A Weekend in Baguio: A Birthday Celebration and a Much-Needed Recharge

Baguio has always been our go-to destination when we’re not hopping on a plane. There’s just something about the cool breeze, pine trees, and laid-back vibe that keeps us coming back. This time, we headed up to Baguio for a special reason—celebrating Ivan’s birthday. Although we hadn’t planned it far in advance (due to our furbaby Alexa giving birth), it turned out to be the perfect weekend getaway.

For this trip, we decided not to drive. Honestly, I’ve never driven to Baguio before. We have a small car, and while I’m sure it could handle the trip, I’ve always had this feeling that the mountainous roads might be a bit too much for it—or maybe I’m just not ready to take on that challenge yet! So instead, we parked our car at PITX and took the Solid North Bus. It was actually a pretty smooth ride, and it gave us a chance to relax before we even got to Baguio. No need to stress about traffic or navigating the zigzag roads—I just sat back and enjoyed the journey.

This trip wasn’t about sightseeing or ticking off tourist spots. We’ve been to Baguio countless times already, so we skipped the usual places like Burnham Park or Mines View. Instead, it was all about taking it easy, celebrating Ivan’s birthday, and recharging after the busy weeks we’d had. We spent most of our time just enjoying the cool weather and indulging in some good food (because, really, what’s a Baguio trip without food?).

There’s something about Baguio that feels like a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively. The city has this way of making you feel like you’ve escaped the busyness of life, even if you’ve been there so many times. We spent mornings with coffee, looking out at the view and enjoying the crisp air. It felt great to have no set plans, no rush—just pure relaxation.

For Ivan’s birthday, we kept things simple but special. We had dinner at one of our favorite spots in the city, which has a cozy ambiance and serves up the best comfort food. It wasn’t a fancy celebration, but it was just the way we wanted it. We also got a cake from one of the local bakeries—nothing extravagant, just something sweet to mark the occasion. The best part? The slow pace of the day allowed us to truly savor the moment.

Baguio has become that place for us—a “safe space,” if you will, when we need a break but don’t want the hassle of flying somewhere far. It’s familiar yet always refreshing. Even though we’ve seen most of what the city has to offer, it still feels like a treat to visit. Maybe it’s the climate, or maybe it’s the comforting thought that it’s just a bus ride away.

I love how every trip to Baguio brings something different. This time, it was more about celebrating milestones and finding time to just be. It’s funny how we can go to the same place over and over, yet it still gives us something new each time.

After this trip, I’m still thinking about whether I’ll ever drive to Baguio myself. Maybe one day, I’ll feel more confident behind the wheel, or maybe we’ll upgrade to a car that feels more suited for those winding roads. For now, though, I’m more than happy to leave the driving to the bus and enjoy the view from the passenger seat.

This trip was exactly what we needed—no pressure, no long lists of things to do, just pure relaxation and celebration. Baguio never disappoints, and even after so many visits, it still feels like a little retreat from reality. I’m sure we’ll be back again soon, whether it’s for another birthday, a random weekend getaway, or just because we need a break.

Here’s to more trips like this—spontaneous, restful, and filled with little moments that make life sweeter.