Manila Zoo: Day 1 of Ilocandia Adventure

@ the pond area

They say there’s always a first time. And this Manila Zoo experience is one of those.

I’ve been in and out of Manila for so many times, and I even made Manila my home for about two years but, this is my first time to visit the zoo they say your travel to Manila won’t be complete without visiting the Zoo.

The Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden is a 5.5-hectare (14-acre) zoo located in Manila, Philippines that opened on July 25, 1959. The Manila Zoo and Botanical Garden receives millions of visitors every year, and is especially popular with visitors on weekends. (Wikipedia)

Manila Zoo is just minutes away from the Luneta Park and it’s just near Roxas Boulevard.

Families and group of friends are having some picnic in the area while enjoying the view of the animals.

Here’s what we’ve captured in the zoo. 

Mali the Elephant

Turtles

Wild Boar

Crocs

Intramuros: Day 1 of Ilocandia Adventure

Not a first timer, i still enjoyed my visit in the streets of Intramuros and Fort Santiago. ☺

After our brunch at SM Mall of Asia, we started our Manila Tour. Our fist stop, Intramuros.  

Manila cathedral

Intramuros is the oldest district of Manila, known as the walled city and this is where old spanish architectural designs are located. Old churches like Manila cathedral and San Agustin Church is just around. Spanish Architecture is also preserved in the area.

From San Agustin Church, we pass by Manila Cathedral and the Comelec Building. Then, we entered Fort santiago Premises.

Comelec building

Fort Santiago is a military defense structure in the 16th century where our national hero was imprisoned. You can see here Jose Rizal's works and memorabilias well preserved.

 

From South to North: Our 5-day Ilocandia Adventure

Living in the southern part of the Philippines like GenSan, going up north is quiet an effort. Time, distance and weather are one of the issues. But luckily, 2012 has many long weekends and its a good time to set some travel plans for us employed. 

camwhoring while waiting for our departure

and this is the start of our long weekend fun! ☺

And, so Ilocandia Adventure is set; August 18-22, 2012 ( thank you Airphil Express for the promo fare)!! ☺☺☺ 

bumped with luke mijares at Gensan Airport

 Day 01: Departure day  ✈ ✈

Tulog muna!! saving up some energy.. (^_^)

We booked a 7:30 am flight to Manila via Airphil Express, Gensan to Manila is a 1 hour and 45 minutes plane ride. At past 9am, Manila welcomed us with great sunshine.

.... And the Manila Tour begins


 - SM Mall of Asia

- Intramuros, Manila

streets of Intramuros w/ mamang guard

@ Fort Santiago

- Luneta Park

- Manila Zoo

First time in the Manila Zoo...hehehe

- Trinoma, Ayala Mall

foodtripping at the bus

 At around 9pm, we left Manila and we're off to our Ilocandia Adventure

we are so spacious!! hehehe ☺☺☺

Day 02:  Vigan, Ilocos Sur, and Paoay, Batac, Laoag, Ilocos Norte

@ Jumpshot @ Calle Crisologo

entering Ilocos Norte

@ Malacanang of the North

.... A fun-filled and historic day in Vigan and visit to some museums in Paoay, and batac, Ilocos Norte

Visiting Fort Ilocandia

Day 03: Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

... Enjoyed the scenic beauty of the south china sea atop the lighthouse tower and the windmills.

Day 04: Extreme Adventure in Paoay and roam around Calle Crisologo

... Experience sand dunes with a 4x4 truck and sand boarding.

At past 2pm, we left Vigan for Manila to catch up our early morning flight back to Gensan

Day 05: Vacation is almost over... ( Back to Work!!)

waiting for the check-in counter to open

What an experience. My first local trip sleep over at the airport (almost a sleep over i guess 'coz we arrive at NAIA 3 past midnight and the check-in counters are still closed so we just laid our tired body in the floor of the airport while waiting for 3am) ahahaha....

time to sleep!!1 (^_^)

Manila Experience 2010

This is a super late post, but better late than never... (^_^) This was our last years trip in Manila with my friends. Since this is our anniversary with our trip i remembered to post our super fun trip.

 Having to get a promo fare with Airphil Express at P 900+ roundtrip we took the DVO-MNL trip. A 4-days super fun trip with friends october 14-17, 2010.

From Gensan, we took a 7pm bus trip to Davao City since we have a 10am flight in the morning and slept at Rose Inn near SM Davao.

Day 1
 At 8am we went to Davao International Airport and checked-in to Airphil Express Counter. but without us knowing we were rescheduled instead of DVO-MNL it will be a connecting flight via CEBU so we will be arriving Manila past 1pm instead of 12nn.

Then, we arrived.....

We were then off to our home for 4 days, The Fifth Avenue Place at The Fort. We just left our things, then were off to Manila Ocean Park.

Manila Ocean Park

- ate lunch at North Park
- stroll around the ocean park building
- watch the water light show
- oceanarium

Day 2
 It's Tagaytay day!!!

 At 6am we left Manila to avoid some traffic jam to Tagaytay. Had breakfast on the road. At past 8am we arrived in Tagaytay Picnic Grove. We roam around and enjoy the good view of Taal Volcano and breathe some fresh air.

Before going to lunch we had a sidetrip at Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite and we had a sumptuous lunch at Dencio's Tagaytay.

After a great day in Tagaytay were off to Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Enchanted Kingdom: The Magic Continues

Fun... Fun.. fun... in EK!!!

 We lined up on almost all rides just like the little kids. The very exciting ride where we lined up for almost an hour is so worth the wait; the space shuttle ride and we screamed so loud!!

Day 3
 It's Malling day!!!

We just went malling, bought some stuffs and got some rest.

Day 4
 It's time to go home!!!

 Since our flight is still at 2pm, we first went to SM Mall of Asia and bought some pasalubong and ate lunch.

"It was a great 4-day trip with F-R-I-E-N-D-S and more trips to come!"