INTRAMUROS
Many of us has been to different parts of the world but have not gone to our very own heritage site. One is the WALLED CITY OF INTRAMUROS. The 'Walled City"was built in 1571 and served as the business district during the Spanish era.You can tour the city by foot or you can hire a Calesa.
In Intramuros, you will find FORT SANTIAGO. It was the military headquarter during the Spanish, American and JApanese occupation. Inside Fort Santiago, you will find the Rizal Shrine which showcase the memorabilia of our National Hero Jose Rizal.You can also follow the printed footsteps of Rizal from his cell to his place of death, Rizal Park
Across the Fort Santiago is the Manila CAthedral or Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. I was one of the lucky who got married in this church.
Just a few steps away is the San Agustin Church, Manilas oldest church built in 1571 and was declared a UNESCO Heritage site. The church and convent is the repository of the most priceless collection of religious arts and relics.
There are also the Palacio del Gobernador which houses the COMELEC office. Casa Manila is a popular gift center. Some places inside Intramuros are favorite for wedding venues.
You can also find school and offices within the area.
You can reach Intramuros by jeepney flying the Manila City Hall. It is just a few meters aways from the jeepney stop.
RIZAL PARK OR LUNETA
Rizal park is the national park named after Jose Rizal our National Hero.I can't forget my grandmothers story about the plants in LUneta designed as a watch. And the second hand was moving!
When I had the chance to visit Luneta, I started in Taft Avenue where you can find the map of the Philippines. Then walked thru statues of carabaos, bahay kubo and the botanical garden.
Accros is the Statue of JOse Rizal where 2 guards are on standby without moving. I wonder how they do it despite of the hot sun or rain.
Next to the statue is the Quirino Garndstand which served big events and programs.
I still remember the visit of Blessed John Paul 2 during World Youth Day in 1995 where I got the chance to see him in person. It was in Quirino Granstand.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Banaue Rice Terraces
Banaue Rice Terraces is considered the Eight Wonder of the World. It is a Unesco Heritage Site which was built manually by the native Ifugaos thousand of years ago. You can reach the place via Baguio or Nueva Vizcaya.
I visited the place thru Nueva Vizcaya. It is 2 hours drive passing by scenic views and zigzag roads. The climate is cold and the air is pure. The terraces is scattered in the whole areas of Banaue. I also learned that there are 3 areas where you can view the terraces. The place is owesome...I thought how those forefathers has built such a wonder. There are sellers of different kinds of wood sculptures. If I only have space in the car, I would have bought the 3 ft anito sculpture.
I also observed that up to these days, old practices of the natives are still being implemented. I saw one woman carrying her baby on her bossom using a sling made of cloth, and carrying items on their heads. They are still chewing coconut bittle as their toothpaste which according to them made their gums stronger than our teeth. They still use old style of planting rice and have to wait for the rainy season to plant though there are now efforts from the locals to use new methods.
Everyone should visit Banaue Rice Terraces because we never knew if this place will standstill in the next generation.
I visited the place thru Nueva Vizcaya. It is 2 hours drive passing by scenic views and zigzag roads. The climate is cold and the air is pure. The terraces is scattered in the whole areas of Banaue. I also learned that there are 3 areas where you can view the terraces. The place is owesome...I thought how those forefathers has built such a wonder. There are sellers of different kinds of wood sculptures. If I only have space in the car, I would have bought the 3 ft anito sculpture.
I also observed that up to these days, old practices of the natives are still being implemented. I saw one woman carrying her baby on her bossom using a sling made of cloth, and carrying items on their heads. They are still chewing coconut bittle as their toothpaste which according to them made their gums stronger than our teeth. They still use old style of planting rice and have to wait for the rainy season to plant though there are now efforts from the locals to use new methods.
Everyone should visit Banaue Rice Terraces because we never knew if this place will standstill in the next generation.
Puerto Galera Mindoro
Puerto Galera was famous even before Boracay was developed. I was lucky to visit the place a few years ago together with my officemates. We rode an open ferry from Batangas Port going to White Beach port. From the port, we were able to rent a passenger jeep going to Villa Cristina in White Beach. WE have to walk thru coconut trees to reach the beach front. Our hotel is fronting the beautiful white beach.I had the chance to have my first henna tatto and my hair was braided by the katutubos. Even before spas became popular, massage on the beach has been one of the special service of the hotel owners in White beach.
There are a wide range of food selection in the area. WE just have to order a few hours before. There were friendly people around. The beach was clean and sandy. there were bancas available for cruising and fishing. The waves are not so strong that you will enjoy just playing around.
I had also the chance to visit Sabang Beach which is the busiest beach in the area. You will see more foreigners having tan and just lying on the sand.They have good night life activities and near the market. We have to ride a canoe to reach Sabang Beach.
There are a wide range of food selection in the area. WE just have to order a few hours before. There were friendly people around. The beach was clean and sandy. there were bancas available for cruising and fishing. The waves are not so strong that you will enjoy just playing around.
I had also the chance to visit Sabang Beach which is the busiest beach in the area. You will see more foreigners having tan and just lying on the sand.They have good night life activities and near the market. We have to ride a canoe to reach Sabang Beach.
Dakak Beach
My first trip to Mindanao was a trip in the famous Dakak Beach REsort in Dapitan Zamboanga. WE arrived in Zamboanga airport and transferred to the resort. On our way, we passed by the house of Jose Rizal our National Hero where he was exiled during the Spanish era. The house is small like bahay kubo. It was preserved though.
From Dapitan, it was a short trip to the resort. WE were greeted with the hospitable resort staff with their music and welcome drink. The rooms are casitas located uphill and downhill.They have diffrent type of casitas
Our casita (I am with 3 friends)is located uphill and facing the back with a mountain and fronting a garden below. It is a two bedroom casita made of the finest indigenious materials.
They have jacuzzi and 2 big swimming pools. They have an airconditioned and al fresco dining area. It was my first time to tried the aquatrike. WE stayed there 2 days.
It was in Dakak that I tasted the best sardines.
From Dapitan, it was a short trip to the resort. WE were greeted with the hospitable resort staff with their music and welcome drink. The rooms are casitas located uphill and downhill.They have diffrent type of casitas
Our casita (I am with 3 friends)is located uphill and facing the back with a mountain and fronting a garden below. It is a two bedroom casita made of the finest indigenious materials.
They have jacuzzi and 2 big swimming pools. They have an airconditioned and al fresco dining area. It was my first time to tried the aquatrike. WE stayed there 2 days.
It was in Dakak that I tasted the best sardines.
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