Holy Visit at Baclaran Church, Manila

This post is pretty late for my Manila Trip but still, I "must" share this one to everyone. Our Makati trip indeed the most tiring trip we had in our whole visit followed by our little strolling around MOA and Manila Baywalk, all happened on our first day. On our second day or say last day in Manila, we visited Baclaran Church as for our last destination before heading off to airport.

The famous Baclaran Church in Manila, Philippines

Even on weekdays, the church was so full of people praying and lighting candles. The church was definitely grand and huge. It was being repaired or renovated I think. I didn't know exactly what was that carpenter and stair stuff were up to. But even with this situation, it didn't affect the numbers of people visiting around.

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Spending the Night at MOA and Manila Baywalk

We were completely exhausted to the bone because of our trip in Makati City yet, we still able to continue up to our next destination; the SM Mall of Asia and Manila Baywalk.

Sunset at Manila Baywalk
Source: Shotfinder

Even though our initial target was to explore MOA, one of the biggest mall center here in the Philippines, yet after seeing how big it was, we realized a couple of hours wouldn't be enough.

Who would have thought that MOA is just right behind us?

The mall was so grand, very, very huge. Just by seeing it frightened me. I hadn't fully recovered from our last trip and here it was, acquiring a lot more efforts... and walks! I've had enough and I was so tired and so they were. Perhaps, it was the best way we can do for now. We took our time and roamed the first floor. The weather was ideally nice and the cool breeze brought chills, indicating the fast approach of the Lenten season...

We were just able to visit the first floor of the mall. Then right after, we directed to the back exit heading to Manila Baywalk. The baywalk was surprisingly crowded and clamorous. The boisterous sounds of live bands in every restaurants were deafening yet, entertaining. Numerous open-air cafes and restaurants were everywhere as you can enjoy sumptuous local cuisines by Manileños that served gratifying meals but could be also hurtful to your budget. The magnificent beach lights looked gorgeous and very fascinating too.

The guys behind are having fun, lol.

Mime performer at Manila Baywalk

Time to relax. Time to enjoy... and its time to pause your trail for a while and witness this impressive mime performer who performs sort of interpretative dance that are pretty humorous and awesome but of course, he comes with a price, lol. No, it's up to you to give him some gratifying reward (and no, don't give him flowers, he needs cash - c.a.s.h) for his hard work.

Spacious park with colorful lamp posts which makes the night a delightful way to wind up from stressful city life. 

I have heard that you can catch a glimpse of the glorious sunset in this area. Unfortunately, we've arrived here  a bit too late.

A night to remember. A night to rejoice and a night to cherish... forever...

The colorful lamp posts that are lined along the baywalk  are truly captivating that you could have mistaken it for meteors and glittering stars from afar.

Bring your children over to deepen your family's bond.  

Manila Baywalk is a perfect place for family getaways for weekend bonding. Aside from it has playgrounds intending for kids, you will definitely enjoy the variety shows and activites available in here. 

Let your kids enjoy the night. 

Indulged yourself by the tranquility of the sea, the cheerful noises from the crowd, the entertaining shows of live bands and musicians, the eye-candy lights by the sea side, delicious foods from numerous restaurants and the happiness it can bring to your life. 

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Getting Lost in Makati City, Manila

Manila, a place even within the Philippines seems like totally unknown to me. Never been here once. I'm just seeing it on the TV yet, I am not sure what it actually looks like in front of you. So, being in this whole unfamiliar place kinda feels like a chill of fun, thrill and adventure. And having a budget barely enough for two adds the tension. We have to spend the money just for necessary stuffs and delicious foods.

There are few things I never knew at that time. 1.) Foods are reasonably expensive but sound ridiculous to me. How can we spend 1,000 pesos just for a meal of 2 persons? Really, it's just too ridiculous! We could have made it for the whole day meal here in Davao. I am not nagging. I am just completely lost in money and in this place. 2.) Stuffs like clothes, shoes and accessories are surprisingly cheap! Ok, at least there are something cheap in here. If we had gotten extra money then we could have bought everything we want. Damn, its pitiful!

Preparing for the big battle! 

My co-agent (left) and the so-called "Tour Guide" (right). 

Ok, enough of blah blah blahs... Let's get to the issue on how we spent our whole afternoon walking tediously around Makati City. We've got a mission to do in here; "Go to Blue Horizon and personally hand them our present - a box of delicious pomelo fresh from Davao City":D

My first ride in a train!

From Pasay, we rode a jeepney going to MRT Station (dunno if it's really called that way, MRT or LRT, but I guess it is). I won't state all the stupidness we made here. But, it was definitely embarrassing and we looked like an idiot! The crowd freaked me out! Never thought it would be as tough as it was riding a train and it was my first time so I almost blurted out "Hey! Don't stick to me closely!" because it's too jam-packed.

Our battle begins!

After the train, we rode a jeepney again and stopped at Ayala Avenue. Then, we started our long-end journey in Makati City. While walking by, I took some pictures of the City which I did enjoy. The surroundings were pretty clean, having numerous lofty buildings with fine architecture wherever you looked at. A true figure of a cosmopolitan area here in the Philippines.

A snapshot on a ride! 

The Peninsula Hotel

RCBC Plaza Tower 2: Yuchengco Tower and RCBC Tower

We started heading off to Blue Horizon at around 3:00pm and dropped at Ayala Avenue for about half an hour. We asked the bodyguard for directions but seemed to give us the other way around. Result was, we headed back to where we started before. We were damn LOST!!! As far as I remember, I think we had asked about 5 different people until we reached the place. So, it took almost 3 hours of walking before reaching Blue Horizon. Sheesh, that was really exhausting and we hadn't eaten yet. 

If you are gonna ask about "What's the use of our tour guide?" Well, he doesn't seem familiar and accustomed to the place. He lived in Quezon so that's how the things explained. 

Ayala Avenue underpass

...And FINALLY, we arrived at Blue Horizon Travel & Tours! We handed them our little present and mingled with the staffs we have been working with up until now. After getting to know with the fellow agents, we returned afterwards 'coz it was really getting so late. "The battle is finally OVER", or so I thought.

A souvenir picture of our battle!

At Greenbelt

Our way back was a bit hilarious though. We totally got confused. "Where are we going to ride for MOA?"  That would be our next destination for leisure after the exasperating trip in Makati. The bodyguard (again?) told us to follow the bunch of people heading way out to the mall. That's what we did. We walked along with them, passing into Greenbelt, then an overpass and then an entrance to a particular mall i think. However, just as we were about to enter the said mall, the cluster instantly dispersed! Where the hell are those bunch of people going? Then, for the second time, we got LOST, AGAIN!!!

Glorietta!

We asked the sales lady coz we were sick of those bodyguards anymore for the way out and finally reached the exit. We rode a bus heading to SM Mall of Asia.

Even though it was definitely a tiring trip for us. I did enjoy every bit of it. An unforgettable experience only happened here in Makati City. 

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