Walled City (Intramuros)

Labor day, holiday, worker's day, most important of all my birthday (It's now June, yeah I noticed that too. This almost became a throwback. LOL!). I don't make plans for my birthday at least not like I used to, I go to work just like any regular day except I get paid doubled ;). It has been like this for the past 4 or 5 years.

This year it's a bit different. Two of my friends went to see me after work, complete with cake and candles. We didn't have anything planned, a simple dinner was all we had in mind. We went to starbucks for some frap while googling a resto, we wanted something out of the ordinary, something away from the hustle and bustle of the metro.

It took us quite a while to find the right place, well, blame it on the slooooow data connection. Okay, we chose Intramuros area, not too crowded and perfect for some strolling and sight seeing. Then we realized time is running up, the sun is running up or in this case the sun is about to go down and we wanted to get there where there's still sunlight so we can enjoy the sights and take tons of pictures. It was around 4.30PM by this time, so we didn't waste any more of it and hopped in the car and sped through the streets toward The Walled City.

Thank heaven's for the holiday, no traffic. We got there just in time, there was still a bit of sunshine. So we started to wander, and took snaps.

Made it! Let's start walking...

Let the pictures speak for themselves...

Formerly Father Blanco's Garden

Amazing architecture.

Intramuros is very rich in history, and I don't think I can give justice and give detailed explanation, description and whatnot to provide an illustration of all the places. But I will describe the spots we've been to, the best way I can. Anyway, here are some links that will definitely help:

https://www.google.com.ph/maps/@14.591772,120.974316,548m/data=!3m1!1e3

http://www.paclas.org.ph/article_intramuros.pdf

Now the streets of Intramuros

We passed by The Manila Cathedral Church, which recently re-opened after 2 years of being renovated.

Next, we entered General Luna Street and parked just behind CBCP and started walking. While walking we passed by a lot of ruins and some abandoned buildings. Magnificent ruins I might say, ruined by the many years of wear and tear of the bad weather but somewhat preserved and still standing tall majestically. (Now you can just imagine the awe, to be able to include magnificent and majestic in one sentence. See the pictures)

How I wish the streets of Manila looked like this.

I want my house to look like this. :)

Castle!

It's only been minutes of sheer admiration for the place when it suddenly started to drizzle. So we ran to the nearest shed, a restaurant called Ristorante delle Mitre. I'll talk more of that resto later. From that resto we went just across the street, and entered San Agustin Church, said my prayers and thanks since it was my birthday. Taking of pictures not allowed inside so, we just waited a while inside till the rain stopped.

Ristorante delle Mitre

The rain finally stopped after a few minutes, so we started walking again. This time we were already looking for a place to eat, not much options since it was a holiday so most of the restos are closed.

Still in General Luna St., we passed by Barbara's and checked out the menu. Everything looked good but it's just way out of the budget. So, we took the opportunity to have some snaps taken instead.

Back in the streets again searching for a resto, we've finally reached the end of Gen. Luna Street but, they are all closed. So asked the guardia sibil for some suggestions as to where we can have a decent meal aside from the two restos that we've already been to.

Manong guard!

Patio de Conchita was suggested, this is located in Beaterio Street. We went there, and yep the place is very nice, quaint, a bit dark inside tho, needs more lighting. This resto is more of a foodcourt type, where all the food are displayed and are placed in a chafing dish. We didn't stay long, we looked for another place to eat. But, please don't get me wrong, the place is lovely, just not what were looking for.

For better snaps of Patio de Conchita:

https://www.google.com.ph/maps/place/Patio+de+Conchita/@14.591772,120.974316,2a,90y,90t/data=!3m5!1e2!3m3!1s87901549!2e1!3e10!4m2!3m1!1s0x3397ca17c4631b71:0xaaefa2da98b3d8d2!6m1!1e1


By this time, we've circled the entire Intramuros, we've seen the very nice architectural design of McDonald's but of course we didn't think of dining there. Come on, it's my special day.

Finally, we ran out of options so we went back to Ristorante delle Mitre. From the sound of it, definitely Italian by the looks of it, Spanish Friars. The inside of the restaurant is filled with religious artifacts.

Checked out the menu, and wow! It's a lot to take. Too much going on, a lot of food to choose from.

   


  

But what instantly caught my eye is the Crispy Laing with coconut milk, and we weren't disappointed. Yum!

From L-R top: Veggie pizza. From L-R bottom: Okoy, shrimp pasta, crispy laing with coconut milk.

The serving and the price was just right. The wait time wasn't that long too.

Not exaggerating but every bite, every spoonful of food, the only thing you'll hear from us are "hmmmmm", "sarap", "mmmmm". LOL!

So you can just say we savored every moment of it.

The night is about to end. It's been a loooong day. I've been up as early as 3.30AM but I didn't feel tired or sleepy, not one bit. ;) (Naiimagine kita Maries while saying that. Alam naten na hindi ako antukin. LOL!)

But, before we end the day, time to blow the candle!

Yay! What a birthday!

Time to foot the bill, and yep like I've said the price was just right. P700, not bad. Before going home, I bought some sylvannas for my kiddo, the name of the dessert, Cardinal Tagle. Amazing!

Ready to go home now!

Adios Amigos!