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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THE GREENBELT OF MAKATI - A GARDEN IN THE MALLS

The first shopping mall visited in Makati is called the Greenbelt. There should be 5 blocks of malls selling all sorts of things but they are separated from each other. Therefore people would always have to enter and exit the buildings all the time if they intend to go to all the malls. However, there was a park in the centre of the blocks, equipped with man-made streams and ponds. We only spent a little time there when we ate the famous Halo Halo but we were there in the park, admiring the cool and green environment.

a chapel in the mall

herbs garden

We were not the only people there taking photos. Even some locals were seen in the park with their handphones, busy clicking away at any interesting locations. I guess there would be more people flocking this area during weekends and public holidays. Thanks god we did not have to take turns to get ourselves photographed this time.

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