Manila Surprise

Manila surprised me. Had always thought it was an old dilapidated city. It must be some movies that had influenced me I guess. No doubt there are some not so nice areas there but then, there are not so nice areas everywhere in this world. There were already signs of a modern bustling city not long after the bus we were traveling in entered Manila only that I did not bother to take note. Thinking back now, I remember some locals stopped at the modern hub of Manila, the Makati Area, I suppose. In the darkness, I could see gleaming skyscrapers but that was just a flash of modern Manila. The bus terminal was somewhat out of town and from there, we had taken a cab to our hotel. The journey seemed long and at one point it was even dark but then, as we approached our hotel, we passed a brightly-lit road by the sea. It was Manila BayWalk, a place where one can have an idyllic stroll as well as hang around to enjoy the sunset and some free Filipino entertainment. The taxi driver said it was a haven for drug addicts at one time but the capable mayor had turned the place around to become a popular spot in the city.

A coffee kiosk at BayWalk, Manila...




The coffee man taking a break...



Filipinos relaxing the view of Manila Bay...


A relaxing Filipino at relaxing BayWalk..



With Life Guards at BayWalk...



Travel Tip: Talk to the taxi driver.


Comments

You seem to really enjoy your sprees in traveling, glad to know you are here in Manila. Why not try visit the summer capital of the Philippines as well-Baguio City, that is my hometown....^^
footiam said…
If there is an opportunity, why not?
Ely said…
hehe...all the information are correct. I'm sorry but i've never been at the baywalk myself. I'm also from Baguio and i just arrived here in Manila last February.

All stores you saw along baywalk have been removed, clearing the whole area just 2 months ago. It was an order from the newly elected mayor of Manila.
footiam said…
I see. If you look at the first comment, you'll see lordmanilastone is from Baguio. What a small world. Thanks Ely.