Day trip to Manila, this is a challenging trip for myself, although this not my first trip to Manila, but it is a trip that I took public transport myself without any accompany to the city, the journey took me 1.5 hours to reach the city center.
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| Scene from the bus along the Skyway (Another faster expressway than highway) |
This trip only focus in Intramuros area, an old city in the center of Manila during colonial period, is very similar to Malacca, but I feel they reserve it much better than Malacca, at least the old wall still remains around the city.
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| One of the entrance to Intramuros |
In fact, the transportation in Manila is quite convenient, just u dare to take or not, as we need jump up the jeepney like the local, no need worry about the fare, just prepare 20 peso and tell the driver where you want to drop, then they will pay back you the balance, so no worry at all and my experience, most of the time, I only paid minimum fare which only 8 pesos since the travel distance also not far.
This trip just a simple trip without much plan, but do really thanks to the hotel staff where I stay as they so worry about my safety when I told them I want travel to the city myself, so they prepare all the emergency contact for all on duty hotel staff, then the intramunos map and places to eat and visit, also keep ask me don't go too far and come back too late since there might not have bus back to the town where I stay in late night.
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| National Museum |
One of touched place I visited is the National Museum, as we can see a lot of local especially student visited to the museum and they really make effort to understand the exhibited items which I can't see in my own country, we only can see tourist visit to the museum, even local students is like force to go museum with the arrangement by the school teachers or just for assignment purpose.
Although Philippines is consider a poor country, but their kids has done a good part in education and I would said if not the political issue, they has ability to become a great nation among the SEA with these kids.
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| San Agustin Church |
Inside Intramunos, there are a lot churches to visit, San Agustin Church is in my top list, not just because of the historical value, but the architecture of the building itself.
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| Manila Cathedral |
Manila Cathedral has a magnificent view and need go quite far just able to capture the whole building view.
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| Fort Santiago |
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| Halo Halo |
After long day walked (really walked from 10am until 4pm), found a small stall selling the Halo Halo which quite famous in Philippines, so I bought one and try, found that our ice kacang is much much better, haha......so that is my first also my last time to try the Halo Halo, I would suggest to try their other deserts instead of this Halo Halo.
