[Manila] 5D4N Getaway to Manila! 马尼拉首旅 Day 5.1 Epilogue

5D4N Getaway to Manila! 马尼拉首旅

June 28, 2017 (Wednesday)

Epilogue - Selamat Po Manila!

We are catching the early morning flight back to Kota Kinabalu today. It's 6:30AM and we are ready to check-out from the Lotus Garden Hotel. It was a pleasant stay here :)

Our room for the past 4 nights - 3303.

Common leisure area beside lobby.

The staff kindly prepared for us a special breakfast to bring along.

All set? And we are ready to head to airport. Thou it is early in the morning, the streets are already full with cars and motorbikes. Roughly it was 30 minutes ride to NAIA from our hotel.

We are here! There are officers stand-by at the entrance to check your belongings. Take note ;)

Find AirAsia check-in counters and drop our luggage.

Done. Now head to the International Departure Hall.

Bye bye Manila (waving)!

Do check the distance to your departure gate to avoid frustration ;)

This is it... Goodbye and thank you, Manila!

p/s: our in-flight meals now revealed! :D

***

To my dear readers, this is the end of my travelling diary in Manila, Philippines.

Thank you for reading and I hope you have a pleasant and wonderful trip in Philippines ^^

***

[Manila] 5D4N Getaway to Manila! 马尼拉首旅 Day 4.2 Kyochon●Kumori

5D4N Getaway to Manila! 马尼拉首旅

June 27, 2017 (Tuesday)

Kyochon (famous for Korean BBQ Chicken).

We are back to Robinsons Place Manila. Since we were caught in the heavy rain and flood earlier, it was already half pass 3PM, but still we haven't have our lunch.

Then we came across this Korean BBQ franchise, Kyochon. They have franchise too at Kuala Lumpur, but not in Kota Kinabalu yet.

So we decided to settle our late lunch (or, early dinner?) here.

We ordered the regular-sized drumstick (4 pcs for P299) from the Honey Series and regular-sized wing/middle wing (10 pcs for P299) from the Original Series.

As perfection takes time (as written on their menu), they will only prepare the chicken upon ordering. Roughly 22 minutes to serve on table. You can take your time by watching KPOP music videos from the tv. Get y'all hyped up (teehee) :D

I tried Kyochon once when I was doing internship back at Kuala Lumpur, but that was a couple years ago. And I'm really anticipating to their juicy tender chicken meat...

The chicken meat, especially the drumsticks are really juicy and sweet (because of the honey). Recommend to try! :D

Kumori Japanese Bakery & Cafe (famous for Japanese bakeries).

Since this is our last day in Manila, Philippines, we followed mum to do some shopping, for souvenirs. We went to Robinsons Supermarket to get some local goodies.

Just right beside Robinsons Supermarket, there is Kumori which is famous for its Hanjuku Cheese. It never goes wrong with Japanese bakeries. So delicate and delicious. We sat down and enjoy our high tea here.

*p/s: if you would like to post something (i.e. postcards or letters), there is a post receiving counter located at Ground Floor, Robinsons Place Manila. Locate the nearest main exit/entrance to Robinson Supermarket, exit and turn right. You should see the operator in less than 2 minutes walk, on your right-hand side.

-stay tuned for more!-

[Manila] 5D4N Getaway to Manila! 马尼拉首旅 Day 4.1 National Museum of the Philippines

5D4N Getaway to Manila! 马尼拉首旅

June 27, 2017 (Tuesday)

National Museum of the Philippines.

In order to get to know more about a country or a city, it's best to visit their local museums.

We got the chance to visit Philippines' National Museum on our last day of trip. And I'm glad we did. Some more, it is free admission, even for foreigners!

It's such an educational place, full with collections of Filipino fine art, archaeology, botany, natural history & more. It feels more like entering a gallery than a museum.

In fact, the main National Museum building was home to members of the Philippine Senate from 1926 to 1996. It was closed and renovated to the National Museum of Fine Arts.

These are some of my favourite artworks and spots in the museum. Enjoy! ♥

Artworks by famous local artist Juan Luna Y Novicio (1857-1899).

A gift from Dr. Rizal to his wife Josephine Bracken on the day of his execution. His handwriting, "To my dear and unhappy wife". Dr. José Rizal was a Filipino nationalist and polymath during the tail end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines.

In other chambers...

We heard that there is another building - National Museum of Anthropology, just right across the main road. About 5 minutes walk.

Horse carriage spotted! :D

...And we are here! National Museum Part 2!

The National Museum of Anthropology, which formerly known as the Museum of the Filipino People mainly houses the anthropology and archaeology divisions. Besides, it also houses the wreck of the San Diego, ancient artifacts, and zoology divisions. The building formerly housed the Department of Finance. 

When it's about time to leave, we were caught in a heavy rain. The road was flooded causing heavy traffic jam.

We tried to call for GrabCar or Uber services, but due to weak network connection, it all failed. Finally, with the help of google map, we were able to locate and walk back to hotel. In fact, this way was faster than travelling by car (heh). What an experience! :')

-stay tuned for more!-

[Manila] 5D4N Getaway to Manila! 马尼拉首旅 Day 3.2 San Agustin Church●Manila Cathedral●San Sebastian Church●The Aristocrat Restaurant

5D4N Getaway to Manila! 马尼拉首旅

June 26, 2017 (Monday)

San Agustin Church (one of the local landmark churches).

If you are interested in historical places or even in taking pictures, you should never missed Intramuros when visiting Manila.

Due to heavy traffic jam, by the time we reached Intramuros, it was already 4PM.

Unfortunately the church was closed during that hour for movie/drama shooting. Then it started to rain. So we were only able to take a picture before leaving. :(

Manila Cathedral (formally known as the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception).

We are still in the Intramuros area. Next stop, you shouldn't miss the Manila Cathedral which is popularly known for famous tv personalities to held their weddings (basically that's how our guide told us while introducing).

The rain stopped, so we were able to take a walk around the cathedral.

It was quite a lovely and peaceful place to walk. Art paintings are displayed in an open area in front of the cathedral.

A fountain right in front of the cathedral.

A bookstore/library with creative design.

As they are getting ready (i.e. choir is rehearsing) for a mass later, we were able to enter and have a look inside the cathedral.

San Sebastian Church (famous for the church that made of steel).

Our guide kindly brought us to visit another local church which it is famous for its steel-made design.

We also got the chance to enter the building and have a look inside. I was quite amazed by the tinted glass paintings on the windows.

Feels like walking into the time tunnel...

The Aristocrat Restaurant (famous for its chicken BBQ).

It's dinner time! Our guide told us that we should try the local restaurant - The Aristocrat, in order to have a taste of good local foods.

Not really sure what to order since this is our first visit, we simply follow the chef's recommendations (good old rule).

The Aristocrat Barbecue Classic - 3 piece Chicken Barbecue served with signature Java rice, Java sauce and homemade atchara (dish in the middle). One set for P210. Sotanghon Soup (Vermicelli noodles in chicken broth with chicken meat, gizzards and shrimp; dish on the left) for P70. And garlic rice (dish on the right) for P40 per bowl.

The taste is something we cannot find back in Malaysia, which makes it very special.

As for desserts, we ordered the local favourite Halo-Halo and Buko Pandan for P150 and P80 respectively.

Particularly I really enjoyed the Buko Pandan as it has the rich pandan and santan taste. Yumm, such a perfect combination.

-stay tuned for more!-