Our goal today is to walk though Binondo to Intramuros, the old Spanish section of Manila.The area houses Fort Santiago, the Manila Cathedral and other landmarks.
We purposely stay in a Novotel hotel located at a mall and at the crossroads of two rapid transit stations. This morning we take the LRT to a station close to Intramuros. We pay 50 pesos ($1.10 Cdn) for both of us to ride. Manila does not have many train lines, unlike Tokyo or Paris or London, so it is fairly easy to figure out and navigate.
Once out of the station, we are in an area called Binondo . As we walk, we pass down document street, where one would go to get a passport, driver’s license, birth certificate etc. We couldn’t determine whether they are actually real or forgeries. Next we pass down gold jewelry street, where there is a scrum as there is a sale. And then down lighting and fixture street, fruit and veg alley and then through Chinatown.
Murray needs a Coke, so I park myself on a step and he goes in search of a store. While sitting, I muse about all the mass transport in Manila. There are motorbikes, that will take one passenger. Trikes for two, maybe three. Taxis. Small jeepneys for about eight passengers. Jeepneys for about 20 if packed. Buses and then trains. That is a lot of choice for someone looking for transport. And all of it inexpensive.
I have to be honest here, Intramuros was okay. I think the heat made the walking around just a little hard. We see the fort, a couple of churches, parks, monuments, tourists and then head back to the train station. I must have looked dreadfully hot and dripping when we got on the train as two young fellows offered us their seats right away!
After a dip in the hotel pool, here I sit in our room in the AC, drinking electrolyte, writing this post. Supper soon and then we will try to stay awake til 9:00. Tomorrow’s outing will use more transport to not tax Debbie’s cooling system quite so much!
