Binondo & Historic Chinatown

Monday, December 30:  Rizal Day

Sa-Pe & family left early this morning to return to the States.  Di-Pe drove them to the airport, and the rest of us stayed at home.  Di-Mm and Mama decided to go out in the borrowed car (which we'd be returning later that day now that our "family" size has shrunk & we can all get around in one van).  After leaving the cleaners and driving to the bank, we had a little accident in the parking lot.  Di-Mm accidentally backed into a car that was pulling into the bank parking lot.  It was just a small "fender bender" and no one was hurt, but it did make Di-Mm feel discouraged.   Amazingly, almost immediately after it happened, Di-Pe showed up!  Apparently there was very little traffic in Manila due to it being a holiday and he made great time coming back from the airport and was just around the corner when Di-Mm called him to say what had happened.  Thankfully Di-pe went to the police station with the other driver and filed a report.  I'm not really sure what happens in the Philippines as far as insurance and all that, but I think it all got taken care of.  We are grateful no one was hurt, and everyone seemed to be in decent spirits at the end of it all.  Even Di-Mm's friend was very gracious when we returned the car.

So, with the rest of the day ahead of us, and little traffic on the streets of Manila, we decided to drive down to Binondo, where Manila Chinatown is located.  This part of the city is important in my husband's history, because he lived there as a boy, and his parents have spent a lot of time there.  I remember visiting Chinatown when I was in the Philippines last time, and it was much as I remembered it--crowded, as all Chinatowns are!  What made this interesting, was trying to navigate the narrow streets and crowded sidewalks with 3 young children in tow.  I have no idea what was going through their heads as we walked around, but they got a lot of stares!

This is how N saw the first part of Chinatown

This photo was meant to capture the street vendor's wares,
but ended up capturing a horse relieving himself!!!

Pasig River

Di-Pe found two kalesa drivers who offered to take us on a tour
of historic downtown Manila

We took a break from walking and loaded up onto horse-drawn carriages (kalesa, in Tagalog).  It was pretty cramped for a family of 5, plus a driver, but it was still an nice way to see the city.  The weather was really nice, and we got to see a lot of important monuments and celebrations since it was, after all the national holiday to honor Jose Rizal, one of their important national heroes.

We all got off the kalesa to take a photo in front of the Rizal Monument

Only N & Papa got off at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros for photos

The Philippines have a lot of Catholic influence since they were a Spanish colony for over 350 years.

After our kalesa ride, we had a small snack at an interesting restaurant which honored the Chinese fire squad volunteers who've helped fight fires in downtown Manila.  Then, we headed over to Divisoria to go to a couple more malls!  One of them, called 168, is famous for the countless stalls selling everything you can imagine, all for the lowest price you can bargain for.  My sis-in-law loves going here and would often show us the things she got for very low prices.  I had to go and see if I could do it too!  : )

The rest of the family was hanging out at a more upscale mall, while Di-Mm and I literally ran over to 168 so we could get some shopping in before the mall closed (it was basically closing time when we got there).  Ha-ha, I have to laugh at me, the white girl from America trying to wheel & deal with these vendors.  What an experience.

Is the person on the left trying not to be seen with me?
I have no idea who the lady on my immediate right is!

After bargain shopping, we went back to Lucky Chinatown mall and ate some dinner.  Di-Mm and I did a little more shopping when I discovered the Beali store, which sells all sorts of organizing containers and bags for travel, etc.  I loved it!  And my hubby discovered his favorite drink place while we were there too, Chatime.  They serve his favorite bubble tea drink, and he kept asking where we could find another the rest of our stay there!

To round out an already very busy day, 3 of us adults went for Thai massage after the kids went to bed.  It was a new experience for me & my husband, but it was very relaxing…just in time to hit the hay ourselves and rest up for another fun-filled day in Manila.