As Seen by TV

The highest peak surrounding Baguio City belongs to Mount Santo Tomas (map).  The peak is littered with radio & tv towers and 2 radars built by the American military post-WWII.  The views of the city and South China sea are stunning, not to mention the beautifully crisp fresh air, which is something I can only dream about back here at my office in Shanghai.  Bah.

One of the two guards gave us a personal tour of the radars are the peak, which has been off-limits since a bombing recently which aimed at taking out one of the radars (even though they haven’t been used in decades).  Apparently back in the day tourists visiting the peak could even climb the metal radars, with no fences or anything holding them back.  Now the area is fenced off and kept away from curious eyes by 2 security guards, who must be the loneliest around, considering the near 60 minute trip up the mountain from Baguio City below, much of it off-road.  Which is probably why the guard gave us a tour, as he was pretty wasted, even offering us some drinks after his tour.