Hello Hive Family! Welcome to Manila! Hehe...
I am pleased to share my experience exploring the historic walled city of Intramuros here in Manila. What a magnificent place! I have always dreamed of visiting it and taking a romantic ride on a traditional Calesa (horse-drawn carriage).
That dream stayed with me for years, but I never had the chance to make it happen. Growing up in the province of Davao and then spending many years working in Hong Kong kept this experience just out of reach.
Now, life has given me a good reason to be here: my son is going to school in Manila, and I have moved there to be with him.
So, how did I end up in Intramuros today? It was a happy coincidence! I needed to verify my TIN (Tax Identification Number) for a tax application related to publishing my book (it will still be a while until I can publish "The Journey of Life", about my life and my experience as domestic helper working abroad in Singapore and Hong Kong, but it is another big dream!), and the nearest office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is located in that area.
I also passed by the famous Quiapo Church again, though this time I didn't stop to take photos.
I didn't even have plans to blog today, but the moment I entered Intramuros, I was completely amazed! It's so cool, very clean, and steeped in history.
Just look at the architecture! The buildings are very old, but they have a captivating beauty that is so pleasing to the eyes. I even saw a security guard wearing a very classic, old-model uniform that added to the charming, timeless atmosphere.
In the following pics you see the typical public means of transportation of the Philippines: jeepneys, tricycles, and motorcycles.
And here is another experience for me in the Philippines: I rode a single motorcycle taxi they call Move It! It's such an easy access, especially when you are in a hurry and need to beat the traffic. A handy tip though: don't bring too much stuff with you!
