16.10.18 - 19.10.18 Manila

The only way to get from Legazpi to Manila directly is by the good old night bus, a companion we actually wanted to separate from as long as possible. The seats on this particular specimen seemed to be especially tight to us. However, since it was not fully booked, we were able to occupy 2 rows of seats and enjoy a little legroom. The journey lasted 13 hours and we arrived shortly before 6 in the morning. We treated ourselves to a taxi to the hotel where we were able to check in early for an additional fee of 500 pesos. In our state, that was not even a question, the hotel was already far above our budget... but very cozy, with a great shower and air conditioning.

Manila is the capital of the Philippines and consists of 13 different cities. One of them is the actual Manila, but everything that encompasses Metro Manila is more or less considered as one city. You also don't notice when you are in the next city. Approximately 25 million people live in Metro Manila. You can definitely feel that. Especially during rush hour, when the streets are mercilessly crowded. So crowded that there is even a regulation that determines which cars are allowed to drive on the main routes on which days (based on a certain position on the license plate). Even when walking on normal sidewalks, it feels like standing in a huge line. In addition, there is an indescribable noise level, which is not made more bearable by the ancient engines of jeepneys. The condition of the streets and sidewalks is average to pretty poor. In Makati, the "redeveloped" district where we also stayed, it was only slightly better. In short, you won't experience anything of the Philippine island paradise here. The climate just finishes you off. Nevertheless, it is definitely interesting enough to spend a few days here. In some neighborhoods, you can relatively escape the chaos and the people here are just as warm-hearted as in the rest of the country. During our long walks, we walked through various neighborhoods. In the historic center "Intramuros", there are beautiful paved streets and Spanish colonial architecture, a cathedral, and a fort. Adjacent to this neighborhood, with less charm, is Binondo. This neighborhood is home to the oldest Chinatown in the world. It is marked by a Chinese-style gate on two sides. Apart from some Chinese decorations, the chaos is hardly any different.

From time to time, you can also see one or the other shopping mall. Two of the 10 largest in the world are located in Manila. We used one of them to get a suitable outfit for Emma and Brian's upcoming wedding in Australia. Just like elsewhere in Asia, the shopping malls are designed in such a way that you could spend the whole day in them... but we find them rather exhausting. However, we occasionally like to walk through them to enjoy the air conditioning. By the way, everyone here has been in the Christmas spirit for weeks already, everything is already decorated, and Christmas songs are playing... somehow strange at 35 degrees.