City Streets/City Scene, Manila

Fondest memory: The post office of Manila is in 'Lawton' before you reach the Manily City Hall if you are coming from Quezon City ( the former capital of Philippines) This post office is the main and biggest in Philippines.

Favorite thing: There's plenty for a tourist to do, either out and about, or staying at one of the Embassy recommended resorts. For the 10 days I stayed: I relaxed by the pool while the waiter kept my hand filled with Pina Coladas. I went to restaurants, and I danced the night away in clubs. Warning to sensitive people!!! There are many people wandering the streets, and they send their children over to you to beg for money. If you give them any, you will be surrounded my more. The best thing we did was take the kids and buy them some snacks at the McDonalds on the corner. This way, anything they get is for them, and their parents can't take the money. Also many clubs are "girly bars." This means there's a bunch of girls in bikinis on a stage, walking/dancing/swaying, and then when their time is up, they switch out with the next group. These girls then walk around the bar looking to be taken 'home.' Many of them are very nice, and very smart. They're just stuck in a poor culture.

Fondest memory: The regular clubs are very "dress code," so they weren't fun to go to. The girly bars are right near the large hotels. Each one usually has a separate dance floor, and a DJ that is happy to take requests. The club managers are also very polite, so if you just want to buy yourself drinks and dance all night - it's ok! The city is a Japanese business-man's Hawaii. I danced for a while with a friend, and Japanese men were watching and throwing money at us. We picked it up and gave it to the girls we met and became friends with - after all, it was their place of employment and we would have felt bad taking the money!

Favorite thing: Try HALO-HALO, which is a frozen dessert based upon shaved ice with different kinds of fruit, macapuno (coconut meat), and pinipig (toasted rice). If you order 'halo-halo especial' it comes with a scoop of ice cream and a cube of leche flan (custard). Not only a study in flavours, it is often an architectural miniature that seems to defy gravity. The protocol is to eat from the bottom to the top. It is usually served in the late afternoon around the time of merienda, c. 4 - 6 pm. (See SHAVE ICE on my Hawai'i page).

Fondest memory: The beautiful sunsets over Manila Bay as seen from the lanai (terrace) of the historic Manila Hotel.

Favorite thing: My sudden visit to the Philippines turned out to be most enjoyable. I found the people very friendly. Even the security guards that were posted outside shop frontages were all pleasant in their greetings.

I had a bit of a scary thing happen one day when I was out wandering. In a shop, a young boy (maybe 15) asked me if I was married. I was startled but said I was (safer I thought). When I left the shop, I didn't realise it but he was following me. I got to a street corner and I felt this hand on my wrist. Startled I immediately thought he was taking my watch. The young man took his hand off my wrist and gestured to the watch. I decided that he may have been a little retarded so I didn't panic and said 'NO'. The next corner the same thing happened and he was really trying hard I think to ask if he could have my watch. Again I said 'NO' and told him firmly not to do that again. I guess in hindsight I was taking a gamble but it didn't feel so. Not much further on he just disappeared into a house and that was the end of it.
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Fondest memory: Probably one of the things that I remember concerning the people was, just around the corner from the hotel where I was staying, there was a little local restaurant that I decided to go and try. I sat down by myself and people were coming and going with take out. An old man came up to me and asked if he could sit down, his friends sat at a nearby table. He started asking about where I came from and told me he was a money changer in Manila. We actually had a lovely conversation and when I was finished with my meal, said goodbye and went back to my hotel.

While there is obviously need for caution with the poverty in Manila and all that brings about, it unfortunately makes us a little hesitant to be on guard all the time and maybe miss little things like simple curiosity and friendliness.

Favorite thing: Manila, at night, is a city aglow. Armed with a tripod and a camera, I enjoy going to the Fort just across EDSA from Makati on a clear night to take long exposure pics of the Makati skyline. The area is safe. In fact, you might get noticed by security people if you stay too long in one spot - there are mobile private security personnel roaming at night.

Fondest memory: The evening skyline is unique.

Favorite thing: Manila has all kinds of areas.Makati with its business and skylines. Malate with bars and cafees and also known as the tourist area.Chinatown is just what the name says-great place for shopping ! Quiapo is the muslim part of Manila and is also a great shopping place-but take care as there is some outlaws here.

Favorite thing: Most places in Philippines you will meet the TRICYKLE.Its a cheap and fast way to get around on a special trip.In parts of Manila its not aloud to use tricykle as they mess up the trafik to much.The PEDICAP is also a tricykle but without engine (what a work in the heat ! ).

Favorite thing: If you enjoy the hustle-bustle of city life by locals then check out the Quiapo - Binondo area! I love this area! It is also the chinatown are area of Manila so if you like Chinese food this is the place to check out!!