Manila girl!!!

Manila is not new to me because I have been going there for several times. However, I haven't got the chance to appreciate it since my visit to Manila always lasts for one day plus the reason I was there is for business and not for pleasure.

Luckily, I had this one time break where I got to spend the day strolling and enjoying what Manila has to offer :)

First stop...the famous Rizal Park. The park is indeed very wide and you could see that there are a lot of things going around there. There are couples sitting on the benches having their own world, students whom I believe is practicing a dance number and just  plain tourists like me. I like the kalesa because they come in different forms. There's this one having a shape the same as a pumpkin, similar to the one Cinderella used in attending the ball and another with this Spanish-period style.

The fountains are fascinating and I wish I had the time to stay a bit longer since my friend told me the fountains even look better in the night.

Of course, I wouldn't forget to get a picture of the Rizal monument!

My attempt to get a picture with the Rizal monument as background :)

Just a street apart is the Manila Ocean Park. Luckily, they have a promo package and I obtained the one with the visit to Oceanarium and the Trails of Antarctica.

I was astonished with the different fishes and other water creatures inside the Oceanarium. It was really diverse and it's amazing how they have been able to gather all these organisms and tried to maintain the place.

 

I was a bit disappointed though because the underwater tunnel is shorter than what I have expected. I wish it would have been longer  and I hope they could do the same kind of recreational facility here in Davao. Calling all investors out there :)

My next stop at Manila Ocean Park is Trails of Antarctica. Here you can find some amazing facts on Antarctica....obtaining facts on this place was really hard especially when you go back in time because of the intense cold condition of the place. Instruments and other devices in studying Antarctica is way more expensive since these should withstand the extreme temperature in Antarctica. Also, you get to enter the Snow village to have that feel and see one of the creatures that can thrive on this area...  the penguins.

The first Antarctica

Mr. penguin taking a swim

Inside the Snow village

After finishing my tour, I went to the Manila museum. There are two buildings...the first one is comprised of different artifacts and basically shows the history of Philippines.

 

The second building on the other hand is comprised of several paintings made by famous painters which shows their skills and some of which, shows the struggles of the Filipino people during their time.

that's me and the Spoliarium

There is this four-set painting that I really like because it shows the progress of medicine in the Philippines (I just forgot the name of the painter).

I would really want to go to Intramuros after my visit to the National museum. However, time is not my friend at those times so I decided to go back to Bonifacio Global City to meet my sis, ex-roommate and friend Elaine. She gave me a tour at the area and brought me to Conti's at Serendra.

me and Elaine... all full

The food was indeed delicious especially their dessert, Mango Bravo. It's a must-try!!!

Mango Bravo

This is all for now :P