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Old 10-27-2007, 05:09 PM   #1
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Cool 15 Things to Do / See When Visiting Manila( Against Your Will )

1 ) Intramuros Area - Old Spanish Fort Town with FT. Santiago, Manila
Cathedral
2 ) Nearby Chinatown across the river -cheapest shopping of anything,
electronics, cameras & nearby Muslim handicraft under Quiapo Bridge
3) then take LRT ( elevated light rail transit ) 6 stops to Chinese
Cemetery including air-conditioned houses and shrines as big as suburb
4 ) OR in opposite direction RIZAL / Luneta PARK maybe Asia's largest
park and 5PM Manila Bay 45 minute Sunset cruise in local Colorful Banca
5 ) Mall of Asia - BEST MALL in the WORLD on Manila Bay- 6 Cinema
Theaters & one of the bigger IMAX Theaters in the world
6 ) Or the laid back approach as most Manilans do, have an hour long
foot massage, followed by either a manicure / pedicure / hot oil scalp
treatment / facial OR by an hour long full body massage, watch a film
in the middle, or take a break for an incredible fresh seafood meal or
any number of fantastic multi-ethnic restaurant meals - Saisaki's ALL
you can EAT buffet in MegaMall or Makati or Kalye Ni Juan local
favorites - Mall of Asia or The French Baker's for a snack or take
home goodies.
7 ) As you meander around don't worry , BE HAPPY, SMILE and who knows
you may meet / hook up with a pleasant companion to share your
remaining time in Manila with enjoying life.
8 ) If you play golf, there's a golf course surrounding the old
Spanish Wall of Intramuros
9 ) Catch some Live Music at several Great Venues since you ARE
visiting the Music Capital of Asia ( I'll let the other members tell
you where )
10 ) Check out a local DJ spinning the latest dance and party music (
again the younger members can fill you in or email me for websites )

11) Carlos Celdron's Walking Tours, especially his tour of Intramuros.
He is vibrant, catty, subversive, funny and smart all rolled into one.
You'll learn a lot about Manila's history, but you'll also be very
entertained in the experience.

12 ) The drag show at CLUB MWAH.Only for those who think 14 drag queens
performing Broadway numbers or Thai dance lypsynch to Madonna's
"Vogue" would be entertaining. Gay friendly but NOT a gay club with
lots of straight couples + even families go.

13 ) Check out the Penguin Cafe on 604 Remedios St. in Malate.
Sometimes Afro-Brazilian music jamming in a small space with everyone
dancing. Lots of good music also at SAGUIJO CAFE in Makati Young
groups like Radioactive Sago Project, Drip + Up Dharma Down, a
neo-soul rock fusion style with lead female vocalist with a great
voice. If you're into clubbing, Embassy at The Fort &The Big Fish
Manila throws great parties.

14 ) Getting a massage at The Sanctuario or The SPA

15 ) For good Filipino food, Bistro Remedios or Cafe Adriatico, both in
Malate, close to each other, or Cabalan (buffet-style, but good).
Dampa Seafood Market on Macapagal Ave off Roxas Blvd, Ziggurat (pan
Middle-Eastern/African/Indian), Fig + Olive for excellent
Spanish/Mediterranean type food in Makati ( expensive ). Galileo
Enoteca for Italian food with imported hard cheeses + Italian cured
meats. The Oarhouse is good for pub food, cheap with generous portions
at 1803 Mabini St., Malate.
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Old 10-27-2007, 07:29 PM   #2
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Hey, that sounds like a great list of ideas!! What I dont get is the "against your will" aprt of the title.
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Old 10-28-2007, 02:41 AM   #3
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Cool Among Most World Travelers Manila has a Bad Reputation

Among Most World Travelers Manila has a Bad Reputation with most complaining about the concentrated air pollution the bumper to bumper traffic gridlock negative blah blah blah etc etc. World travelers also seem disappointed by Manila's lack of mystical venues common in most other Asian cities where Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam are the dominant religions. And I happened to post this on a "livinginCebu" message board, Cebu City being the 2nd largest city in the Philippines with most of its members diehard Cebu fans, sort of like the difference between various N. American city dwellers and their partiality to their own hometown. Since MOST of the discounted flights arrive in Manila maybe 90% of tourists arrive in the Philippines via Manila some if not a majority, "against their will".
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Old 03-28-2009, 01:52 AM   #4
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Just lurking around, I came across this old post. The list just pretty much covers the City of Manila. For the backpackers I would definitely suggest going to the islands far from the city, or those not touristy. Don't worry about the cost as it is cheaper to travel around compare to other neighboring countries. I just want to redeem the land with this new list. There are plenty of places yet to be discovered in my own backyard.

North Luzon (It's easy to travel here by Bus, provinces are close to each other. Cheap too.)

1. Baguio, summer capital (8 hours from Manila). It's my favorite place because of the nature, cold weather and mountain views. Lots of shops if you're into ethnic, silver jewelries, or tribal thing at cheap costs. - Your Complete Guide to Baguio City Philippines - Go Baguio!

2. From Baguio you can travel to the Banaue Rice Terraces, hand made farm space in the mountains - Sagada Rice Terraces in Northern Philippines (@Sagada Igorot Online)

3. For most travelers they usually go to Boracay Beach, but this is highly overrated and over crowded now. I suggest going to the north to the exotic islands and Boracay-like beaches, less crowd, more nature. Check out Pagudpud in northwest tip of Luzon (Ilocos, Norte) - The World's Best Photos of pagudpud and philippines. Flickr Hive Mind Search

4. Camiguin - One beautiful Exotic Island of Camiguin, a must see - Camiguin Island, Philippines -- Come as you are.

5. Mayon Volcano - We are now heading south, you might as well check out the Bicol Province. This is the so called perfect cone Volcano. Check it out - AlbayTourismPortal

6. Don't miss the Chocolate Hills in Bohol Province. Warning "not edible" - The Chocolate Hills

7. Cebu is overrated as most of the tourists go here, but you can still check this out. There are still places to see, I suggest going to Palawan Islands - Palawan Islands, Philippines

Enjoy!
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Old 03-28-2009, 07:15 AM   #5
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Thanks! I haven't been to the Philippines, yet, so I'll file that away in my mind...!

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Old 04-05-2009, 06:47 PM   #6
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Great post rockababes, I'll keep it in mind!
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