Cafe by the Ruins

After having some hot chocolate at Arko ni Apo, we had dinner at Cafe by the Ruins. The place was quite popular among locals and tourists, so my Baguio-based friend told me. I surmised as much as when we arrived and it was still early for dinner then, the place was almost full.

The ambiance was pretty. Artworks decorated the walls and the tables, chairs and placemats were all locally made but I was so concerned with my grumbling stomach that I did not take the opportunity to take many pictures of the place.

Their breads were one of the best I ever had. And it was most unique too as I never had camote bread in my entire life! I mean, I know camote can be made into camote cue and chips and is an ingredient in ginataan, which happens to be one of my Favorite Filipino snacks, but I did not know that it can be made into bread.

I was starving that night I ordered a sandwich and pasta. They were really good. Below are their pictures though the latter was taken rather too brightly as my camera then was new and I was yet to master it (I literally just point and shoot at my subject without any care at all to its functions).

The Ruins is located in 23 Chuntug Street, Baguio City. You may contact them through telephone numbers (074) 442-4010 and (074) 446-4010. Their fax number is (074) 442-5272.

Arko ni Apo

Arko ni Apo is located just across Tam-Awan Village. It had a coffee shop and an art gallery and is the home of renowned artist Ben Hur Villanueva.

We had snacks and hot chocolate in their coffee shop. Their hot chocolate was one of the best I ever had. It was rich and not too sweet to the taste.

Inside the coffee shop were house decors and artworks that were just lovely. Some were for sale, the others weren’t. I fell in love with a coffee, creamer and sugar bamboo set but the lady of the house said it wasn’t for sale. Later on, after some prodding, she gave in and sold it to me for Php1,000. Family members said I was lucky as most guests had asked to buy it from their mom but she never budged. They added that a Filipino actress even tried to buy it from her in vain. Whoa. Too bad the blogger in me was yet to be born then thus I wasn’t able to take a picture of the set before I gave it to a very close friend for a Christmas present.

Like most galleries, taking of pictures is not allowed. One can take shots of whatever is in the coffee shop though. Below are two shots I took.

What makes the place very special to me was the reception I got from the family members. The couple was very friendly and accommodating. We met their son too named Baguio (the family was not originally from Baguio and Baguio was the first child to be born there, thus the name) and he was just adorable.

Hopefully, I can visit them again when I go back to Baguio.

Tam-Awan Village

After enjoying a sumptuous lunch, my Manila-based friend said he would go back to Manila for an important family event. I opted to stay so I could see more of Baguio.

We parted ways at the bus terminal, where he dropped us off. It was the 23rd of December and the place was teeming with people buying tickets for Manila. The lines were endless! I actually thought I wouldn’t be able to buy a ticket and would be stuck in Baguio for the holidays as there was a post about all buses being fully booked on the 24th. Good thing they offered more seats later. Whew!

Afterwards, my Baguio-based friend and I went to Tam-Awan Village. Tam-Awan means a vantage point and is a haven for Baguio artists and their work of art. It was a very pretty place and I thoroughly enjoyed my tour of it.

At the entrance, there’s this carabao. Cool.

And a signage that enabled guests to know where to go and what to see.

It had galleries too where various works of art were displayed. Taking of pictures was strictly prohibited but I did manage to take two photos, with permission of course.

There were huts too where guests could actually check-in. Interesting.

In doing the eco-walk, one would find some art pieces like the pictures below.

I love this bamboo bridge. And contrary to my initial thought of it being fragile, it was actually sturdy as even two people could cross it at the same time.

Tam-Awan Village is located in 366-C Pinsao Proper, 2600 Baguio City. You may contact them through (074) 446-2949 / (074) 442-5551. For more details, please visit their official website at http://www.tamawanvillage.com/index.php.