Fort Santiago through pictures

Fort Santiago is one of the places that tourist can visit at Intramuros. The Fort Santiago which was built during the Spanish colonial era was the prison of Dr. Jose Rizal before being executed, which is the reason for it being so popular among local and foreign tourist. 

Entrance Fee at Fort Santiago is Php 75.00 and Php 50.00 for students and seniors. You will first pass Plaza Moriones where you will be welcomed by calesa or horse drawn carriages offering their services.

You can also see different statues that depict our history. A famous attraction at Fort Santiago is the footsteps of Jose Rizal, which they say is the step that Rizal take on the way to his execution

We also went inside a small grotto to offer some prayers and light some candles.

There is also a museum inside Fort Santiago about the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal, but we did not enter there anymore.

A Photo walk in Intramuros

the entrance to Intramuros

My plan for a photowalk in Intramuros is another overdue assignment of mine. I have been planning to go to Intramuros since 2013 after realizing that even if the place is just in Metro Manila, I have never been visited the place. So in a cloudy Friday morning we went to Intramuros. I was having second thoughts if our tour will push through because of this cloudy weather. I did not mind taking pictures while it is raining; my concern is our commute going to Intramuros.

If you are a commuter like me, the best way to get to Intramuros is the MRT and LRT. We took the MRT from EDSA shaw station heading to TAFT station. From the Taft MRT we then headed to the LRT Station to get us to LRT Central Station. From the LRT Central Station we walked our way going to Intramuros. If you are not familiar with the place like me, it is important to remember some landmarks in the area like the SM Manila. You will pass by SM Manila while still on board the LRT Station going to Central Station. From Central Station you need to walk back you way going to SM Manila. If you already saw SM Manila at your left, you then need to turn right and walk that direction and cross the street using the underpass to reach Intramuros.

Baluarte de San Andres

Our first stop for our Intramuros Photowalk is the Baluarte de San Andres which is located along Muralla. As we walk towards Baluarte de San Andres we were able to see the office of Manila Bulletin which is one of the oldest buildings in Intramuros. Honestly, I did not know where we actually are at Intramuros. I saw the street sign that said Muralla but when I looked at the map, I saw that Muralla is a long street. After taking some pictures at Baluarte de San Andres my sister and I decided to leave. I approached one of the guards at the area that is dressed like a guardia sibil. It is the guard that told us that we are at Baluarte de San Andres and point us the direction going to Baluarte de San Francisco de Dilao and Baluarte de San Diego.

Baluarte de San Andres

Baluarte de San Francisco de Dilao

Baluarte de San Francisco de Dilao is very popular tourist spot because of its canyons. From here you can see nice view of the Manila City Hall. Compared to Baluarte de San Andres, Baluarte de San Francisco de Dilao is filled with tourists, both Filipinos and foreigners and students practicing some school play.

the cannons at Baluarte de San francisco de Dilao

the street of Intramuros

Baluarte de San Diego

We walk our way to Baluarte de San Diego to the direction that the guard told us. Entrance fee at Baluarte de San Diego is Php 75.00 and at the entrance the cashier will also give you a map of Intramuros. Baluarte de San Diego is very different from the two baluartes because the place is like a park and from what I have read the place has become a famous venue for wedding events. But aside from being a venue for social gathering, the baluarte is very famous for its structure. Other attractions at the baluarte are the bonsai trees, garden, pergolas and some old cannons. 

the famous structure of Baluarte de San Diego

the ruins and artillery at Baluarte de San Diego

Silahis Arts and Artifacts

After going to the three baluartes, we checked our map and saw that we can walk our way to Silahis Arts and Artifacts. This is a four-story souvenir shop that showcases wooden furniture and crafts, paintings, and even books. Some of the books are written by Filipino authors and most of the paintings I saw are also made by Filipinos. There are also some artifacts from neighboring countries that are also being sold. At the fourth floor is a gallery of paintings that the whole place looked like more of a museum. 

Welcome to Silahis Arts and Artifacts

San Agustin Church and Museum

We went to San Agustin Church and Museum after lunch since it was just across the restaurant where we eat. Entrance fee at the museum is Php 100.00 The museum shows the rich history of the Agustinians and how they have spread the Catholic faith in the country. The whole hallway of the museum is filled with huge painting all about the Catholic religion. 

the San Agustin Church

The Manila Cathedral

Fort Bonifacio

Lastly the trip to Intramuros would not be complete if we did not go to Fort Bonifacio. The place is the most popular tourist destination in Intramuros because of its rich history as for being the prison of our national hero, Jose Rizal, before he was executed. Entrance fee at Fort Bonifacio is Php 75.00 for adults and Php 50.00 for students.

the Fort Santiago entrance

Other places that you can visit at Intramuros are Casa Manila, Bahay Tsinoy, Manila Cathedral, Ayuntamiento Ruins, and San Ignacio Church Ruins.  

Satisfying Noodle Craving at Nihonkai Tsukiji

I have been craving for the taste of noodles for a couple of days already. It may be due to the rainy and cold weather that we have been experiencing lately or maybe I’m missing the taste of a hot soup. I have been eyeing some of the Japanese restaurants in Bonifacio High Street and Market! Market! to satisfy my craving but unfortunately these are all unsuccessful because of my recent schedules. It was only last Tuesday, that me and a friend of mine have finally got some time to meet up and decided to have our noodle craving satisfied.

Although my plans were either to have some noodles at Bonifacio High Streets or in Market!Market!, my friend said she wanted to go McKinley Hill. So I started to check the Japanese restaurants in Mckinley, namely Ukokkei Ramen Ron   and Nihonkai Tsukiji. I decided that we try to eat at Nihonkai Tsukiji after checking their menu and prices.

From the outside there is no mistaking that it is a Japanese restaurant due to its design and the Cherry Blossom Tree at the side of the restaurant. In the inside, you will be welcomed by the staffs with their Japanese greetings, Japanese lanterns, Cherry Blossoms and the sushi bar area with Japanese wines and Japanese writings.

My friend and I both ordered the Shoyu Ramen and a plate of Gyoza. When our ramen arrived we were surprised by the big bowl that the waitress is holding. Although the bowl is not full, but the serving is still big with hard-boiled egg, nori sheets, slice of pork, and bamboo shoots. We immediately took a sip of the hot soup that that we craved for so long. Then the six pieces of gyoza arrived, that looked fried from the outside but is actually steamed.

Upon looking at the price, you will find it expensive. The gyoza is Php 180.00 and the shoyu ramen is Php 250.00. But if you will look at the big serving of ramen and the pieces of gyoza, you can say that it is worth the money that you will pay. Plus add the good taste of the soup, the gracious toppings, the tasty gyoza and the friendly staffs; I can say that it is more worth the amount that we paid.