Vigan

After we left Baguio, we headed to Vigan.  Vigan is an old Spanish colonial town the only one to completely survive the bombings.  The story goes that a Japanese commander had fallen in love with a local princess.  He wanted to save her and her family, which might have been his children.  He told all the residents to put American flags on their roofs and they were thus saved from the bombings.  They indeed have a lot of history and awesome old buildings to offer up being saved.
We arrived late afternoon and were exhausted from being on the road for 5 hours.  So, when we checked into the hotel we wanted to rest before we headed out to dinner.  There was not much rest to be had however, because the restaurant across the street was having a Christmas party to include of course karaoke.  No party is complete in the Philippines without karaoke or videoke.  The party lasted until midnight.  Luckily, we were so exhausted we slept through it.  We stayed at Grandpa's Inn because that's where I picked.  I enjoyed it but if we go back I would stay somewhere else.  First, it was so loud.  The windows are made out of capiz shells and the hotel was located on a very busy street.  So, I would pick a place on one of the pedestrian streets next time.  Second, they only offered Filipino breakfast with the room.  Yes, I know where I live but they have continental breakfast on the menu and its the same price as the Filipino breakfast.  So, why I can't I have it for free with my room?  I just can't eat Filipino breakfast.  It consists of rice/garlic rice and some form of meat.  I can't eat that much in the morning.  So, here's a glimpse at Grandpa's Inn:

The next morning we decided it was time to get out and see Vigan.  Our first stop was RG Jar, a pottery factory.  RG Jar has been around a really long time.  They have a 50m-long kiln that was built in 1823.  They told us it can hold up to 1000 jars!  They gave us a show and showed us how to use the wheel to make their jars.  They have a very old wheel that has to be turned manually.  The poor man was sweating like crazy making a jar to show us.  He then invited Brian to make one.  Well, he invited me as well but I'm not artistically inclined.

After that we toured a couple of museums.

Vigan was the best at night time.  Here's a view of the loveliness:

A Breath of Fresh Mountain Air

Yes, I did say a breath of fresh mountain air.  After 100 Islands National Park we traveled to Baguio.  Baguio is in the mountains at 6000 ft.  It was still a bit on the warm side but as comparing it to Manila it was amazingly cool and refreshing.  At night it even got into the upper 50s and low 60s.  It felt wonderful.  We were in Baguio for 6 days and 5 nights.  There were many things to see in Baguio.  So, when Brian wasn't working I had him taking me to see as many of the places we could.  The only thing on my list that I didn't get to see was the Baguio Buddhist Temple.  I was saddened not to be able to see it but Brian says we will go back to make sure I see it.  We stayed at the Ambassador's Residence in the Yamashita room.

While in Baguio we visited the Bell Church, a Chinese temple with a hint of Catholicism thrown in, the St. Louis University Museum (no pictures) and the Philippine Military Academy.  The Bell Church was my favorite.  I am very interested in all religions and visiting different churches/ temples is one of my most favorite things.

Bell Church

Philippine Military Academy

While in Baguio I went with my friend Emily and her little girl to eat at Bliss Cafe.  Bliss Cafe is a lacto-vegan cafe with a flair for Indian foods.  Brian refused to eat there with me and I was grateful for Emily because she wanted to eat there as well.  Our food was delicious!  I read that many of the people from the Buddhist Temple (that I didn't get to see) frequent Bliss.  I had a strawberry salad that was delicious and Emily had samosas that were equally delicious.  Bliss is located in Hotel Elizabeth which is a beautiful a hotel.  Here is a view of their gardens.