Imagine you are sitting on a comfortable Cathay Pacific flight to Manila. The airfares were reasonable but would the rains spoil your hard-won vacation after a year of lock-downs? No. The torrential rainy season is at least a month away but be ready to deal with searing-heat. Now, how to plan your itinerary that will be bang for the buck? Don’t leave planning to the last-minute because as a traveller during Covid times, you have to be extra careful and take all the precautions you can.
First, there is some important news. You need to go on a six-day quarantine and take an RT-PCR test once you land in Philippines. Weekend getaways are still not an option for foreign travellers to the country.
Plan well
But the capital city of Manila has many faces and it is easy to plan a packed vacation filled with food, history, culture and loads of shopping. You don’t have to forego the city’s famous spots. However, it pays to be choosy about some of the sights and how and when you will visit them. Here is a list of trails and spots, and tips to avoid crowds. Not to forget. Use masks, shields, and sanitizers, maintain physical distance, and practice the best of health etiquette wherever you are.
History calls
The Walled City or the historic Intramuros is a must-see attraction. It was the original ‘city of Manila’, which came up during the Spanish colonial rule that started in the 16th century. There are churches (UNESCO World Heritage sties), forts, and other landmarks that bear the mark of the long Spanish occupation of this land. Some of the best attractions include Fort Santiago, a majestic Spanish citadel; Manila Cathedral; San Augustin Church; and Baluarte de San Diego, another elaborate fortification.
New rules
Unlike in the pre-pandemic times, only three spots are open now. And that includes Fort Santiago, Casa Manila Museum, and Baluarte de San Diego. Timings and number of visitors have also been curtailed. History buffs might have been looking forward to exploring the underground dungeons that were hiding spots of Filipino soldiers during the Philippine Revolution of the 19th century. However, they are not open for now. Hopefully, the cheerful garden around Baluarte de San Diego will lift your spirits. Do check with Gawad Kalinga NGO whether they are still offering the sustainable bamboo bike rides to the historic site. Or, just take a walk along cobblestone streets to connect with your inner-history spirit.
(Timings: Fort Santiago 2 pm to 8 pm, Casa Manila and Baluarte de San Diego 2 pm to 5 pm. For more information, visit Intramuros Administration Facebook page.)
Flavors are back
Many of the food walks are slowly resuming. It is best to call/email and verify, as some are partially up and hosting only private groups. And that includes some of the famous historic trails that capture the flavors of Binondo, Manila’s historic Chinatown. Choose from any of the foodie guides – the Instagram-friendly Mike Chen or ‘No Reservations’ fame Ivan Man Dy. They will take you around the Binondo, which was created by the Spanish for Chinese immigrant Catholic converts. The guides will narrate the history and give you a front row seat at some of the oldest and best eateries. There is a lot of walking involved but what is there to complain when you get to savor a nice historic tale with kikiams, hopias, dumplings and what not!
Old ways work
Another way to recreate food trail is to download virtual tours and visit the area on your own just like in good old days. Take for example, the Malabon tricycle tour that drops off visitors at various restaurants in the quaint heritage village in Manila. Earlier, tourists could choose from a tour of 10 historic spots, a drive to seven eateries or have a mix of both. This way, one could meet and talk to restaurant owners, artists and residents. With Covid around the corner, your best option would be to download one of the virtual tour videos and try to locate the famous eateries by asking the locals. Some of the eateries include Betsy’s Cake Center, Hazel’s Puto, Dolor’s Kakanin and Pancit Malabon.
Start with the 400-year-old San Bartolome Church and hunt for nondescript shops selling lugaw, puto (rice cakes) and end with lunch at Jamico’s that offers crispy pata. Don’t forget to admire the heritage villas, bungalows and galleries on the way. The old ways of touring might still work. Bon voyage!