worth of daing. I should have bought more…

Anyway, if you’re looking for authentic La Union products, you could visit La Union Trade Center beside San Fernando, La Union Municipal Hall. The products from image above, from top to bottom: Basi, a native wine from sugar cane juice and tastes like red wine… sukang iloko, native vinegar of Ilocos and honey.

Ifugao Woodcraft

Vacation To Bauang, La Union

Few pictures from my vacation to Bauang, La Union. There’s nothing much to see in Bauang except their beach. Surfers are frequently in San, La Union and we failed to go there because its not surfing season. We always spent few days vacation here yearly because my friend is a part owner of the beachfront compound. We didn’t spent much money except for transportation and food, we call this “budget vacation”. Beach sunset is always a theraphy on our stressful mind and body and we love going back here yearly, and avoided peak season especially during holy week ang summer vacation.

I took pictures of the cottage we stayed, the bamboo bridge so pass by the fishponds with lots of mangroves, the sunset, the fishermen… feel free to click the images for larger view. Since we are always here, my 5th time according to my friend, I was looking forward to explore more places near the area. I research for places in Bauang but their website is not yet accessible. I guess, exploring Bauang will be the next priority aside from visiting San Juan, La Union on our next trip here.