Harbour Square, Manila Bay

What is this place? Wheh, don’t panic, it’s just another restaurant block – this place is composed of two 2-level square buildings.

Where is it? Now that makes the place a bit of a “must note”! It sits by the water’s edge beside the CCP. Yep, the Cultural Center of the Philippines over at Roxas Boulevard by the picturesque side of Manila Bay. That makes Harbour Square a convenient stop while waiting for the evening traffic rush hour to ease up!

But if you are the imaginative type, Harbour Square is worth a visit or two. Or three or more – especially during the afternoons until dusk and darkness! A nice breezy place to while time away when, waiting for a show or event at CCP. Nice too for a nightcap after attending events at venues like PICC, Coconut Palace, Aliwan Theater and of course CCP! Restaurants and/or restobars in the area are generally branches of popular establishments commonly seen around the metropolis – and it looks like they come and go! One time you go dine at a place, next time it is gone hehe. There are those that seem permanently rooted though. And we like the ice cream parlor! Yeah Starbucks has a nice view, so are most of the units at second level – especially Tajima.

The views from establishments facing the bay could get really interesting in the afternoons even on a gloomy day. Shutterbugs will have a ball in this place. You could get a shot at the famous Philippine Dragon Boat Team swiftly gliding by the waters during their practice runs! I think their hub is somewhere at the nearby Manila Yacht Club or Army/Navy Club. Though there is some building by the parking area where they hang around, do some discussions or even take showers. That is probably their tambayan or something.

The boulevard itself is a dramatic sight from many vantage points within the square. Even the patrol boats are a subject enough. It goes all the way until evening when the dinner-boats that tour around the bay start operating. Could even get romantic!

If you’re not from Metro Manila, this is one place to visit, if only to see and say that the metropolis does have some refreshing scenes after all!


Previous
Next

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE BOULEVARD, Surigao City

Image
Virtually everyone in Surigao City is related to this boulevard directly or indirectly! It's such a big thing , they even have a Surigao City Boulevard Development Program and a Surigao City Development Authority . I'm not joking. Those are for real. As in! Involved in it are not only their local politicians but also the chambers of commerce. What is it anyway? Foremost it's a 1.8 kilometer stretch of a highway along the seafront. The concrete pavement tells me it is still new. That is it! Walang basagan ng trip! It is an emulation (kumbaga sa Tagalog pa: gaya-gaya ) of Roxas Boulevard in Manila, or pwede rin Dumaguete’s Rizal Boulevard - and many other seafront boulevards. Aside from being a “park” for the residents, it is supposed to be an attraction in the city, showcasing whatever bla-blah-blah to attract tourists from everywhere on earth. While I was inclined to raise my eyebrows, it did attract me. I was a tourist, right?! So okay, without a speck of d
Read more

THE Ride from Tuguegarao to Sta. Ana

Image
Alrightee folks! I traveled from Tuguegarao to the northern-most town of Cagayan Valley, that is, Sta. Ana. And, Oh My Gee! I never expected this "mode" of transportation! It was a van, yes. The type and style that we call "UV Express" all over the country. But not the usual that I have seen, even in the more remote areas of the Visayas and Mindanao. This ride was on a piece of "flying junk" hahaha! It started like this... the night before I check-out at Hotel Roma, I asked the friendly front desk staff if there was a better way to go to Sta. Ana. than riding the bus. The very helpful suggestion was, I ride the vans instead of the bus, because, they are purportedly faster and more comfortable. Okay, I thought I would do just that. Staff even told me to remind them during check-out that I'm taking a UV Express commute to Sta. Ana. I did just that. The eager staff went out with me to front of the hotel. He hailed a trike for me and gave instructions t
Read more

Pink Sisters, My Cebu Experience

Image
What place comes to mind when you hear the phrase "Pink Sisters"? Hmm, yes, Baguio, then Tagaytay - in that order, right?! But did you know there is also such a monastery in Cebu? Ah, well, not really Cebu City since it is already a few steps away from the boundary. It is in Mandaue City. Yep, that is the 'Adoration Convent of Divine Peace' - a monastery for nuns clad in pink habit, reason why its called 'pink-sisters' and I think you know all about that part, right?! Anyway, this convent (and chapel of course - that's my topic in the first place) sits in an urban neighborhood that is by the boundary of two barangays both named Banilad. Yep, Barangay Banilad, Cebu City and Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City! And that is along AS Fortuna Ave., - the famed strip where many notable restaurants and branches of virtually every bank in this country are located with or without ATMs! Oh yes, as of this writing, AS Fortuna has four hotels, two of them new - and am only
Read more