Intramuros, a hot walk though Spanish heritage

On my first Saturday in Manila, after a week of evening shift finishing at midnight, I was glad to see the sun again and enjoy the daylight on my skin. Waking up early to be at the local community market at 7:30am was surprisingly easy. I ogled the street food being cooked (meat on sticks, fresh seafood, all sorts of stews, ...), and bought some overpriced vegetables and yummy rice cakes for munching. I didn't stay long as I had to do laundry before breakfast. Luckily I could just dump the clothes in the machines and swim laps for simultaneous dirt cleaning and fat burning.

After a good breakfast/brunch, a laze around the bed, it was time to head for the Intramuros area. On the map it looked like crossing the whole metropolis from east to West. So I registered with uber, upon recommendation from work, and checked out the fares. I was pleasantly surprised as a 45min ride would be about 300PHP for a private car, and 192PHP for a shared car. Being on my own, I felt it would be a good opportunity to meet new people...And so after leaving the hotel with the blessings of the debonair security guard, I rode through large avenues, small shortcuts between private houses, questionable areas, to end up in a huge traffic jam on a big avenue leading to the old quarters of intramuros. My main reason for visiting was the Manila Design week that featured some events in Intramuros area, around Plaza de Roma.

Manila cathedral

Jeepney in front of cathedral

I was dropped off at the Plaza de Roma, in front of the Manila Cathedral (after a mini karaoke session in the car), and was welcomed by the heavy heat of midday sun. An umbrella/parasol and a mini towel are very necessary accessories when walking around. I am amazed how ladies maintain their make up outside. There were not many booths on the Plaza de Roma so I visited the cathedral briefly, mainly to rest form the heat, and walked 2 blocks behind the cathedral before giving up. There was just no shade to walk about. I should have joined an electric cart tour but I felt it was touristy.

Intramuros street

Casa Manila

To shake off the feeling, I entered Casa Manila and browsed the souvenir shops for postcards. When my clothes dried I ventured out again, looking for a cab to return to the safety of Glorietta mall, not too far from the hotel. The cab asked for 350PHP because of traffic and started being chatty and showed me places. Upon arrival at the mall entrance, he asked me for more money for his 'services'. Shocked I generously gave him 20PHP more and learned my lesson.

I entered the dizzying mall and was sucked into its consumerism: found lunchboxes in Daiso, got casual pants in Uniqlo, and shoes at Sebago, energized by a normal size strawberry lemonade. Finally I made my way through The Landmark mall where I got groceries before crossing to Greenbelt mall and finally a warm sticky walk to the hotel. All in all, a very useful day that drained me of all my water and energy.

View from the Greenbelt pathway, into the park