There is a trip in Manila months ago that I was so happy about. Forever thankful to one of my bestfriends Brenda Lou for being with me until our feet got numb. Hehe.

Manila Ocean Park

Manila Ocean Park is a family destination located in Pasay, Manila. I got a discount for tickets I booked online so I did not bother to have two minds to visit. Curiosity kills a cat. I am a kid no more but seeing a giant ocean park still give me chills.

In this destination, we went to Oceanarium, Fish Spa, Trails to Antarctica, The Barnyard, Bird House, Sharks and Rays Encounter and as well as tried the Liquid Buffet Lunch inside their Pool Lounge.

This is at the Oceanarium. It is the most-visited in Manila Ocean Park.

National Museum of the Natural History

Museums are always interesting for me. National Museum of the Philippines was always in the bucketlist. I truly planned to go to the three museums: National Museum of the Natural History, Anthropology and Fine Arts but due to time constraints, we only had the chance to visit the first. I always think that situations like this announces for reasons to be back!

Skeleton of male Indo-Pacific or Saltwater Crocodile “Lolong,” which was captured way back September 2013 in a town of Agusan del Sur, Mindanao. It is the world’s largest crocodile in captivity, as certified by Guinness Book of World Records.

Fort Santiago, Intramuros

I moreover had the opportunity to visit Fort Santiago in Intramuros. The whole morning that we went there made me super emotional. Everything in this historical space talked about what our national hero have been through in his life as well as display significant creations that he made during his time. I have never been prouder being a Filipino compared to that day I went there. I am working on a full post of the experience I had in the Fort Santiago and will be posting it here in the blog as soon as I am satisfied with the work I made.

These are marks of Rizal’s footsteps before he left Fort Santiago.

Inside the hall are memorabilia of Gat. Jose Rizal, from his portraits to all of his creations like postcards, calling cards, sculpted forms of animals, paintings and several others including copies of his famous Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

We also had the chance to see other sites in the Intramuros such as the Manila Cathedral and Palacio de Gobernador.

Manila Bay and MOA Eye

Being an inspiring photographer, pictures of sunsets provoke meaning and emotion. It is always a dream to see and take a photo of Manila Bay during these hours. It was a rarest of rare opportunity to ride a cruise from sunset to dinner time and I am the luckiest of the day to ride one under Sun Cruises.

Bren and I also jumped to the SM MOA to have a glimpse of MOA Eye at night time.

Venice Grand Canal

We conquered the long ride from Pasay to Taguig just for me to see the picturesque place in Venice Grand Canal Mall in McKinley Hills, Taguig. It is uniquely-designed and a beautiful go-to mall. We also took our dinner there.

I am so grateful I got to do this despite my hectic sched. Plus, the month when I went there, I was going through from a lot of things. I was so heartbroken, pained and struggling in my life, just thankful of the means and friendship that brought me to places to see the things that matter in my life and blessings that my heart is grateful. I thank Bren for being with me throughout my Manila trip. She toured me around the city after her night shift, which means she made less sleep while I was in Manila. Super touched for this gesture Brenzk. Huhu. Thank you.