South of Metro: A Trip Up North: La Trinidad, Benguet

Our annual sojourn takes us to Baguio to attend a yearly conference. It's also usually timed within our wedding anniversary --- this time, our 20th!

So we go 2 days before the conference for some time alone together as we go to different parts of Baguio which we haven't been to for many years. Today, we went to La Trinidad in Benguet. It's about 20 minutes from the city via Magsaysay Avenue. When asking for directions, just say you're going to the Strawberry Farm. Though actually, it's Strawberry Field.

There's a paid parking area (graveled instead of soil) near the entrance to the field. You may park on the street. But don't park on the first big available parking lot you see as they are for buses only. When it rains, like it did last night, the soil becomes muddy.

There are a bunch of souvenir stores lined up the street. Just remember to haggle for the stuff. There are some fresh veggies also though not as many as the market, but definitely fresh and cheap. You can haggle as usual. This is where you can also buy the famous Sagada Orange besides the freshly picked strawberries. The ornages will cost you about 100 pesos for 5 big pieces, and 6 for the smaller ones. The Sagada Orange is famous for its sweet and juicy pulp. The strawberries cost 100 pesos per box (Zesto box size) here but only 80 pesos outside. Well, you pay for the freshness. Buy the strawberries not more than one day before going back to Manila.