So, I was away in Philippines during Christmas for a wedding event and taking a hiatus at the same time. I guess I went away for too long! Anyone missed me? 😀
Hahahaha… Anyway, here I am, back to writing here on my humble little blog and sharing another travelogue series of the adventures I had in Philippines while I hop from Manila to Tagaytay to Iloilo! Here we go!!!
[Philippines December 2013]
21 December 2013
Harbor View Restaurant, Fort Santiago & Padi’s Point
I had planned to make a trip out to the Philippines to attend the friends’ wedding but the hiatus? It was a last minute decision when I realised I don’t have my homecoming ticket after the wedding event when I thought I already had everything properly planned out.
It is very unlike me to miss out on details like that but I am not complaining. I needed that break after a hectic year and I guess you can call it fate that things panned out this way!
Fifth time flying to Philippines, first time with baggage check-in!
Good morning Manila!
And no matter how harsh the traffic conditions were on a weekend morning, we headed out in search for lunch nonetheless! 😀
Harbor View Restaurant
1000 Katigbak Parkway, Rizal Park,
1000 Manila, Philippines
Website: https://www.facebook.com/harborviewmanilabayrizalpark
My first proper meal after arriving at Manila has got to be at Harbor View Restaurant!
The 30 year old restaurant, situated at the very edge of Manila Bay near Manila Ocean Park and Hotel H2O, is the place where you can enjoy both local and international cuisine with wonderful sea breeze at their al fresco dining area. They say that you can get awesome view of sunset there so you might want to drop by for dinner instead! 🙂
Green Mango shake!
Clockwise: Adobong Kangkong, Nilasing na Hipon,
Sinigang na Salmon Belly sa miso & Baby Squid Adobo
Crispy Pata
The dishes were really delectable and if I have to point out one dish to recommend, I will suggest the Nilasing na Hipon! These crispy deep fried shrimps marinated in liquor are good as appetizers to share across the table or when you need some finger food while you are having some beer!
Anyway, together with the friendly and sincere service and the cooling December sea breeze, my lunch experience at Harbor View Restaurant was pretty superb! 🙂
Fort Santiago & Intramuros
To be honest, we arrived and stopped by at Intramuros just because it is just round the corner from Harbor View Restaurant and we spent a substantial amount of time there. Sad to say, no matter how long I was around there checking out the place, I didn’t see the iconic gate of Fort Santiago!
Padre Blanco’s Garden
It was said that the garden was created by the Augustinian botanist and author of the richly illustrated “Flora de Filipinas”, Manuel Blanco, in 1837. They used to allow the public to hold private events like wedding or gatherings in the past and it is now a full-pledged seminarian area for Augustinians and historians.
And thank goodness for internet and technology these days or I will never know the history and realise how I had missed seeing Padre Blanco’s Garden right there behind the walls and ruins!
These girls literally bounce from roof to roof lined up in front of the fort wall to get to the top. They seemed so well-trained! Hmmm…
Club Intramuros Golf Course
Pavilion within the vicinity of the golf course…
Chopped! 🙁
Cobble stones stacked to form a flight of steps…
Galeria de los Presidentes de la Republica Pilipina
Manila Bulletin – The Nation’s Leading Newspaper!
Not all who wander are lost.
There are no hopeless situations; there are only men who have grown hopeless about them.
Hello my trustworthy red sandals again! 😀
They say, all truly great thoughts are conceived while walking. You think so too?
The canon platform…
The canon platform with Manila City Hall’s clock tower in the background…
I don’t think anyone can survive if they trip while using this steep flight of steps…
Peekaboo! The travel companions for this trip to Philippines!
erm so… Fort Santiago and Intramuros is built in 1861 or 1981?
Marking the end of the walk with a cup of Iced christmas tea blend at Starbucks! 😀
Padi’s Point Restaurant & Bar @ Antipolo
Alpadi Compound, Sumulong Highway,
Antipolo City, Rizal
Website: http://www.padispoint.com
Since we had a heavy lunch, we dropped by Padi’s Point later the same evening for a couple of drinks and the breathtaking panorama night view of Metro Manila before retiring for the night!
Oh and we ordered a platter of Chilli cheese sticks as pulutan* that is basically so awesome. Ok, it might be a common finger food where you deep-fry jalepano or green chilli stuffed with cheese served with a mayonnaise-based sauce! But I just can never have enough of the combination of crispy, crunchy, spicy, creamy and cheesy sensation all at the same time! I want to make this at home some time soon! 😀
Anyway, with that, that’s my short 1 day adventure in Manila!
Stay tuned for the next part of the travelogue where I share more on my week-long stay in Iloilo! 🙂
Most posts from Philippines December 2013 travelogue series:
- Harbor View Restaurant, Fort Santiago & Intramuros and Padi’s Point | Manila, Philippines
- Angelicum School | Iloilo, Philippines
- Iloilo Esplanade & Cholabite | Iloilo, Philippines
- Molo Church, Tigbauan Church & Guimbal Church | Iloilo, Philippines
- Miag-ao Church, San Joaquin Cemetery, San Joaquin Church & Jaro Metropolitan Church | Iloilo, Philippines
- 7 EATS in Iloilo | Iloilo, Philippines
