Thứ Sáu, 30 tháng 6, 2017
Thứ Năm, 6 tháng 10, 2016
Cheapest taxi from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi Old Quarter ?
Cheapest taxi from Hanoi Old Quarter to / from Noibai airport ?
1. You can arrange to be picked up and taken to your hotel by NOI BAI Taxi www.taxinoibai.com They will charge $12,5 = 280.000 VND for a 4 seater (price 2016). Just give them your plane arrival info and they will be waiting for you outside immigration with a card with your name on it. From Hanoi city to airport cost only 9usd = 200.000 VND/ 1way/ car 4seast.
2. A couple of weeks ago I paid a fixed price of 280,000 VND with www.taxinoibai.com from the airport to the Old Quarter. On my return trip I paid a fixed price 200,000 VND with a private taxi that the hotel arranged for me. The Vietnam Airlines bus is also a good option. Its $2 or $3 per person, plus the cost of a taxi or motorbike to their office (Its down near the southern end of Hoan Kiem Lake).
3. I have used the www.taxinoibai.com several times and quite happy with them. They are always on time, car is nice and clean, drivers are polite though their English is not good. I book online through www.taxinoibai.com and got email confirmation within hours. In Dec 2015 i pay 12,5 usd for a private car for 3 persons with luggage from the airport to town. Well i am sure you can find a dollar or two cheaper but this is my best find. Safe travel!
Noibai taxi, taxi Noibai, taxi tron goi, taxi san bay,
Thứ Bảy, 1 tháng 12, 2012
Taxis in Manila & Rental Cars in Manila
Taxis in Manila & Rental Cars in Manila
For the most part you don't need a rental car in the Phillipines. In major cities taxis are cheap and cheerful. Just make sure they turn on the meter. Taxis without meters can be dangerous and there is several cases where tourists were robbed, that's why it's best to take the taxi from the hotel and ask them to mark up the plate number. In the Provinces jeepneys and tricycles (motorcycles with sidecare) are the best choices. Just be aware that trike drivers are the one of the biggest banditos in the country, often trying to charge you well over what a metered taxi costs in Manila or Cebu. If you want to travel long distances you can hire a car and driver for reasonable prices. Be aware that hiring a car and driver at the hotel will cost you more than getting one on the street. Taxis will also drive you anywhere but make sure they turn the meter on. If they refuse, get another taxi. Do not accept a fixed price. You can be sure that you will be severely overcharged! For long distance travel, buses are good value but do not fall asleep unless your valuables are safe. If there are many of you, just hire a car and driver or a taxi. Finally, ferries and domestic airlines go everywhere in the Phillipines and fares are very reasonable. Ferries are the choice if you want to mix with the locals. Get an overnight cabin if you want leisurely travel with seaviews of the islands along the way without paying a fortune.
Unfortunately many taxi drivers do not turn on their meters when you get in. Check and ask - each and every time. Many drivers will claim their meters are broken or not working. Others just flatly refuse to turn on the meter. This is illegal; taxis are not allowed to operate at all, unless their meter is working and turned on. If a taxi driver refuses to turn on his meter, just get out of the taxi and get the next one - there are always plenty of taxis around in Manila. If you travel by un-metered taxi you can expect to get ripped off and charged at least double the proper fare. There is a hot-line for reporting jeepney. bus and taxi drivers who break the rules to the controlling organization, LTFRB, which is effective but it takes a long time but it does result in drivers' licenses being suspended. They can lose their franchise if enough complaints are made about a company.
If you're travelling a lot even inside Metro Manila, it's best to find a rental car. As in Manila there is one car rental company that is offering self-drive rates as low as 999PHP/24 hours, it's cheaper to use than taxis.
Best of Manila, 3 days in Manila
The capital of the Philippines, Manila, is a crowded and colorful metropolis. Due to traffic congestion, it would be best to spend three days in three different parts of the city. There is a lot you can do in the city depending on your budget and your interests.
Good for: Families, Groups, Seniors, Individuals
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Family-friendly Manila, Manila for young kids
There may not be too many open spaces and playgrounds for young children in Manila but those that exist are quite fun and there are a number of indoor play spaces as well. Check out a chidren's museum, a zoo and an ocean park.
Good for: Families, Groups, Individuals
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Insiders' Manila, Manila off the beaten path
A centuries-old church, the oldest university in Asia, Manila's Chinatown and a shoe museum may seem like odd attractions but visiting these places in Manila are not only interesting by themselves, but will also prove stimulating to the tourist seeking adventures off the beaten path.
Good for: Families, Seniors, Individuals
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Manila on a budget, Manila for free
The following places will inspire you to stop and observe. Visiting the forts, a church, a park and watching a sunset at the bay are all free for you to enjoy.
Good for: Families, Groups, Seniors, Individuals
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Day trips from Manila, Day tour from Manila
Take one or all of these day trips from Manila. They are all within a 3-hour drive from the city. See the world's smallest active volcano in a lake on an island in the middle of a lake, hike up another active volcano to visit its crater, dine under a waterfall, and visit a site that played a big part in World War II.
Good for: Families, Groups, Seniors, Individuals
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Manila capital of the Philippines
Manila is the capital city of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities that comprise the national capital region of Metro Manila. The city of Manila is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay and is bordered by the cities of Navotas and Caloocan to the north; Quezon City to the northeast; San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east Makati to the southeast and Pasay to the south.
Manila (English: /məˈnɪlə/; Tagalog: Maynila, [majˈnilaʔ]) is the capital city of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities (along with the municipality of Pateros) that comprise the national capital region of Metro Manila.
The city of Manila is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay and is bordered by the cities of Navotas and Caloocan to the north; Quezon City to the northeast; San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east; Makati to the southeast, and Pasay to the south.
Manila has a total population of 1,652,171 according to the 2010 census. Manila is the second most populous city in the Philippines, behind its neighbor, Quezon City. The populace inhabit an area of only 38.55 square kilometers, making Manila the most densely populated city in the world.
The city is divided into six legislative districts and consists of sixteen geographical districts: Binondo, Ermita, Intramuros, Malate, Paco, Pandacan, Port Area, Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Andres, San Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa and Tondo. Bustling commerce and some of the most historically and culturally significant iconic landmarks in the country, as well as the seat of the executive and judicial branches of the government are found in the city. Manila is also home to many scientific and educational institutions, numerous sport facilities, and other culturally and historically significant venues.
Listed as a global city, Manila has its strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport making it the historical, cultural, political and economic center of the Philippines.
The earliest written account of the city is the 10th-century Laguna Copperplate Inscription which describes a context of an Indianised kingdom maintaining diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Medang. The city was invaded by Brunei's Sultan Bolkiah and was already Islamized by the 15th century when the Spanish explorers first arrived. Manila eventually became the center of Spanish activity in the Far East and one end of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade route linking Latin America and Asia. The city would eventually be given the moniker of the "Pearl of the Orient," as a result of its central location in the vital Pacific sea trade routes. Several Chinese insurrections, local revolts, a British Occupation and a Sepoy mutiny also occurred shortly thereafter. Manila also saw the rise of the Philippine Revolution which was followed by the arrival of the Americans who made contributions to the city's urban planning and development only to have most of those improvements lost in the devastation of World War II.
Since then the city has been rebuilt.
Manila travel Forum, Manila Travel Guide
Why? Many who travel to Manila find that the cosmopolitan capital of the Philippines is the most exciting city in Asia, offering a blend of cultures, a good supply of historic sights and places to see, and unforgettable experiences. Another plus for a holiday in Manila is that the city is as lively at night as it is during the day.
When? Peak season for a holiday in Manila is between November and February, when the generally high tropical temperatures drop to reasonable levels. This period also falls in the dry season, which is a big consideration because during the wet season the city can be subject to typhoons and tropical storms.
Who for? A vacation in Manila is recommended for young, energetic travellers who enjoy sightseeing, shopping malls and plenty of after-dark activity like the city's infamous go-go clubs and wild nightspots.
Manila, the somewhat daunting capital and pulsating hub of the Philippines, is situated on the east coast of Luzon, the most northerly island, the largest and the most developed. The city was founded in 1571 on the site of a Muslim settlement. The city is made up of 16 areas which were once towns in their own right, and its major tourist attraction is the old Spanish walled city known as Intramuros, which contains some historic buildings and ruins.
Modern Manila is a morass of traffic and people, polluted and chaotic, an industrial metropolis that grew from the ashes of war when in 1945, the United States' forces fought to recapture it from Japanese occupation. It is also a city of theatres, libraries and museums, and the home to the University of the Philippines. The neighbourhoods of the metropolis vary from wide avenues full of palatial homes to squatter camps where the poorest of the poor scratch out a living.
Visitors to the Philippines cannot avoid using Manila as a starting point for their exploration of the other provinces and islands, because most charter flights to the outlying islands leave from the city's airport. The city is also within reach of day and weekend getaways on the island of Luzon; this makes it a good base for travellers intent on touring. One thing no visitor should miss is a famous Manila Bay sunset: a light show created out of the high humidity conditions coupled with the effects of cloud over the city's harbour. This remarkable sight allows a short respite from the more unpleasant aspects of the sprawling city. View the sunset from Rizal Park, Roxas Boulevard or from a cruise boat that plies around Manila Bay.
Overview of Manila, Philippines
Fourteen cities and three municipalities make up what is officially known as Metro Manila, referred to by most residents and visitors simply as MANILA, a massive, clamorous conurbation that covers 636 square kilometres and is home to almost 10 million people. To add to the confusion the old part of Manila – the area near the old walled city of Intramuros – officially remains the capital and seat of the Philippine government. In practice, the seats of government are all around Metro Manila, with the executive, administrative and judicial branches in Manila, the Senate in Pasay City and Congress in Quezon City.
At first sight Manila (in this book, the word refers to the whole conurbation) is intimidating: noisy, unkempt and with appalling traffic. There are few open spaces and only a handful of remarkable buildings. Signposting has improved in recent years, but is still woefully inadequate or misleading. Finding your way around is made even more difficult by the absence of significant modern or historical landmarks – most of the buildings are low concrete structures built in a hurry since the end of World War II. Skyscrapers have gone up in some of the business districts, but none is as notable as Hong Kong's Bank of China or Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers.
Manila has no proper city centre. To some Manileños, the central business district of Makati is the city centre, to others it might be Quezon City or the Roxas Boulevard/Manila Bay area. Each is a city in its own right. Roads run everywhere like capillaries, and suburbs act as connecting tissue between new centres of population. It is this apparent lack of order, though, that imbues Manila with character. Its flaws are what make the city human, giving it an anarchic charm that sweeps you along. Manila is also a city of striking emotional counterpoint. Frothy mansions belonging to tycoons and politicians fight for space with squalid shantytowns built along railway tracks. One of the problems Manila faces is the unceasing influx of provincianos, people from the provinces who believe the streets are paved with gold, most of whom end up squatting illegally on any spare scrap of land they can find. The fight for space is intensified by the city's apparently insatiable appetite for shopping malls.
To understand Manila completely, to get under its skin, you need a grasp of its complex and sometimes tragi-burlesque history. It has been razed by an earthquake, bombed, occupied, bombed again and rebuilt. It has expanded inexorably, but public services have not kept pace. The result is a rakish megalopolis that lives on its wits and maintains a frenetic pace 24 hours a day just so it can get things done. The roads are always busy and the buses always full, but in Manila you learn to go with the flow, never worrying about whether you'll be late or whether your taxi is going the wrong way down a one-way street. The Filipino maxim bahala na – what will be will be – applies as much to Manila as it does to life.
Despite its problems and troubled history, Manila is a sociable city, with a populace who take pride in their cultural affinities to the West and their embrace of all things American. Most tourists, however, use Manila as a transit point, a place to spend a day or two on the way to the islands and beaches of the south or the mountainous tribal areas of the north. A couple of days is all you really need to explore the key sights in and around Intramuros, the city's only notable historical enclave, its stone houses and grassy courtyards much as they were when the Spanish regime came to an end in the nineteenth century. If you've got a bit more time on your hands, take a wander through nearby Binondo – Chinatown – or head out of the city on a day-trip. There's plenty to see and do in the vicinity of the capital, from the Manila Bay island of Corregidor, a fascinating reminder of the horrors of war, to the rapids and waterfalls at Pagsanjan.
Manila also prides itself on the quality of its nightlife and the ability of its residents to kick up a good time. For many tourists, this will be their enduring memory of the place: funky bars and nightclubs in areas such as Malate and Makati whose attraction stems from their egalitarian nature. It doesn't matter who you are or what you are, you will have fun in Manila. All you have to do is take a deep breath and dive in.
Got a question or comment about Manila? Ask a Travel Expert!
Why? Many who travel to Manila find that the cosmopolitan capital of the Philippines is the most exciting city in Asia, offering a blend of cultures, a good supply of historic sights and places to see, and unforgettable experiences. Another plus for a holiday in Manila is that the city is as lively at night as it is during the day.
When? Peak season for a holiday in Manila is between November and February, when the generally high tropical temperatures drop to reasonable levels. This period also falls in the dry season, which is a big consideration because during the wet season the city can be subject to typhoons and tropical storms.
Who for? A vacation in Manila is recommended for young, energetic travellers who enjoy sightseeing, shopping malls and plenty of after-dark activity like the city's infamous go-go clubs and wild nightspots.
More Info: Anyone planning a holiday in Manila should have safety and security concerns, and it is wise to check on conditions before you go. This is easy to do using our up-to-date Manila travel guide. Not only does the guide feature safety information, but a host of other useful facts and figures to help you plan your Manila holiday.
Thứ Sáu, 23 tháng 11, 2012
Manila International Airport (MNL) Go Downtown Manila
You go downtown Manila? Basically you have five possibilities: Hotel Bus or Hotel Taxi, Airport Taxi, Regular Taxi, Jeepney or your rented car.
1. Hotel Bus or Hotel Taxi:
This is the most comfortable solution. Most international hotels do have their own transports to Metro Manila. You should ask for transportation when you book your room.
The Hotel Bus Information is just across the first lane on your right hand. The fare should be included in your hotel booking otherwise it is a very expensive experience. (PHP 700 and more).
2. Airport Taxi:
In order to curb the abuses heaped on helpless tourists and other arriving passengers by unscrupulous taxi drivers over the years, airport authorities have since implemented a scheme of accrediting taxicabs who can pick up fares at the NAIA Terminal 1.
Payment is made in advance by the passenger, who is handed a ticket to be presented to the cabbie in the queue. The fare is usually several times more expensive than what a regular metered cab would charge for the same distance. Prices(*) are PHP 400 to 500.
3. Regular Taxi:
A regular taxi costs(*) from PHP 120 to 160 to Makati or Ermita. But this is only true when you take a metered cab and the meter is tested and sealed. Check the seals before you start AND urge the driver to put it ON. If he does not put on the meter, you must tell him that you call the police, if he does not put it on immediately. This should work. If not, make stop the taxi, get your luggage out and look for another one.
There are also honest taxi drivers in Metro Manila.
4. Jeepney:
Is it your first time in Manila? If yes, then forget to take a jeepney. You do not know where they go and where to change the jeepney to your final destination. Basically, jeepney drive always the same route and the route's start- and endpoint are indicated outside. But what do you understand when there is written: Baclaran - Legaspi - Baclaran?
And you should also know that jeepneys rather often do have accidents.
5. Rent-a-Car:
Avis, Hertz and National have their offices at Manila NAIA. If you are new to the Philippines, we do not recommend to rent a car. Downtown Manila is a 20 hours traffic jam. Only from 01:00 am to 05:00 am traffic is fluid.
(*) All prices: June 2008
AIRPORT TAXIS at Manila & Cebu's International & Domestic Airports
Don't confuse these Airport Taxis with the 'car services' booths at both airports (you'll see these first as you step outside) where they approach you directly to solicit you hard, and where you'll pay a signifigantly higher fare for the same basic ride (ie. a P200 Airport Taxi fare can easily cost P750/P800+ with the 'car services')
Whatever type of Meter Taxi you use in Philippines, always pay attention to what the fare shows well before your car stops at your destination, in case the driver turns it off during the trip or just before your arrival to run a scam on you (it happens on occasion)
Ninoy Aquino Airport Taxi Service Scams
Manila airport taxi scams include non-metered transactions (driver will try to negotiate price fare, he will exaggerate distance and traffic, and misquote costs. He will claim that passenger would get to save more compared to the metered travel.) These are attempted scams. Always insist on the meter being turned on. If he does not put on the meter, you must tell him that you call going to call the police if he does not put it on immediately. This should work. If not, insist on stopping the taxi, get your luggage out and look for another taxi.
Ninoy Aquino Airport Taxi Rates & Fares to the City Centre
Welcome to the Ninoy Aquino Airport taxi service page. To help with your Ninoy Aquino Airport ground transportation planning, we list the official Ninoy Aquino Airport taxi service options, the current Ninoy Aquino Airport taxi rates and fares, plus any other notes regarding transfers from Ninoy Aquino Airport by taxi, such as unofficial or pirate taxis or other taxi scams.
Official Ninoy Aquino Airport Taxi Service
Official Ninoy Aquino Airport Taxi Service
To curb the abuses heaped on helpless tourists and other MNL Ninoy Aquino International Airport arriving passengers by unscrupulous Manila Airport taxi drivers over the years, airport authorities have since implemented a scheme of accrediting taxicabs who can pick up fares at the NAIA Terminal 1. A taxi from Manila Airport payment is made in advance by the passenger, who is handed a ticket to be presented to the cabbie in the queue. Unfortunately, the fare is usually several times more expensive than what a regular metered cab would charge for the same distance. Note that regular yellow taxis may also pick up passengers from the Ninoy Aquino Airport and the price will be cheaper, but you will need to find them and then negotiate a price should there be resistance to use the meter (see the scams section, below).
The journey time will take approximately 20 minutes to get from the MNL Ninoy Aquino International Airport to downtown.
Thứ Sáu, 16 tháng 11, 2012
Luneta park manila philippines, Luneta in manila, philippines
Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park or colloquially Luneta, is a historical urban park located in the heart of the city of Manila, Philippines, adjacent to the old walled city of Manila, now Intramuros. Since the Spanish Colonial Era, the park has been a favorite spot for unwinding, socializing, an urban oasis for family picnics on Sundays and holidays. It is one of the major tourist attractions of Manila.
Located along Manila Bay, Luneta has been the site of some of the most significant moments in Philippine history. The execution of pacifist Dr. José Rizal on December 30, 1896, sparked the fire of the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish colonizers, elevating the martyr as the national hero of the country. The park was officially renamed Rizal Park in his honor and his monument serves as the symbolic focal point of the park. The Declaration of Philippine Independence from American rule was held here on July 4, 1946 as well as the political rallies of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986 that led to the EDSA Revolution that deposed Marcos ending his dictatorial government.
Rizal Park's history began in 1820 when the Paseo de Luneta was completed just south of the walls of Manila on a marshy patch of land next to the beach during the Spanish rule. Prior to the park, the marshy land was the location of a small town called Nuevo Barrio (New Town or Bagumbayan in Tagalog language) that dates back to 1601; it was cleared during the short British rule in 1762 to prevent sneak attacks from the patriotic natives. The area later became known as Bagumbayan Field where the Cuartel la Luneta (Luneta Barracks), a Spanish Military Hospital (which was destroyed by one of the earthquakes of Manila), and a moat-surrounded outwork of the walled city of Manila, known as the Luneta (lunette) because of its crescent shape.[1][2]
West of Bagumbayan Field is the Paseo de la Luneta (Plaza of the Lunette) named after the fortification, not because of the shape of the plaza which is a long 100-by-300-metre (330 ft × 980 ft) rectangle ended by two semicircles. It was also named Paseo de Alfonso XII (Plaza of Alfonso XII), after Alfonso XII, King of Spain during his reign from 1874 to 1885.[3] Paseo de la Luneta was the center of social activity for the people of Manila in the early evening hours. This plaza is arranged with paths and lawns and surrounded by a wide driveway called "La Calzada" (The Road) where carriages circulate
- stroll in the luneta park/rizal park: Formerly called Bagumbayan (New Town) during the Spanish times, Luneta Park got its present name since it was in the shape of a half-moon or a lunette ...also known as rizal park in honor of jose rizal ...a national hero ...its like the central park version of manila
- Manila - The Luneta Park: Right into the heart of the capital Manila lies Luneta Park or Rizal Park, which marks the Kilometer Zero of the Philippines and the northern tip of Roxas Boulevard, overlooking Manila Bay. Built in the early 1700s, the park was the site of some of the turning points in Philippine history such as the execution of the national hero Jose Rizal and the declaration of the Philippine independence from USA.
The Rizal Monument ca be found right in front of the park, which has become its famous symbol. The bronze statue, made in Switzerland and remodeled by national artist Juan Nakpil, is famously protected by the Kabalyeros de Rizal (Knights of Rizal) who do not move all-day or all-night long. It is also considered as the most-pictured site of the park.
Nowadays, the park is a favorite place for dating and for family picnics because of its spacious grassy lawns and open-air concert hall that features live entertainment and music. The park also has a chess plaza, a skating rink, fountains, and playgrounds. Every Sunday morning, Filipino martial artists use the park to practice eskrima, a traditional martial arts form.
The last time we were there was December of 2009, we were amazed by the big improvements of the park. Based on what we saw that time, I can say that the park is really well-maintained. Before, there was only Horse-drawn vehicles or calesas available for rent to tour the park, but now there's already a big and colorful Bus.
We plan of visiting Manila again this December together with our nieces and nephews, and the Luneta park is the number one spot on our list.
- Luneta Park - Tai Chi, Martial Arts, Gardens!: I have pictures of myself as a three-year-old enjoying the slides at Luneta Park (considered the Philippines' National Park)--- and I actually have very early memories of waking up early so that my parents could bring myself and my sister (VTer Jumpingwithnorman) to Luneta, now also known as Rizal Park.
This park has been here since Spanish colonial times and this is where the people gathered and even watched executions, like the famous one which killed our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal on December 30, 1896. His hands were tied and his back was to the gunfire, but when the shots were fired, he turned around to face his executioners! There is now a group of brass statues that form the centerpiece of a Light and Sound Show (630 Pm – 730 PM). Also see the changing of the guards at the memorial to Rizal.
Best time to visit Luneta is at about 5AM (wake up, Sunshine!), just before sunrise, when you will see these people practicing the art of Tai Chi (that slow-moving style of Chinese exercise). It’s nice to jog in the park with the honking of the jeepneys on the road, and everybody is just starting their day. There is also less smog during the early morning and you still smell the wetness of the grass.
On Sunday afternoons, there can be Filipino martial arts exhibitions, and sometimes free concerts at the Park Auditorium. You can also enjoy the nice botanical gardens in the Park itself – the Chinee and Japanese gardens. There is even a Planetarium!
Evenings are for young couples dating in the park, and if you are hungry, there are several nearby restaurants.
Park Location: along Padre Faura, Ermita, Manila , Luneta park manila philippines, Luneta in manila, philippines
Chinatown in Manila, Chinatown Manila
Binondo is an enclave in Manila primarily populated by ethnic Chinese living in the Philippines. It is the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594.[2] Historically, this was where the Spanish permitted converted sangleys, their indigenous Filipino wives, and their mixed-race descendants, the mestizos de sangley or Chinese mestizos, to reside. Similarly, Parían, an area near Intramuros, was where the Spanish first restricted unconverted Chinese immigrants. They allowed sangley settlement at Parían because it was within the range of Intramuros' cannons, and they felt they could control any uprising from the labourers.
Located across the Pasig River from Intramuros, Binondo has typified a small Chinese town, and is referred to as the local "China Town". The district is the centre of commerce and trade for all types of businesses run by Filipino-Chinese merchants. Given the historic reach of Chinese trading in the Pacific, Binondo was already a hub of Chinese commerce before the first Spanish colonisers arrived in 1521.
Binondo is also considered a historic centre of the mestizo de sangley community; famous residents include St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the Filipino protomartyr, and Venerable Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, founder of the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary.
- Visit the Temple of the God of War, Kuang Kong: Kuang Kong, AKA the God of War, AKA Patron of Martial Arts, AKA Patron of Scholars (when seated/reading). Kuang Kung who was a powerful and loyal general is also protector of Quan Yin, Goddess of Mercy. As C. Celdran puts it, in the spirit of assimilation, the Chinese believers calls Kuang Kong, Santiago. Go figure.
This Buddhist temple is open to the public. You can light incense sticks and put them in the urn at the entrance of the temple and utter your prayers. There is also these red wooden half moons you can use to have your fortunes told. Couch your questions in such a way that they're answerable by YES or NO! Swirl a pair of these wooden half disks over your incense sticks so they catch the smoke and then throw them to the floor. Identical faces means NO. Opposing figures means YES!
BTW, my friend S. L. tells me that, to quote him, "Guang Kong falls under Taoism though in Chinese religion, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism are often portrayed together in the same temple." Thanks for the info S. L.
They appreciate donations of any amount.
- 16th Century Binondo Church: Located in the Chinatown area of Manila, Binondo Church is one of the oldest church in the Philippines (built in 1596).
The original structure suffered a lot from typhoons and earthquakes over the past years since its erection. The only thing that remains as original is the octagonal bell tower.
Patron is Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (1st Filipino Saint) who served in the church as altar boy during his younger years.
By the way, the church is the Heritage Conservation Society.
- Come Visit Chinatown: There are lots of things to do at Chinatown: Buy appliances that cost lesser, find suppliers for your restaurant or whatever business, buy jewelry, customize jewelry, buy Chinese medicine, buy authentic Chinese food, etcetera, etcetera. It's within Manila, but it seems like you're in another country (just like any other China town, I guess).
BTW, the First Filipino saint, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, was born in Binondo, Manila (the location of China Town)
Chinatown in Manila, Chinatown Manila, Chinatown in Manila, Chinatown Manila
Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila
Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila (on Luzon), in the Philippines.The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world. Strategically located around the capital city of the Philippines, Manila Bay facilitated commerce and trade between the Philippines and its neighbouring countries,[1] becoming the gateway for socio-economic development even prior to Spanish occupation. With an area of 1,994 km2 (769.9 sq mi), and a coastline of 190 km (118.1 mi), Manila Bay is situated in the western part of Luzon and is bounded by Cavite and Metro Manila on the east, Bulacan and Pampanga on the north, and Bataan on the west and northwest.[2] Manila Bay drains approximately 17,000 km2 (6,563.7 sq mi) of watershed area, with the Pampanga River contributing about 49% of the freshwater influx. With an average depth of 17 m (55.8 ft), it is estimated to have a total volume of 28.9 billion cubic meters (28.9 cubic km). Entrance to the bay is 19 km (11.8 mi) wide and expands to a width of 48 km (29.8 mi). However, width of the bay varies from 22 km (13.7 mi) at its mouth and expanding to 60 km (37.3 mi) at its widest point.[2]
The islands of Corregidor and Caballo divides the entrance into two channels,[2] about 2 miles (3.2 km) towards the North and 6.5 miles (10.5 km) wide on the South side. Mariveles, in the province of Bataan, is an anchorage just inside the northern entrance and Sangley Point is the former location of Cavite Naval Base. On either side of the bay are volcanic peaks topped with tropical foliage: 40 km to the north is the Bataan Peninsula and to the south is the province of Cavite.
Across the entrance to Manila Bay are several islands, the largest of which is Corregidor, located 3 kilometers from Bataan and, along with the island of Caballo, separates the mouth of the bay into the North and South Channels. In the south channel is El Fraile Island and outside the entrance, and to the south, is Carabao Island. El Fraile, a rocky island some 4 acres (1.6 ha) in area, supports the massive concrete and steel ruins of Fort Drum, an island fortress constructed by the United States Army to defend the southern entrance of the bay. To the immediate north and south are additional harbors, upon which both local and international ports are situated. Large number of ships at the North and South harbors facilitate maritime activities in the bay.[1] Being smaller of the two harbors, the North Harbor is used for inter-island shipping while the South Harbor is used for large ocean-going vessels
- Manila Ocean park: this is one of the newest destinations in the Manila Bay Area. It is owned by the Owners of Singapore's Ocean World in Sentosa Island and also has a mini shopping mall and a boutique Hotel inside the Ocean park.
Operating Hours: Manila Ocean Park is open from 10am – 9pm, Mondays through Sundays.
Entrance Fee: The Entrance Fee for adults is PHP400 (approximately US$10) and PHP350 (approximately US$9) for children.
- The Coconut Palace (by the bay): A place where you can have your wedding reception, a date with your loved one, or just to ooh and aah. ;p
FACTS...FACTS...FACTS...FACTS: It is well-known in our country that former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos "orchestrated" the construction of this "guesthouse", built of coconut wood & shells, to accommodate Pope John Paul II for his 1981 visit, although its EXTRAVAGANCE turned him off so much that he refused to stay there.
Intramuros in Manila
- The Carlos Celdran walk in Intramuros : About a year ago, I took the Carlos Celdran tour around Intramuros. It is a truly refreshing view of Manila and its history. Carlos himself is a real performer and shares his feelings on the wrongs and rights in the history of Manila. It is a 2 hour walk that is wroth every peso.
- INTRAMUROS (between the walls): Spend an afternoon exploring the old Spanish city of Intramuros which was built as a fortress in the 16th century and eventually destroyed at the end of the 2nd world war as the Americans ended the Japanese occupation. The city was exclusively for the rich, the state buildings, churches, courts, hospitals and the cobbled streets still remain today.Walk on parts of the restored walls, several metres high and a few metres thick. Immigration office is here and the General Post Office, both near the Jones Bridge. It is surrounded by a golf course and if you are approaching from Malate you will probably enter the gate and walk down General Luna Street. Inside the walls are many attractions such as Fort Santiago, Rizal's Shrine, San Agustin Church and museum, Manila Cathedral, many small plazas and modern restaurants, most of which blend in with the surrounding buildings. You can rent a Kalesa (horse and cart) to tour around the place, or you can take a leisurely stroll. The visitors centre is just outside Fort Santiago where you can obtain a map of the old city. If you are coming by the LRT/MRT get off the train at Central and it will be a few minutes walk to the old city
- Fort Santiago-Seat of Old Spanish Power: Fort Santiago (Fuerza de Santiago) is a defense fortress built for Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi. The fort is part of the structures of the walled city of Intramuros, in Manila, Philippines. The location of Fort Santiago was also once the site of the palace and kingdom of Rajah Suliman, chieftain of Manila of pre-Spanish era. It was destroyed by the conquistadors upon arriving in 1570, encountering several bloody battles with the Muslims and native Tagalogs. The Spaniards destroyed the native settlements and erected Fuerza de Santiago in 1571.
Marking its entrance at the northwestern tip to Intramuros, Fort Santiago is one of the oldest fortifications of Intramuros. Its construction started in 1571 and it was completed nearly 150 years later by Filipino forced labor. The pre-Spanish settlement of Rajah Sulayman, the last Filipino ruler before the coming of the Spaniards, was a wooden fort, on the ashes of which was built the Spanish fortress which was Spain's major defense position in the islands. It looked out on the sea, towards which its canons were trained to ward off pirates and invaders. It is also known as the "Shrine of Freedom," in memory of the heroic Filipinos imprisoned and killed here during the Spanish and Japanese eras. Partly rebuilt from the ruins of World War II, it is now a park and promenade housing a resident theater company, PETA, which used ramparts, an old garrison, and a small chapel as theaters for both traditional and modern plays.
Today the fort serves as a museum which houses well-preserved legacies of the Spanish Government, Jose Rizal (which is called the Plaza de Armas), Rizal Shrine, and the prison dungeons for criminals used by the Spanish Officials. José Rizal, the country's national hero, was imprisoned here before his execution in 1896. A visit to Manila is not complete until you make you last respects to this great man.
- reliving the past: intramuros is a spanish word meaning "within the walls". This city within the city is the old manila. sadly much of it was destroyed during the war but there are still other interesting sites to see, like museums, old church- the San Agustin Church (a UNESCO world heritage site).
- Sayaw sa Bangko - Philippine local dance: See and experience the Philippines national dance at the Barbaras Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila. Barbaras restaurants' full buffet dinner is at 550.00 (including tax) per person and witness artist performing local dances.
Facts: Sayaw sa Bangko ("dance on bench") is a folk dance from the Pangasinan province of the Philippines. Performers dance on top of a narrow bench. Its fun to watch male dancers lifting the female dancers on the other edge of the bench. They wear colorful filipino designs costumes and they were smiling throughout the performance. Indeed a filipino culture.
- Tinikling - Philippines National Dance: See and experience the Philippines national dance at the Barbaras Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila. Barbaras restaurants' full buffet dinner is at 550.00 (including tax) per person and witness artist performing local dances.
After which, they are inviting all guest to try and experience the Tinikling (teeh-NEEHK-ling). This Philippines dance will test ones cleverness. See photos above.
Facts: The English equivalent of “tinikling” is “bamboo dance.” More than one oral history of the tinikling dance has been handed down through the generations.
Smooth three-inch bamboo poles that are approximately seven to eight feet long and dancers gracefully steps and jumps between two bamboo poles.
- Walk around the historical site: This walled city is surrounded by a golf course and is one of the quiter places in Manila.Built around 1600 by the spanish but heavily bombed in WW2 ,this is a nice area to walk around one of the most historical areas in Manila.
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