Port 04 Manila, Philippines
Greetings!
We have a beautiful sunrise-backed skyline facing us on 18 March, 2024, as we arrive in Manila, Philippines!
Many ships occupy the waters offshore, awaiting their time to enter the port to offload and take on goods.
Before I go any further, we had a lovely St. Patrick’s Day party in Horizons Lounge last night! As part of the “Sing Out Loud” choral group on board, I participated in a ‘flash mob’ singing a few Irish pub tunes, and supporting all of the other songs we want the folks to sing! It was a fun evening!
At the docks we have a wonderful surprise – the Banda Kawayan group is performing for us! The music is lovely – a mix of pan-type flutes and percussive instruments.
Today we have a tour to Rizal Park and the St Agustin Church. Our 1st stop is the execution site of Dr. Jose Rizal.
We arrive at Rizal Park and begin a lengthy walk. The fountains on the right are fascinating in their height and shape!
Soon we arrive at the primary site commemorating the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal.
Dr. Rizal was a famed poet and intellect, known for his opposition to the Spanish occupation of the Philippines. He was sentence to death for this. He was a single man until the day of his execution – he married Josephine Bracken the morning of the execution!
The park has full-zize figures representing the scene of that fateful day. Supposedly there was only one bullet and multiple rifles shooting blanks. This relieves the men of knowing who fired the kill shot.
Dr. Rizal was forbidden to face the firing squad, even though he requested it. It is reported he began to turn around when the squad fired, shooting him in the back.
Near this scene is a monument with a 24-hour guard, commemorating the life of Dr. Rizal.
Manila Hotel is our next stop. Avito, our tour guide, said this hotel is called the religious Hotel. When people arrive, they look around and say “Oh, my God!”, and when they check out and receive their bill they exclaim, “Jesus Christ!”
In my opinion, upon seeing the hotel, I deem it not quite OMG, but very nice! Janice inquired about the room rates and says the price is under $200/night. So this is no longer JC expensive!
On entry we are greeted with a family of decorated eggs! The QR codes on each egg allow bidding for a fund raiser! Multiple artists submitted their fabulous works!
My favorite is this one titled “Mystical Beginnings”!
I love the look of the baby dragon reacting to the boy’s outstretched hand!
The main floor of the hotel is a dining room. It is beautifully appointed with panelled coffered ceiling and large chandeliers!
The highly rated Champagne Room restaurant is stunning!
It has trees hanging over the tables, all made with leaves formed from melted Coca-Cola bottle glass!
Out on the street we wait for our bus and notice the snarl of wires over our heads! This isn’t the worst we’ve seen, but it is shocking to see here!
We head for Intramuros, the walled city inside of Manila. They have their own tram, but it isn’t very accessible!
Other more sedate transportation is still used in this city!
In Intramuros, the central green is lined with historic buildings, but they aren’t very interesting. What is interesting is the War for Independence recreation that is going on in the central green!
We arrive at the fort in Intramuros, Fort Santiago. It has a moat that extends across the front of the fort. (A river provides one boundary, and a golf course driving range now occupies the remaining space.)
We cross the moat bridge and enter the Fort.
Inside the fort in the green is the Plaza del Armas, where troops would form up. This became a Japanese detention camp during the Japanese occupation.
There is another memorial to Dr. Jose Rizal here. He was incarcerated until the day of his execution in the Fort.
Through a small back gate is a path to the Pasig River that borders the north side of the Fort.
Within the fortress is a Lego education center. They have all of the historic Manila buildings – primarily churches and government buildings – recreated in Lego’s!
Below are dungeons. The Japanese used these extensively, and unfortunately 600 Philippinos were found dead in the dungeons at the end of WW II. They were crammed in so tightly they suffered from heat and suffocation.
This cross in front of the fortress dungeons marks and commemorates the mass grave where the 600 were buried.
Leaving the Fort I see two of these watch towers. Each have life-sized statues of the guards at post.
I find the ramp to the top of the Fort’s wall!
I can see down into the cell where Dr. Jose Rizal was held. With no upper floor or roof his statue is visible!
I can also see into the Rajah Salayman’s auditorium! This is a better view than through the doorway below!
Back on the street we’re waiting again for the bus! I see this jeepney – I love the US Air Force marking embossed on the rear wheel cover!
Another passenger points this out – from our vantage point it looks like the horse is hooked up to the bus!
We finally arrive at St Agustin Cathedral.
The front entry is beautiful but austere.
Inside, it is clear the Cathedral is now a museum, and it also has a role as a convent!
We aren’t allowed to enter the cathedral since a service is being held. But we can still venture through the museum part of the cathedral.
I love tall mast ships! In the museum is a model of the Nuestra Senora del Pilar. These ships plied the trade route between Manila and Acapulco.
The detail on the model is exceptionally beautiful! I’m impressed!
The history of this cathedral dates back to the presentation of the Santo Nino to Queen Juana in 1521.
A replica of the Santo Nino is here. A much more elaborate display than that shown in the painting!
In the halls of the cathedral are numerous procession floats. They are all incredible!
Joy finds a hall of mausoleum markers. Some are stone, some wood. Some are engraved, some painted. These tell interesting tales!
A hall of religious memorabilia is fascinating! There are doors, panels, paintings, carvings, and ironwork. Notice also the artwork on the ceiling!
From the cathedral we take a walk to our last stop for a little shopping spree!
When I step out of the store, I see Martin and Janice biding their time on the curb, waiting for the tour to wrap up!
On our way to the bus for the last time we pass this University and see a wonderful sign! They advertise all of the students who pass the license exams!
On the bus ride back to the ship, I spot a very interesting gas station! No pumps on the ground allows the vehicles to move in any way they need to in order to reach the fuel line!
The final interesting sight is this building – the Bureau of Quarantine! I think they’ve been busy the past few years!
We head out in the late afternoon. Manila falls behind us.
We leave Manila, but we aren’t ready to leave the Philippines!
Next port of call – Ilocos, Philippines!
