Advertisement
Published: January 22nd 2007
Edit Blog Post
Manila
After a long round about journey from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur and then from Kuala Lumpur to Clark Airfield followed by a 3 hour bus journey I finally arrived in Metro Manila. Getting off the bus with my ‘Where to now?’ look I subsequently got overcharged with a couple of Spanish tourists by one of the infamous Manila taxi drivers. Fifteen minutes or so later I had found a hostel which became my home from home (Pension Natividad) in the first of my subsequent visits to the Filipino capital.
Manila is not so much one city but a collection of cities which appears to be getting bigger day by day as the population increases as well as the amount of development swallowing up the adjacent rice fields. It is a city of contrasts with some amazing sky scrapers and flush apartment blocks with squalid shanty towns less than a stone’s throw away, not to mention the vast array of western style malls that are found everywhere in the Philippines. I would guesstimate there to be more than 100 malls just in Metro Manila. The malls are very much a large part of the regular Filipino everyday life
- Even though many of the shops have close to western prices which the average Filipino can’t always afford to pay this does not stop the mall being an integral part of their life. As the climate can be so hot and humid I can see why the air conditioned malls would be such a draw. The malls really are an escape from the sometimes crazy city streets with the streams of jeepneys running about their complex routes.
The jeepneys are the Filipino take on a bus service. These half jeep, half bus vehicles, appear to be privately owned and are adorned with their owners names on the front and elaborate murals down the side. With small placards held up on the windshield to let the ‘newbie’ tourist where they go, the route they take can be fairly confusing. I never once came across a fellow tourist using this mode of transport but then again I don’t think the Philippines are too travelled by tourists in general if you discount the vast numbers of Koreans.
Well there are several attractions that are worth visiting in and around Manila Metro, the first being Intramuros (the old city) and Fort
Santiago. Intramuros was the exclusive preserve of the Spanish ruling classes. Within its massive walls, were imposing government building, stately homes, churches, convents, monasteries, schools and cobbled plazas. A few of which are in ruin but many are still standing proud. Fort Santiago on the other hand was once the seat of Spanish military power. Designated a Shrine of Freedom in 1950, today it is a memorial to Dr Jose Rizal, who was imprisoned here in the final days before his execution in 1986 for inciting revolution against the Spanish colonials. His footsteps of his final walk to his death are now remembered by ‘golden footsteps’ down to Rizal Park where his execution took place. Other tourist attractions include the Coconut Palace and Lake Taal (about 2 hours away).
In terms of nightlife, Manila caters for all tastes. For the well off Filipinos and tourists, Makati has become the new Mecca for upmarket bars and restaurants. Malate, the previous main entertainment area, on the other hand is nowhere as upmarket but still has a certain charm with many fun bars and restaurants. A word of caution however - these bars are well known to overcharge patrons so be sure
to check your bar bill accordingly.
My favourite place, however, was just away from Malate centre and consisted of the many bars along the bay known as ‘Bay Walk’. This was an excellent place to take in the breath taking sunset over a cappuccino or something a little stronger. The best time to come here, alternatively, is later in the evening when the place comes alive with many Filipino cover bands belting out old and new hits alike to the crowds of people filling the bay at night. One in particular of note was a band called ‘Pillowcase’ to which I almost became a groupie seeing them at multiple venues. A special thanks goes out to Kate (bebot), Dale & Bonci for entertaining me during my stay.
As I spent over two weeks here, there are many more things I could say but as I’ve already written too much I will leave it at that. Manila certainly was an enjoyable place to come and visit but I doubt many people will stay whilst travelling for more than a few days. If you stay for only a short time you may leave with a poor impression of this city
but if you stay a little a longer you will find this city has plenty to offer and has its own unique charm. I will more than likely find myself in Manila in the not too distant future.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.057s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 12; qc: 28; dbt: 0.024s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb