Population 1,660,714 (2007). With suburbs - 12,285,000 people (2005). It is one of the cities with the highest population density in the world.
Located on the island of Luzon, at the confluence of the Pasig River and Manila Bay in the South China Sea. The city was founded on June 24, 1571 by Lopez de Legazpi. The city's oldest district, Intramuros (literally "walled"), was built by the Spanish administration in the late 16th century. Mostly Hispanic families lived within its walls. During the Second World War it was destroyed, but was then restored. Its modern population is about 5 thousand people.
Over the course of history, Manila has experienced many wars, resulting in the destruction of many architectural, historical and cultural monuments. Now Manila is a major cultural center, home to several universities.
On the southern bank of the Pasig River is the oldest part of the city - the Intramuros district. It was founded in 1571, and, despite the fact that it was partially destroyed during the Second World War, it retains some examples of old Spanish architecture. First of all, this is the fortress wall, the construction of which began in 1590. The entrance to the Santiago fortress revives the memory of the Spanish presence. In 1595, Manila became the capital of the entire Philippine archipelago, as well as the center of a province that initially occupied almost all of Luzon.
Conquest of the city by the Spanish
Manila, before the arrival of the Spaniards, was part of the Muslim world, in which trade flourished with Chinese merchants and representatives from other East Asian countries. In 1570, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, forced to retreat from the island of Cebu under the pressure of Portuguese pirates, arrived in a prosperous Muslim city and decided to establish his capital in it. To establish relations with the local authorities, Martin de Goiti was first sent there. He tried to establish the authority of the Spanish crown peacefully. Raja Suleiman, who ruled then, replied that he was not against having friendly relations with the Spaniards, but it was not part of his plans to obey any other king. The conquistadors then took military action, as a result of which they forced the Muslims to leave the city. Legazpi eventually arrived with troops and began building the fortress on June 9, 1571.
The overthrown Rajah, Suleiman, tried to gain the support of the Rajah of Tondo, called Lakandula, Pampangans and Pangasinans, collected his own subjects, the Tagalogs, and tried to fight the Spaniards. He died in the battle of Bangkusai. In Manila, active work began to Christianize the local population. At that moment, the city became the main stronghold for the Christianization of all of Southeast Asia. Missionaries, monks of various orders, Augustinians, Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits and others arrived here. The Spaniards also established a commercial monopoly, pushing the Chinese out of this sphere.
Infrastructure development
In 1574, a Chinese pirate, Li Ma Hong, attempted to capture the city. He had 62 ships and 3,000 soldiers at his disposal. But the attempt was unsuccessful. Governor Guido de Lavezares and officer Juan de Salcedo repelled the Sino-Japanese fleet with only five hundred soldiers.
In 1601, a seminary for nobles was opened in Manila, which became the first educational institution in the country. In the history of the city there was a short moment of English domination when, during the Seven Years' War, the British captured it and held it for two years (1762-1764). Soon after the signing of the Paris Peace Treaty in 1763, they left the city, having previously managed to thoroughly plunder it.
In the following period, the Colonial capital was enriched with a large number of monuments: public and private palaces, monasteries and temples. The first Asian university named after St. Thomas appeared in Manila. Much later, universities appeared in India and in Latin American capitals. A new class of “enlightened”, in other words, educated people, was formed in the country, replenished from among the Creoles, mestizos and indigenous people.
At the same time, liberal ideas spread, which were absorbed especially quickly by educated people. Anticlerical Masonic sentiments spread. An anti-Spanish and anti-colonial secret organization was created, composed of Masonic elements, mainly from representatives of the Manila bourgeoisie. Such trends began to penetrate other parts of the country.
In August 1898, during the Spanish-American War, after the Battle of Cavite, the Americans occupied Manila. The Spanish fleet was defeated in the bay. Part of the population supported the Americans, whom they perceived as liberators in the fight against Spanish oppression. But, in essence, the American invasion was a new version of colonialism. Until July 1901, the Americans ruled harshly and despotically, using military force. However, despite this, they had supporters among the Filipinos, first of all, the bourgeoisie.
During World War II, Manila was captured by Japanese troops. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which occurred on December 7, 1941, a pro-Japanese collaborationist government was formed in the country, the seat of which was Manila. Both Americans and Filipinos simultaneously opposed the Japanese occupiers.
Manila's climate is subequatorial, with a sharply defined boundary between the dry and wet seasons. The dry season lasts from the second half of December to May, the wet season - the rest of the year, its peak is reached in August, when about 400 mm of precipitation falls per month. The average annual temperature varies from 25.6 °C in January to 29.5 °C in May.
Administrative division
The city of Manila itself is divided into 16 districts. The Greater Manila Conurbation consists of, in addition to Manila, 16 neighboring cities, the largest of which is Quezon City.
The metropolitan area that includes Manila makes up the National Capital Region, the only region of the Philippines not divided into provinces. In addition to Manila itself, the metropolitan agglomeration consists of the following cities: Caloocan, Navotas, Malabon, Valenzuela, Marikina, Pasay, Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Makati, Taguig, Paranaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Quezon.
Current situation
Manila occupies a unique position in the Philippines, very advantageous in order to play the role of the capital of the entire country and at the same time - the capital district. Now Manila is an agglomeration that includes a number of cities. The metropolitan area is limited to the north by the cities of Navotas and Caloocan, to the northeast by Quezon and San Juan del Monte, and to the south by Pasay City. To the west, Manila faces a picturesque bay that bears the same name as the city. The city is divided into two parts by the Pasig River. The central part of the city, the oldest, Intramuros, was founded by the first Spanish settlers, the conquistadors. The northern part of the city is built up with modern buildings. The industrial area is adjacent to the port. Destroyed during the war, Manila was rebuilt according to the North American model. The current appearance of Manila is no longer characterized by ancient Spanish buildings, but by straight, wide streets and highways, the traffic on which remains chaotic.
The capital's population has grown rapidly over the last century: in 1890 it amounted to 100,000 inhabitants, in 1920 - 300,000, in the 1950s - 600,000, and since then has doubled.
At the same time, the most ancient sights of the city will also be preserved. These are the Baroque churches of San Agustin and Santo Domingo, the ruins of the Spanish fortress of Santiago, and the building of the University of Santo Tomas. Other attractions include various museums, libraries and an observatory.
The basis of Manila's economy has recently been the textile and food industries, the production of medicines, soap, wood products, tobacco products and more.
Organizations located in Manila
The headquarters of the Asian Development Bank is located in Manila.
The many-sided Manila, the capital of the Philippines, attracts more and more tourists every year - there is something special about it for European guests. Fine restaurants and abandoned bars, ultra-fashionable skyscrapers and poor people's huts, rich Manila and poverty. A holiday in Manila will be unconventional, memorable and affordable from a financial point of view.
Manila is the capital of the Philippines and is one of the 16 cities that form the country's Metro Manila Capital Region. The city's population is about 1,660,700 people. According to recent data, the city is considered one of the most populous in the world and the second largest city in the Philippines. In the west, Manila is washed by Manila Bay, whose beaches are famous throughout the world. Sister cities - Bangkok, Tokyo, Saigon.
The city is rich in cultural monuments and attractions - due to its age, this land has seen the construction and destruction of many temples and churches of various religious orientations. Also, deep history provided the basis for the construction of museums and cultural centers. Here they honor the exploits of their ancestors and honor the memory of wars and resistance taking place in their native territory.
Story
In 1521, the navigator Fernadre Magellan landed on the islands, and it was then that the lands were declared Spanish and named after the Crown Prince of Spain, Philip. The new owners invested a lot in the development of the region - they destroyed many Catholic churches, established trade with Japan, China and India, and improved the living conditions of the population. Despite the active improvement of the Philippines, the local people were oppressed and embittered. Uprisings and civil wars broke out all the time.
In 1898, America wins the confrontation with Spain and takes the Philippine islands for itself. During the Second World War, the state was under the occupation of Japan, these were difficult times for the Filipinos - bombings, hostilities, brutal reprisals. After the end of the war, Manila was completely destroyed, and then America came to the rescue. She quickly rebuilt the capital according to a foreign style - newfangled new buildings, high-speed highways, well-groomed streets and modern technologies.
What you need to know about Filipinos?
Local residents are extremely kind and responsive, even if they do not understand the interlocutor at all - they will try to suggest a solution to the problem with signs. However, due to the high level of poverty, cases of fraud and theft are common. It is recommended to avoid poor areas and try not to walk until after midnight; it is better to think about safety.
90% of the population are Catholics, but they are tolerant of manifestations of other religions.
Climate
The tourist destination in this country is actively developing due to its climate - when it is cold here, Maynila is very warm. Temperatures in the summer months reach 39 degrees. But it is in the summer that there are quite a few vacationers here - the rainy season begins, from June to October. The influx of tourists starts from November to May, especially in winter the weather is most suitable for a beach holiday.
When the season begins in Manila, the city and the country as a whole begin to bloom! Crowds of tourists begin to arrive here, hotels come to life and the weather is pleasantly warm.
How to get there?
Manila's largest airport is Ninoy Aquino International Airport, located 10 minutes from the capital. It is worth noting that there are no direct flights from Russia to Manila yet. Airlines offer flights with connections in Hong Kong, Istanbul, Beijing or Doha. The cost of the trip depends on the distance and possible promotions on the ticket. Flight time also varies depending on the route chosen.
How to get around the city? The most popular and fastest transport in the capital is the metro. Getting around the city is better on it, since the traffic at the top is terrible and you can be stuck in a traffic jam for hours. You need to understand that it’s easy to get lost here, so it’s better to think through your route in advance. Locals offer a ride in a jeep taxi, but the driving style of Filipino drivers is extremely extreme!
How to get around the Philippines in general? The following options are available: sea, land and air transport. The cheapest one is public. A ferry also operates between the islands and is inexpensive.
There are interruptions in communication; the Internet can be used freely on hotel premises.
Map
City infrastructure
Where to stay?
Given the diversity of Manila itself, it becomes clear that anyone, regardless of financial well-being, can find accommodation here.
For people with high demands and financial resources, five-star hotels Shangri La Residences at The Fort Manila, Conrad Manila, I’m hotel and Seda Vertis North open their doors. This is a list of the best hotels - fully equipped apartments, all-inclusive meals, spa treatments and massage services, a fitness center and entertainment for children. The cost of living in rooms of this class starts from $400.
Today there is a high demand for this tourist destination among young people - active guys and girls join groups and travel to different Asian cities. This category of vacationers can stay in inexpensive hostels, fortunately there are many of them here and at any price - from $20 and above.
For example, Pink Manila Hostel, Urban Hostel Makati, Tambayan Capsule Hostel and Bar, Our Melting Pot and others.
Where is the best place to live? The districts of Manila vary greatly - you can walk around the city and see ultra-modern skyscrapers, but turn onto another street and end up in a poverty-stricken area.
- Makati City. Famous for the Salcedo market, where you can buy any product at a good price. Bed textiles, local souvenirs, Filipino coffee, national snacks, even chicken curry. What else is nearby? Shopping centers Greenbalt and Glorietta with a wide selection of boutiques of clothing, shoes, underwear, and children's items.
- Fort Bonifacio is considered an elite area. Where to go? You can stroll along Bonifacio High Street; in its vicinity there are a lot of luxurious restaurants, shopping centers, VIP hotels and branded clothing stores.
- University Town, UP Village. Students set the pace of life here, the atmosphere of creativity and youth reigns, so there is something to do - cat cafes, tattoo parlors, second-hand bookstores, points of sale of vinyl records, bars with board games and more.
- Tomas Morato. The streets are teeming with yoga studios, spas and tattoo centers. Also, nightlife is developed - comedy clubs, live music venues, strip clubs and discos.
- Manila Waterfront or Roxas Boulevard. The rebuilt embankment, along which huge skyscrapers rise majestically. Recreation areas are decorated with palm trees and rare plants. A favorite place for city residents, who play sports, who enjoy the beautiful view, and who drink aromatic coffee in a nearby coffee shop.
- Quiapo region - in the 20s, a mass of believers rushed to venerate the shrines of the Quiapo Temple, enterprising merchants took advantage of this and began to actively disrupt the shopping arcades. Today, the area is equipped with shopping centers, complexes and business buildings, nightclubs and restaurants. Today it is considered prestigious to live here.
Pasig Region, a bustling and trendy metropolitan area, has something for everyone - bookstores, sports studios, branded boutiques, shopping malls, etc.
Each of these areas is equipped with new multi-story buildings, the streets are paved and planted with exquisite plants, there are a variety of brand stores, and all kinds of bars and restaurants operate.
Local kitchen
Due to its proximity to the ocean, the main ingredients of Philippine cuisine are seafood and fish. Here they are baked, fried, smoked, boiled, depending on the imagination of the cook. Usually the above products are served with rice or vegetables. The food differs from food in other Asian countries in that it is less spicy and fiery. What to try from national dishes? It’s definitely worth trying Filipino beans, sotangon noodles with chicken, sweet coconut rice, national pochero, lumpia, and pork adobo.
Another edible pride of the country is seasonal fruits. Sugar and rose apple, passion fruit, santol, lychee and others. A huge selection of healthy berries will allow you to nourish yourself with the necessary elements and strengthen your immune system. If you have a question about what else to try, then fruits should definitely be tried.
It is worth noting that the restaurant business has been actively developing recently and competition is growing. Every owner wants to distinguish himself in something and attract clients to him. Therefore, not only delicious food and quality service are involved, but also non-standard “tricks”. For example, in the Van Gogh is Bipolar restaurant you have to take off your shoes before entering. The Westwood restaurant offers sushirito (a mixture of Japanese rolls and meat steaks). Recently they opened a cafe for animals and people, Whole Pet Kitceh, where you can calmly have a snack with your pet at the same table.
If you need inexpensive restaurants and cafes, then these are Tim Ho Wan, Bistro Remedios, The Aristocrat, My Kitchen by Chef Chris.
Entertainment and cultural places
Over the past few years, the tourism destination of the Philippines has been developing rapidly; the state supports this trend and maximizes the list of offers for tourists.
The pride of the capital is Manila Ocean Park with numerous aquariums, strange marine inhabitants, interesting shows and a modern interior.
The Planetarium offers videos about the starry sky and the phenomena occurring there; the cost of admission is 50 pesos.
The type of entertainment depends entirely on the interests of the group of vacationers - a family with children or young people in search of nightlife.
Families can visit the Seri Fantas Word entertainment center - children's attractions, 3D cinema, interactive exhibits, recreation areas and much more. You can see Asian animals at Manila Zoo – well-groomed pets will delight visitors. The Butterfly Pavilion was founded to promote information about butterfly species and their way of life. Entry price is 30 pesos per person.
Children's Museum "Pambata" (Museo Pambata), introduces visitors to the history of the Philippines, many different exhibitions, areas, areas that you can touch and look closer. Children especially like it here.
The Light and Sound Museum is the real pride of the Filipinos; it is located on St. Lucia Street and covers an area of 1800 square meters. It is created in such a way that a visit to each exhibition is accompanied by a new video story and corresponding music. The main areas are the period of the existence of the Philippines before the Spanish capture, the Spanish colony, the life and resistance of the national hero Rizal. The museum receives a lot of positive feedback and gratitude for its work from visitors.
The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, located on Roxas Boulevard, was built as the first museum of modern art. Five exhibitions are constantly open for viewing, but in addition, additional events are held - exhibitions of free artists, thematic exhibitions, educational conferences, installations of event reminders, etc.
Manila Orchidarium, or rather the Orchid Museum. All kinds of orchids are represented here. In order to popularize such a beautiful flower, excursions and lectures on care are regularly held. You can take pictures and record on a voice recorder.
Rizal park is a significant place for every Filipino; it is here that a huge monument to the hero Rizal was erected, and national holidays are held at this place all year round. Landscape design, modern recreation areas, benches and fountains - all this pleases and lifts your spirits.
If the focus is more on nightlife, then experienced tourists advise visiting the large-scale disco In The Mood, the Infinity club, Top of the Century, Lobby Lounge. For gambling lovers, there are the Filipino Pavilion and Filipino Heritage casinos.
Activities in Manila include hiking in the surrounding area, cycling, diving and running marathons.
Beach holidays in Manila
Manila is the largest port of the Philippine state and not many people dare to swim on the city beaches. There are many other beautiful places around Manila with clear water where arriving tourists go to soak up the sun.
Subic Bay, located in the north, is not a particularly equipped beach, most likely for a budget holiday.
White Beach gets its name due to its white sand and beautiful coastline. There are numerous hotels and cafes along the beach. You can get there from Manila by car, it's about 1.5 hours drive, or half an hour by boat.
Boracay Beach, popular among wealthy tourists, has many expensive hotels and restaurants that provide quality services and a high level of service.
Sabang Beach is famous among lovers of diving and other water sports. There is an influx of active tourists here all year round, but most of all in autumn and spring.
What to see in Manila?
The Philippines is a very ancient state, due to which many historical monuments are stored on its territory. It is impossible to see them all in one day; you need to spend at least three days.
Main attractions of the city
List of main attractions:
- Intramuros is the ancient part of the city, the main historical value of the Philippines. The fortress was built by the Spaniards to protect the Spanish population from attack, because the indigenous population constantly organized uprisings and resisted the conquerors. Intramuros is the first point on the map that every tourist wants to visit. There are several souvenir shops in the surrounding area, so the question of what to take with you as a souvenir will be resolved.
- The Presidential Palace (Malacanang Palace) is the official residence of the President of the Philippines, which is located on Jose Laurel Street.
- The Coconut Palace - was built at the insistence of Imelda Marcos only from palm wood and coconuts, with the aim of creating an unprecedented residence for important political figures. The construction budget is about 10 million dollars.
- The National Museum of the Philippines was built for the purpose of collecting objects of culture and history of the region. Founded in 1901. Located near Intramuros.
- Fort Santiago is a fortress significant for all Filipinos in which the national hero Jose Rizal lived out his days. The structure was erected by the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez.
- The Chinese cemetery is something breathtaking and at the same time an eerie sight. Huge crypts, mausoleums, coffins, statues, two-story houses that are waiting for their deceased guests. Relatives can spend the night here and indulge in their sad memories. It is a very strange picture for our mentality when people, already during their lifetime, worry about creating the best burial place for themselves.
- The first Asian university, also called the Catholic University of the Philippines. One of the oldest universities in Asia and the largest Catholic institution in the world. Located in the Intramuros Fortress.
- Manila Square is also located in Intramuros, with a monument to Carlos IV and an old fountain in the center.
- The Museum of Manila (Museum of the City of Manila) is an ethnographic museum that contains all the information about the development of the Filipino people: their customs, traditions, and household items.
The parks of Manila are also worthy of special attention - Rizal Park, Raja Saleiman, Arosseros Park, Navotas and others. Many rare plants, recreation areas and well-groomed places.
Religious monuments
For a long time, the Spanish conquerors fought against Islamism for their religious faith, that is, Catholicism. Currently, the Catholic faith is considered the main religion of the Philippines. A huge number of Catholic temples and churches have been preserved and are functioning; the local population is extremely careful about their faith and its attributes.
Main religious places:
- The Church of St. Augustine, also called the Cathedral of St. Augustine (San Agustin Church) is the oldest church in the Philippines, which is located in the old part of the city. Considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Church of St. Sebastian (San Sebastian Church) - the temple has the status of national cultural heritage and is also under the protection of UNESCO, also called the Basilica of St. Sebastian. The Catholic Church is of historical importance and is considered a pilgrimage center. Can be found near Rizal National Hero Park.
- The Manila Cathedral is another significant Catholic basilica built within Intramuros. Also called the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Manila Cathedral is revered by both politicians and the ordinary local population. In 2015, Pope Francis visited the temple.
- Binondo church or Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz Malaya - a granite structure in the Baroque style, with an octagonal bell tower, was founded by monks with the aim of attracting people to Christianity. Located on Onglin Street.
- Quiapo Church is a bright temple, notable for the figure of Christ made of ebony. A huge number of pilgrims come to these parts to venerate the shrine.
Guide suggestions
Every visitor has the first question: what is there to see in Manila? The guides' suggestions converge on the following areas:
- Coconut plantations and the Spanish-style Villa Escudero will introduce tourists to the period when the Filipinos were under Spanish rule.
- Rice terraces are a miracle created by the hands of the Ifugao people, endless multi-level green fields on which rice is planted. A fantastic picture created by nature together with people.
- River rafting and traveling along the Pagsanhan River, crystal clear water and beautiful scenery will charge you with a positive mood for the whole year.
- The island of Coregidor has preserved the terrible memory of the fierce battles of the Japanese and Americans on these lands.
- Taal Volcano - the grandeur of the active volcano amazes from the first minutes of being in its vicinity, takes your breath away and fascinates.
There are many interesting places in the vicinity of the city, so the question of where to go will not bother you; travel agencies and guides will provide complete information. What to see in 1 day? There is an option for the Manila Overview tour; tourists will travel around the capital all day, accompanied by a trained guide.
More and more people are striving to celebrate the winter holidays away from the cold and slush; if the question arises where to celebrate the New Year 2019 - a holiday in Manila is an ideal option! Winter holidays on the islands will also have a beneficial effect on children’s health - soft sun, warm sand and fruits will strengthen a weak body and give strength for the new school year.
Manila-Manila beckons me
Manila-Manila la-la-la-la...
No, this is not a new hit from Max Fadeev. This is a song that Max composed as soon as he found himself in Manila) Yes, it’s time to continue the report on our Philippine trip, otherwise we just can’t get around to it.
In fact, it’s not that Manila attracted us all that much when planning a trip. There was no way we could simply bypass it with our travel plan. Moreover, we even had to visit there twice, because all roads from the islands inevitably lead to Manila.
In general, there was a lot to see there: you could go to volcanoes (there is a Taal volcano in the area - the smallest active volcano on the planet with an unusually beautiful lake inside), and to waterfalls, etc. and so on. It would be interesting to use the entire day available, not counting the days of arrival and departure. But my husband, tired of our more than eventful program, cut my Napoleonic plans in the bud and preferred to “rummage around” around the city and in the shops.
But I’ll start the story in order.
FLIGHT.
We flew to Manila from Hong Kong on Philippine Airlines (previously we had an Aeroflot flight from Moscow to Hong Kong). The flight is beyond praise. Despite the fact that the flight itself lasted only 1-40, they managed to give me hot food and drink, and even alcoholic drinks, and they were surprised that I only asked for one glass of wine. Everyone liked the hot dish too. My husband took the pork with pasta and was absolutely delighted. My child and I have chicken and rice. Max declared that it was the most delicious chicken of his life. Mom, urgently learn to do this. So, respect to Philippine Airlines! By the way, the best place to change currency is at the Manila airport - oddly enough, the exchange rate is the best there. The exchange rate of the Philippine peso to the ruble is approximately one to one, very easy and simple for Russian tourists.
MANILA – WHAT IS IT AND WHAT DOES IT EAT WITH?
The capital of the Philippines is Manila, with a population of about 2 million people in an area of less than 40 square kilometers. km, is considered the most populous city in the world. It is located on the island of Luzon in the Pacific Ocean. The name "Manila" is translated from Tagalog as "there is nila". And “nila” is the kind of grass that floats along the river and colors the water a fantastic green color.
My very first association now when I hear the word “Manila”? - Of course, a jeepney! Jeepneys are the most colorful attraction of the Philippines in general and Manila in particular. Initially, these were American military vehicles from the Jeep company, which were delivered to Filipinos second-hand from American military bases. The Filipinos “upgraded” these cars in their own way, reassembling and lengthening them in order to increase passenger capacity, because jeepneys serve as a kind of minibus. The side benches of the jeepney accommodate 12-15 people. However, during rush hour, up to 30 people or even more are packed into a jeepney (I don’t know how they fit in there: sitting, standing, reclining). Each owner decorates his jeepney in his own unique way and gives his own unique name (usually in honor of musicians, actors and other famous personalities, even in honor of Jesus Christ). It is impossible to find two identical jeepneys. Moreover, the brighter, shinier and more colorful the jeepney, the better! This is such a cool machine. Initially, we even had a desire to try driving it. However, having seen how many people could be crammed in there, and in what positions they continued on their way, the desire somehow immediately faded away. It’s better to observe from the outside, using a taxi yourself, which, by the way, are not at all expensive in Manila.
As for what they eat in Manila...Or rather, what they eat in Manila...Manila is known for some, to put it mildly, exotic culinary preferences of the locals. The most famous Manila delicacy is balut - a duck egg with a formed duckling fetus. Also in the city you can “feast” on chicken and pig intestines, pig blood, the so-called “adidas” - chicken paws with claws, chicken heads and other delicacies. Hmm, despite our craving for everything new and exotic, not one of the family members had the desire to try all these delicacies. So this exotic part of Manila remained unknown to us.
But we wanted to get to know its other part, the Spanish one, better. After all, the Spanish history of Manila goes back about 500 years, when the Spanish conquistador Lopez de Legazpi founded a colony here in 1571. He built a new capital here under the banner of Spain and, for security, allocated the area of Intramuros (“within the walls”), fenced off from the rest of the city by a high fortress wall, under the protection of which the Spanish conquerors lived with their families. Gradually, Manila became the main stronghold of the Spaniards in Asia; many palaces, monasteries, and temples appeared here. And the names of many districts and streets still sound in Spanish. There is even a small part of the population that speaks Spanish. So we decided to head to the Spanish region of Intramuros. Here you immediately forget that you are deep in Asia. It seems that you find yourself in an ordinary Spanish medieval city, where nothing (well, except passers-by) reminds you that you are very, very far from Europe.
Entering Intramuros from the east (from General Luna Street), you immediately find yourself in the Gallery of Philippine Presidents, where all the former presidents of the Philippines from independence to the present day are engraved.
If you don’t want to wander around the old city on foot and in the heat, then you can take a “kalesa”: a “kalesa” is a carriage with one horse as the main draft force, an iconic landmark of Intramuros. Moreover, the “driver” of the Kalesa also plays the role of a guide. He will take you all over Intramuros, maybe even along the route you specify, with stops where you need it. Everywhere they write that the price is 300 pesos. However, in practice, when trying to negotiate, everyone refused this price, offering to ride for a thousand. But it was so hot that I was too lazy to even bargain, so we thought: “it’s better to walk.” And they took a picture of the Kalesa. Besides, horses don’t smell particularly fragrant in the heat, I must say.
Of course, when you are in Intramuros, you cannot pass by the Manila Cathedral, the history of which practically reflects the history of the Philippines itself. The cathedral has been destroyed several times by natural disasters, but its most recent destruction occurred in 1945 during the Manila Massacre, during which soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army committed war crimes against the city's population, killing more than 100,000 people and leaving the city in ruins ( What do you think is the least favorite nation in the Philippines?). But each time after the destruction, the Cathedral was rebuilt, and in 2014 it reopened its doors.
It is also interesting to wander around Fort Santiago, walk along the fortress walls, find yourself in St. Isabel Square, covered with bougainvilleas, where you will again remember the consequences of the Manila massacre of 1945, in memory of which a Memorial was erected there.
But you still can’t walk around Manila for a long time. It's very hot on the streets even for heat lovers like us. Therefore, I would suggest, as an option for spending time in the city, either immerse yourself in shopping, hanging out in numerous Manila shopping centers (where, by the way, there is a very large selection of everything, at a very reasonable price, and with very high quality), or boat trip. After all, what could be more wonderful on a hot summer day than a boat ride with a pleasant sea breeze. And if you can also have dinner on the boat, then it’s absolutely wonderful. This is exactly the kind of walk that is offered by numerous travel agencies in Manila. Personally, I ordered it through viator.com (Dinner Cruise). The walk along Manila Bay turned out to be very pleasant and was accompanied by views of evening Manila, a pink sunset and live music (Filipinos sing very well - a well-known fact). Surprisingly, a pretty decent dinner was offered (fish, teriyaki chicken, rice, vegetables, pasta, soup, cinnamon cake). Drinks can be ordered separately, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic (for example, the price of an alcoholic cocktail is only 120 pesos).
Well, a little about hotels.
HOTEL No. 1 – H2O
For our first visit to Manila, I looked at the H2O Hotel. The hotel is notable for the fact that it shares a rooftop with the Manila Ocean Park. Due to the proximity to the aquarium, some rooms, such as our Aqua Supreme, have a very specific design. Well, we were surprised, so surprised. Entering the room, we did not find a single window there. But instead of windows, a wall in the form of an aquarium was installed from floor to ceiling (in the room and bathroom), which was essentially part of the Oceanarium, sharing the roof with the hotel. That's why fish swam in schools in our room, except that there were no sharks. Funny! Well, to hell with it, there are no windows and no view of the sunset. But we have a lot of fish! At one time I dreamed of a similar room in Atlantis in Dubai, but I was sorry for the money. But here it’s quite accessible. As for the sunset, all you have to do is step out of your room onto the hotel terrace - and here you have the most beautiful view of Manila Bay, the sunset and the various cruise ships parking nearby. By the way, the hotel itself looks like a liner. And it stands practically on the water. The impression is even stronger when you see real liners moored near the hotel, such as American Hollander and others.
I should probably mention the hotel's shortcomings. Perhaps there is one drawback. Since it is almost part of the Oceanarium, there are always a lot of people, children, everyone is making noise and making noise. That is, the place is not for a quiet, relaxing holiday. But personally, this didn’t bother us at all, and we were only there for one night. And at night, thank God, there is peace and quiet there.
Hotel restaurants.
Interesting restaurant Makan-Makan. A buffet breakfast is served there in the morning. Not to say that there was a very large selection for breakfast. But what is there is very tasty: fried rice with vegetables and egg, baked fish, mango salad (our favorite), and other standard breakfast dishes offered in any hotel.
The restaurant also offers themed buffets for lunch and dinner at a price of about 570 phil. pesos per person. There is an offer for a family of 3 people: dinner 1200 fp. This is a kind of food village, where the cuisines of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Japan and the Philippines are collected: laksa, roti prata, dim sum, chilli crab, Hainanese chicken rice, Thai green curry, etc. A real feast for all lovers of Asian food.
White Moon Bar - a magnificent terrace overlooking Manila Bay, on weekends the bar hosts barbecues for about 570 Php/person. Unfortunately, we didn’t get there, because you need to book places here in advance, and we just arrived. So we went looking for a place to have dinner in the surrounding area. And we found not far from the hotel, also on the embankment, a wonderful restaurant, Harbor View Restaurant, also with a terrace overlooking the bay and a fresh sea breeze. Moreover, judging by the large number of locals in this restaurant, one could conclude that the locals respect this restaurant very much, and that the food here is delicious. Our guess was confirmed as soon as we tried the wonderful cuisine of the restaurant. Here are examples from what was ordered:
1) Steamed King fish in oyster sauce.
2)Baby squid in al ajiyo garlic sauce.
3) Salad of mango, onions and tomatoes with original sauce.
4) Max, as far as I remember, had something like chicken kebabs (I was also pleased).
5) The menu only lists beer, but wine is also available upon request (at a very reasonable price).
Everything was very tasty, so I definitely recommend this restaurant if you ever find yourself in Manila.
HOTEL NO. 2 – CONRAD MANILA.
We found ourselves in this hotel at the end of our trip, on the way back from Manila to Hong Kong. Well, I have nothing but praise for this hotel. The hotel is from the Hilton chain, which speaks for itself. I compared our first H2O hotel to a liner. But perhaps I was too hasty. Conrad is a real huge ocean liner, gorgeous both outside and inside. The hotel is also located on the shores of Manila Bay, along the promenade with a promenade and many restaurants serving national cuisine and outdoor bars.
We booked the Bay View Diplomatic Suite - true to its name, with views of the bay and access to the Club Lounge. In addition to the delights of staying in a luxury room (see photo), we eagerly took advantage of the benefits of a club room: free snacks (cold and hot, and even ice cream) and drinks (including wine and champagne) throughout the day. There was so much food that we didn’t even have to use the services of restaurants. And without them everyone was full and happy. A pleasant and tasty bonus in the room - every evening they brought chocolates and dried mangoes. Well, a coffee maker, kettle, and tea and coffee accessories are, of course, present in the room.
Another important advantage of the hotel is direct access from it via a covered walkway directly to the Mall of Asia shopping center. Mall of Asia is the largest shopping center in Southeast Asia and the fourth largest shopping center in the world, located in the Pasay City area on the oceanfront. This is a real city within a city, an empire of trade and entertainment, you can spend many days here without leaving it, and without going around it entirely. All the shopping centers in Moscow cannot even come close to it in scope and recreational opportunities. Manila residents come there with their families and sit there all day long. There is also a skating rink, or rather an ice stadium, the largest in this part of tropical Asia, where even snow has never been seen. And between the huge buildings of the Mall there are entire streets, with their own shops, kiosks, gardens and street cafes.
But it was precisely in connection with this shopping center that the only problem I had during my trip happened. It would seem that I had foreseen everything, calculated it. Even incredible connections and flights between islands were successfully included in the plan. But I couldn’t predict Catholic Easter. How completely it slipped my mind that Filipinos are still Catholics, and that Catholic Easter is sacred for them. And all establishments (shops, restaurants, absolutely everything) are closed during the entire Easter celebration. Everything was just completely closed. And for this day I planned shopping at the Mall of Asia for my beloved. On the previous day, we had significantly updated Max’s wardrobe there, and I was looking forward to taking care of myself the next day. And here it is Easter!!! Well, that means it wasn’t fate)))
MANILA. IMPRESSION.
Once, while searching the Internet for information about Manila, I read that Manila is a patchwork quilt where Spanish heritage coexists with high-tech American-style skyscrapers. Plus, I would also add shreds of Asian flavor, because whatever you say, Manila is a thoroughly Asian city. Still, Manila is a rather interesting city. In some areas you find its resemblance to Dubai, some areas immediately remind you of Bangkok, and some even send you to India. Despite all this variety of styles, the people in general seemed nice and open to me. And also slim, fit and athletic. People go jogging all the time, exercise in parks, marathons and bike rides are organized. At the same time, the city is actively being built. If now many areas seem uncomfortable, then I think that in a few years they will be completely transformed. Would I return to Manila? Definitely yes - remembering its luxurious stores with ridiculous prices. If earlier Bangkok was number one in my ranking for shopping, now, I’m afraid, Manila has greatly displaced it. So, Manila is not the worst place to connect between the beautiful Philippine islands.
Beach holidays in Manila (Philippines) seem attractive to many Russians, besides, the prices for tours are not particularly high, and reviews are usually positive. However, those who decide to fly to the Philippines on their own, finding themselves in Manila for the first time, often become perplexed and cannot understand where are all those wonderful quiet beaches with clear water, the images of which attracted them.
Google Maps / google.ru
The fact is that the city of Manila is not suitable for a beach holiday; it is the largest port of the Philippines, an industrial and commercial center. The beaches, for which numerous tourists find themselves at the local airport every day, are located away from the city, to the south and north. But this does not mean that beach relaxation is completely impossible in the city itself. There is a multi-kilometer embankment here, and many hotels are located right on it. But silence, crystal clear water and other tropical delights, that is, the beaches of Manila that attract tourists, are located nearby.
Where are the beaches?
The most unusual, little-known and probably picturesque place for a beach holiday is Subic Bay, located 3 hours north of the metropolis. White Beach is considered to be the most affordable and least pretentious. This place is located near the town of Puerto Galera on the neighboring island of Mindoro.
From Manila it can be reached at any time by taxi or bus and boat in 3-5 hours. The famous Boracay is also located not far from the metropolis. And those travelers who are interested in diving or other leisure options alternative to beach relaxation, as well as a break from civilization and extreme sports, need to go to Sabang Beach.
Sabang itself is a small village on the western side of Palawan, standing between a mountain range and the ocean. Here and only here you can find a corner of the Philippines without civilization. There is not even a connection to electricity, and local generators only work four hours a day, starting at 18:00. There are no hotels in the village; housing here is rented from locals.
Amanda / flickr.com
Sabang is interesting primarily for the presence of underground caves with a river, although beach relaxation here is not bad, but only for those who like extreme sports and the lack of civilized recreation conditions. Of course, there are no set prices for the services of local residents. We need to negotiate and bargain. However, you can relax here by spending very little money.
As a rule, tourists do not go to Sabang itself. To the north of the village there begins an endless series of hotels and beaches, equipped with all the necessary equipment for various types of recreation and, of course, having all the usual comfortable conditions.
About Boracay
The most famous resort in the Philippines. As a rule, when looking at brochures and planning a vacation in Manila on the ocean with an exotic cocktail in hand, future tourists admire the picturesque photographs of Boracay.
PENG HSIEN-YING / flickr.com
There are no tricks or gimmicks here, just most tours to the Philippine Islands, of which there are more than 7 thousand, begin with the landing of the plane at Manila airport. Accordingly, it is more convenient to use the name of the metropolis than the numerous resort towns located nearby.
The way to Boracay is a flight to Caticlan and a boat trip from there to the island of beaches. When entering Boracay, 2 environmental fees are paid - 75 and 100 local pesos. There are no other differences in prices in Boracay from the average prices for the Philippines.
About White Beach
The closest corner of a “tropical fairy tale” to the metropolis. Beach holidays here are in no way inferior to the much-advertised Boracay, but you don’t need to pay to enter the island. The easiest way to get to White Beach is by bus; if you depart from Pit Gili station, the trip will be 20-30 minutes shorter than when departing from other bus stations.
Ray in Manila / flickr.com
There is no bridge between the islands, but the bus stops right at the port's passenger terminal. A ticket to Puerto Galera costs between 150 and 180 pesos. There is no need to specify the schedule, since a large number of small private boats ply in this direction, that is, you can always sail.
The White Beach itself is a hundred kilometers long strip along the sea. The largest hotel complex is Blue Crystal, which occupies almost a hundred meters of coastline and consists of three main three-story buildings and numerous bungalows. The cost of holidays here is one of the lowest in the Philippines, but the conditions are quite simple. Although electricity and internet are available, as are small restaurants.
This is an interesting place where not only beach relaxation is relevant. Perhaps, here you can combine the advantages of urban recreation and relaxation by the water. Apart from Manila itself, the Philippines associates holidays and prices, that is, the contents of tours for travelers, exclusively with relaxation on the beach. This leads to the fact that many unusual places escape the attention of tourists.
Patrick Wesley / flickr.com
Subic Bay is a former naval base. There are a lot of interesting things here, for example, a safari or diving to the Japanese ship "Oreku Maru", better known as the "Hell Ship", which continues to lie at the bottom.
This is a merchant barge, rebuilt in 1944 to transport prisoners of war and sank literally a few tens of meters from the modern beach line of Subic Bay. Moreover, no one needs to pay to visit the remains of the ship; it is available to everyone. Of course, you should have diving skills before visiting flooded holds.
Subic Bay is a self-name, but it is designated at almost every transport hub in the Philippines. The original and still official name of this place is Olongapo. Subic Bay is the name of the military base itself.
You can get there by taxi or take a bus in the Pasay area. The bus ride takes 3 hours, passengers are dropped off in the very center of Subic Bay, from where you can walk to the desired hotel or take a local taxi.
In general, the town resembles a “branch” of the United States. This concerns not only the impression of its streets and, of course, beaches, but also the range of services in hotels, the quality of roads, bars on the beaches, clubs and other things.
About prices
As for the cost, in terms of rubles, the average payment for daily accommodation in places with the Internet, electricity, bar and other amenities is as follows (in rubles per day for using a double room):
- Guest house – 820.
- Eco-hotel (hut) – 580.
- 5* with breakfast included, sea view, on-site swimming pool and other amenities - from 8,500 and above, for a suite you will have to pay almost 20,000.
- 3* with breakfast included – from 1500.
- Bungalows in “Sheridan Organic Farm and Eco Village” (farm houses) – from 3000.
- 2* without food, in buildings of the colonial style and time, that is, buildings built no later than the beginning of the last century - from 700.
The average bill for a full meal for a family of 3 people in open-air cafes in beach areas is 300 rubles. As a rule, travelers use www.booking.com to choose a hotel or other “civilized” accommodation option. Although other housing selection services are in no way inferior to it.
respiritu / flickr.com
As for the prices for accommodation in the metropolis itself, they pleasantly surprise most travelers (in American dollars, per day for using a double room):
- 2* – from 48, a good option is “BANAUE HOTEL & YOUTH HOSTEL” overlooking rice fields and located in the highlands, at an altitude of 1219 meters above sea level.
- 3* – from 39, for example, the modern hotel “AVITEL MAKATI”, located in the central part of the city, at the epicenter of its vibrant life and close to large shopping centers.
- 3* – high-rise buildings on the Manila Bay embankment with ocean views – from 69, an interesting option is the BAYVIEW PARK HOTEL, a red high-rise building in a laconic version of the Empire style, reminiscent of Moscow Stalinist houses.
- 4* – from 149, for example, the hotel complex “BAGUIO COUNTRY CLUB” with its own garden, swimming pool and other conditions for a fabulous holiday.
- 5* - modern skyscrapers on the Baywalk embankment, from 145, the most popular is the DIAMOND HOTEL, in front of which there is a small artificial waterfall, but the hotel has a minus - you will have to pay separately for using the Internet, it is not included in the room rates, as well as a number of other services, which is probably why the hotel positions the lowest prices in its class.
- 5* with its own tropical park area, swimming pools and without requiring a separate payment for the services a tourist needs, for example, “EDSA SHANGRI-LA MANILA” - from 169.
Of course, if you want to stay in a presidential suite with panoramic views of sunsets and sunrises over the ocean, you will have to pay more.
As for private housing and hostels, their prices often exceed the prices in 3* hotels. This is due to the peculiarities of the psychology of most tourists. Those who have an unlimited budget, as a rule, do not consider options below 4*, with the exception of extreme tours and other similar vacation options.
Travelers with limited funds initially look for hostels or private accommodation, with the amendment - “a hotel is possible, but no more than a couple of stars, simpler.” This leads to the fact that excellent 3* hotels in Manila have available rooms even during the peak tourism season. Accordingly, they are actively reducing prices, trying to attract more guests.
Video: Manila - the pros and cons of holidays in the Philippines.
