Mt. Cloud Bookshop

We were actually just strolling by upper Session Road (right next to SM) when we saw Casa Vallejo.  This is a building built in 1909 and for much of the past decades, was closed down.  I actually thought it was going to be another victim of "modernization".  In fact, just a few blocks from it, two new building constructions were underway.

We were quite pleased to see that Casa Vallejo is back and very much alive.  There are a number of establishments thriving in this historic site.  One is a spa, another is a cafe/restaurant called Hill Station, and a lovely little bookshop called Mt. Cloud.

My friend Leo actually mentioned this shop to us a few times and he was enticing us to visit.  Well, Leo and I had this pasttime when we were still fresh grads with only a few coins in our pockets.  We'd go to National Bookstore (either in Glorietta or Megamall) and browse through the books and magazines there for hours on end.  Of course, when we finally became employed we were then able to purchase books and magazines we liked.  So thanks, National Bookstore, for tolerating us in those early years.  I have seen though, that policies have changed greatly and browsing is now prohibited.  But they opened another shop (Powerbooks) which encourages such, and with a Starbucks outlet right in the store too!

But I digress.

Mt. Cloud actually encourages you to spend your time leisurely browsing through their collection.  They even allow you to bring in your coffee from neighboring Hill Station so you can truly get cozy with the book of your choice.  Of course, buying books will also help keep the shop open...

We were here for just a quick visit.  Wish we had more time to spend and just chill out for an afternoon.  Next vacation perhaps...

(I said I was going to buy one of these "make your own parol" kits but was hesitant if the NZ Environment Protection Agency would allow me to bring into the country the bamboo frame)

By the way, Mt Cloud Bookshop has a website!

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