Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 11:37 am Post subject: Things to see in Manila
Going to Manila for the first time?
Or perhaps returning after a long absence.
In either case, there are many things to see and do in Manila, and in the latter case, you may be pleasantly surprised at the changes there since your last visit.
Roxas Boulevard, the main road running alongside the harbour, has been cleaned up and re-paved. However, if you have only seen it during the day, you have missed the best part. It’s a great place for a gentle walk during the day, however at night, it transforms itself into an array of restaurants and bars, all of them al fresco. If you are in Manila during the drier months, make plans to spend an evening there with friends or with that special someone.
The bayfront, which used to be an eyesore, is now clean (ish) and much better than before.
Moving away from the harbour, towards the northern end of Roxas Blvd is Intramuros. Originally a walled city in Spanish times, much of it was destroyed during WW2.
It has been restored, cleaned up, and is now a major tourist attraction.
Certainly worth a stroll round.
Again, go there in the evening and you will find dozens of food places, most with music as well. There are even formal concerts there some evenings.
Adjacent to Intramuros is Fort Santiago. This fort once guarded the entry to the Pasig river, and now houses the museum to Rizal, a Filipino hero.
It is one of my favourite places to stroll round in (relative) peace and quiet.
Rizal park also adjoins Intramuros. A popular place for families at weekends.
Not far away is the Adriatico area on the borders of Ermita and Malate.
Dozens of restaurants and cafe's via for your custom, and it is possible to find somewhere to suit almost every palate and pocket.
Manila is renowned for its shopping malls. The biggest is the Gloriatta complex in Makati. This is bigger than most malls in the UK / Europe and vies with the biggest and best in the US.
It is easy to spend all day there, and quite possible to spend a fortune too !
Adjacent to Glorietta is Greenbelt. Another smaller shopping mall, it houses many restaurants. Here it is possible to eat the dishes of almost every country.
There is even one selling British food. (There is another one off P. Burgos St, also in Makati.)
(Be aware that the whole of Makati is a no-smoking area, even on the streets.)
Other shopping malls include Rockwell Power Plant Mall (Makati),
Robinsons (Ermita) Harrison (Malate) the SM Megamall (Quezon City, and about a dozen others scattered throughout the city.
Although you can buy everything in the malls, the street markets are cheaper. (And also the haunt of pickpockets. Keep your valuables safe and out of view.)
Other places worth seeing are Chinatown and the Chinese cemetary; the Ayala Museum (Makati), and for a contrast in living standards, take a look at Forbes Park and compare it to the squatter camps alongside the railway tracks.
For those who enjoy the cinema, I gather that there are about 200 cinemas in Manila.
Overall, there is plenty to see and do during the average stay there.
(If there is any interest, I will post more about the Philippines at other times.)
It is nice to know that someone like you... love my country! Thank you so much for this post... so people would see the changes...
I better come out and see this great view & photo you post here _________________ “to never stop dreaming until your hair turns gray… that’s the essence of living”
I do like the Philippines. Every time I go there I enjoy the trip, even though it is for business and time for sightseeing is limited.
In fact, I will be back there early next year, and this time will be doing some travelling, whcih will be interesting and give me a chance to take more photos. _________________ The Middle Eastern states aren't nations; they're quarrels with borders.- P. J. O'Rourke
It's great that your coming back and have some vacation again in my country...
Have fun and enjoy your stay again... (even though I know you will )
Have a great time, Alan... good day!
BTW,
Can't wait to see your photo soon... try to post it on P.I. Album, thanks _________________ “to never stop dreaming until your hair turns gray… that’s the essence of living”
I am wondering why some tourists would prefer to skip the Philippines whenever they visit Asia. Looks like most have been to all corners of the Asian continent but forgot(?) to drop by my beloved country. I just came home from Thailand yesterday and I met this American guy while I was doing some shopping. He was maybe wondering why I was speaking in English to a Thai saleslady (coz I look like a Thai man) so I think he got curious where I was from. When I told him that I am from Manila, he was shocked that Filipinos could speak English well. All the while he thought Filipinos speak Spanish. He has been to all countries in SE Asia except for the Philippines and when I asked why, he told me that he doesn't think he will be safe in here, hehe. Oh well. It is sad to know that advisories against traveling to this part of the world really hurts our tourism industry. I just hope that people like Alan would continue to spread the good things about Manila and the Philippines, both online and offline.
You will be proud to know that the Philippino Cebuana's won our Bangkok International Softball Tournament last weekend. The team was made up of all Philippino's _________________ Asia Expats Forum Expat Friends Dating
I am wondering why some tourists would prefer to skip the Philippines whenever they visit Asia. Looks like most have been to all corners of the Asian continent but forgot(?) to drop by my beloved country. I just came home from Thailand yesterday and I met this American guy while I was doing some shopping. He was maybe wondering why I was speaking in English to a Thai saleslady (coz I look like a Thai man) so I think he got curious where I was from. When I told him that I am from Manila, he was shocked that Filipinos could speak English well. All the while he thought Filipinos speak Spanish. He has been to all countries in SE Asia except for the Philippines and when I asked why, he told me that he doesn't think he will be safe in here, hehe. Oh well. It is sad to know that advisories against traveling to this part of the world really hurts our tourism industry. I just hope that people like Alan would continue to spread the good things about Manila and the Philippines, both online and offline.
Not a bad observation. I've never been there and I could not tell you why. I have heard that the is a crime problem and I suppose that could be one reason why I never been there--i.e the perception that there are safer places to go. I'll get there someday
I am surprised that an Americna didnt know that the Philippines was an American possession for nearly 3/4 of a century.
It is (supposedly) the third largest English speaking country in the world.
"Supposedly" as that delends how one defines the term.
Certainly there is quite a lot of crime, but not as much as some of the media portray. _________________ The Middle Eastern states aren't nations; they're quarrels with borders.- P. J. O'Rourke
And Road Kill, great job... they should know that Filipinos are well educated like other Asian countries poeple...
You should try coming here, tokyotom! you won't regret it just ignore the traffic...
"Certainly there is quite a lot of crime, but not as much as some of the media portray." Yeah, you are right about this Alan... but we cannot blame media people and those terrorist attack that is spreading in Mindanao... so better not come near this place for caution... _________________ “to never stop dreaming until your hair turns gray… that’s the essence of living”
I have spent time in almost all countrys that have ocean access, And have been associated with many filipinos, Thru friendships and employment,.Have lived in a few countrys and worked in many, and my choice of a place to live is Thailand, Thats why I am here.
I was on a big dredge for awhile in Viet Nam and South Africa and the Arabian Gulf and 40 of the 50 man crew were filipino,
I also worked in Saudi that had 1000 filipinos in country, Had some fine mechanics work for me that were filipino and were as fine a bunch of Heavy Equip. mechanice as I ever worked around.
I did think of living in Zamboanga, but the Mindanao muslim terrorists changed my mind, as having a young daughter with me just did not sound like I would have the peace of mind that I find in Thailand.
here is some quotes I took off of messinger where I was talking with a friend who just finished a software tech job there..with some deletes to protect annon.
kevin950: did ya enjoy any of it
261946: did not like the Philippines at all
261946: the place sucked
261946: spend a day and a half in BKK
kevin950: manilla alwaqys did as far as I can see,only thing good about the whole place was the pussy
261946: which was heaven compared to the philippines
kevin95: where all did you go this time
261946: Kuala Lampur, Manila, Cagayan De Oro, BKK and Hong Kong
kevin95: what ya think of KL
261946: it was fairly nice. Definately better than Manila
he was there for a week and sounds to me like the place ain't changed much.
"the place sucked ... spend a day and a half in BKK ... which was heaven compared to the philippines"
not jumpin' your sh*t ... and don't care to get into the old "thailand vs. philippines" debate ... but if your buddy couldn't have a good time in the p.i., then he can't have a good time. again, not a flame. just simple truth.
and no, i don't care how many different places he's been.
Last edited by stringbean on Mon Nov 29, 2004 10:18 am; edited 1 time in total
<£?? not jumpin' your sh*t ... and not trying fire up the old "thailand vs. philippines" debate ... but if your buddy couldn't have a good time in the p.i., then he can't have a good time.
and no, i don't care how many different places he's been.
Having been to both Thailand and the Philippines, I reckon both have their advantages and disadvantages.
I prefer BKK for shopping, but I find the Filipino people far more friendly that most Thai's.
Both / either can be good, or bad. Depends on the individual and what there are looking for. _________________ The Middle Eastern states aren't nations; they're quarrels with borders.- P. J. O'Rourke
All times are GMT + 7 Hours Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Next
Page 1 of 5
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Album
FAQ
Quizzes
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
