When invited friends to visit Manila, I only know a little information about the tourist sites there. Based on information from the rover site CouchSurfing, I chose Intramuros as a destination.
Intramuros, which literally means "inside wall" (meaning walled city), situated on the banks of the Pasig River in the south. Reportedly, the stone wall along about 5 km in the city was built to prevent the entry of Chinese into the area where live the people of Spain.
Since it was built in 1571 until the end of Spanish occupation in 1898, known as Intramuros Manila. Inside the city was later built schools, churches, and mansions. However, the war in 1945 between the United States, Japan and the Philippines to destroy this city.
Now, Intramuros become its own administrative regions and is known as the old city of Manila. In addition to the museum (Casa Manila), school (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila), and the walls black, Intramuros appeal lies in the church rubble and a few sites that go unpunished.
The time is right to explore Intramuros should be after 15:00, when the sun Manila (which is not much different York) was not too overpowering. Surrounding the town did not take long, about two and a half hours.
However, tourists are advised not around Intramuros at night to avoid possible bad things such as pickpocketing. Why, a few locations in this area was dark and seedy - for example the ruins of old buildings at the site.
Location weddings
Unlike the old city of Jakarta which mostly contains the museum, Intramuros residents an ideal location to host a wedding celebration. Many luxury homes there and rented out as a location transformed the garden party or wedding reception. Bridal couples can try to ride Calesa (a unique horse-drawn carriage) to get around the city.
Incidentally, there are some beautiful churches located in Intramuros, such as San Agustin and Manila Cathedral (better known as the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception). That said, couples who want to get married in one of these churches must be booked a year in advance!
The interior of the church of San Agustin was more colorful than the Manila Cathedral. Statue of the Virgin Mary and other ornaments in the San Agustin also display more detail meticulous. The ceiling is dominated by the color of gold - make this Baroque-style church was magnificent.
Meanwhile, outside the walls of San Agustin is orange instead give a modern impression. This Church is one of UNESCO's choice of heritage sites.
Casa Manila, a museum that holds the picture of luxury homes of the nobility of old Spain, is located not far from the church of San Agustin.
Although the interior is more modest, the exterior of the Cathedral of Manila was most remarkable. Carvings on the stone arch at the front of the church is very detailed. New Roman style building also features five saint statues that are considered important in the development of Roman Catholicism in Asia - including St. Francis Xavier's most deserving to bring Catholicism to the countries in the Indian Ocean.
Funeral of former President Corazon Aquino held in Manila Cathedral.
Pollution views
Intramuros has many other ancient buildings are no less exciting to enjoy. When down the high walls of the city, I suddenly ambushed romantic feeling of seeing the ranks of European-style street lights along the road.
Palacio del Gobernador Building (now a Philippine election commission office) has an interesting architecture. In front of this building there is a courtyard, complete with a fountain. This area, called the Plaza de Roma, quite comfortable to unwind for a while.
However, given its proximity to the electoral commission, there is always a poster campaign that pollute the landscape.
Among the old buildings, there are also shops that sell handicrafts from various regions in the Philippines. One of the largest - as well as tourist information center - is Silahis store.
Initially I was lazy to look around the shop three floors because he thought the price of stuff in there is expensive. I was wrong: there is quite affordable prices. A variety of souvenirs ranging from woven fabric, books, crafts to toiletries and beer is sold for USD $ 10-100 thousand.
Sadly, I will return to Indonesia with a budget airline without baggage. Otherwise, I'd go crazy buying souvenirs from the shop this funny.
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