We checked in at Bay Prime Hotel, our comfortable base in the capital. Strategically located and refreshingly modern, it provided a cozy spot to recharge between Manila’s many adventures. Our reintroduction to city life came with a hearty lunch at Mang Inasal grilled chicken, unlimited rice and a welcome reunion with air-conditioning. Then, it was off to explore.
From there, we tackled the Mall of Asia, a retail behemoth packed with shops, stalls, snacks and enough square footage to tire out even the most seasoned mall rats. Some dashed for last-minute souvenirs, others found comfort in bubble tea and snack stalls.
We arrived at Casa San Pablo, where a coconut culinary demonstration was underway. While we did not participate hands-on, watching locals prepare dishes using freshly grated coconut gave us a newfound appreciation for the depth of Filipino cooking.
Our next stop: Villa Escudero. A carabao-drawn (water buffaloes) cart escorted us through lush grounds, serenaded by live acoustic music. Lunch was unlike anything we had experienced served at the base of Labasin Falls, ankle-deep in cool flowing water, with traditional dishes on banana leaves.
A visit to the plantation’s private museum followed. Housed in a repurposed church, it displayed a range of colonial-era artefacts and religious relics that offered a window into the country’s layered history.
Our final day began in Quiapo. Muslim group members visited the Golden Mosque, while others explored the bustling area outside Quiapo Church. It was a sensory carnival – prayer candles, herbal medicines, fortune tellers and bargain stalls side by side.
In the afternoon, we entered Intramuros, Manila’s walled city. We explored Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, Casa Manila and Manila Cathedral, each offering a distinct lens into The Philippines’s colonial past. Some of us opted for kalesa rides (horse-drawn carriages), while others walked the cobbled paths and soaked in every mural and street corner.
Farewell, but not goodbye
In Manila, we were swept into a whirlwind of flavours, sights and stories. It is a place where malls can look like Italy, streets can smell like barbeque and museums are housed in old churches. History is around every corner and so is a stall selling something delicious.
And the best part? The Philippines did not just host us. It celebrated us. Every stop, every activity, every meal felt like a party thrown just for us and we were more than happy to be there.
Mabuhay and thank you for the memories, the Philippines!
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