NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MANILA

Ninoy Aquino International Airport is the entry and exit point for most international flights to and from Manila. It was spacious and modern, and it looked quite new to me. There were not many people at the terminal when we were there.

We finally bade farewell to Manila and the people of the Philippines on the 31st August 2017. I had made the right choice and had learned a lot of new things about the country. I would love to come back again, perhaps to other parts of the smaller islands like Cebu and Palawan. One day, one day....

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"OUR MELTING POT HOSTEL" IN MAKATI

We stayed in a private room at a hostel named "Our Melting Pot". There were people of many nationalities when we were there. Located in Makati, it is actually near to the red light district of the city but we did not even have the time to go and see. We were more concerned of what to eat and to get to bed as early as possible.

There is another hostel just across the door but it is still under the same management and the kitchen/dining area was actually located at that hostel.

With a reasonable rate at a commercial area, this should be a good place to stay. I don't mind coming back here if I were to make a return trip to Manila.

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MY MANILA GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE - HALO HALO

We managed to find a restaurant in Makati's Greenbelt to try a very famous dessert in Manila. Its basic ingredients are shaved ice and evaporated milk mixed with fruits like coconut flesh and banana - like the one I was having. It was similar to our local ABC but this one contained more milk and fruits.

It was good until the last drop, especially if you like something milky and cold.

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AYALA MUSEUM - THE MUSEUM AT THE SHOPPING MALL

30th AUGUST 2017 ~ We first saw Ayala Museum when we went to the Greenbelt Shopping Mall on our first day in Manila. It was not opened on Monday unfortunately so we had to go back on the third day. And it was worth the long walk all the way from the hostel and back.

We had to pay entrance fees at the counter and had to pay extra to get access to third floor where exhibitions on the history of gold and ceramics were held. However, photography was not allowed at this section.

On the first floor was the diorama exhibits which unfolded the history of the Philippines from time immemorial. I found the the display was done according to a lengthy and detailed timeline. I should have learned the history of the country better and by the time I left the Philippines, I was more like a historian rather than a tourist. Everything was truly impressive.

This should be the very last place in the itinerary before we went home. We spent more time walking at the malls looking for souvenirs after that. And there were many more museums in Manila that we did not go due to time constraint but this should be a good reason to make a comeback in the future.

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SWIMMING WITH THE FISH AT MANILA OCEAN PARK

29th AUGUST 2017 ~ The last place of the second day itinerary was Manila Ocean Park. It was all actually interconnected to one another - Intramuros, Rizal Park, Ocean Park and Manila Bay. We were there quite late and there seemed not to be many people around at that time. We were lucky as there was a big discount given to visitors on that day.

We first went to see the penguins but the glasses of the sanctuary was foggy/dirty so everything was not that clear.

Then there was this place, which was adorned with Christmas decorations (in August). People could pose at a few sections which looked like the North Pole. The best part was the artificial snow that fell from the sky and kids and adults alike got excited catching it.

Then we went into the theater to watch a show. I was expecting animal show like dolphins, seals or sea lions, but I was wrong. It was just a show of lights and music - definitely not my cup of tea. I even dozed off a few times but the other people seemed to enjoy this very much. I must have been tired walking all day long.

Lastly, we entered the aquarium to see the fish and other marine lives. We were among the last ones to be there as they had already switched off the air-condition when we were still inside.

After visiting a few other similar places like the ones in Bangkok and Osaka, I was not that impressed. My review did not sound positive enough most probably because I got very hungry already. This could be a place if you are around the Manila Bay or Rizal Park as it is just withing a walking distance.

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