Colors of Baguio City Philippines

Me and my family just went to a three-day trip to Baguio City, the coolest part of the Philippines north of Manila. The city has drastically changed from the last time we visited years ago but it hasn't lost the refreshingly cool weather, familiar pine tree scent and wonderful parks and tourist places. One thing very noticeable prominent is the hundred fold increase in houses that dot the city landscape. You can literally see a full mountain made up of houses stacked together making it the only city with such an urban cityscape. Night and day the mountain of houses never ceases to amaze visitors because of its uniqueness in the entirety of the Philippine archipelago.

Though it rained on our first day of sightseeing forcing us to defer visits on most parks and landmarks, we found ourselves having a blast on the succeeding days which blessed us with beautiful sunshine and pretty colors that only Baguio can offer.

Baguio hasn't really lost its charm contrary to what most people say and given the opportunity, we will come back and explore the richness and beauty of this beautiful city in the mountain.

Resort Review: Bosay Resort in Antipolo City, Philippines

After having seen one of the billboards of Bosay resort along the highway on our way home, our son Justin has been endlessly begging us to visit the place and go for a weekend swim.Finally, two weeks after that initial request, we finally gave in and went to Bosay for a spin one "sunny that turned rainy" Saturday. I said it like  that because it was a hot and sunny morning when we headed for the resort which is just a few turns (less than 2 kilometers)from our house then when we were there, all of a sudden it rained heavily. Our spirits weren't damped however because it was a very beautiful heavy rainfall amidst a glittering sunshine! I am pretty sure that a bright glowing rainbow is going on somewhere else while we are being showered against the morning sunshine.

The resort is easily accessible from Antipolo proper as it is very near the main highway and public transportation is highly and readily available. Getting there is very easy and wouldn't pose a challenge to anyone wishing to get there even if they haven't been to Antipolo before. Riding a public transpo or your private vehicle, all you have to do is find the Unciano Hospital and go right into the road beside it and two or three turns going down you will easily spot the billboard of Bosay resort. There is a driveway going down towards the gate of the resort and the first edifice that you will see is the ticket office where you will buy tickets for you and your group.

If you are in a vehicle going inside, be warned of two steep ramps going to the pools and cottages. I suggest that that you heed the warning sign not so prominently displayed there that all passengers of the vehicle should alight first for easy climb up the ramp. As I was distracted by my son's excitement to go for a swim, I did not noticed the warning sign and poor driver that I am, I was unable to give enough throttle to the car and we have to stop midway and go down slowly, change gear and go up again. I got worried with that climb because my loved ones are with me and it was a good thing no vehicle was following us on the way up.

Anyways, after that short adrenaline rush on the way up, we finally parked and my son excitedly ran towards the pools to swim. Bosay has several swimming pools and each of it has its own name like the "turtle pool", "therapy pool" and "disco pool". They also have a huge olympic size pool and pools with slides.

Amenities of the resort includes private and open cottages strategically located inside the vast compound with rolling terrain and lots of trees. One thing though that caused a little confusion on our way to our cottage was the confusing maze inside which made us literally lost and unable to find the cottage that we have paid for. Frustrated and tired looking for that particular cottage named R11 or C11? we just occupied the first vacant cottage that we stumbled upon and promptly notified the ticket office that we will use it instead of the original that we have paid for. We made some adjustment on the fee though because the one that we used is bigger to the one that we did not find according to the staff.

Finally after settling down, we were finally able to relax and watch our son and his two "baby-sitters" enjoy frolicking in the water.

Private Cottage

The Turtle Pool

Slide of one of the pools

Statue of a mythological creature called "Kapre" in the Phils.

Dinosaur Statue near the "Therapy Pool"

The dinosaur up close

The olympic pool

T-Rex near the "Disco Pool"

The T-Rex up close

The olympic pool as viewed from the "Disco Pool"

I wish I have collected these toys

Came across an exhibit of realistic miniature collection of toys at SM Megamall recently and I can't help but be amazed at the stunning details of the toys. The collection ranged from tiny toy soldiers arranged in battle formations to replicas of planes, aircraft carriers, cars, boats, ships and robots.

Looking at the realistic details of the toys continue to mesmerize me at no end. 'twas such a delight seeing those little toys and I felt as if I was transported to my childhood. The memories keep flashing while I stare with awe at the intricacies and sheer number of toys laid right in front of me.

I used to dream owning sets of those toy soldiers and war machinery during my childhood but till till this ripe age of 42 I really have't have the chance to fulfill it. All I can manage to acquire for the last so many years was my collection of scaled down sports bikes which numbers to a measly nine pieces.

Seeing the exhibit just renowned my passion for highly detailed toys and my thanks goes to the organizers of the exhibit who just gave me a trip down to memory lane. Given the chance and the right financial standing I would still pursue collecting miniature toys albeit now so much for my own purpose now but for my only son who is also very fond of toys.