Settle in...it's gonna be another long one....
This is one of my favorite people on the planet.
Well, two of them. From 2012.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. One of them is my daughter.
The other is Ross Villaruel.
(and it drives me crazy that both of them look the same after 6 years).
Now, I know you are asking me what the heck does this photo have to do with Manila?
Everything.
I've known Ross as long as I have been traveling with Crystal. He's taken such good care of my family over the years. The man ALWAYS has a smile and a warm greeting for you, and goes out of his way to do whatever he can to help you.
So, we were chatting away somewhere around the Solomon Islands, and Ross wanted to know what we were planning to do in Manila. (His home is about 45 minutes away from the capital city).
Well, I mentioned we were trying to hire a private car and driver for the day to take us around, but we were waitlisted and it wasn't looking good.
Ross' answer was " Let me call my wife."
(Isn't that like a man?)
Two days later, he had a plan for us.
And what a plan it was.
We (Ada, Che and I... Elisabeth was supposed to go as well, but was under the weather) debarked the ship at 8 am. It was debarkation/embarkation day and UberConcierge Hailey was fast at work.
(she's such a sweetie- just had to post this of her in mid-problem sorting mode)
We were greeted by a great band, and enjoyed them thoroughly whilst Ross (who was crazy hectic with debarking guests) called our car.
Jonathan, our driver, took us to meet Ivan, our guide. Manila traffic is everything you've heard, and more. You can even shop while you wait.
First stop, the Malacañan Palace, otherwise known as the Presidential Palace.
(apologies for the less than perfect pics- I had to use my iPhone instead of my good camera).
Not only is the Presidential Palace not usually on any tourists' agenda, because there were no school groups there that day, we pretty much had the place to ourselves. To put it into perspective, imagine touring the White House PRIVATELY.
The formal names of the rooms escape me. These aren't the working rooms that President Duterte uses- that's in the wing next door. But these are the historical rooms used by Spanish, British and American Governors-General, and the likes of Presidents Marcos and Aquino.
Press Greeting Room--
Channelling my inner Sarah Huckabee Sanders (sans pearls).
Ivan was AMAZING. A little bit of history and a little bit of gossip makes the perfect tour.
There was SO much to see...from architecture and furnishings, to historical documents and trivia.
(Note to self- when wanting to take an endless mirror photo, check to see how much of your backside is included in said shot...)
This is the room that Marcos used to declare martial law in 1972. The actual order is in the glass case in front.
Office of the President.
Cabinet room with three very non-politicians.
First ladies' room. Although Corazon Aquino was President of the Philippines, and not First Lady, her Yellow Piano takes pride of place in the room.
And here is the portrait of the First Lady of the Philippines we all know. Imelda Marcos.
We didn't see her shoes (they have their own museum) but we did see her "Party Room", also known as the Presidential Ballroom. It now has cases and cases devoted to Presidential treasures.
As a side note, Ivan did give us a quick history of the modern Philippines. I was taught only the excesses of the Marcoses. Imelda was an advocate for all of the arts in the Philippines- and is the reason the arts play such a vibrant part of life in Manila (and other areas of the Philippines) today.
This balcony. This view.
Same place, different angle. Ferdinand Marcos' last speech before leaving for exile in Hawaii in 1986.
Ivan's not only a GREAT tour guide, but and excellent photographer!
On to lunch. Wonder what Ross had planned??
He wanted us to have a true buffet experience the way Filipinos do when they want to celebrate. And so off we went to Vikings.
Vikings? Filipino?
Well, they intend for you to FEAST like a Viking... and it was every possible style of food, every possible NATIONALITY of food (tacos? sushi? roast beef and yorkshire pudding?)
Clever idea. Kids pay by height. And if it's your birthday, your buffet is free.
A viking ship in the building?
No, I did not try the chicken feet. Even THIS foodie draws the line somewhere.
Ice cream flavors. Clockwise from left top: Jackfruit, Avocado, Purple Yam and coconut with pandan leaves.
We as Americans should learn a few lessons from Asians when it comes to sweets. These ice creams were utterly delicious. Not nearly as sweet as American ice cream, and the flavors really came through. And incredibly creamy- the yam and avocado particularly. Totally delicious mouthfeel.
We could have spent all afternoon sampling the different stations, but it was time to head out for our next Ross-planned adventure...
But just before that, one quick pic of a precious birthday girl with Che's sidekick RD.
Ivan is ready to take us on our "Old Manila Walk" of Intramuros.
Now, waayyy back in the day (before the US was settled), the Spanish came to the Philippines. They originally settled the area, building walls, and gates and a giant moat as protection. The moat was no longer needed when the Americans took control came to help run the show in the 1900's, and -loving golf and needing a place to play- they turned the moat into a 9-hole golf course.
Ivan gave us a concise and quite interesting history lesson in 45 minutes....400 years' worth.
After the savage
Battle of Manila, much of Intramuros was destroyed. The walls of the fortress were repaired, and are still used by everyone...including schoolboys wanting to play football instead of going home to study.
Some buildings remain untouched.
The magnificent Manila Cathedral is a true testament to a peoples' faith. It has been destroyed (by fired, earthquake and war) and rebuilt EIGHT times.
A copy of Michelangelo's Pieta (made from a cast of the original) has a pride of place in a side chapel.
The present cathedral is a gothic beauty.
The Church and Monastery of San Augustin houses not only a wonderful collection of religious artifacts from 400 years, but also an amazing array of antique textiles and embroidery (with which I won't bore you... but let's just say I was in hog heaven and took about 500 close up photos)
Beautiful Cloisters.
Complete with turtles in the fountain.
I do believe Ivan had the answer for everything. Foo Dogs around the monastery and Cathedral?
I love stuff like this.
Chinese stonemasons helped rebuild the buildings and wanted to make sure their own forms of protection continue to keep the place safe.
Just a little more...the lovely architecture of colonial Manila survives.
We had such a splendid day in Manila, and came away with a renewed perspective of both Filipino history and the lovely Filipino people.
If you ever want to book Ivan, he is
Old Manila Walks. You won't regret a second.
Ross arranged the absolutely PERFECT day in Manila...
...and only told us the next day.... that our guide Ivan?
Is the same
Ivan Man Dy who took Anthony Bourdain
around Manila while filming his segment on Manila for
No Reservations.
Ok...that was just the cherry on the top of the sundae.
Well Played Ross... Well Played.
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