Thrilla in Manila

Intramuros is wonderful, and should be number one on any Manila itinerary. The baroque church, the colonial buildings, and Santiago Fort make this a beautiful place to walk around. The buildings are a joy to behold, and allow a sense of walking through history, in the middle of huge, busy city. In fact, Intramuros allows a peaceful escape from the city, as there is little traffic and noise. There are street vendors selling food and cold drinks, and a number of pleasant cafes and restaurants dotted around. It is easy for several hours to go by without noticing. Paco Park is another pleasant place to escape the heat and noise of the city. Like Intramuros, it is a quiet peaceful place, where outside noise can barely be heard. The ornate walls and delightful chapel offer another step back in time, and there are benches to enjoy a picnic in the shade. There are plenty of hotels to cater for all budgets, though with any capital city, the prices can be a little inflated. There are also plenty of places to eat, but a good option is Robinson shopping mall. There are restaurants, a supermarket, and a small open area outside the supermarket serving a variety of cooked food at ridiculously low prices.