I will be updating this blog soon. Thank you.

Travel Blogging: La Familia Way

     Putting your own blog is hard. Considering the time needed, the knowledge to conceptualize, and the effort that you need to even put a post. But setting up a family travel blog is way too awesome. This is not just a husband and wife team up we are talking about. There are four kids tagged along this wonderful journey. So how can you beat that?
     So take a trip with them. Surely you will enjoy it.

Puerta Real Gardens (Intramuros)

Puerta Real Gardens


A beautiful garden just outside the south wall of Intramuros is the Puerta Real. Managed by the Intramuros Administration, the garden is now used as a perfect venue for cultural and state dinner. The gate on the wall is open for the national procession.
HOW TO GET THERE:
****if you are on a walking trip, from the CENTRA LRT STATION, walk pass the Manila City Hall take the pedestrian underpass and turn left to reach the front of the National Museum. Turn right at General Luna street. The Garden is at the right before entering the gate of Intramuros.

Bagumbayan Light & Sound Museum

Bagumbayan Lights & Sound Museum

One of the main attractions in Intramuros showcasing the history of the Philippines and the Filipino's journey to freedom. With more than a hundred mannequins depicting pre-Spanish colonization until Rizal's legacy in becoming a national hero occupying two levels of the building.

HOW TO GET THERE:

****if you are on a walking trip, from the CENTRA LRT STATION, walk pass the Manila City Hall take the pedestrian underpass and enter the gate through the walled city of Intramuros. At the left before the entrance is Revellin De Recoletos and at the right is Baluarte de Dilao which is acesible once inside the wall. Walk straight Victoria St. until you reach Sta. Lucia St., turn left. It is right before the San Diego Gardens.

Baluarte De San Francisco De Dilao (Intramuros)

Baluarte De San Francisco De Dilao

Built in 1592 by the Spanish government to deter threats and invasion by other countries. Renovated in 1622. The area was much larger than what it is right now, the area that you'll see is the restored structure, for the whole area was destroyed during the American liberation of Manila from the Japanese occupation in 1845.

HOW TO GET THERE:

****if you are on a walking trip, from the CENTRA LRT STATION, walk pass the Manila City Hall take the pedestrian underpass and enter the gate through the walled city of Intramuros. At the left before the entrance is Revellin De Recoletos and at the right is Baluarte de Dilao which is accesible once inside the wall.

San Diego Gardens (Intramuros)

San Diego Gardens

A garden entrance to the Baluarte De San Diego. The garden is being used as function area for wedding reception run by the Intramuros Administration.



HOW TO GET THERE:

****if you are on a walking trip, from the CENTRA LRT STATION, walk pass the Manila City Hall take the pedestrian underpass and enter the gate through the walled city of Intramuros. At the left before the entrance is Revellin De Recoletos and at the right is Baluarte de Dilao which is acesible once inside the wall. Walk straight Victoria St. until you reach Sta. Lucia St., turn left. The gate to the Baluarte's garden is just a few meters away.

The Butterfly Pavilion

The Butterfly Pavilion

(Closed due to the Orchidarium's renovation)

If you are looking for a quiet spot in the middle of Manila, head to this place inside an Orchidarium within the National Park. Established in 1994, the pavilion also is showcasing the different life stages of this beautiful insect.

HOW TO GET THERE:
**** from the United Nation LRT Station. Head towards the Luneta (Rizal Park). The pavilion is inside the Orchidarium on the northern side of the park.

The Manila Orchidarium

The Manila Orchidarium

(Closed: Under Renovation)

Situated in the heart of Luneta is a hectare of land dedicated to showcase different kind of plants and varieties of orchids. A project by a former First Lady, inside is a man made falls that flows through a pond and a butterfly sanctuary. A walk through between different kinds of palm trees add to the place's serenity. And for some leisure activities, there are wall climbing and fishing facilities.

HOW TO GET THERE:
**** from the United Nation LRT Station. Head towards the Luneta Park. The Orchidarium is situated in the middle of the park on the North side just behind the National Museum Building.

Chinese Garden

Chinese Garden

A beautiful place to relax after a long walk in the park, that is the Chinese Garden in Rizal Park or Luneta as what the locals call it. You will not miss this garden with its intricately designed Dragon gate. A big main pagoda and a pond to rest your senses from the busy city.

HOW TO GET THERE:
**** from the United Nation LRT Station, head to the Rizal Park. The Chinese Garden is on the North side of the park just beside the Japanese Garden and the Orchidarium.

Museo Pambata

Museo Pambata

Manila's Museum for Children. An interactive museum for kids established in 1994, it also serves as a resource center for Filipino culture. It exhibits arts, science, history and nature. Events such as children's play and puppet shows are scheduled to give your kids a memorable learning experience.

HOW TO GET THERE:

**** from the United Nation LRT Station. Walk towards the Luneta Park, Turn left at Kalaw Street passing the National Library. The museum is between the Quirino Grandstand and the US Embassy.

Quirino Grandstand

The Quirino Grandstand

Built in 1949. It was first called the The Independence Grandstand. The site is traditionally used for the Philippines Presidential Inauguration and major national event. It was renamed after the first president that was inaugurated here. This is where the 1995 World Youth Day was held that coincides with the Papal visit. Located at the west end of the Luneta (Rizal Park).

HOW TO GET THERE:
****From the United Nation LRT Station. Walk towards the Luneta Park, turn left on Kalaw St. passing through the National Library. The grandstand is on the right just right after Roxas Blvd.

The Manila Post Office

The Manila Central Post Office

Are you into philately? This is the place for you, the Manila Central Post Office Building. Built and designed by the Americans during their colonial period that starts at the turn of the last century. Completely destroyed during the 2nd World War but was immediately rebuilt after, most of the original design was preserved.

HOW TO GET THERE:
****From the Central LRT Station. Head towards Lawton area. At the front of the Post Office is the Liwasang Bonifacio.

Plaza Lawton (formerly Liwasang Bonifacio)

Plaza Lawton (Liwasang Bonifacio)

Named after American General Henry Ware Lawton (1843-1899). General Lawton was the highest ranking American official killed in the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) when he was shot by a Filipino sharpshooter at the Battle of Paye (now in Morong, Rizal) on December 1. In the 1970's Plaza Lawton was officially changed to Liwasang Bonifacio (after Philippine hero, Andres Bonifacio).

HOW TO GET THERE:

****From the Central LRT Station, walk back a few meters to the Metropolitan Theatre. The Plaza is just across the road.

Luneta and the Rizal Monument

Luneta and the Rizal Monument



Known to most Filipinos as Luneta. The "Rizal Park" is considered one of the largest park in Southeast Asia. Located at the North end of Roxas Boulevard. The sight of the National Hero's execution, the Rizal Monument is guarded 24 hours a day everyday by honour guards. Behind the monument is the the engraved poem "Mi Ultimo Adios", he wrote it while imprisoned at Fort Santiago. The place is also the point of reference to all locations in the Philippines with regards to road distance (the Flag Pole is 0.0 kilometer).

HOW TO GET THERE:
****Just a few meters from the United Nations LRT Station along Taft Avenue is the east end of the Luneta Park, in front is the relief map of the Philippines. The west end is Roxas Boulevard where the Rizal Monument is located.

Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago

The oldest stone fortress in the country. The site of Rajah Sulayman's palace and kingdom during pre Hispanic period. The Spaniards destroyed the settlement and built Fuerza De Santiago in 1571. Located in the northwest corner of Intramuros on the banks of the Pasig river. The fort's dungeons serves as prisoner's torture chambers during the Second World War. Fort Santiago is now a park which houses the Rizal museum which commemorates the National hero's imprisonment on this fort before his execution on December 30, 1896.

HOW TO GET THERE:
****Go to Intramuros
****Inside Intamuros with the Manila Cathedral and Plaza Roma at your back, take the road beside the Fire Station and it will lead you to the gate of Fort Santiago.

Plaza De Armas

Plaza De Armas

Upon entering the thick wall of Fort Santiago, the entrance will lead you to a grass laden open space with the Statue of Rizal. This is Plaza de Armas. Sorrounding it are the ruins of a military barracks which was once used to imprison the National Hero and also a Shrine in commemoration of him. Also in its vicinity is an 18thn century building which now serves as a venue for theatre performances.

HOW TO GET THERE:
****Go to Intramuros.

****With the Manila Cathedral and Plaza Roma at your back. Take the street on the left where the fire station is and it will lead you to the Entrance of Fort Santiago. There is a fee upon entering, students and Senior Citizens are discounted.

Baluarte De San Diego

Baluarte De San Diego

One of the oldest fortification in Intramuros designed and built by Jesuit priests. It was named Fort Nuestra Senora De Guia which fell in disrepair because of poor quality. Out of its ruins, Baluarte De San Diego was built in the 17th century, completed between 1653 to 1663. Destroyed by the British forces in 1762, restored but was damaged again during the 1863 earthquake. Destroyed again in the Battle of Manila in 1945. Completely restored in 1992.

HOW TO GET THERE:

****if you are on a walking trip, from the CENTRA LRT STATION, walk pass the Manila City Hall take the pedestrian underpass and enter the gate through the walled city of Intramuros. At the left before the entrance is Revellin De Recoletos and at the right is Baluarte de Dilao which is acesible once inside the wall. Walk straight Victoria St. until you reach Sta. Lucia St., turn left. The gate to the Baluarte's garden is just a few meters away.

Plazuela De Sta. Lucia

Plazuela De Sta Lucia

This place is in memorial to all the men, women and children who died in the Second World War. Dedicated in 1995 right in the heart of Plaza de Sta. Isabel, just one block behind the Manila Cathedral. The statue is of Sta. Isabel caring for the wounded and the dying.

HOW TO GET THERE:
****Plazuela de Sta. Lucia is just one block behind the Manila Cathedral.
****from the CARRIEDO LRT STATION, take a walk to the front of the Sta. Cruz Church. Take a jeepney that goes to "pier", this jeepney will pass directly in front of the Cathedral.

Las Pinas Bamboo Organ

The Las Pinas Bamboo Organ (St. Joseph Church)

The St. Joseph Church in this town capital houses the famous Bamboo Organ. The building of this church in 1762 establish the township of Las Pinas separating itself from Paranaque. As for the organ itself, it was made from 902 pieces of wooden bamboo and 129 metal tubes

HOW TO GET THERE:
****From the Baclaran LRT Station, go to the side or behind Baclaran Church, take a jeep going to Zapote via Kabihasnan (do not take the jeep with a Coastal sign) tell the jeepney driver to drop you off at the Bamboo Organ. Its just around 20 to 30 minutes jeepney ride from Baclaran. If you accidentally took the jeepney via coastal road, just drop off at Zapote and take another jeep back to Baclaran with sign via Kabihasnan.
****From the Magallanes MRT Station. Take a bus going toAlabang, go to the Market area and take a jeep going to Baclaran via Kabihasnan. Tell the Driver to drop you off at the Bamboo Organ.

Plaza San Luiz and Casa Manila

Plaza San Luiz and Casa Manila

To experience living during the Spanish time, Plaza San Luis will give you a glimpse of what it is like being a rich businessman on that era. Located just beside the San Agustin Church accross Calle Real. Plaza San Luiz or Barrio San Luiz as it is used to be called is one of the four original villages in Intramuros which now consist of five reconstructed Spanish colonial houses. Namely Casa Urdaneta, Casa Blanca, Los Hidalgos, El Hogar Filipino and the famous Casa Manila. Casa Manila is a three story recreation of a 19th-century house of a Filipino "Ilustrado". A living museum with well-kept treasures, furnitures and accessories, and a highly restored architectural designs, it will trigger your imagination and will put you back in time.

HOW TO GET THERE:

**** Plaza San Luis is just accross the street of Gen Luna beside the San Agustin Church. ****from the CARRIEDO LRT STATION, take a walk to the front of the Sta. Cruz Church. Take a jeepney that goes to "pier", this jeepney will pass directly in front of the Cathedral. Plaza Roma is just in front. Walk straight at Gen Luna at the right side of the Cathedral, Casa Manila is just three blocks away.