Baguio - Educational Field Trip

Our students from Bulacan State University was overly excited on the 3rd day of our educational field trip. The first few days spent in the Ilocos Region was a complete success but very tiring because of the heat. They enjoyed most part of their trip especially during the boodle fight served in Ihawan sa Caoayan .

See happy faces. Clearly enjoying the good weather in Baguio.

Baguio is well loved by many tourists because of its clean air, fairly cold weather, and good food. It is the summer capital of the Philippines and just 6 hours away from Manila.
We left Vigan at around 3pm and arrived in Baguio approx. 8pm in time for dinner. It was an uneventful land trip because everybody was tired and opt to sleep the rest of the way.

Oh how the students loved Baguio. They became giggly when they see Igorots in their traditional wear . They jumped for joy when they visited the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm and saw for the first time a strawberry plant . And no matter how cold it was , they were too eager to eat a strawberry flavored ice cream. Even the Taho is strawberry flavored.

Strawberry Flavored (Dirty?) Ice Cream sold at La Trinidad Benguet

Then we toured them at the Taoist Temple/Bell Church.

Bell Church

Other places we visited : Philippine Military Academy, The Mansion , Wright Park, Session Road, Baguio Cathedral, Mines View Park, Burnham Park

Boating @ Burnham Park

Burnham Park and its legendary sunflower plants

Burnham Park hasn't changed a bit since I last visited. Well maybe for some renovations and other add on vendors but it still evokes a feeling of calmness and of sweet childhood memories.
The students enjoyed exploring Burnham Park and buying souveinirs/pasalubong from the nearby Maharlika Market.

We stayed another 2nights in Baguio. It was a successful trip giving the students a much needed break from their thesis writing .

On the 5th day , we safely travelled back to Bulacan where the parents and guardians of our students are patiently waiting for our return. I was more than thankful that I was able to deliver back the students to their respective parents safe and sound.

For travel questions and requests , you may go to our FB page (search : VIAJE ROYALE TRAVEL SERVICES)

We'd be happy to assist you :)

Ilocos Region - educational field trip



Confucius says "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life"
While some of us are blessed with our dream jobs , some still suffer from the rut. I have gone through the worst 9 to 5 routine in the past , jobs that I dreaded , boss that freaks me out , colleagues that were not too friendly, pay that were sub living standards etc. But now I'm happy that I'm in control. The best part is, I can travel whenever and wherever I want.

The best I love about my job is whenever I am at work I can play and play ,(when i'm on vacation) can be a business opportunity. It's a win-win situation eh?

My trip to the Ilocos Region is one of those days that I had to work and play at the same time with 50kids in tow. Graduating Engineering students of the University of Bulacan chose to travel to Ilocos (and Baguio) to cap off their College life. It's an educational trip to kick off and launch their adult life .


Graduating Engineering students of Bulacan State University in tow for an Educational Trip in the Ilocos Region (2015)



Day 01 :
We commenced our trip by visiting Metro Clark Waste Management and Clark Water Treatment Facility . As it was on the way going to Vigan , we spent half day in Clark for the obligatory Plant Tour Visit which was headed by the representative of the Clark Tourism board , Ms Lyzia Marzan.

IE students listening intently on the process of waste management implemented in Clark

Their spokesperson inviting the graduating students to apply at their facility after graduation. Ha!



A quick lunch @Ikabud Restaurant in San Fernando and we were on our way to Vigan.
Vigan is 7 to 8hours from Manila . Or from Clark it's a solid 5 to 6 hours by land. Students took this opportunity to catch some Zzzzzzsss because  pickup at the school premises was early morning.

It was past 9pm already when we arrived in Vigan and everybody was really hungry. And so instead of checking in first we had dinner @Ihawan sa Caoayan. It's a boodle food fight type of serving. Really nice , filling , delicious , authentic and inexpensive. Highly commendable. #Musteat when in Vigan.


Sorry for the crappy picture. It was late at night. Everybody hungry. No more energy for posing .
Long line of boodle fight food served only @Ihawan sa Caoayan. The Best!
 

Day 02:

Save this day for Laoag and Pagudpud. From Vigan we headed to Laoag which is approx. 1hr and 45mins away. 

Beautiful Paoay Church.

 

Paoay Empanada. My Tour Guide Claire says it is different from the Vigan Empanada in terms of filling.
Must Eat! And don't forget to dunk it in sukang iloko. Makes me hungry now while typing :)

And while the students are touring the Paoay Church , I cannot resist the urge to try their famous Paoay Empanada. It costs around 50pesos and delicious! It kept me fueled until we reach our destination in Pagudpud which is another 1hr and a half.

Bangui Windmills

En route to Pagudpud , who wouldn't notice these gigantic fans ? Bangui Windmills is a tourist attraction in Bangui, Ilocos Norte. It's a power generating windmill farm . Need I say more ? :)
This area is best for picture taking only. No swimming please. Water current and waves is strong and the public are advised to stay out of the water. Entrance is FREE but it would not hurt if you buy some trinkets from the locals as souveinir. Help them survive.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
 

My tour guide , Claire reminded the students to be careful when traversing the rock formations. One slip and you may hurt yourself . And if you're really tired ,there are horses to take you there for a fee .



Group picture @Patapat Viaduct.
Happy students makes us happy too!
 

Day 03 :
Our last day in Ilocos was spent touring Vigan. We started off in Baluarte.

Free entrance in Baluarte. Gov Chavit Singson's pet animals are showcased here.

 

Other Vigan attractions we visited are : St Paul's Cathedral , Burgos Museum , Paburnayan (Jar making), Heritage Village (where you see old houses preserved and souveinir shopping), Bantay Church and Bell Tower .
My favorite place of all Vigan is Plaza Burgos where I can enjoy piping hot Vigan Empanada.

See how it differs in color with the Paoay Empanada. The brightly colored emapanda is enticing to the eye as against the pale colored one in Paoay. My verdict is...... Still Vigan Empanada :)

While my students are touring the Heritage Village, I was munching on this perfect empanada. Sorry students I gotta eat here :)

Our last meal in Ilocos before going up to Baguio is Ihawan sa Caoayan.
To enjoy this fare you must dig in with your bare clean hands.

Now after lunch our students were quite excited because our next stop would be : BAGUIO!!


For travel questions and requests , you may go to our FB page (search : VIAJE ROYALE TRAVEL SERVICES)

We'd be happy to assist you :)