Our second day in Manilla is aimed more locally, in fact it’s only about a mile from the ship’s berth to the old town, known as Intramuros, which is just Spanish for within the walls. Just like York, Dubrovnic and many others, the fortifications are reasonably intact and a testament to ancient fort building practices!
We start at the nearest Bastion, San Diego which is also the oldest dating back to 1586. It has seen much fighting over the years plus an earthquake in 1863. Rusty guns and other items are scattered around.
Moving on we take the main road General Luna St to visit first San Augustin, but there is a wedding on so we can only peek from the door, and then Manilla Cathederal which is also busy, but we’re allowed in this time.
In the square outside is the town-hall on one side and a huge building called the palace but we later learn this is just an apartment block built on the site of the palace.
Our next stop is the main part of the fortress which sticks out between the coast and the Pasig River. Here we learn much about the various occupations and troubles, and a huge amount about José Rizal, unofficially probably one of the most famous Filipino Nationalists although the teenagers we were talking to in the museum clearly haven’t got that memo in full yet – they asked us who he was – kids eh?
After a lot of fortification we decide to take a break from Intramuros and cross the Pasig in search of Chinatown. This takes us in an overpass, over a crash barrier and down a slip road into some very poor areas. Soon we pass the National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz (Binondo Church) and head towards Happy Chinatown Mall.
In this area we come across many shops selling t-shirts by the hundreds, as well as every other garment. In one underwear was three items per 100 pesos (£1.25) and in another coathangers were 1p each! Moving on the Happy Mall we find a market and then a food court before we start to head back.
Back in Intramuros we visit the Casa Manila which is representative of how the Spaniards lived when they ruled here. Grand rooms, all intertwined with a mixture of restaurants on the ground floor.
Our last portion of walking takes us out of Intramuros and back to Rizal Park, where we check out the Chinese and Japanese gardens, unfortunately these are rather unloved so we move on quickly, to a mall for a short wander (OK I admit I’m looking for some trainers) and then back to the ship.
We’re supposed to depart at 16:30 but we are aware some tour coaches are stuck in traffic. Captain has no choice but to wait as these are HAL tours. In the end we’re only half an hour delayed. Meanwhile we watch as three quite unnecessary tugs are messing around us. The small one has an unofficial staff member with absolutely no fear!
The evening has a very special show from Japanese pianist Tomono Kawamura. Starting playing at three years old, she later studied in London. What an incredible talent – totally blowing away all the other performers we have seen this last month. A mixture of classics with a couple of modern pieces, she delivers an incredible performance.
Dinner is a special order – like the shortage of lamb in Tenerife, buying duck is even more difficult, so we charge Chef with making us duck in plum sauce, which he does expertly. The whole dinner is perfect of course, but the duck is wonderful!
