[Weekend whirlwind] A 3-day, 1-night trip to Manila to enjoy the spectacular views and history

A weekend trip to Manila ✈️🌅 From July 8th to 9th, 2023, I enjoyed Manila, Philippines for just one night and three days! You can easily go there on the weekends, so you don't even need to take paid leave! Even with a short itinerary, there were many discoveries and fun! 🧳✨ ☀️Day 1: Saturday, July 8th, 2023 🛫Departure: Haneda Airport → Manila We departed from Haneda Airport on flight JL77 at 1:55am and arrived at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 5:35am local time! The airport was smoother than I expected, and after leaving my luggage at the hotel, I was able to start sightseeing right away. Morning: Touring historical tourist spots 1️⃣Rizal Park 🇵🇭 A large park in the center of the city, with a monument commemorating the Philippine hero Jose Rizal that catches your eye. It was the perfect place to start our walk around the city. 2️⃣Chinese Garden 🏯 A Chinese garden in a corner of Rizal Park. There was a small bridge and a pond, and it had a quiet and calm atmosphere. 3️⃣Intramuros 🏰 The old town where you can feel the remnants of the Spanish colonial era. The cobblestone streets and colonial architecture make this a picturesque area wherever you look. 4️⃣San Agustin Church ⛪ The oldest church in the Philippines and a registered World Heritage Site. The ceiling paintings and decorations inside were so beautiful that I forgot about the time just by being here. Afternoon: Enjoy Manila Bay and the sunset For lunch, we went to Jollibee, a very popular fast food restaurant in the Philippines. 🍔🐝 The taste was honestly average, but it's no wonder that it's more popular than McDonald's in the local area. It's worth trying once as a conversation topic. In the afternoon, we visited the following spots: 1️⃣Manila Cathedral ⛪ A beautiful Gothic cathedral. Unfortunately, a wedding was being held there that day, so we couldn't take a good look inside... 2️⃣Fort Santiago 🏰 A fortress from the Spanish colonial period, this is a historic site where Rizal was imprisoned. It has a great view and is a must-see spot for history buffs. 3️⃣Manila Ocean Park 🐠 This aquarium is full of marine life, so we visited it for a short break. It was also a popular spot for families with children! The highlight of the day was the sunset over Manila Bay! 🌅✨ It is said to be one of the "three greatest sunsets in the world," and the scenery changed every second, and no matter where you looked, it was picturesque. We enjoyed dinner at the H2O Hotel while watching the sunset, and the first day ended with a great satisfaction! ☀️Day 2: Sunday, July 9, 2023 Enjoy a relaxing Sunday in Manila 1️⃣Morning: Legazpi Sunday Market 🛍️ I woke up a little later in the morning and headed to Legazpi Sunday Market. This market, which is held every Sunday only, is full of fresh vegetables and fruits, handmade crafts, and even local gourmet food! It was fun to walk through the market and experience the local lifestyle. I also bought some small accessories as a memento of my trip. 2️⃣Afternoon: Okada Manila 🎰 In the afternoon, I went to Okada Manila to avoid the heat. Although it is a world-famous luxury casino, it also has a shopping mall, restaurants, and entertainment facilities inside, making it more like a theme park. 🎲✨ After playing a little at the casino, I relaxed at the cafe. 3️⃣Evening: Back to Manila Bay Back to Manila Bay again before heading to the airport. No matter how many times I see this sunset, I'm always moved by it... 🌇✨ 🛬Returning home: Manila → Haneda Airport Boarded flight JL78 at 13:25 and arrived at Haneda Airport at 04:50 the next morning. Traveling on an overnight flight is efficient and will not interfere with work at the start of the week! 👍 💡Thoughts on the whirlwind trip Although it was a short time, I was able to enjoy the historical architecture, local markets, and the overwhelming beauty of the sunset. The charm of Manila is still deep, so next time I would like to try riding a "jeepney"! 🚗 #Asia travel record #One night, two days overseas #One night, three days #Manila #Manila sightseeing #Manila trip #Manila Cathedral #Manila gourmet #Philippines #Philippines trip #Philippines sightseeing