A Sublime Afternoon at Double C's Balcony

After mass on Easter Sunday and having some snacks at Seoul Food Hub, we drove for some 40 minutes looking for a place to kill some time. The husband being disappointed of the food we had earlier wanted more. "What do you say we go to the Inverted House?" he asked. "It's Easter and like all others here, it's probably closed," I answered matter factly.

"Aah, right!" he agreed. "How about a drive to Ifugao?" he asked further but I wasn't really in the mood for a long trip so I told him so. If it would have been another day, I may have been "Ok, game! Let's go!" Guess the wanderlust in me was deep in slumber at that time, lol!

Anyway, he just drove along the highway as he thought of the Casa. Stopping at some point when we were almost arriving to have a view of the hills and mountains. The sky was kinda gloomy, and although blue, as though there was a faint fog covering it.

Then we proceeded to the Casa but it was closed. The lady we caught up with said they will open around 1 in the afternoon. It was still 11 am then. So where are we going to spend the next two hours when all establishments are closed? The husband got an answer to that.

We drove to one of the villages near the area but when we were almost at the top of the mountain, we noticed there wasn't much to see except brown farmlands. So we U-turned and found a spot and pulled over along the side of village road overlooking the highway. Whilst he went snooping around the place, I took a nap, lol! I was just feeling really exhausted.

_{This was a view from where we parked.}

I woke up just before 1 pm and after taking some photos, we went back to what I call Double C, being Casa Calixto, located at Km. 78 along Halsema Highway in the town of Buguias. The casual diner is becoming a popular or favorite stopover for tourists passing by, going to and from the Mt. Provinces and nearby tourist spots.

I haven't taken photos on the inside of the restaurant but this is how the main floor looks like and more on their FB page.

[Courtesy of CC]

We took a table by the balcony which was the first time for us although we've been to the diner for a few times already. Glad it wasn't windy so we had a good spot for viewing and to bask under the sun which had just the right warmness as it played hide and seek that day.

We were the first to be up there so we had the place for ourselves. Well, plus the owner's dog but then he left us after some time. He's a big guy yet very gentle. He would just look at you silently like you aren't anyone new.

These were a few shots of the landscape and scenery seen from up there. Me being afraid of heights couldn't look down so these shots were by the husband because I just stayed away from the balcony railings, lol!

The view is quite spectacular. The small community down there and the farm terraces look fascinating, some still brown, others thriving with crops. The world is indeed big and beautiful, it never ceases to amaze me.

Some groups of travelers (mostly families) arrived just when our meals were getting served and they were in awe of the farm terraces which are seen from the balcony. They were likewise happy that the diner is pet-friendly.

During our previous visits, the owners were the ones taking orders and serving them. On Sunday, there were other faces and they speak in Tagalog so they might be newly-hired as the diner gained more customers.

Anyway, we had simple dishes - Liempo (pork belly) with achara in a sizzling plate (they referred to it as 'Dinawis' on their menu which basically meant grilled), the good ole pancit (canton + bihon), Chopsuey (not photographed). The husband's appetite is always good but we were unable to finish all three so we had them in a lil pack when we left the place.

I'm not particularly fond of chili sauce but theirs was just the right mix for me that I even sprinkled a bit of it on my plate, over the pancit that is.

We also had Blueberry Cheesecake in a small tub for dessert. It was just okay. The crumbs underneath were too dry though. I like them better when they are soft and gooey. We tasted it then took the rest home and I just ate the last of it this morning, lol!

"Coffee?" the husband teased while we were still seated up there but I was too full to have anything else. So we just spent a bit more time sitting there then decided to leave at almost 3 in the afternoon.

And just to share this tiger engraved on a huge plaque of wood displayed at one corner by the second floor. This was taken earlier before some more diners arrived.

Personal Verdict

The resto is a cozy place with a homey ambiance where one can have a good meal or even just coffee and take some time off from the buzz of the world. Whilst it is located along a busy highway, one would hardly feel so.

We'll be going back again for sure and probably on a really sunny day and just before sunset. It would be cool to watch the golden hour from their balcony. Early morning might also be great, I imagine there would be sea of clouds hovering over the hills and mountains before the sun rises. They open at 7:30 am so it's just perfect.