Manila 2nd July 2009 Intramuros

While in Manila, I went to one of their famous place of interest called Intramuros. It was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century and is the oldest district of the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Its name, in Latin, intramuros, literally "within the walls", meaning within the wall enclosure of the city/fortress, also describes its structure as it is surrounded by thick, high walls and moats. During the Spanish colonial period, Intramuros was considered Manila itself.

1st stop Fort Santiago. It is a defense fortress built for Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi. It was destroyed by the conquistadors(Martin de Goiti) upon arriving in 1570, encountering several battles with the Islamic natives. The Spaniards destroyed the native settlements and erected the Fuerza de Santiago in 1571.

Entrance Fee is 150Php, guide book can be purchased at 200Php. There are guides within Fort Santiago as well.

2nd stop Manila Cathedral. The cathedral of the Archdiocese of Manila, located within the centuries-old section of Manila called Intramuros, is the seat of the Archbishop of Manila. Having been destroyed several times by natural disasters and fires during its 400-year history, the current structure standing was completed in 1958, the cathedral's sixth incarnation. It is dedicated to Saint Mary under the title "Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception", in her role as patroness of the Philippines.

3rd stop San Agustín Church. It is a Roman Catholic church under the auspices of The Order of St. Augustine, located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila. Completed by 1607, it is the oldest church currently standing in the Philippines. No other surviving building in the Philippines has been claimed to pre-date San Agustin Church.

In 1993, San Agustin Church was one of four Philippine churches constructed during during the Spanish colonial period designated by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, under the classification "Baroque Churches of the Philippines".

It had been named a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976. There is a entrance fee of 100Php for visiting San Agustin.

One good way to explore Intramuros is by Calesa, carriage pulled by horse. However, you need to negotiate with them, one guy quoted 200Php, as I was alone on this visit, hence, I chose to be on foot to explore Intramuros.

To reach Intramuros is pretty easy, by LRT, just drop yourself at Central Terminal LRT, you will be within vincity of Intramuros.

Tagaytay 3rd Jul 09

This is considered my first time travelling alone. Bought a ticket, and off, I go to Philippines. Been wanted to visit Philippines, their beaches seem nice.

I didnt go any beaches this time round thou, went volcano hiking instead.

Recommended by colleagues from Manila, they introduced this place called Tagaytay, well known for its Taal Volcano, smallest live volcano. Within the Volcano itself has a lake of its own inside its crater which is called the "Crater Lake".

Within Crater Lake is another small volcanic island, called Vulcan Point. Vulcan Point is frequently cited in the Philippines as the world's largest volcanic island within a lake on an island within a lake on an island.

One can swim inside the Crater Lake but don't stay too long because the lake's water is a very diluted form of sulfuric acid with high concentration of boron, magnesium, aluminum and sodium in salt form.

The first recorded scuba dive inside the crater was made by a team led by Thomas Hargrove in 1986 to a depth of about 20 meters or 60 feet.

After a afternoon hike to Taal Volcano, we had lunch at RSM. The view from RSM of Taal Volcano was really beautiful. RSM provide accomodation as well.

Of course, my photography skill need to improve, I felt if one is to be there physically, one will know its beauty.


Based on online research, chose THouse as my choice for the night stay. It was pretty good overall, the minus point will be its location, it doesnt have a view of the Taal Volcano.

It a resort styled accomodation, they offered spa, massage as well. The massage was okay, a good treat for our tired body from the day hiking.

I guessed it considered a steal, as I paid mere SGD127 for the night stay, which include the day trip to Taal volcano( Boat ride, horse ride, car rental) as well as breakfast.


Food was pretty decent at THouse. However, dessert was a disappointment, ordered chocolate lava, I was expecting the chocolate to flow out however it didnt lived up to its name, after instructing the staff to get it heated up, it was overcooked and the chocolate didnt flow.

Breakfast was pretty good also, we have a selection of breakfast set to choose from, end up Leemin's choice was good, thou the pictures seem to show my choice was nicer, but its deceiving, Leemin order of garlic rice with beef was good. I like the garlic rice.

Mine was too rich, after woffling down one pancake, I was sick of the taste, while Sir Seng managed to finish his order. We both ordered pancake one with peanut butter, the other with chocolate.Thouse's website - http://thousetagaytay.com/

That end my day trip to Tagaytay. It was overall an enjoyable trip .