Last year we spent Christmas in winter in the Czech Republic, so it was time to fix that. Right after Meet&Deal vol4 in Bratislava, Terka and I decided to take off again. The date fell on her birthday and the Philippines won the destination. This time we found the tickets through Pelikan (not through SkyScanner) and on March 13th we set out on the journey. What did we manage to do in the first few days?
*Travel hack for winter*
Does it also bother you that when you fly to the warmth in winter, you have to carry a jacket? Get some thermal underwear! You can roll it into a ball and you’ll hardly notice it. The one from Husky worked well for me and I really recommend it!
*First impressions of Manila*
Since it was Terka’s birthday, I planned the beginning in Manila completely myself so that she could just enjoy it. We arrived on Friday around 8am, moved to Makati by Grab (buses and taxis were unnecessarily expensive in terms of price/performance). We threw our stuff at the accommodation and went for food. I, of course, solved the data through Airelo. Don’t forget that with the code ANDRE5430 you’ll get a $3 discount on your first order.
Right next to the hotel, we ran into street food stalls full of locals, so there was no problem. We tried lumpia and some other specialties. Absolutely great! The rule is: eat where the locals eat.
Then a bit of chill by the pool, finally check-in, a bit of sleep and off to Terka’s birthday surprise. A drink on the 62nd floor of the sky bar The Peak. At first they had a bit of a problem with my slippers, but eventually it was okay. We got free drinks, Terka a cake, and the view? Top! The whole of Manila at a glance.
*The oldest Chinatown in the world*
The next day we wanted to check out the markets and the city center. Salcedo Saturday Market had great ratings on Google, but it didn’t really appeal to us. Touristy, high prices and nothing really local, so quite a disappointment. But we found another one, without a name, where everything we were looking for was. Local food, cheap prices and a great atmosphere. Just everything you want.
Then we headed to the city center, quite far from the hotel. The TukTuks didn’t want to take us and we didn’t really know how the Jeepney Tour (TukTuk bus) works yet. In the end, we risked it. We moved closer to the train and on the way we walked through a neighborhood where we really didn’t like it. If there are security guards with shotguns in front of banks, it’s a sign that you should watch your pockets. But there will certainly be many worse places.
We arrived in Binondo (Chinatown), which is the oldest Chinatown in the world. It’s not Bangkok, but it’s worth the experience. We tried the famous dumplings at Shanghai Fried Siopao, for which you have to wait in a quite long queue, but you won’t regret it.
Just a stone’s throw from Chinatown is a huge Chinese cemetery, which we didn’t give in to and continued on.
*Disappointment Manila Bay and unpopular Trump*
We arrived at Manila Bay, passing by churches and historical monuments. We skipped Intramuros & Fort Santiago, the queue was crazy and we already had 20 km in our legs.
We also walked past the American embassy, where there were at least 100 Filipino police officers. The political situation in the Philippines is apparently not ideal. We also heard some protests. Then it dawned on us, the USA led by Trump and his geopolitical moves, or rather the freezing of funding for foreign projects, are not exactly popular with Filipinos at the moment.
The beach in Manila? Horrible! Guarded by security, they search your things, you can’t bring plastic with you and you can’t even smoke on the beach. And when you get to the sea? A rim of plastic bottles and garbage. Quite a paradox, isn’t it?
*Especially don’t let yourself get ripped off*
We’ve had enough and we want to go home. Filipinos are generally kind and smiling people. Compared to Thailand, it didn’t even seem to me that they would bother us so much, even though almost two-meter-tall Caucasians are something they want to gawk at. It’s standard here for children to beg, which happened again on the way to the hotel. A boy came who tried it even though we said no explicitly. He walked with us for about 20 meters and started feeling around my pockets.
We decided to get a TukTuk that would take us home. We’re looking, waving, but without success. Until in one side street a few of them are standing. We go to ask the price, explain the route with a map and more guys gather around us. Two refuse and one says he’ll give us a ride for 200 PHP – we’ll take that. I give the guy we originally came to a 1 PHP tip and we get into the sidecar of the motorcycle.
To our surprise, we survived the ride without significant harm and get off at the hotel. By that time I was already crumpling 200 PHP in my hand so I wouldn’t show him my wallet. After the guy took us, he claimed 200 PHP was too little. That he meant it per person. We argue for a while, but in the end I give him 200 with the explanation that I asked for the price of the ride, not per person. Sorry, but I don’t let myself get ripped off.
*The best grilled chicken ever*
We gave a little chill by the pool and went for food. On Friday evening, we again saw a restaurant full of locals with a queue of about half an hour. We give it a try and wow! We’ve never eaten better grilled chicken with rice. If you’re ever in Manila, go to Chicken House Express. Believe me, you won’t regret it.
Sunday went smoothly. We walked through another market – Legazpi Sunday Market. They were a bit better than yesterday, but still quite touristy. However, I couldn’t resist the Mango Sticky Rice for 120 PHP.
On Monday we fly to Cebu and then continue towards Bohol – Puerto Princesa and the rest we’ll see. We have the tickets and the rest we’ll plan.
*A cemetery where there is life(style)*
On Monday, after breakfast, we went for a walk around the area and decided to explore the cemetery that we had walked past several times. And now like wtf?! Those people actually live there. 🤯
After this wow walk, we had a chill by the pool, did a bit of work, and then had chicken at Chicken House Express again – we couldn’t help ourselves. Then it was off to the airport. The flight was delayed by an hour.
We find out that Cebu is really alive. Everywhere there are stalls and the night Carbon Market. There were so many of them that Grab couldn’t even take us all the way to the hotel, where we arrived around 11pm. We throw our stuff at the hotel and go looking for something to eat and drink. Within 5 minutes, a downpour like a pig and so we wait. After 15 minutes (I love Asia and its changeable weather) we go towards the hotel with jackfruit and pineapple and go to sleep.
On Tuesday, we buy tickets for the boat that will take us to Bohol. And we’re off!
