Manila, Philippines Adventure

Manila Adventure

I had quite the adventure my first time in Manila (via cruise ship). I had not made firm plans in advance for this port but I had conducted my research and brought guides and maps just in case I decided to tour independently. I met two couples who were going on an official organized tour of the slums. I agreed to join their tour but got cold feet the day before, imagining how depressing it would be and how awkward and inappropriate I would feel glaring into the lives of the very powerless and desparate of society. Instead, Although I normally avoid cruise line shore excursions, I decided to take their tour of the old walled city ( Intramuros) with a couple of shopping stops. ($59 and 4 hours) To my dismay, that tour was sold out. In the end, there were not enough of us on the wait list for them to add another tour bus. Alas, I had to make my own plans!! One of my solo dinner mates informed me a group of them were planning to take a taxi together to Intramuros.

Although I was hesitant to venture out solo, I was not excited about roaming around with a group of Americans & Aussies who knew less than I. The next morning, I went off the ship early to visit the local info booth and collect detailed maps. They convinced me I could walk there in 15 minutes or so. I was thrilled so I met the group and thanked them for the invite but I would walk on my own.

Well, as I left the ship follow the directions into the old town, I found the path to be more confusing than I had anticipated.The extreme humidity was obstructing my ability to make clear headed decisions. I saw another couple from the ship looked equally confused and overheated. Naturally, I decided to walk alongside. I thought three heads are better than one. They seem to know less than I did, but at least I was not walking alone on this confusing path. Taxis and all forms of transport were beginning to look very attractive at this point. My couple seem to be giving up because of the heat they were ready to just walk back to the ship. I was not going to be defeated.

I had ignored several Peddy cab drivers whose sales pitch included taking me on a comprehensive tour of the walled city.  I decided to listen to one of their stories. He tried to convince me that he could give me a thorough tour, he would do the driving with natural air conditioning, (ha ha,) and he showed me all of his licenses and certifications. He told me it was 350 Philippine pesos, which translates to about seven dollars. Then, I saw the Fine Print which said 350 pesos per hour. Obviously, the pricing was all subject to negotiation. In the meantime, I had no Philippine pesos yet because there was no ATM inside the port area. I kept walking away until he agreed to 200 pesos per hour. Then, I realized now I have to tell him I don't have pesos.
 

Rule number one of the negotiation: don't negotiate if you don't even have that currency. I asked him if he excepted US dollars and he said yes. So I finally told him I would give him five dollars a half hour. I was still uncertain but another official looking man standing there listening to the story and told me that he was an official petty cab driver guy and that I got a good price. What the heck! I was really hot, really tired, and somewhat lost........ More importantly, unlike my couple who gave up and left, I really wanted to see the old walled city built in the 1600s by the Spanish. It is a UNESCO world heritage site.

So off we went on our little human-powered bike. At first it was extremely bumpy because we were riding over big cobblestones, then we almost fell off the curb. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry but the show must go on, right! I felt as though I was being videotaped for a comedy reality show. I couldn't understand half of what he was saying but at least he would point to his list of all the major sites as he talked.

 

Our first stop was the Philippine Cathedral, an impressive structure. Then, as we were driving he told me he also lives in the USA, The United Squatter Area. We were driving near it and he asked me if I wanted to ride inside and see it. I declined, knowing it would be enlightening but depressing. We made a few more stops at major sites in the old walled city. It was much more vast than I had imagined. My favorite stop was Saint Augustine Jesuit church, an amazing structure.
 

An hour and a half later we arrived at the big fort and that's where he told me the tour ends. He told me I could take a taxi back to the ship. This is despite the fact that he told me he was going to take me back there. I'm not sure what was going on but I paid him the five-dollars -every -30 - minutes fee of US$15. He kept asking me for a tip. I told him no, that's what we've negotiated. I was very tempted to give him more, but I stood my ground because I had gone out of my way to negotiate this rate.
 

I saw several large tour buses from our ship and wanted to go and beg the leader to let me join them. Knowing they would say no, I decided to find my way back. Then I saw a shop that was full of Cruise line tourists. I knew it would be air-conditioned and have a nice variety of merchandise. I went in and bought three items for $15 US. I can't believe how low the prices are here. I was really hot and tired at this point, three hours after I left the ship. Now, it was time for me to do more negotiating for a taxi ride home. The taxi driver insisted his meter was not working even though I told him I needed him to turn the meter on. I know that game well. The woman in the store told me not to pay more than 100 pesos, so at least I had a benchmark price. When he told me his meter wasn't working, he said I will charge you 500 pesos, I exclaimed, absolutely not. I was told it will cost less than 100 pesos. He kept smiling. Then I told him I have US dollars. I told him I would agree to two dollars for the ride. It was a 5 to 10 minute ride back to the port and I handed him the two dollars. He kept saying no, can't you give me more? I caved in and gave him one more dollar. So my total touring and transportation cost $18 and my souvenirs cost $15. Not bad for a nice adventure and my first visit to Manila. I had lunch on the ship and thought about heading back out to another part of town for a couple of hours or so. That heat was just too intense, and it is November. 

At the end of a long day of touring, is nothing like the feeling of returning home to your big modern, clean, air conditioned ship that contains round the clock food and entertainment!!!

Please forgive typos. I wrote this on my iphone and will make corrections at home.