Navigating Manila: A First-Timer’s Guide
An eye-opening journey through the bustling malls and humid streets of the Philippines
Section I — Getting There
I just returned from my second international trip of 2017, this time to Manila. It was an awesome and eye-opening experience, especially since it was my first venture outside the relative comfort of Japan or Korea. The Philippines felt like a logical choice for me since English is widely spoken, which helped navigate the city and culture more easily.
I opted to fly with Delta, which still operates 747s. There's just something charming about these older planes that I love, especially since most airlines have shifted to 767s, 777s, or A330s. This might even be the last year Delta flies the 747.
After nearly 18 hours, I finally arrived in Manila, followed by an intense two-hour ordeal with the infamous Manila traffic before reaching my hotel. I was too exhausted to eat, so I opted for a couple of Johnnie Walkers instead. I refrained from drinking during travel to stay sober and alert.
Section II — Exploring Manila
After a good night’s rest, I woke up at 7 am and thought it was late! With the mall opening at 10 am, I killed time at Starbucks, enjoying my coffee while queuing for the doors of SM Mega Mall.
SM is a major brand in Manila, with several large malls, the most famous being SM Mall of Asia on the other side of town. I didn’t want to deal with the traffic to visit that one, so SM Mega Mall was more than sufficient. It’s massive, housing around 800-1,000 stores, many of which are major American, European, and Asian brands. The smaller store footprints made it possible to cram in so many options, making this mall a shopping paradise compared to what we have back home.
- →Room Service — Decent quality, reasonable prices, and high convenience.
- →Hotel Dining — Comparable in price to what I would pay back in the States.
Section III — Work and Leisure
Nothing much to report during my busy workdays. I mostly chilled at Starbucks, doing some people-watching and enjoying the views from my hotel room.
With work completed, I had two days to myself for sightseeing. However, I quickly learned that downtown Manila is not a pedestrian-friendly city. I spent several hours walking around, but the hot and humid weather had me sweating profusely, necessitating frequent breaks to cool down and rehydrate at coffee shops or fast food joints.
| Condition | Status |
|---|---|
| Sidewalks | Poor / Uneven |
| Traffic | Slow moving |
| Safety | Feel safe if using common sense |
Section IV — Departure
For my last day, I returned to the mall as the weather turned overcast and it began to rain. I spent the day hopping between various coffee shops and cafes, all of which were quite good. One standout was Satchmi, where I enjoyed a decent cappuccino. With about 40-50 coffee shops in the mall, I could see myself loving this place. It’s something I wish we had more of back in the States.
The flight back was surprisingly easier, and there was no traffic on the way to NAIA airport in Manila. I had a generous five hours to relax before my flight. My layover at Narita (NRT) was enjoyable, one of the better places to pass time.
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