Manila First Experience | A Journey Through History, Culture, and Cuisine!

Our three-day trip to Manila began with an early morning arrival at the airport, around 10 AM. Since we stayed in the Makati area, which is very close to the airport, it only took about 20 minutes by car to get there. 👍 As we arrived early and needed to check in ahead of time, we paid an additional ₱500 (around 300 TWD) to our Airbnb host for early check-in. After settling in and dropping off our luggage, we immediately headed out to explore the city! ☀️ First Stop | Intramuros We took a Grab ride from our accommodation to visit Fort Santiago in Intramuros. Unfortunately, a sudden thunderstorm hit in the afternoon 🌧️, so we took shelter at a nearby Starbucks and enjoyed some coffee while waiting for the rain to stop. Once the rain cleared, we continued exploring the fort, which features many exhibits about the history of the Philippines' former presidents and its journey to independence. It was truly worth a visit. ⛪ Next, we walked to Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church. This area exudes a strong European colonial vibe. However, a word of caution: some parts of Intramuros are a bit run-down and may seem unsafe, so stay alert. For those wanting to experience a vintage atmosphere, you can also take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the old city 🛞🐴. 🌙 Dinner Time | Local Cuisine at SM City Mall Initially, we planned to visit Chinatown for dinner, but as it was getting late and we heard that the area might not be very safe at night, we decided to dine at the nearby SM City Mall instead. We ordered several classic local dishes— 🍛 Sinigang (sour soup), Lechon (roast pig), Adobo (Filipino stew), and curry. Each dish was incredibly flavorful and paired perfectly with rice. If you're visiting Manila, these authentic flavors are a must-try! 🏨 Overall, the first day's itinerary was packed with activities: historical sites, delicious food, and the vibrant city atmosphere all in one day. Despite the afternoon thunderstorm, it was a perfect start to our trip.