Tag Archives: manila
Philippines: The Recap
So when ever traveling there is always something to be learned. My trip to the Philippines was no different. It all started with Manila.
Manila:
- I learned this from my very first trip to India, but completely forgot. Do not trust those at airports. On my first trip I got conned into getting a room and paid 5 times the normal price. In Philippines I was kind of pressured into giving tips (that unwarranted in a country that does not give tips) for a large amount compared to the Philippine peso.
- People say to leave Manila quick and see the other sites. I say that is boo-hockey. I found I did not have enough time to see Manila. I did not get to see the “university belt”, only barely saw Intramuros, and never got to see the sunset or sunrise of Manila Bay. Not to mention the other things I didn’t even get to do.
- Visit Divisoria, and Wagas Market. Wasag Market you have to worry about at late night, as I was warned that there are snatchers around. But I had the most fun eating in a small shack of a home with people from the streets. I learned a lot.
General:
- Wander around the beach. Many times I walk the beach and locals would just invite me over to eat and enjoy sometime with them.
- Enjoy some Tuba. It is a great way to meet some people. When people are getting drunk off of some tuba it is always a good time for everyone there. If you are the kind who doesn’t drink, drink some slowly and take your time.
- Leyte I was told was no big deal to see. I say the opposite. I visited a springs, enjoyed the beach, climbed up a mountain, went on a pilgrimage, and that was a fraction of what I could have done.
- Although Bohol is a tourist trap, run with it. I usually do not do tourist traps, but it was actually fun for a day, at least. Do the Chocolate Hills, the tarsiers and all the other touristy things. It was actually fun for the day.
- Make new friends. Do not be afraid to go out of your comfort zone, it is a great way to meet some people and have new fun things to do.
- Stick to your budget. There are times where I was told A when I heard, or expected B. But sticking to my budget, B worked out, A would have costed me more money.
- Book your flights online. It is cheaper.
- Eating vegetarian is hard, but if you keep looking around you can find vegetarian options. Usually have to avoid the fast food/chain restaurants. Especially the chain restaurants may say vegetable/veggies, it mostly still has meat in it.
- A size Medium Tshirt from the Philippines does not fit the same as a size Medium from the USA.
Edit: 9/25/11 8:15AM
- I forgot the most Important thing I learned. That I am now thankful for what I have. There were conditions I saw that I never have been in. My friends live in way poorer situations than me. I am very lucky for the things I have in my life, and it makes me realize that I have almost too many things in my life. That is the most important thing I got from my trip.
- I also learned that the Ferry in Maasin to Ubay no longer leaves at 8:00 am, but instead at 7:30 PM.
- My friend Jess is an amazing cook.
There was a lot I learned. I hope this helps others in the future. Or you can just explore and let us know what you have learned as well. Happy future travels to all.
Philippines Day 2: Manila… Chill
And now it hear it on the tin roof, the rain pouring down. I knew when coming to Philippines that I would be visiting during the rain season. My plan for when it rain, just chill. That is what I did. I sat in and just chilled. My original plan was to try to take a photo of the Manila Bay sunset, but I guess I will have to do that another time.
Today I was also going to it up the University Belt in Manila. Before I was going to go I was going to go eat something. So went out and crossed the street towards the corner burger stand and ordered 2 egg sandwiches. As I started to eat them, the rain started to come down. That is when I knew I was not going to go to the University Belt any time soon.
At that point I went back to the lounge room of the hostel and sat down and talked to a Belgian who bought me a beer. We talked of travel and about his life living in Philippines part of the time and Belgium the other times. I went back to my room and took a nap and waited for my friend to come over.
After waking up from my nap, due to my friend’s text message, I cleaned myself up in anticipation of my friend coming over. At around 7:00 I heard a knock on my door it was my young friend from last night. We ordered some food, sat down and watched some Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.
It was a chill day.
Philippines Day 1: Manila and a Hangover
Ugh… Yeah a groan now. My body aches as try to move a muscle; my head is foggy and feels like it pulled down by a weight; and I have a headache that seems to throb ever 3 seconds or so. Who would have thought Filipino Beer could pack so much punch. But let us go back in time a bit.
So yesterday I landed in Manila, a place I do not know, never been to, and don’t know anyone. For the first time in a long time I was frightened. It was the first time I was frightened on a trip since my first trip to India. But this is not India, it is Philippines, and it is Manila, known for a lot of good pick pockets and thieves. But as I was wandering around that was not the case.
I walk out of the airport and I was bombarded by hotel touts and taxi drivers. I just walked on until I saw a prepaid taxi stand (which I think I should have gotten a metered taxi instead). Everyone there was asking for tips, funny coming from a country who does not tip, but they sure do expect it from tourists. One guy kept asking and eventually got which should have been the price of my cab fare if I took a metered taxi. Lesson learned here. So my driver took me to my hostel where I was staying. The driver was really nice and gave me some good tips.
Now that I am at my hostel, I need to be armed. I ask where I look for things to do, like a SIM card a lock and a USB cable (since I forgot to pack mine). I wander off to the Robinson Mall, which is swarmed with Filipinos everywhere. Mostly kids in Uniforms. It was 12 pm by now. I am assuming people are out and about for lunch. I pick up the things I need and walk back to my hostel.
As I enter the lobby I whipped out my trusty travel companion, my iPod Touch. I log in and get start my chat application and get a message from a friend who lives in Manila area. She tells me she would like to go out. I am relieved, because I now have some one I know and can feel a bit comfortable now in Manila.
With plans to meet up with my friend later, I still had to find out what to do until that time. At this point I wander off to a direction. My plan was to find Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park by the locals. I wander around for a small while and then walk off another direction. My intent was to find myself to Intramuros, a walled area of Manila. In this area there is a lot of tourism, there is some poverty too. But there are some of the nicest people I have come across. Like some boy and some girls who offered me some food. They called it bat meat, but I am sure it wasn’t (it was just rice and vegetables).
I also take some nice photos as I wander around, while shoo-ing off the touts and trike drivers. At this point I realize it is hot, I am sticky and I want to head back. It is about 4pm and I am lost. I ask for some help and people point me in the right direction, which was to take a Jeepney to Mabini. I get a strange look from the locals there in the bus.
I get off on my street and walk down and find a small hole in the wall place to at some fried bananas, which were delicious. The owner was very talkative and knew a lot about computers, more so than the average person.
I wander back to my room and get myself ready for a night out with my friend, who was running late. We finally meet up, the cutest little girl who looked to be 16. She was actually 23. We head off to a chain restaurant/bar and eat. I am introduced to a beer known as Red Horse. I start taking down a few of them. My friend informs me, after my third beer, the alcohol content of 7% in a Red Horse. At that point I realized that 1. I don’t drink beer as much as I used to, and 2. that the beer has started to hit me.
We head on out of place called Cowboy Grill, and wander back to my place, where we pick up another Red Horse for me and a beer for herself. We spend some time just relaxing and just having a good time. She left to go home late and I went to sleep. Then I woke up to what I said before UGGHH. After a fun day, I paid for it all.
40 Days Until Philippines: Manila
Manila, the capitol of Philippines, which happens to be the second largest city next to Quezon. The vast city of Manila happens to be the first place I will be stopping on my trip through Philippines. I will be spending 2 days in the metropolis of Manila. There is a lot of history to Manila from the occupation of the Spanish and United States as well as the tragedies that occurred during World War II.
Most of my stay, while in Manila, will be the area known as Ermita. Ermita once had a bad past, but now is a budding area for tourists to stay. I have no doubt I can find something to do while in this area, but where else should I visit to take some amazing photos? Now mind you, I want to look for places that will show locals doing their everyday activities, living their life how they live their life every day.
Some places that people have suggested to me were Ermita, of course, since that is where I am going to be staying I should have no issues around this area. This place is also known for it’s eats and being close to the bay. I was also told to check out the Rizal (or Luneta) Park, a park dedicated to the martyr Dr. Jose Rizal. This place would be a great place to people watch as well as get some photos of locals enjoying a day at the park.
I was told there is a lot of great picture opportunities to be had at Intramuros, a walled area of Manila with well preserved spanish style houses. This area also has a fort and seems almost perfect for taking amazing photos. I just hope it does not turn out like Cartagena, which was a similar setting yet swamped with tourists.
For some cheap wares, either by knock off or just some good deals I was to check out Greenhills Shopping Center located in Ortigas. I was also told to check out Divisoria where I have no clue where it is located. Perhaps I will ask a local about it.
After my day is done, I can go out for some partying in Malate, next to my place of stay in Ermita, or the famous Makati. Both places are known for their outrageous club scenes.
These are just some of the places that people have told me check out in Manila. Do you have any suggestion of places I should look into?