The first thing that pops in my actively imaginative mind when my hear about Manila is...grim, traffic, and duping taxi drivers. So when we went on quite an unforeseen business trip to the metro, I wasn't too excited for it but I pinned my hopes for the best, always! 

     Our flight was at 4:30 in the morning. We booked tickets and a room a week before. It wasn't entirely a vacation as we were set to go back to Cebu the next day. We landed before 6:00 a.m at NAIA Terminal 3. NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) T3 was way different from the last one in terms of size and cleanliness. Terminals 1 and 2 were a little congested. T3 was capacious and clean as a whistle.

     We were not in favor of riding a taxi (ala budget traveling style) so we took the bus. Lawrence suggested we visit Baclaran church before breakfast. I felt thrilled because it was going to be my first time visiting such place. My mother often talked about this olden church when I was a kid. The bus stopped just outside the airport and we paid a fare of P20.00 each. Not bad! It was still early but the traffic already started building up the wide and long highway of Pasay city. The driver dropped us off at Baclaran and we went inside the church that was reminiscent of old Spanish architecture. Walls were painted dirty white and corners in hues of dark brown. You could see birds comforably laying in their respective nests, their sound echoing inside. People were kneeling down, sarcosanctly praying. It was all so solemn. We lit candles outside and said our wishes. Then we headed on. Just a few blocks beside the church were some restaurants and since it was only 6:00 a.m all were closed except for Jollibee. After breakfast we went to CCP, I stayed there 'til noon time. The heat was high on!

     We headed to Malate Pensionne to take a rest after an exhausting morning. Malate. No traffic, not much noise. It looked like Cebu inside big Manila. Our room cost P1,600.00 / night. We booked with Agoda for P1,100.00 not knowing the bathroom was shared. I'm very particular about bathrooms so we had to upgrade. Toilet issues. If you want to check out their rooms, see the details at the end of this post. :)

     The night was young and we went around town idefatigably! We went Japanese in Yasu Japanese Restaurant at Robinsons Mall. Grumbling stomachs satisfied with the ramen, chicken and miso soup. Lawrence suggested we go to Cafe Adriatico after for some coffee and cake. I've heard of this place in Cebu but never bothered to give it a try. Their first cafe stood strong at the corner of Remedios Circle. This was his favorite coffee shop in Manila and with good reason. The rustic design of the place reminded us once again of Spanish colonial era in the Philippines. The smell of the ground coffee bean gave us a high. It was addictive and awakening all at once. We went up the stairs and the feel was like no other. Old wooden stairs and floors, windows in red, green and yellow. This place made us recollect thoughts of kalesas, tradition and the old Manila. We ordered hot Americano and Cappuccino cheesecake to top off the night. Lawrence recommended the Chocolate Cake but the Cheesecake tickled my curiosity so I wanted to give it a try!

     Coffee splendor couldn't even justify how I felt when I took a sip! The coffee was roasted to perfection. The cheesecake was bitter, a tad salty and sweet. It hit every taste bud right. It was just the thing we needed with our ever so engrossing conversation. 

     Feeling hyped from the caffeine we walked around Malate in the middle of the night. The city was alive with people strolling, bar music blasting and the view of Manila bay along Roxas Boulevard. We happily rode a kalesa (horse driven carriage) for a few minutes, too! And so, walking hand in hand, it was really a night to remember.

     7/11 was my belly's saviour the morning after that. Lawrence showed me around the other side of Malate after coffee time. The fried dumplings and hot pots at Ping Yang are  must try if you plan to visit!









     Shabu-shabu with a Chinese-Filipino twist. We then headed to MOA (Mall of Asia) where we spent the last few hours in Manila. It was my first time there and it was well, huge! So massive that it would probably take one about three days to finish checking the place out. I was so happy he toured me around even though his feet were stubbornly aching (and he didn't say.) We revived ourselves with another dose of coffee at Krispy Kreme and we even came across some friends from Cebu. What a small world. We took a cab (driver charged an extra +50) to the airport and waited for three hours for our flight. If you want to NOT miss your flight, I suggest you get there earlier because Manila traffic jams are so unpredictable sometimes. It's better to be early than be sorry, right?

     During the flight, memories were vividly flashing in my mind. That kind of Manila I liked and I wouldn't mind going back to that place again. Old Manila is the good kind of Manila. How was your experience? Share your thoughts!:)

xo,

Michelle