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Visiting Manila – The Local’s Take with Flip Nomad

April 15, 2012

John’s note: The Local’s Take is a series where I interview some of my favorite travel bloggers and turn the tables, asking them to share their hometowns with us. After all, what better way is there to learn about a destination than from a travel writer who calls it home? So join along and learn how to make the most of a visit to Manila with Flip of Flip Nomad.

Name: Flip
Hometown: Manila, Philippines
Website: http://flipnomad.com
Twitter: @flipnomad
Facebook: flipnomad

About: I’m a Filipino long term backpacker and blogger currently traveling in mainland Southeast Asia.

Tell us about Manila. Manila is the capital city of the Philippines and it’s a city rich with cultural and historical heritage. It’s also a nice jumping off point to fly to various islands in the Philippines.

What makes Manila unique? Manila is quite different from all the capital cities in Southeast Asia. It has a more western vibe than the others. You won’t find temples here either because the country is predominantly Catholic.

What’s a unique experience that can only be had in Manila? Take a walk along Roxas Boulevard
and marvel at the world famous sunset at Manila Bay.

When is the best time to visit? Best time to visit would probably be around March to May as the roads are less congested. Don’t go from July to September unless you want to experience the typhoons that often hit Manila.

Are there any unique festivals or celebrations? Holy Week and the Christmas Season are nice celebrations that tourists should experience in Manila. Tag along as locals do their Visita Iglesias during Holy Week and attend the Simbang Gabi (Night/Early Morning Mass), even better if you find a local family to celebrate Christmas with.

What is the local delicacy in Manila? Since Manila is the capital of the country, our dishes are a mixture of what the other provinces have. Two favorites are our Adobo (chicken/pork in soy sauce and vinegar) and Sinigang (Beef, Pork, Fish or Seafood in Sour Soup).

What is the best restaurant/food experience in Manila? Filipinos love to eat and you’ll notice that everywhere you go in the Philippines. It’s hard to pick a single restaurant.; various restaurants can be conveniently found in shopping complexes around the city. Hotel buffets are also a nice way to experience almost everything in one sitting.

Are there any good day trips from Manila? Yes! Go to Tagaytay to see the world’s smallest volcano. It’s just 2 to 3 hours away from Manila.

Thanks again to Flip for his participation in the The Local’s Take. If you’re a travel writer and are interested in participating in a future edition of The Local’s Take, get in touch!