We arrived at 8.30am and were scheduled to be all aboard at 12.30pm for a 1.00pm-1.15pm departure. This was disappointing as Manila is the capital of the Philippines.

We caught a shuttle into the City and we were dropped off at Robinsons’ Department store. We walked around, but it was really too short a time frame. We took photos of this busy , bustling city.

The City is the Capital of the Philippines and is the centre of economic political , social and cultural activity. It is located on the island of Luzon and spreads along the eastern shore line of Manila Bay at the mouth of Pasig River. The name Manila (originally Maynilad) is derived from the inland plant a flowering shrub adapting to Marshy conditions. These once grew profusely along the Banks of the river.

In 1974, Manila and its contiguous cities and municipalities were amalgamated into a functioning single administration area, known as Metroplitan Manila ( also known at National Capital Region0. The Manila City area only encompasses a relatively small area of that larger metropolitan configuration..

Manila is situation on one of the finest coastal harbour sites in Asia. It has seen rapid economic and cultural development since its reconstruction post WW11.

It is now plagued with growth problems of many Asian cities experiencing rapid growth, being congestion, pollution, and over population.

The Centre of the Performaing Arts and cultural Centre is the Phillipines Cultural Centre. There is also the Folk Arts Theatre facing Manila Bay , the renovated historic Metropolitan Theatre and a large open air theatre in Rizal Park.

There are many libraries and Museums including the National Library and National Museum and the National Institute of Science asnd Technology. There are a variety of Parks and Gardens, foremost is Rizal Park and the Manila Zoological Gardens and Botanical Gardens.

Many functions are held at the sunken garden in front of the City Hall of Manila.

The following photos reflect some of this sprawling and action based city.