Baluarte De San Diego

I visited Baluarte de San Diego last International Women’s Day as they had free entrance for all women. This is my favorite part of Intramuros so visiting it was a no brainer.

It looks otherworldly and surreal. I don’t feel like I’m at the city at all whenever I’m in the middle of this intriguing landscape.

I highly recommend this spot as it is a quiet part of Manila that’s perfect for solo adventures and quiet conversations if you have any companions. It is open everyday and charges a minimal fee for upkeep. Hope you can drop by soon!

Katha Kape

Yesterday, I swung by Katha Kape for a latte after walking around Intramuros. The cozy interiors instantly picked me up, and I then ordered a latte.

Their latte was strong and flavorful. It was the perfect respite from the heat outside. Trust me, a hot latte can really work wonders to your mood during the summer heat.

I loved the vibe of this cafe and I’m always at Intramuros to walk around its heritage buildings. I’ll definitely be back!

La Cathedral Cafe

Yesterday, I had an iced latte at La Cathedral Cafe. It is located right beside the Manila Cathedral, and its roofdeck has become internet famous for the view. I was not disappointed during my visit, and since I wasn’t planning to stay for long, I opted to just hang out at the roofdeck without a table.

The roofdeck gets full easily, so it’s best to go there early and list yourself so you will surely have a table. However, it is also fun to just drink coffee while basking in the view of Intramuros whilst standing up. I enjoyed a few minutes of peace while sipping their surprisingly excellent coffee. It was a relaxing experience, which I definitely recommend to you all!

Check this cafe out on your next visit to Intramuros. You will surely be in for a visually pleasing treat and have some strong coffee while doing so.

Bayleaf Sunset

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to have dinner at the Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros. It has long been on my bucket list, and it certainly did not disappoint. The view was enough for me to feel satisfied, considering that I commuted there all the way from Ortigas.

I ordered a Cerveza Negra and the Bayleaf Burger. Both were delicious!

My solo dinner was a quiet time for me to be grateful for a productive February. I look forward to an even better month ahead!

Intramuros Sunday

Yesterday, I got to explore Intramuros in time for their open house. Most museums in the Walled City offered free entrance. I got to visit the Destileria Limtuaco Museum for the second time. I also got to drink at their tasting bar again. My favorite was their Amadeo coffee liqueur.

I also got to visit the Attic Museum. It’s a small room with trinkets from a bygone era.

Then, it was pasta for lunch at Ristorante delle Mitre. Their tre pasta di maghi was delicious and flavorful!

My last stop was Fort Santiago. Even if I frequently visit the Walled City, the fort still offers new attractions that I have never visited before. Some examples of these were this tunnel, and the baluarte facing the entrance of the fort.

My Sunday at the Walled City was eventful and full of old world charm. I will definitely be back!

Intramuros Walk

Yesterday was day 2 of my Independence Day Intramuros solo tour. After biking through the streets of the Walled City, it was time for me to visit the historical sites on foot. 

I started with Fort Santiago.  

Since I’m a Rizal fan, a visit to his shrine never gets old. 

Then, it was back to exploring the fortress.  

The Manila Cathedral had an open house which I couldn’t resist.  

I was able to explore the choir loft, roof deck, and crypt. 

Then, I visited the Desteleria Limtuaco Museum. It was my first time there and it was an enjoyable experience!

They even have a tasting bar where one can try their house liquors for a minimal fee. 

It was also my first time at the Baluarte De San Diego. 

I also walked through and above the walls of the famed city. 

It was a treat to visit the newly-opened Museo de Intramuros.  

Bahay Tsinoy was worth going back to. Their life-sized dioramas were fascinating to learn from. 

I ended my visit with coffee at the site of Padre Burgos’ old house, which is now a convenience store.  

And the best part- I was able to hang on to a tranvia! 

Life is great, if we find places to explore and discover! Sometimes, the best ones are nearby. We just have to show up and appreciate the opportunity to learn from historical places. 

Here’s to more walks along streets that have stories to tell! 

Bambiking at Intramuros

Yesterday, I had the chance to explore Intramuros after my meeting in Makati. I had the exciting opportunity to explore the walled city first by foot. 

I planned to visit the walled city for Independence Day, but I decided that one day wasn’t enough to explore it. Day 1 was all about seeing the parts which I previously did not appreciate while I was in a car.  

There were quite a number of interesting nooks and crannies to appreciate and photograph.  

My tour became much better when I rented a bambike (bamboo bike) for one hour. I got to ride through narrow streets and busy sidewalks in Intramuros. 

I got to have some cardio and have a better understanding of the historical markers scattered throughout the walled city. 

My favorite moment was reaching the site of my favorite hero Jose Rizal’s former dormitory. 

My visit ended at Bathala Bar, where I had avocado ice cream and Bayani Brew.  

This was definitely much better than my previous visits to Intramuros as I got to appreciate it more as I was walking and on a bike. I’ll definitely be back!