My adventure to Philippines country for the first time. I am pretty excited because it is my first time to travel to this country which is known with their various beautiful islands. However, this time i wanted to explore the city which is Manila to see, acknowledge and know their culture, food, style, sceneries that eyes catching, historical & building architectures. This is what i'm looking for during my travel journey to other countries. I found nice flight ticket deal to Manila. So, i quickly grabbed this opportunity to visit the country for the first time. I love to try new things and experience to travel to new country for the first time eventhough the language is different from my mother's tounge. It is not a big problem for me at all. I did my itinerary and plan before travel to Manila. That is what i will always do if i travel to different countries. Planning and itinerary is compulsory so that i will have smooth and clean journey without any mess or chaotic.
Ok cut it short, of course every travelling i will pack and bring my bagpack because i am a bagpacker traveller. I took an early morning flight to go to Manila. I like to start my journey early in the morning so that i could see & explore more the country that i visited. Lets start the travel journey now! The sun had barely risen on when my Manila adventure began. With a quick check of my bags and passport, I headed for the airport, excitement quietly bubbling beneath my calm exterior. I departed pretty early in the morning, imagining the warmth of Manila awaiting on the other side. Four hours later, the plane touched down—as though Manila itself exhaled a warm welcome. I thought it is around 2 or 3 hours to Manila. But it is quite a long journey to travel from Malaysia to Manila.
For the first day, after navigating my way out of the airport, i choosed to use their public transport which is MRT. I hopped onto the MRT’s Green Line, riding toward Quirino Station to go to take my bike that i have booked to rent for few days and then went to my hotel to put all my bags. The city bustled outside the window—jeepneys weaving through traffic, billboards stretching into the sky. From Quirino Station, I took GRAB to take the rented bike. It was a smooth process for bike renting at Manila. Before checking in, I made a quick stop at Rhen Motorcycle Renta and secured a bike for the next few days. Freedom on wheels—secured. Just show your passport and license to them and they will keep a copy of it. After that, i went to my hotel, Hotel Ava Malate, as my temporary Manila home. After freshening up, I set out again, riding through Malate’s energetic streets to the Silahis Center—a place where antiques, culture and heritage blend under warm yellow lights. I wandered through shelves of woodcarvings, woven textiles and artistic pieces, feeling Manila’s soul in every item. The city around Manila is kinda have historical vibes with touched of English style architecture buildings. From there, I drifted toward Rizal Park, its open lawns and statues alive with families, joggers and slow-moving tourists. Inside Rizal Park have Japanese Park & Chinese Tradisional Park too. Those were pretty and nicely man made. Evening settled in, and I walked to Marbini Street in search of halal food. Aromas of kebabs and grilled chicken drifted from restaurants like Lucky Way Chicken & Kebab, Dulang Restaurant, and Alquds. The perfect spot to refuel. There were many halal food that we can find in Manila. As the sun began to sink, I headed to Manila Bay—one of the city’s most breathtaking sunset spots. The sky turned orange and pink, reflected in the gentle waves. Later, I trotted through the lively chaos of Divisoria Market, hunting for cheap souvenirs among stalls bursting with color. There were so many stalls that we can walk around to see various kind of stuffs. Then, i grabbed some dinner before headed back to hotel for rest and continue the Manila's adventure on the next day.
I woke early, ready for a full day inside Manila’s historical heart. Before that, i get some bun for a quick breakfast to fuel up my energy. My first stop: Baluarte de San Diego, one of Intramuros’ ancient stone fortifications, quiet and majestic in the morning sun. The fort was amazing and you can see the Manila business district view from here. This place is one of the famous historical landmark in Manila. If you want to travel to Manila you should visit this fort. Next came Intramuros itself—the walled city of Spanish-era Manila. Cobblestones, old churches, horse-drawn kalesas—all made me feel like I had stepped back in time. This is the popular area among tourist. In Intamuros, there are various famous buildings such as Fort Santiago, San Agustine Church, Casa Manila, Baluarte de San Deigo and many more. I entered the magnificent San Agustin Church, its stone pillars echoing centuries of stories which is listed in UNESCO. A short ride later, I reached Fort Santiago, overlooking the Pasig River. This fort is so damn famous. If you still remember, our history textbook in school had mentioned about Jose Rizal, the national hero of Philippine. Yes, this is the last place that he had stayed before his execution. This was his prison. I saw many memorial things and information about Jose Rizal in this fort which already been converted into museum and memorial. Don't forget to learn history while travelling too. I also explored the grounds, imagining soldiers and revolutionaries who once walked those same pathways. It was a hot day and i am so thirsty which i have drank 3 bottles of cold mineral water. Before leaving, I wandered through a few lovely souvenir shops—unique, handmade items catching my eye near the fort area. By midday, hunger led me to Manila Golden Mosque and the halal eateries nearby. After lunch, I explored Quinta Market, buzzing with vendors near the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno. This market have a lot of stuffs and souvenirs. It also has dry market and wet market too. I strolled around to see any interesting stuffs to buy. Guess what, they had special event during my visit there. They celebrate a special celebration which is called as Debut-which marks her 18th birthday and her transition into womanhood. While the girl's 7th birthday is also significant, marking the start of more independence. They celebrate the Debut with grand ceremony with princesses costumes and music band. The energy was electric—raw Manila at its finest. Afternoon tea at the rooftop La Cathedral Café was a peaceful break, with a beautiful view of the Manila Cathedral in sunset time. The view was amazing. The best and beautiful cafe with awesome view and historic architecture. After a long day, i went to freshen up at my hotel before went to other places. After a short rest at the hotel, I rode to Binondo Chinatown, where colorful lanterns, Chinese shops and food stalls welcomed me. It really resemble as Chinatown here. I later walked through Lucky Chinatown Mall before ending my night at Tutuban Night Market—a treasure trove of deals and street snacks. The Lucky Chinatown Mall is a pretty mall with pretty decorations especially in the evening and night time. While Tutuban Night Market is just a normal night market only, nothing special at all.
Today’s vibe was pure fun, happiness, adventure and lesson learned. Today woke up a bit late because yesterday was pretty damn tired with so many activities and historic visits. After breakfast, I headed to The Dessert Museum by bike. I have booked the ticket for 11am to enter the Dessert Museum. Guess what!! my bike's tyre was not tolerate at all. During the ride to that place, it suddenly burst out of nowhere in the middle of the road. Lucky me during that day the road was not so busy. This is my first experience in my travel journey to other country, my bike's tyre suddenly - BOOMM! For about 1 hour i'm trying to find a workshop and push my bike along the road to repair the tyre and wandering around the area to find any available workshop because it was on Sunday (weekend-all shop usually close). It was so hard because most of the people there can't speak english and very hard to communicate. I pushed the bike until it reach a pretty decent area and busy road which i have no idea where i am right now. Just pray to God that i can find a nice people to show me the way. There was one man who can't speak english but he was really really helping me to find a workshop nearby and show me the way. May God bless him always. Finally, i found a workshop that can repair my bike's tyre. After around 20minutes my bike was finally ready. I am so happy and thank to the workshop's uncle. It was so cheap. Then, i continue the journey to the Dessert Museum which my booking ticket had already reach 12pm. Therefore i had to pay extra 100peso due to the late entrance. It's ok no regret at all. The Dessert Museum, where I wandered through 8 dessert-themed rooms, each one sweeter than the last. I indulged in 5–6 free treats—including unlimited ice cream—like a kid in a candy world. It was so fun! After done with the sugary moment, I made my way to Baclaran, known for cheap souvenirs and halal food. I eat there for having my very late lunch. From there, I rode over to the famous Venice Grand Canal Mall—its pastel buildings reflecting beautifully in calm blue water, gondolas drifting by as though Manila had borrowed a slice of Italy. For your information, this area is a very modern area. Not same as the Manila city area. It is located at Mckinley Hill at Taguig. It is like i am in a different world but actually in the same country. It has a New York vibe style and England vibe style. This Mckinley Hill is very clean, modern and systematic city. You should see and feel by yourself to know the differences. I explore the Venice Grand Canal which is so like Italy. Then, i eat my early dinner at Pepper Lunch because i am so hungry maybe because of the bike issue just now. After tasty dinner, i got to experience the best and comfortable theater/cinema to watch the latest Mission Impposibble movie in the mall. Next, after done with the movie, i went to the Venice Grand Canal again to see the colorful and magical lights during night time there. It was absolutely stunning. As night rolled in, I cruised to Bonifacio Global City (BGC)—modern, clean, and vibrant. Murals, lights, cafés, fashionable crowds—everything felt fresh and exciting. Then, I returned to Malate to rest and prepare for the final stretch of my trip.
My last full day began with a relaxed morning before riding toward Dolomite Beach, where sea breeze brushed gently across the shore. Then, ride along Marbini street to find halal food. Later in the evening, I revisited Rizal Park to watch the dancing fountain, lights painting the water in shifting colors. By midnight, I felt my Manila journey beginning to settle into memory. Morning arrived too soon. I rode my motorcycle to return it at Rhen Motorcycle Rental. From there, I take a GRAB to go to airport. At the airport, I still managed to do last shopping for awhile...LOLL!! Then checked in and waited for my flight, replaying the past days in my mind. Manila had been wild, beautiful, chaotic, and unforgettable. It full of satisfaction and wonderful memory.
And so ended my adventure… for now.
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