Good bye Dumaguete
Good bye Dumaguete for this time. But I will be back.
I will miss my girls
Flying Dumaguete-Manila
The flight from Dumaguete to Manila went smoothly. It departed ahead of time and consequently arrived ahead of time to Manila. The video shows start and landing and an awesome view over Dumaguete and the Sibulan airport.
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Visit Intramuros in Manila
Puerta del Parian, one of the gates to Intramuros
Intramuros, the original Manila
In 1571 to the end of Spanish rule in 1898, Intramuros was Manila. It's also known as the Ciudad Murada (Walled City) because of its most famous feature: a nearly three-mile-long circuit of massive stone walls and fortifications that almost completely surrounds the entire district.
The wall of Intramuros
History and mystery are built into the two and three-quarter miles (around 4,4 km) of walls that surround the old capital of the Philippines. The first wall, built in 1570 was made of logs. Today the construction bears evidences of many builders and widely differing plans of defence.
Getting around Intramuros
Pain and sacrifices
When wandering around in this area and reading about all those important historical events which took place here you get a feeling of humbleness. There have been so much pain and sacrifices inside and around these walls of Intramuros. For example, Jose Rizal the national freedom hero of the Philippines was imprisoned here. He was later executed in Bagumbayan (now known as Rizal Park) just outside the walls of Intramuros on December 30, 1896. Or in 1945, during the fierce Battle of Manila between American, Filipino and Japanese forces, where so many soldiers paid the ultimate price and Intramuros was almost completely destroyed.
Fort Santiago and the Rizal Shrine
Fort Santiago, the former military headquarters of the Spanish colonial government. Although the fort sustained very heavy damage during the 1945 Battle of Manila, several key portions of the compound were subsequently restored. It's now considered a major landmark and one of Manila's most popular tourist attractions, partly because José Rizal - the national hero of the Philippines - was imprisoned here prior to his execution on 30 Dec 1896. The Rizal Shrine, a small museum dedicated to his life and work, is housed in a restored section of one of the fort's former barracks.
Pasig River marks the border in the north of Intramuros
The Dungeons
During World War II, Fort Santiago was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army. They used the dungeons as prison cells for captured Filipino and American soldiers. Around 600 bodies were found inside these dungeons and they probably died of starvation and suffocation on the very last days of the Battle of Manila.
How to get to Intramuros
Nearest train station: LRT1-Central Terminal
Or my personal recommendation, get off at United Nations Avenue and then take a 10 minutes nice walk. You will pass the Rizal Park and among others the National Museum of Fine Arts, which both are well worth visits.
Related links:
UCC Good Coffee Smile in Manila Where to eat the fiery style in Manila? Visit Intramuros in Manila Manila American Cemetery & Memorial Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant, Manila Review of hotel Isabelle Royale in Makati, Manila Review of Kyochon restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Arya Persian Restaurant in Pasay Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo Review of Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Imus, Manila Review of Chili's Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Pinoy Pamilya Hotel in Pasay Review of 88 Courtyard Hotel in Pasay Video clips Manila Ocean Park Visit the American Cemetery in Taguig City
The Tablets of Missing, with 36,286 names of soldiers missing in action
The American cemetery is beautifully located
The cemetery is beautifully located with impressive views over the lowlands to Laguna de Bay and towards the distant mountains. The area is so quiet and you can wander around and contemplate over the soldiers who lost their lives in the World War II. When you see all the headstones and the names it really calls for reflection over the madness of war.
Overview
The chapel
The American cemetery is organized and minimalistic
Compared to the Manila Chinese Cemetery which was like a maze of different styles and colors this cemetery is strictly organized and minimalistic with the headstones in perfect order. They are aligned in 11 plots forming a generally circular pattern, set among masses of a wide variety of tropical trees and shrubbery.
Among these 36,286 names, there were two seamen with the name Henry Lord, same family name as me. And let's not forget the 3762 Philippine Nationals whose remains were never recovered are also inscribed on the Walls of the Missing.
Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery!The Millionaire's Row
I was overwhelmed!
Who needs a guide?
Normally I used to deny the services of a guide. Who needs a guide when you have a smartphone and Google? But sometimes however, I have to admit that hiring a guide can be really useful. The Manila Chinese Cemetery is roughly 5.4 hectare. So it's a big area and it's like a maze in there so in order to find the highlights you might need some help. I was lucky to meet a guide who was nice and knowledgable and told me many good anecdotes about the cemetery. He charged me 600 PHP for one-hour walking tour. As an option you can also hire a bicycle (per hour P100) to get around the area.
The creator of mami and siopa
The squatters climbed the fences...
Before the squatters climbed the fences to get in. Until the 1960:s, many families employed grave watchmen to stay at the mausoleums around the clock. But when the guards started bringing their families to live on the grounds, the practice was banned. Although the squatters no longer spend the nights at the cemetery, the caretakers and their families find it a nice place for a picnic, and even a nap. They stretch out on the cool marble floors or even on top of the crypts.
Weird anecdotes
According to my guide, if the children died before their parents, they were not going to be buried together with the parents but separately at another place in the cemetery. But there were some cases of married men who happened to have had a mistress who was buried together with him and his wife in the same mausoleum! My guide showed me an even weirder example, where a married man and his mistress were dead and consequently they had been buried together. But the husband's wife was still alive and the wife had already got her designated resting place set up beside her husband and his mistress when the time was ready for her!
Related links:
UCC Good Coffee Smile in Manila Where to eat the fiery style in Manila? Visit Intramuros in Manila Manila American Cemetery & Memorial Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant, Manila Review of hotel Isabelle Royale in Makati, Manila Review of Kyochon restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Arya Persian Restaurant in Pasay Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo Review of Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Imus, Manila Review of Chili's Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Pinoy Pamilya Hotel in Pasay Review of 88 Courtyard Hotel in Pasay Video clips Manila Ocean Park My favorite Thai, Jatujak Restaurant in Mall of Asia
The name is inspired by the lively and intoxicating ambience of the Jatujak market in Bangkok. In a way that can be true, sometimes the Jatujak restaurant is crowded with guests, which of course it's a proof that they are doing a good job.
They have Khao Neeo, sticky rice
The food is delicious and spicy as it should be. They even have Khao Neeo, that is sticky rice (also known as sweet rice or glutinous rice) which is common in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand. Of course every Thai restaurant with self esteem must have Khao Neeo, which surprisingly is not obvious everywhere!
Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions!
Related links:
Visit Intramuros in Manila Manila American Cemetery & Memorial Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery Review of hotel Isabelle Royale in Makati, Manila Review of Kyochon restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Arya Persian Restaurant in Pasay Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo Review of Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Imus, Manila Review of Chili's Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Pinoy Pamilya Hotel in Pasay Review of 88 Courtyard Hotel in Pasay Video clips Manila Ocean Park Arya Persian Restaurant in Ermita
If you like to try something Persian go for the Arya Persian Restaurant in Ermita. There are two branches of Arya in Ermita, one inside the Robinson Place and one just outside the main entrance of Robinson Place. I tried the one located outside, because that place is bigger with a more quiet ambience than the one inside the mall.
The menu was like a bible
The menu was like a bible with many options and I finally decided for the Mourgh Tanoori. I was hungry so I added 30 PHP extra to get Biryani rice instead of just getting Pita bread to my food. Mourgh Tanoori is skewers of chicken breast marinated in Tanoori sauce. The Biryani rice is basically spiced Basmati rice with some raisins and peanuts. The portions was big and the food was delicious. My only minor remark would be, they grilled the tomato but why not grill the green chili fruit as well? More tasty that way I think.
Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Food 5 Service 4 Value 5 Atmosphere I was here in March 2017 Arya Persian Restaurant Pedro Gil St, Robinsons Place, Ermita, Manila, Philippines Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions!
Related links:
Visit Intramuros in Manila Manila American Cemetery & Memorial Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant, Manila Review of hotel Isabelle Royale in Makati, Manila Review of Kyochon restaurant in Mall of Asia Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo Review of Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Imus, Manila Review of Chili's Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Pinoy Pamilya Hotel in Pasay Review of 88 Courtyard Hotel in Pasay Video clips Manila Ocean Park A Korean in Mall of Asia
This branch of Kyochon is a newly opened in the Mall of Asia, ground floor, north wing. It's a Korean style restaurant with chicken as their thing. "Chicken like you've never had before" is their slogan. And yes I can agree, I got a chicken that I never had before.
I ordered the Galbi Chicken Steak with Kimchi Fried Rice. The food was fresh and the chicken was newly grilled. The portion was not huge but still enough even for me allthough I am a big eater.
No MSG and Eco-friendly
I like their promises with no MSG, to cook with canola oil and their Eco-friendly concept.
Conclusion
The food was fresh and delisious, friendly and serviceminded staff, everything looked nice and clean. No Wi Fi, but if you feel the urge to be online when eating you can always connect to Mall of Asias free Wi Fi.
Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent 5 Food 5 Service 5 Value 4 Atmosphere I was here in December 2016 Kyochon Ground Floor, North Wing, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City Telephone Number: 832-8333
Related links:
UCC Good Coffee Smile in Manila Where to eat the fiery style in Manila? Visit Intramuros in Manila Manila American Cemetery & Memorial Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant, Manila Review of hotel Isabelle Royale in Makati, Manila Review of Kyochon restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Arya Persian Restaurant in Pasay Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo Review of Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Imus, Manila Review of Chili's Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Pinoy Pamilya Hotel in Pasay Review of 88 Courtyard Hotel in Pasay Video clips Manila Ocean Park Pancit Batil Patong, for the meat lovers
If you are in Tuguegarao city you must visit any of the many panciterias available here. The obvious choice would be Eva's Panciteria, one of the most famous in Tuguegarao. Pancit are noodles and this particular dish they serve here is called pancit batil patong.
Big portions with good taste
Just like most panciterias in the city, the kitchen and the cooking of the batil patong is open for the curious to observe upon. Pancit batil patong is pure goodness topped with sautéed ground carabao meat and pork liver adobo and poached egg. The dish comes with the accompanying carabao soup and a saucer of onions with calamansi and chili. Of course you will also have the ubiquitous Tuguegarao-made “Malabon” brand soy sauce. The saying is that batil patong is not batil patong, if not flavored with this unique soy sauce.
There were a lot of students eating here which is an indicator that the place is the real deal. And yes it was, the portions were big, reasonable priced and the taste was good. Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent 4 Food 3 Service 5 Value 3 Atmosphere I was here 2013 Eva's Panciteria Aquino St, Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Philippines 
I guess it was newly built thereof the spartan look of the place. There were two floors of seatings.
Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions!
Related links:
The rolling landscape of Bicol Mt Mayon, Philippines View from Paguriran Island (Sorsogon, Philippines) Review of Una Pizzeria Restaurant (Sorsogon, Philippines) Review of Jollibee restaurant (Sorsogon, Philippines) Review of Casa Dominga restaurant (Sorsogon, Philippines) Review of Santa Clara Park Hotel (Sorsogon, Philippines) Sunset over Bicol
The rolling landscape of the Bicol region, just near Legazpi city in the Philippines. Typical for Bicol, is its delicious pili nuts and the spicy food with ingredients like coconut milk and chili. The easiest and fastest way to come here is by air from Manila. If you are on a tight budget you can take the bus instead but whatever transportation you choose it's well worth it. There are much to see and do here.
Sunset over Bicol
Related links:
Ligñon Hill in Legazpi Mt Mayon, Philippines View from Paguriran Island (Sorsogon, Philippines) Review of Una Pizzeria Restaurant (Sorsogon, Philippines) Review of Jollibee restaurant (Sorsogon, Philippines) Review of Casa Dominga restaurant (Sorsogon, Philippines) Review of Santa Clara Park Hotel (Sorsogon, Philippines) |
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