INTRAMUROS: Stood the Test of Time!

Last February 5, 2012, I attended a blogger events named as Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 or simply IBC 2012. I am very excited for this will be the first time that I’m going to attend such kind of challenge. I’m not an expert blogger, just started my blog by the way, but the place made me thrilled and more eager to be part of the event.

I’m talking about Intramuros. Literally known as “Walled City” Intramuros is approximately 64 hectares which is surrounded by walls from which its name is derived. The ruins, structures, establishments and the wall itself are the witness why Intramuros stood the test of time.

A day of walking experience in the place is not enough for sure. This will make you realize that you want to go back in the place, somewhat grasp the reality that you left your heart in Intramuros and you are begging for more. In this place, everyone seems to walk through nostalgia, appreciate a historic past and be astounded with bygone age.

Carlos Celdran became my tour guide that day. He’s amazing! He wittily discuss Intramuros and it’s history. Every tour guide Intramuros has will definitely make you understand what Intramuros is all about, that’s love for work and love for place I think. Intramuros has a lot lot more to offer and visiting the place will give you hundreds of reasons to go back all over again.

Let me summarized my experience by giving you of things to do and know in INTRAMUROS

Incarceration of Rizal. Jose P. Rizal is our national hero who was imprisioned in Fort Santiago until his death in Bagumbayan on December 31, 1896. Look over Fort Santiago and visit the Rizal Shrine.

1.       Never leave Intramuros without taking pictures. It is a good place for some photowalk or simple jump shots. Intramuros is also popular as venue of pre-nup pictorials. Who knows, you might have yours to be taken there.

Try to eat at the restaurants within the wall city. Intramuros offers different style of dine ins. Some have cultural show, buffet, fast foods and fine dining. For the list of restaurants, food chain and coffee shop in the area please visit http://www.munchpunch.com/restaurants/results.aspx?t=b&h=14

1.       Romance. Fall in love with Intramuros. Find out why people keep coming back to Intramuros. The nostalgic feeling you will have as you walk in the street may be one reason.

1.       Agustin Church or the San Agustin Church. It was previously known as St. Paul of manila . San Agustin Church is the oldest church in the country. Witness the historic place and discover why the church is considered to be the mother of all colonial churches.

1.       Manila Cathedral. Located at KM0 of Intramuros, the Manila Metroplolitan Cathedral-Basilica undergone a series of tragedies of weather and calamities of earthquakes. It went under series of renovations and restorations, see for yourself its majestic view.

1.       Uncover the nationalism in you. Visit Intramuros, learn history, appreciate the past and enjoy life as Filipino.

1.       Ride a calesa. Nothing would be more exciting than having a tour while riding a calesa. It feelis like ur back in the old age since calesa is no longer the usual kind of transportation now a days.

Photo credits to Jann Cris of http://technophobia1.blogspot.com/. Super Thanks :)

1.       On the map, Intramuros is a must visit place for every Filipino and every tourist from other nation who will visit the Philippines. Discover history or plainly enjoy walking around. 

1.       Sip a cup of coffee or have a cup of frapuccino  at Starbucks. A coffee addict, coffee lover or simply wants caffeine overload? Starbucks in Inramuros is definitely a must stop. Be flabbergasted with its location and style that is totally different from its other branches.

This is a Travel Write-up entry to the Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 organizedby IntramurosManila.Asia. 

IBC 2012 is fully supported by the Intramuros Administration, Barbara's Restaurant, Celdran Tours, Mabuhay Guides, Pilgrimage Pilipinas, Castillan Tours, Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc., DigiEntrepreneur, DigitalFilipino, Third Team Media, Payless Pancit Shanghai, Ruthilicious, Ruthilicious Fanpage and GadgetGambit.com.

Walkathon. A Day in Boracay!

I’m not a beach lover but this beach invited me. I’m not a traveler but the experience encouraged me. I have the stress in work but I give myself a time to enjoy, this was the reason why I chose to look for a place where I can have my worries away, washes the toxicity my work environment brought me , relax and enjoy and so to have a productive work when I go back. This time I chose Boracay.

Being a first timer, I have a lot, lot more to expect in the place and discover why everyone should go in the island atleast once in their lifetime. Upon arrival, I knew to myself, this is the perfect place ive been looking for. I immediately unloaded my things as I arrived in my hotel and was so excited to explore the place.

What best describes the experience is a day of  walkathon. The fine sand you will step in seems to say, “hey, take those slippers off and walk barefooted”. I went to Boracay July 2011. The weather is fine, not the usual summer weather but just enough for some sight-seeing.

It may be a very long walk being in station 2 going to station 1 but it will not cause you exhaustion since u will enjoy every detail you see in the place.

First, the water that calls you to have a swim

Masarap mag swimming sa may waves, pwamis!

Once and a while you can stop at the beach chairs the hotel has few steps away from the beach, have some rest and take lots of pictures

Got tired, try the famous Jonah’s shake

Schedule check muna while waiting for the shake

Nom-nom-nom

Be amazed by those kitesurfers

Though wanting to walk more, I find myself so sleepy since I haven’t got enough sleep the day before going to Boracay (not because I’ excited but because I’m from night shift..hehehe).  that was the time when I decided to go back to the hotel and have some rest.

After recharging myself I am back to my adventure

 isa sa mga hinanap ko, fire dancers! I want someone who is macho sana.. lol ^_^

Stopover at my oh so favorite starbucks coffee

uy free wifi! Status check-in muna!

Fact: Why I love starbucks @ Boracay, the barista told me that im “GWAPA” and the barista is gwapo din. Nahiya lang akong kuhanan ng picture.. hahahaha

Last thing to do, buy pasalubong

And that Is how my whole day went through in Boracay. Since I was not yet allowed to have vacation leave at work, my Boracay experienced was summed up in 1 day. I know it is super bitin and im looking forward to have another vacation in this wonderful place. Hoping this time, I have more days to spend. And now I’m refreshed and back to business. :)

This is a pre-qualifying entry to the Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 by IntramurosManila.Asia. This campaign is fully supported by the Intramuros Administration, Barbara's Restaurant, Celdran Tours, Mabuhay Guides, Pilgrimage Pilipinas,Castillan Tours, Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc., Starbucks Philippines, Starbucks Facebook Fanpage, Payless Pancit Shanghai, Ruthilicious andRuthilicious @ FB.