Manila Trip - Day 2

Magandang umaga! On the 2nd day of Christmas we were off for city tour and shopping. Earlier plan was to go to Taal Volcano in Tagaytay (which is about 2 hours drive away from Manila), but since it was already late 9am when we departed hotel, we have to postponed it to the next day and alter the plan.

I love the breakfast


The 'lack of sleep' face..by the pool side


Nda pun macam 'band boy'

We charter a cab and tour around Taguig City where the ‘Libingan Ng Mga Bayani’ (Memorial Cemetery for Filipino men and women who brought honour to the country and fought for the sake of freedom and democracy) and American Memorial Park are located.

At the road side.. Common view in Manila.


On the way to Memorial Park


Libingan Ng Mga Bayani


American Memorial Park


American Memorial Park

American Memorial Park

American Memorial Park

American Memorial Park

American Memorial Park


Ready to leave for Intramuros

Next we went to Intramuros, the old capital of Manila built in 1571. We visited Manila Cathedral and also Fort Santiago, which used to be the seat of the colonial powers of both Spain and the U.S. It was also a dreaded prison under the Spanish regime and the scene of countless military police atrocities during the Japanes occupation. Here, too, Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last hours before his execution. Didn’t really bother to know much about Jose Rizal before, I was really taken aback by the story and history of the national Hero of the Philippines. Wondering if ever we gonna see another true ‘national hero’ in this modern world, other than the Green Lantern or Incredible Hulk..Hmm, hindi ko alam po.

Manila Cathedral


Manila Cathedral


Palacio Del Gobernador at the background

In memory of the victims at Fort Santiago


The Fortress


The footprints show the path taken by Jose Rizal
from his dungeon in Fort Santiago to his final execution
place at Bagumbayan in Rizal Park

Our last stop for the day was the GreenHills Shopping Center, a shopping mall where you can find almost everything under one roof at a bargain price. Unfortunately we don’t have the whole day to shop plus tiredness started to get the better of us (we slept at 5am last night remember..). I only managed to buy two barongs and a Polo shirt for my nephew. Feeling hungry, we took quick dinner at food court nearby and get a taxi back to hotel. What a day trip it was.

We were back to hotel in the evening and after shower, we were all geared up for another night out. And you bet it’s gonna be another blast-off since it was Friday Night..woohoo!! So off we go to Malate again. So what happened next for the rest of the night? I leave it to your wildest imagination hahahaha.. just for the record, we went back home quite early that nite..yes, early morning at 4am. Ehem ehemm… :)

Again, here are some of the pictures taken on the 2nd day for your viewing pleasure..

Take a deep breath, get set..Go..! :)

Statue in Fort Santiago


On the way to Intramuros


Comedy Bar


Jeepneys: the most popular public transportation
in the Philippines














Fort Santiago


Fort Santiago


Main entarance of Manila Cathedral


Proton Wira in Manila


Mga bayani.. :)


To be continued..