Showing posts with label Manila. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manila. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Manila - A Perfect Place for Golfing

Manila is the capital city of the Philippines. The Philippines has been a good place for golfing for over a century now and the hub of that sport can be said to be Manila. Manila has been the host of the Philippine Open for many years and is visited by world-class golfers for championships and also for training purposes. Manila has a lot of golf courses, with world-class facilities, that make Manila one of the biggest golfing cities in the world. Golf courses in Manila have been designed by some of the most respected people in this field and provide a wonderful golfing experience. In and around Manila, there are so many golfing clubs that it is hard to choose which one you should go to.

Here is an overview of the most famous golf courses in the city of Manila.

Wack Wack Golf & Country Club

The Wack Wack Golf & Country Club is not only well-known in the Philippines, but is a famous golf course around the world. The Wack Wack Golf & Country Club holds world-class golfing and after-golf facilities that enhance your golfing experience. The Wack Wack Golf & Country Club was home to the Philippine Open for many years and is still used by many professional golfers to practice for championships and tournaments. The Wack Wack Golf & Country Club has two championship level courses that both have 18-holes. It is a membership-only club and visitors have to be accompanied by a member. The fee for playing on weekdays is $100 for weekdays and $140 for weekends. This is a bargain when you consider the facilities that are provided to you.

Canlubang Golf & Country Club

One of the most scenic-beautiful courses in the world, the Canlubang Golf & Country Club is the largest golf course in the world. The Canlubang Golf & Country Club has 36 holes and it is rare to find a golf course larger than this. The beauty of the Canlubang Golf & Country Club is richly enhanced with a lot of greenery surrounding it and the builders have made lakes and ravines themselves. The Canlubang Golf & Country Club is open to tourists on weekdays, but otherwise it is open for members only.

Club Intramuros

The Club Intramuros golf course is one of the most challenging golf courses in the Philippines. Built short with plenty of hazards, the Club Intramuros golf course is a way to polish your skills. Playing in a challenging condition will help your golfing to improve much more than at a simple course. The Club Intramuros is open to the people but they have to reserve their playing time in advance. The fee for playing at Club Intramuros is $29, which is very affordable.

Darrell is the creator of the website Travel to the Philippines (travel2rp.com), the web's go-to site on visiting the Philippines. While the site covers such topics as golfing in the Philippines, cultural activities, Philippine beaches, backpacking, hiking, mountain climbing, and night-time entertainment, there are also articles on how to get a good airfare, using a consolidator, trip cancellation insurance, and how to find a good travel agent.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Top Five Attractions in Manila Philippines

The densely populated capital of Philippines with its picturesque opening to the Manila Bay is a city with a significant historical background. Currently, it has a mix of all types of architecture and is fast developing into a contemporary metropolis and draws throngs of people from all over the globe.

In the 16th century the Spaniards established Manila to be their colonial capital, due to its strategic location and resourcefulness. During their reign, they erected the 'Intramuros', which means 'within the walls' to enclose the area which was then considered the city. Built along the southern bank of the Pasig River the Intramuros was a majestic fortress in the olden days. The World War II brought about mass destruction upon the Intramuros, and today the fort is almost completely preserved for its historic value. Within the enclosure one can find the ruins of Baluarte de San Diego, the defence tower, Postigo Del Placioa, the palaces of the archbishop and the Governer-general and several other alluringly crafted structures. Amongst all these the grand 'Fort Santiago', stands tall to tell the stories of ancient times. Presently it functions as a museum and one can find artifacts, details and even a prison that was used during the period of Spanish rule. Any visit to Manila is incomplete without a thorough ramble through the famed walled city of Intramuros.

The cool breeze that blows in from the Bay of Manila adds to the serenity of Rizal Park, which is another must-see while one is in Manila. The park is home to the country's most visited landmark, the bronze and granite monument built in remembrance of Jose Rizal a Filipino reformist who spearheaded national movements during the period of Spanish rule. This is located at the north end of the Roxas Boulevard, the major roadway of Manila.

The Roxas Boulevard is famous for its yacht clubs and fine dining along the shores of the bay. The Manila Baywalk, beside the boulevard is the perfect spot to watch the dusky sunsets between the tall coconut trees. The orange and purple hues rising above the harbour of Manila will keep anyone spellbound.

Situated at the entrance to the bay itself is the Corregidor Island, which was the naval base during times of war. Several battles were fought on the island itself and their ruins are protected by authorities. It is possible to take a day tour to the island and examine the 'Pacific War Memorial' and other war exhibits.

The charming cathedrals and churches form an important part of Manila city. Among them the Quiapo Church and the Manila Cathedral are the most well known? The Quiapo Church is highly revered because of the Black Nazarene statue of Jesus Christ which resides within the church and is believed to hold miraculous powers. The Manila Cathedral is located within the premises of the Intramuros.

About the Author

Neha Sharma shares her views about Cheap Tickets To Manila.For more information please visithttp://www.ticketstoworld.co.uk

Friday, August 27, 2010

Exploring Manila Philippines Historic Chinatown

With the huge influx of Chinese immigrants all over the world, many of the world's cities boast their own Chinatown. As the name implies, a Chinatown is predominantly populated by Chinese immigrants and also showcases their traditions and cultures via restaurants, theatres and even street performers. The Chinatown in Manila is found in the Binondo region of the city and was created by immigrants that came to the Philippines even before the Spanish colonists in the 16th century.

According to historical sources, the story of Binondo runs back almost a thousand years and was once a busy trading hub filled with Chinese sea-farers. The colonial Spanish authorities converted this already busy area into an ethnic Chinese enclave in appreciation of their conversion to Catholicism. Binondo finds a special place in the history of Spanish missionaries because it was incidentally the birthplace of the first Filipino saint - St. Lorenzo Ruiz.

Today Binondo, Manila is home to some of the best restaurants in the city. Although Chinese cuisine has gained popularity worldwide, this area is popular not only for its Chinese restaurants but for its wide variety of eateries. From traditional family-owned bakeries and quaint little cafes and plush modern gourmet restaurants, Chinatown has something to satisfy any palate.

Architecturally, this area has changed very little since the days of the Spanish colonialists. Notable landmarks include the Binondo Church and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Plaza. The Chinatown area is well-known among the locals as a place to find Chinese medicines and herbs. These quaint little medicine and antique shops lend the enclave its unique identity, even though much of the area is now a modern town.

Chinese festivals such as the New Year, the Hungry Ghost Festival and the Autumn Moon Festival are celebrated with much gusto by its inhabitants. Guests staying at Manila furnished apartments such as the Ascott The Residence Makati can embrace its magic as they would be living virtually on the doorstep of Manila's Chinatown.

About the Author

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Cultural Places in Manila Philippines

Going around Manila is like having a glimpse of the past 500 years of Filipino history. Up to present day, there exists everyday relics of pre-Hispanic era and each of the colonization eras the Philippines have gone through in the past centuries - Spanish, American, and Japanese.

The best way to go around Manila is by jeepney, the most common mode of transportation in the entire nation. The jeepneys have very convenient stops - anywhere. Just tell the driver anytime to drop you off along his route.

Intramuros

The walled city of Intramuros is by far Manila's richest location when it comes to culture and history. Inside the walls, you can experience pre-Hispanic era, all the way through Spanish colonization and revolt and Japanese occupation. Fort Santiago and the Jose Rizal Shrine tell the story of the national hero's life through relics and artifacts. San Agustin Church and Museum features the life of the Filipino and how it evolved through the centuries.

Ride the kalesa, a traditional horse-drawn carriage, to see all the sights of Intramuros. There are also many restaurants serving traditional Filipino food. Being popular with tourists, there are also many little trinket shops so you can bring home a slice of Filipino culture.

Quiapo

Quiapo's center is the Quiapo Church, where devout people from all over the nation go. Religion is a big part of Filipino culture, and you can see in Quiapo Church the many interesting marks that make Filipino Catholicism unique. In the streets of Quiapo, see also the old houses defining mid-20th century architecture. Some houses are open for viewing, so that you can experience living in a traditional Filipino home. Check out also the flea markets and boutiques lining Rizal Avenue. They have everything from amulets dating from the pre-Hispanic era, to traditional medicinal herbs, to discounted fashion items.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex

The CCP complex is one of the more modernist buildings in Manila, originally commissioned by the former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos, to promote and preserve Filipino art and culture.

There are galleries showing Filipino artworks, with the ultimate goal of promoting Filipino art and making it accessible to all sectors of the society. It also houses the Theatre of Performing Arts where artists both local and foreign perform. If you can catch a traditional performance, you can be acquainted with traditional forms of theatre mostly centered on Filipino songs. There is also a little theater for drama, solo recitals, and film screenings.

Manila Bay

End the evening with a leisurely walk along Manila Bay, starting from the CCP complex to Luneta Park. Manila Bay is picturesque all throughout the day, but especially stunning during sunset. Photographers, both amateur and professional, can be found along Manila Bay as the afternoon turns to night in a dramatic burst of deep reds and oranges.

As soon as night falls, you can find a variety of restaurants and bars around the area, with choices to fit every palate. You can even venture to the nearby Malate red light district for a more interesting Manila experience.

About the Author

The author manages the websites at Albuquerque Salons and Bananagrams.