Baguio City Images: Strawberries

Usually I write about topics such as Baguio lodging. In this article though, I'll be discussing Baguio City more generally.

An image that comes to mind when I think of Baguio City is the image of strawberries. I remember for example how I once visited a place in Baguio where you could go out into the fields and pick the strawberries yourself. The temperature was cool, as is usually the case in that city.

You're basically surrounded by land, carved into furrows. And along these lines you find the strawberry plants. You have yourself a basket, and you wander around looking for strawberries which appear to already be ripe for picking. You place them in your basket and bring them back to a particular location where you make the necessary payment. Having armed yourself with some very fresh strawberries, you can then proceed to prepare perhaps strawberries with cream, and whether you choose sweet cream or sour cream, the result is usually quite good.

And that type of experience is only the tip of the iceberg. Since Baguio City is one of the few places where strawberries can be relatively conveniently grown in the Philippines, it takes those strawberries and tries to make the most of them. So you're not just looking at strawberries with cream. In fact, you'll probably be presented with a huge variety of products which are related to strawberries.

For example, one of the more common products is strawberry preserve. You can find it usually in glass bottles, being sold pretty much all over the city, and especially in the market. It actually makes for a pretty good sandwich filling, and I sometimes use it in a sandwich along with some cheese. Some strawberry preserve is actually better than others, so have a good look at the product before you buy. Prices also vary, depending on where you're buying and on what exactly you're buying.

Other examples of strawberry products I've either tried or seen include strawberry candy, strawberry jam, strawberry wine which actually surprised me a bit, and the list goes on. And don't even get me started on the various products carved out of wood, or created using other materials, which have a strawberry theme.

Again, strawberries are one of those images which are intricately related to the city of Baguio. A rather delicious image if you ask me. Thank you for reading this article.

About the Author

This author writes about Baguio City. Please consider readings his blog posts, such as this one about Baguio lodging.

Some real local day trips in Boracay

West of Panay Island, in the Visayas of the Philippines, Boracay (http://www.boracay.travel/destination_guide) is the holiday hotspot many people still haven't yet found, although not for lack of services, reputation and attention. Just 350 kilometres south of Manila, Boracay's more than 300 resorts, world-famous beaches and friendly people make the amazing palm-fringed coastline the perfect place to relax, party or enjoy the myriad water sports and other activities on offer. However, there is so much more to Boracay that most visitors do not even scrape the surface. In particular, there are great day trips and experiences that avoid the crowds and impart a sense of life as lived by a local!

Nature and wildlife are abundant on and near Boracay, but there's no better spot at which to take this all in than Caticlan, a pristine world of natural beauty on the mainland near the airport, just a short trip from Boracay in a banca (local ferry boat). It's a favourite local place for hiking, biking and just soaking up the serenity.

A view to distant Boracay Island from the Malay mountains From Caticlan, for a bit of physical challenge, Nasog Point is ideal. To get there, make your way to the town of Malay and then head to the beachfront. Follow the path off to the left and walk along the beach (towards Pahle) until the path takes you to a hill. Starting halfway up, there are stunning views of Boracay! Take drinking water with you.

After the hike, nearby Pahle (just mentioned) is an incredible resort with hardwood furniture and native artwork. Order in advance for the fabulous vegetarian cuisine and then relax by the sea.

Alternatively, from Malay head up to Agnaga Falls. Most tricycle (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=DlVNxB9kG00) drivers know it and will drop you off at a bridge, from which it's an invigorating 40-minute walk via native villages, small rice terraces, mountain pathways and coconut plantations. Reward yourself with a dip in the freshwater swimming hole at the end.

If you instead want to meet some locals, head down to the jetty port and ask a tricycle to go to Nabaoy (Nab-ah-oy) River. Here you can join in on some karaoke in the native huts or cross the bridge and then follow the river around to the right to the picnic area, a deck on stilts built around two huge trees. Order food on site or bring your own. Drink a fresh buko (young coconut) juice. Immerse yourself in the fresh river waters.

A riverside stretch on the Nabaoy near the picnic area Back on Boracay, to experience local life, take a tricycle to Manoc Manoc Plaza and then walk to Manoc Manoc Beach. The entire island's cargo arrives here and you will be amazed both by what you see and the innovative ways the local banca boys unload it!

At the back of the beach, there is an old Aeta cemetery surrounded by the well-beaten pathways used by locals to get from village to village.

One favourite spot is Laurel Island, better known as Crystal Cove. There's an entrance fee of 100 Philippino pesos per person, but you can bring your own food and use proper facilities, including good cooking and eating areas. The best location is across the cleared area by the entrance and then up the steps. Grab a table on the hill with amazing sea views and breezes.

Finally, try exploring Boracay from the back of a horse (http://www.boracay.travel/Horse_Riding)! Morning sunrise trips reveal the island in all its beauty.

For lots more information about Boracay, including accommodations, tours, activities and loads of insider tips, contact your local whl.travel connection: Helen and the Go Discover team at http://www.boracay.travel.

About the Author

Shaun is part of the whl.travel team, a global network of locally based travel operators - with great local tips and hints for travellers!