Tribute to Summer 03: Feeling like a Cowgirl! Horseback-riding at Wright Park, Baguio City
Beautiful horses waiting to give customers a ride at Wright Park.
The third post in the Tribute to Summer series details the trip I took with my family to Baguio City on a warm, sunny day after a meet-up with my endocrinologist.
(Related: The first post from the Tribute to Summer series can be found here.)
The Philippines, being a Southeast Asian country, only has two seasons: Dry and Rainy; there is no in-between-- just these two extremes of temperature. Filipinos try to escape from the unrelenting heat of the sun by going to the pool/beach, staying cool indoors, or climbing to places in high altitude-- and Baguio City is one such place. Dubbed the "Summer Capital of the Philippines", Baguio City in the Cordillera Administrative Region of the Philippines is about 1,500 meters from sea level. It is close to the sun, but it's cool and crisp most of the year. From my experience living in Baguio for almost two years, temperatures can go up to 33° Celsius during dry season to as low as 9° Celsius during the rainy season. February and December, in my opinion, are the coolest months.
There are gazillions of things to do and see in Baguio City and its neighboring provinces like La Trinidad and Ifugao, but one of the most popular attractions since its heyday in the 80's is Wright Park-- the place to be for some leisurely (or adventurous, depending on your mood) horseback-riding.
HORSEBACK-RIDING
Among all other facilities and attractions, Wright Park is famous for its horses. Near the entrance to the park, there's a makeshift stable where horses and trainers (also known as "pony boys") gather to wait to be picked by a customer.
Different types of routes are also available. For beginner riders or for those who just want their horses to stroll leisurely, they have a dirt path nearby. The horses here just stroll around in a circle until the time is up.
(Related: The second post from the Tribute to Summer series can be found here.)
An hour of horseback-riding under the guidance of a "pony boy" goes for Php 400.00, and a half-hour goes for Php 200.00. There are also different trails available for a negotiable price.
THE "STONEHENGE" GARDEN AND VIEWPOINT
Up a set of stairs opposite the dirt track used for horseback riding is a viewpoint perfect for taking that awesome postcard-worthy souvenir picture with a mountainside backdrop.
There is a lot to Baguio City than just being a sweet escape from the heat of the summer. It is known for the most conventional and family-friendly activities that satisfy people of all types and ages. And the good thing about the city is that it still keeps on growing and improving. I mean, who hasn't heard of the yearly Panagbenga (Flower) Festival and the cherry blossoms park with its soon-to-bloom sakura in 2019? Also, I recommend food-tripping to thoroughly sample Baguio's diverse and plentiful food showcase-- unless you're the type of person who feels queasy at the very thought of having to pass through a zigzag road on a full stomach!
There are gazillions of things to do and see in Baguio City and its neighboring provinces like La Trinidad and Ifugao, but one of the most popular attractions since its heyday in the 80's is Wright Park-- the place to be for some leisurely (or adventurous, depending on your mood) horseback-riding.
HORSEBACK-RIDING
Among all other facilities and attractions, Wright Park is famous for its horses. Near the entrance to the park, there's a makeshift stable where horses and trainers (also known as "pony boys") gather to wait to be picked by a customer.
Different types of routes are also available. For beginner riders or for those who just want their horses to stroll leisurely, they have a dirt path nearby. The horses here just stroll around in a circle until the time is up.
(Related: The second post from the Tribute to Summer series can be found here.)
An hour of horseback-riding under the guidance of a "pony boy" goes for Php 400.00, and a half-hour goes for Php 200.00. There are also different trails available for a negotiable price.
Saw a handsome stallion named Midnight in the middle of a tent.
Take your pick.
This is the dirt track where horses just stroll around until the time paid for is consumed. While riders may drive their horses to gallop here, most just enjoy the sunshine and the cold climate on a slow stroll.
After horseback-riding, we took pictures and selfies with Jack-jack, an adorable Saint Bernard, for Php 10.00 per person. You can also have pictures taken with him by a professional and have them printed for an additional fee.
Jack-jack is not the only celebrity pooch inside the park-- there's another Saint Bernard near the stairs opposite the horseback-riding track whose "professional fees" are similar to Jack-jack's. Also near the stairs is a beautiful-looking horse with a pink mane (whose name and fees I didn't catch) waiting for considerate customers who will take pictures with her.
SHOPPING AT WRIGHT PARK
There are plenty of souvenir shops, ukay-ukay stalls (the Filipino version of thrift stores), and food kiosks all throughout the park.
An outdoor shop that sells potted plants.
#withfilter
Ambulant vendors selling grapes (Php 180.00/kg), strawberries (Php 120.00/kg), sliced green mangoes with savory shrimp paste (Php 5.00/pack), corn, and peanuts.
Synthetic silver jewelry for sale.
An entire street is dedicated to stalls selling different kinds of merchandise.
THE "STONEHENGE" GARDEN AND VIEWPOINT
Up a set of stairs opposite the dirt track used for horseback riding is a viewpoint perfect for taking that awesome postcard-worthy souvenir picture with a mountainside backdrop.
These stairs may not be steep, but because of the cold air you'll start to catch your breath midway through.
A pay-per-use restroom (coins only) and kiosks selling wooden key chains can be found at the top of the stairway.
The viewpoint.
Specialty headresses and costumes can be bought or rented here to help tourists stay in-character during the photo op.
There are also food kiosks here that sell the basic snackables beloved by Filipinos such as burgers, chips, soda, ice cream, cookies, and fries.
There are also stalls that sell souvenir items like shirts, knitted bags, jams and delicacies, hats, brooms and jewelry.
Further into the area is a curious circular structure reminiscent of the infamous Stonehenge. Compared to England's version, this one here in Wright Park is surrounded by a bunch of sweet-scented pine trees and its pillars were designed to look like they were made of wood.
It's Stonehenge in the most idyllic setting.
KETCHUP FOOD COMMUNITY
Grabbing food is never a problem when in Baguio City (except during Christmas break, when food establishments are usually full, Jollibee runs out of Chickenjoy, traffic is slower than my grandma on her walker, and exhausted taxi drivers avoid passengers like the plague). We could have driven to dine in nearby establishments like the Safari Lodge Restaurant or 50's Diner but, luckily, there's a place just opposite Wright Park that houses not just one but five restaurants.
The Ketchup Food Community is well-known in Baguio for being the ultimate place that is not only far from the crowded city proper but also is able to offer a lot of options in just one big compound.
An unusually tall pine tree stands in the middle of the five restaurants.
Inside Ketchup Food Community are the following restaurants:
1. Canto, which specializes in Western food.
2. Green Pepper, famous for its gourmet food.
3. Rancho Norte, whose name and food exude macho-ness.
4. Happy Tummy, Thai dishes.
5. Rumah Sate, which specializes in Asian classic and fusion dishes.
One of the most efficient methods I've seen within Ketchup is that even while you're already dining in one restaurant, you can still order anything from the other four restaurants and they'll serve the food where you're at. And the best part is, the restaurant where you're dining will already include the outside food in their receipt so you don't have to go back to the other restaurants to deliver your payment! In our case, we dined in Canto but had laksa from Rumah Sate delivered to our table. I just had to go out, order the spicy noodle dish, and go back into Canto and wait for it to be served!
Happy Tummy. Some experts recommend the Fried Tilapia in Tamarind Sauce!
Rancho Norte. The must-try dishes here are sisig and deer tapa.
Green Pepper.
Rumah Sate.
This Laksa (Php 180.00) from Rumah Sate is probably one of the most umami I've ever had in my entire life!
Among the five restaurants, we decided to settle in Canto for lunch.
The menu.
Lomo ribs (Php 400.00 for a whole slab). This is Canto's extremely-filling bestseller! Savory and tender-- I think I finally found a new comfort food!
Dessert nachos (Php 170.00) is one amazing treat! Highly recommended!
Chili fries (Php 99.00).
Veggie pizza (Php 160.00), which tasted average. I think the liberal amount of alfalfa sprouts did a huge injustice to the pie's taste that I had to pick some out before I could eat.
Fishy pizza (Php 160.00). In my opinion, this dish is disappointing. If I knew before ordering it that the fish the pizza is comprised of will taste similar to canned tuna, I wouldn't have considered getting it.
Eating and drinking after all that horsing (pun intended) around! Almond lychee gulaman drink (Php 25.00) which tasted sweet and syrup-y and veggie pizza! *burp*
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