Intramuros

Today we go early by Grab knowing the others will sleep-in. 

Intramuros is a district of old Spanish-era landmarks including Fort Santiago. It is about 14 kms away but takes 40 mins despite the traffic being quiet. It is also relatively quiet when we arrive at 9 am. 

The area has a huge complex called Fort Santiago. We spend a couple of hours here. The fort was the site of the original settlement of what was known as ‘Maynila’ then turned into a fort by the Spanish in 1571. It has been subsequently destroyed/damaged in turn by the Chinese, an earthquake, and then the Japanese in the dreadful Battle of Manila in 1945.

There were various points of interest including the ruins of the American Barracks when the US held the fort (so to speak) in 1946 after General MacArthur’s defeat of the Japanese; the Fort Santiago gate and moat; the spacious Plaza de Armas; various balconies from which we had views over the complex or out to the river alongside; the dungeons (which we had to stoop to go in and out of) and in which hundreds of people were incarcerated during the Battle of Manila - no-one survived; and the interesting Rizal Museo: these are the 16th century brick barracks where José Rizal was tried and executed in 1896 (aged 35) for allegedly inciting the revolution against Spain; today he is revered as a national hero.

By the time we exit, it is hot and the place is packed with people. So grateful to have been there early!

After leaving the fort complex, we walked on down past the Cathedral of Manila and then to the baroque San Agustin Church which was the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros in WWII. It is said to be the oldest stone church in Asia.

Enroute we passed a memorial to the Battle of Manila - 2025 is the 80th Anniversary! 

Manila was the scene of one of the worst urban battles in the Pacific War. Over a period of just 29 days, more than 100,000 innocent, non-combatant civilians were killed by the Japanese. Just appalling.

In fact, the commemoration of the liberation of Manila was yesterday in Plaza de Santa Isabel!!

We enjoyed some delicious pork buns from a street stall (4 for 155 pesos(=$A4.

We order a Grab. And the traffic is insane. We passed the big hotels, the huge American Embassy, the Philippine Navy HQ; and did the criss-cross through Manila that seems to be the meandering pattern on the roads no matter where you go here.

We pass kids sleeping on cardboard at a busy intersection, resting possibly between taking it in turns to offer to wash the windscreens of vehicles that have stopped to await the change of the traffic lights.

One young thing, she would have been no older than 8 or 9 years old I would have thought, was rebuffed by our driver and then another older girl turned up looking more sophisticated but the younger one chased her off, totally enraged, her little face contorted in fury at the other girl trespassing on her patch. They were so young. Very sad.

This is what the street wiring is like! We have seen worse as we are driven along.

We have a cold drink at our local Starbucks, then visit the nearby mall to get some groceries (mainly beer and wine …).

Kathryn departs this afternoon for Thailand for a few days for a workshop. 

Anna - their ‘yaya’ - continues to have personal issues and Kathryn attempts to find replacements for the interim. Another yaya, Elizabeth, has been doing 2 days a week since we arrived but is already committed to another family the remainder of the week.