Manila, The Philippines
Famous for the most
beautiful beaches on earth, Philippines was always on top of my places to visit. I had no idea that I would be getting this opportunity so soon. The
island of Philippines (Filipino: Pilipinas) is
an archipelago in Southeast Asia with more than 7000 islands located between
Philippine sea and South China Sea. My flight was in bright day time and I
was curiously staring out of window when I heard announcement that flight will
be landing soon. Plane crossed sea and I got first glimpse of Philippines with
greeneries all around on wavy land, hills and mountains assured me that I am really landing in a natural wonder.
It was a little
troublesome at airport collecting luggage, standing in long immigration queue
shifting my wait from one leg to another and later a taxi to hotel where taxi
driver gave a bitter first experience in Manila. Got few dollars exchanged to
Peso at airport (43 peso/1USD Aug2014). Taxi moved through big and small
congested streets and skyways. We reached Makati, my destination, sooner which
moreover looked like a concrete jungle and rising towers all around.
Taxi stopped in front of
a high tower and we got room on 24th floor. The gazed out of glass wall toward
the glittering lights of towers standing parallel to us. Slow moving
traffic with vehicles twinkling lights was also clear.
Our hunger to know the
place and try new cuisines sooner forced us to start exploring the city.
Locals are in general sweet and soft spoken. Tagalog is the local language here but English is also widely spoken and understood. Showing respect in polite words
addressing sir/ Mam is quite common here. Public transport(Metro) is
generally crowded and bone crushing during peak office hours. We still found
people offering their seats to girls and older people. Jeepneys are another
local public transport with low height and windows with no glass. Around 20-30
people can sit inside depending upon size of Jeepneys. Taxi is also easily
available at reasonable rate.
It was tough for us to
find local food shops here. City is full of international food chain brands
like KFC, McD and few local brands like Jollibee & Inasal giving a tough
competition to them. We tried some local street BBQ and had an opportunity
to enjoy local delicacy in some restaurants. Halo Halo (dessert)
in Inasal tingled my taste buds along with its main course.
Halo Halo Dessert |
Philippines is endowed
with awesome natural beauty black lined with sudden weather change and natural
disasters like typhoons quite often. We already experienced 3 typhoons within 1 months
of our stay.
|
It is rare to see people
following their traditional dress although men can be seen in silk shirts which is not tugged in pant. These shirts are status symbol here and hence mostly wore by rich people.
Shopping in Manila:
There are some local
market areas. Weekend morning market also held in Legaspi
Park(Sunday) near to greenbelt 1 and Salcedo Park(Saturday). You can get local
and fresh items here for your full week. Mostly sellers here are from near by
villages.
There are few wet
markets here called Dampa. Dampa at Macapagal open all days and rich of fruits
vegetables and seafoods. You may need to bargain as prices may be high for
foreigners.
Farmer's Market: is very nice traditional market located near
Cubao MRT. Fresh vegetables, meat and seafoods are available at cheaper rate
with lot of local shops available for household items as well.
Greenhills : This market is a big stretch of cloths,
bags, mobiles and souvenirs shops at affordable price. You
can bargain at your best here. This is located near Annapolis MRT.
Although I didn't experience anything as such, as per local people input,
pickpocketing is common in this market so you should be careful with your
belongings . In general, it is a safe place for shopping.
Other than these
markets, Greenbelt, Gloreitta(nearest MRT Ayala) and "Mall of
Asia"(Nearest LRT EDSA) are the malls to satisfy your shopping
greed.
Chinatown: 168 Mall and lucky Chinatown one of many shopping heavens in Chinatown. Prices are cheap still you can bargain further. you can find almost everything there, from jwelleries, cloths, household and kitchen items, electronic goods, furniture etc..
Places to Visit:
There are many churches
across Manila while few are quite old and spectacular.
Intramuros: Old Spanish City, still alive located at the sea
belt gives you historical idea of Spanish influence on Philippines. The city is
surrounded with high walls equipped with Canons.
Nearest LRT united
Nations.Take Jeepney to Intramuros
American Cemetery: The place I liked most few Kms from Makati is a
nice place to visit. A big stretch of American soldiers tomb here. A
total of 17,206 tombs are here.
Manila Bay: You can spend your evening here with lot of
eateries around. Just sit at the bank of river and spend your evening with
nature.
Star City: Located close to Manila bay, Star City is
amusement park which can keep you busy for a day. Starting time is 4 PM on
weekdays and 2 PM on weekends.
Ocean Park, children's museum can be also considered in your visiting list.
Ocean Park, children's museum can be also considered in your visiting list.
WOW ! I have heard a lot about phillipines and that its a good tourist place and for good reason evidently, thanks for sharing all this with us. I enjoyed reading it.
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