TRAVEL - PHILIPPINES - INTRAMUROS - MANILA

TRAVEL - PHILIPPINES - INTRAMUROS - MANILA

Intramuros Front Gate

My office in 2009 through 2010, was in the port area of Manila, Philippines and right outside of this gate of the old walled city.  Intramuros is the oldest district of the present day city of Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines. Nicknamed the "Walled City", Intramuros is the historic fortified city of Manila during the Spanish Colonial Period. Located then along Manila Bay and south of the mouth of Pasig River, its thick defensive walls were built by the Spaniards in the 16th century to protect the city from invasion. Its name in Spanish, intramuros, literally "within the walls", meaning a city enclosed by thick, high walls and surrounded by moats.

Old City Map

Often, I would go there to conduct business such as work permits and banking.  My fiance, now my wife, suggested we tour Fort Santiago.

Pearl at Fort Santiago Entrance

The fort was the site of several key battles over the years.  Built in 1571 it was destroyed in 1574.

Pearl at the cannon

Me at the cannon

Golden Foot Print of Rizal

1896.  A national hero of the Philippines, Jose Rizal, was held prisoner by the Spanish and executed nearby on December 30, 1896.  Moments before his execution by a squad of Filipino soldiers of the Spanish Army, a backup force of regular Spanish Army troops stood ready to shoot the executioners should they run awry. The Spanish Army Surgeon General requested to take his pulse: it was normal. Aware of this the Sergeant commanding the backup force hushed his men to silence when they began raising "vivas" with the highly partisan crowd of Peninsular and Mestizo Spaniards.  His steps are traced in gold.  It was powerful to see.

Unlikely Soldier

Later, after the Spanish-American War, Intramuros was the headquarters of the US Army.  The US trained Filipino soldiers and we got to try on their uniforms.

Pearl looks serious

In 1941, the Japanese invaded and kept many prisoners in the dungeons of Intramuros.

Pearl in the Dungeon

Pearl in front of Casa Maynila

After touring Fort Santiago, we headed over to Casa Maynila.  It is a reproduction of how people lived in the 1800's Reproduction because, during the Battle of Manila in 1945, every building was destroyed.  Not many pictures on the inside because it was forbidden to take photos.  We would have done it anyway, but the guards haunt you.  I guess they get a bonus if they catch you.

Pearl at the garden of Casa Maynila

I highly recommend the Carlos Celdran tour.  We caught the last bit of this one as we had to go work an overnight shift.   Carlos Celdran is not only knowledgeable but he is hilarious and some of routines make the history come alive.  You can book him here.  Overall, the tour of Intramuros was inexpensive and historical.  We made a lot of our own fun.  We went in January so it was cooler than usual.  But still beware the tropical sun and drink plenty of water.

Philippines: Great Bargain for Beach Vacation

Do you have the Philippines Inside?  You like the Philippines.  The Philippines likes you.

The Philippines may be just about to rudely shove Thailand off the ‘best cheap beaches’ perch it’s occupied for the best part of two decades. While travellers argue long and hard about which is cheaper, there’s no denying Thailand is more popular.

For those who desire nothing more than to find great, undiscovered beaches, surf the odd wave and eat unique, distinctive food for under US$20 a day, the Philippines has the edge.

Camara Island, Pundaquit.  San Antonio, Zambales.  Philippines

Add in the possibility of beach camping along the Zambales Coast or in the Bacuit Archipelago and you’ve got the recipe for timeless island hopping that suits any budget. Ferries link many idyllic destinations in the Philippines. Expect to pay around US$5 for each hour you’re on the water.

Boracay - New Years Destination

Boracay is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world which are covered with the purest golden white sand lying next to the clear blue waters of the sea.

Boracay Beach

When you speak about white sand beaches with pristine and crystal-clear waters, it is perhaps in no doubt that the majestic island of Boracay comes to mind. This tiny tropical island, located about 316 kilometers (about 200 miles) south of Manila, 

Boracay Sand Castle

People heading to the tropical paradise over New Years Eve can attend a number of parties and events being held by each of the many resorts and hotels spread out across the island.

To celebrate the New Year the island is famous for its huge fireworks display which is provided by the resorts on the island, with each one putting on a separate show and trying to outdo each other. The sky will be filled with color and the sound of exploding firecrackers as revelers can sit back and watch all the action.

On the night are also a number of live music performances by famous local bands and DJs who will provide the music for people to dance the night away as the evening crosses over into 2011.

An event not to be missed is also the sandcastle building contest that will feature artists sculpting awe-inspiring sand castles from the golden sand.





After a peaceful and relatively low-profile flight from Manila to Kalibo or Caticlan, tourists are immediately treated to an exciting boat ride from Caticlan Jetty Port to Boracay. During this 20 minute ride, tourists could enjoy the lovely view of Aklan’s pristine waters together with its rich natural resources. As you disembark the boat and prepare for your island adventure, it would be impossible to miss the majestic view of Boracay’s world famous “White Sand Beach”. The chalk-like sand is unquestionably the island’s most valuable treasure, drawing the tourists and giving the locals a source of livelihood.

Pearl and Charles enjoy a Boracay morning

I took my first vacation with my future wife to Boracay.  Very romantic and many different activities around the beach.  We really got to know each other amidst a relax setting.  

We stayed at La Reserve Boracay, Station 1 Balabag, (63 36) 2883020  Spending your vacation at La reserve will make your holiday dream come true, full of relaxing and partying, with nice ambiance that feels and brings you in paradise. Spend the night in their elegant rooms, and enjoy breakfast on your private balcony with garden views. La Reserve is ideally located for day trips. Spend the day exploring nearby towns or the natural attractions of Boracay Island, or simply relax at the hotel. Best rates on official website start at Php 3,000

The island is already a popular tourist destination and with the influx of tourists heading for New Year, demand for a hotel in Boracay is set to dramatically increase.

SCARY PRAGUE

Charles Bridge - Executing Royalty since 1432

Halloween in Prague is a great way to get into some scary stuff:  

With Gothic church towers, ancient castles and dungeons offer a great thrill for ghost hunters.



The famous Charles Bridge, pictured above, said to be haunted by ten lords executed in the middle ages, is within walking distance of this area.   The tower on the bridge served as a deterrent display of the severed heads of the victims to stop Czechs from further resistance against the Habsburgs.

The Church Of Our Lady Before Tyn is another spooky sightseer's dream. There is no way you can miss it - even if you don't visit the building. Its impressive towers can be seen for miles around.

Go at night when it is lit up in the shadow darkness for a dramatic sight that would give vampires the creeps.   

Prices are low, airfare and hotels are at all time lows, check out http://www.kayak.com/.

Check out Jury's Inn and other bargain accomodations are there to be found.

The mysterious Stare Mesto - which literally means Old Town - is a great historical place to explore.

This maze of winding lanes is built on layers thanks to the Vltava River, which constantly flooded during the 13th century.

This forced citizens to raise the city an entire storey to the level at which it lies today, creating an underground labyrinth.

Once dark and damp, these basements have been transformed into an underworld of shops, bars, restaurants and clubs.

This amazing walkway is lined with the statues of saints and is the perfect place to take a snap of the city's castle, which stands high on a hilltop.

Scary Bridges - Caution - Don't View if you Fear Heights

WORLD'S SCARIEST BRIDGES

Many courageous (or foolhardy) travelers seek out hair-raising bridges just for the thrill. The bridges along the route to Colombia’s National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro are a good example. Though there are safer routes via bus from La Plata, some thrill-seekers choose to ride motorcycles over slippery bamboo crossings deep in the mountains, where one wrong move could mean plunging into a turbulent river.

So get ready to face your fears—or maybe find your next adventure—with a list of the world’s most petrifying bridges.

Suspension Bridge - North Vancouver

Capilano Suspension Bridge
Canada

Originally built in 1889, this simple suspension footbridge surrounded by an evergreen forest is very high, fairly narrow, and extremely shaky—the cedar planks bounce on their steel cables as you walk across them. If the bridge doesn’t scare you, wait until the spring of 2011; the Cliffhanger attraction will allow visitors to climb across a series of suspended walkways attached to a cliff.

Where: British Columbia, across the Capilano River.

Stats: 450 feet long; 230 feet high.

Vietnam - Monkey Bridge

Monkey Bridges
Vietnam

It may seem that only monkeys could make it across traditional monkey bridges—after all, they’re typically made of a single bamboo log and one handrail. However, the name comes from the stooped monkey-like posture you have to maintain when crossing, so as not to plunge into the river below.

Where: Various points across the Mekong Delta at the southern tip of Vietnam.

Stats: These bridges are built by hand by local residents and vary from town to town. Newer ones are made of concrete.

Autumn Leaves - Optimal Viewing

No season is more glorious in colorful road trips than the fall.  Autumn is a sight to see from New England to the West Coast.

In North Carolina, visit the always Romantic, Asheville.  From the Biltmore Estate to the Blue Ridge Parkway, it is well worth the trip.

The hot and sticky summer blows away on cool and crisp Autumn breezes.  As the leaves scatter, hit the road and take in the sights.

In the next few posts, we will reveal the scenic, the festive and the beautiful.