Exploring Philippines Day 1 (From Intramuros to Manila Ocean Park)

Wanna visit Philippines but having no clue about where to explore first? You might wanna explore its capital city before going somewhere far. Here are some of the places you might want to visit! It's cheap and fun! When my husband and I first meet, Intramuros, Manila became our first destination. It's his first time to visit Philippines and I wanted to make it memorable as possible for both of us. He arrived as early as 6:00 am so we decided to eat breakfast at THE ARISTOCRAT RESTAURANT nearby Fort Santiago. It was just located at 432 San Andres Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila. The restaurant has a great story which started 1928 until became known to Filipino. Having more than 80 years in the food industry it's contribution to Philippine culture was recognized. A historical marker was installed last 4th of July, 2013 by the NHCP (National Historical Commission of the Philippines) and that is why we choose to have our first meal together in there. We enjoyed both the service and the food. You can find lots of people selling flowers everywhere and I guess you know why :)

After having breakfast we decided to visit Fort Santiago (fort has a perimeter of 2,030 feet (620 m), and it is of a nearly triangular form). We only took an hour for breakfast and head there. It was 30 min. before 8:00am when we arrived and people are not allowed to get in yet since the opening is exactly 8:00am so we just decided to spend time chatting about crazy things while our driver was watching movie. Historically, the area which is now occupied by Fort Santiago is a natural defensive position that has been used for centuries. Imagine how it looks like during that time of war. It is situated at the mouth of the Pasig River, which runs into Manila Bay it is the ideal place to put fortifications to ensure the safety of the area and to defend against the pirates and marauders which frequented the area. Based on its history it is originally the site of Rajah Sulayman’s settlement prior to Spanish occupation and rule. The Spanish defeated the Muslim-Filipino leader, Rajah Sulayman in the 1500’s. He was the last ruler, of the now Metro Manila area, before the Spanish took control.

Anyway, I don't wanna spoil you with so much info so just try to read its history as you visit in there. There are lots of signage and historical information written all over the place so you can just read as you explore the area and it is worth visiting, inside the Fort proper is the Rizal Shrine, the museum where you will find a replica of Jose Rizal’s prison cell, dungeons in the prison which worth a look. The rest of Fort Santiago has been also set up into a beautiful park but if you're lazy enough to read this and that then you can just hire a tour guide right in the entrance. Entrance fee is just less than $3 per head and that's pretty cheap. Usually tour guide rate ranged from $6-30 depending on availability but me and my husband just explore it by ourselves so it's kinda way way cheaper. It's not about the cost that we don't wanna join others but it's about being alone and enjoying moment without being on rush to follow the tour guide haha. Would be more fun if you'll try to ride a " "KALESA" also known as caritela or karitela (it is a horse-drawn calash)Tip: You can just join other visitors. The more people you are in a group the more cheaper it is for you to get a tour guide.

For about half day of tour in Fort Santiago we decided to have lunch at DAMPA SEA SIDE at Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Pasay, Metro Manila. It is a seafood place. So all seafood lovers would surely love the fresh seafoods of your liking. Budget? Well, based on our experience we paid a total of more or less $50 for 3 persons. They charged seafood per g/kl. We ordered crabs, oysters, rice, fresh buko juice (in coconut shell) and some appetizers so it's not bad isn't it?

Now we're goin to our afternoon adventure. Have you ever go to oceanarium? Well, that was our afternoon destination for our 1st day of Philippine Trip. We went to Manila Ocean Park which houses 14,000 sea creatures from about 277 species all of which is indigenous in Southeast Asia and it has seven sections and contains 2,600 cubic meters of sea water. Do you know that its main feature is the 25 meters (82 ft) 220° curved walkway tunnel after a 55-meter walkthrough inside the said Oceanarium.

The water used in the Oceanarium is derived from Manila Bay which is filtered to be suitable to marine life. The tickets varies to the package of entertainment you prefer. Package cost from $12-20 each.

My husband and I decided to have package that includes Oceanarium, Symphony evening show, Jellies exhibit, Birds of prey kingdom, Sea Lion show, Sharks and rays dry encounter, all star bird show, fish spa and the world crawlies. It's so fun and exciting. This kind of adventure isn't just for kids, do you agree? :)

That's the only places we explore since my husband needs rest from long travel so for those who wanna explore more during their first day here are the other places you can choose from that you might enjoy too! You might also want to check this best seller Cell Phone Camera Lens Kit, it has 12X Optical Zoom Universal High Definition Focus Telescope Mobile Phone Lens with Universal Clip for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, HTC, Sony, LG & Most Smartphones so won't miss every moment with this little thingy. I is very affordable and worth trying and has a very good review too together with that selfie stick with matching tripod...so interesting!. :)

1) Luneta Park - explore the Grand 140-acre park at Roxas Blvd Ermita, Barangay 666 Zone 72, Manila

2) Manila Bay - watch it's iconic sunset

3) Casa Manila - visit this museum depicting colonial lifestyle during Spanish colonization of the Philippines at General Luna St. Intramuros, Manila, Luzon,

4) Pinto Art Museum- visit galleries in mission-style buildings amid lush gardens, exhibiting contemporary & native art at Sierra Madre St.,, Grand Heights Rd, Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines

5)National Museum of the Filipino People - be amazed with this neoclassical museum housing a broad collection of Filipino cultural materials & artifacts located at Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila

6)Art in island -Family-friendly art museum where visitors pose & take photos within 3D paintings & murals is also one of the nicest place to go at 175 15th Ave., Brgy. Socorro, Cubao, Quezon City, 1109 Metro Manila, Philippines

7)Venice Grand Canal Mall- Go shopping and get mesmerized by this place which is inspired by one of Italy’s most romantic cities, Venice Grand Canal has elevated the shopping and lifestyle scene in the Philippine with its uniquely Italian sights and sounds, and dining experience that you can definitely enjoy. Located at Cluster B, McKinley Hill Garden Villas, Upper McKinley Rd, Taguig, 1630 Metro Manila

8) National Planetarium- It is a 16-metre (52 ft) dome located in Rizal Park between the Japanese Garden and Chinese Garden on Padre Burgos Avenue in the central district of Ermita. (Padre Burgos Ave Rizal Park Metro Manila)

9)Cultural Center of the Philippines - You can check their websites for schedule of performances and you're lucky to find one during your visit. They provide performance and exhibition venues for various local and international productions at this 62-hectare (150-acre) CCPC. Its artistic programs includes festivals, exhibitions, cultural research, outreach, preservation, the production of performances, and publication of materials on Philippine art and culture. It is located at Roxas Boulevard, Magdalena Jalandoni, Malate, Pasay, 1300 Metro Manila

10) Experience Filipino hilot - last but not the least is trying "Hilot (massage)" which is an ancient Filipino art of healing, commonly used today to relax stressed muscles. They also have been known to reset dislocated and sprained joints such as the knee, ankle, fingers and metacarpal bones and you can find this anywhere in the Philippines and you can even asked if there is available hilot service in your hotel. Gotta give it a try!

Thank you so much for finding time reading this post and hope you got an idea about your first day itinerary in Manila. I will be posting EXPLORING PHILIPPINES DAY 2 soon and please let me know if you want to add up any other information you want to share please feel free to message me in my contact option.