Manila - Philippines

The north of the Philippines takes in the most of  Luzon, the Philippines' largest island, plus the island of Mindoro, nestling against Luzon's southwest coast. It is hugely diverse region, raging from Manila, the national capital and by far the largest metropolis, to some of the country's wildest and remotest terrain, complete with the high mountains and dense rianforest. In both city and countryside lie a range of visitors attractions, particularly parts of Manila, the massive rice terraces of Banaue and the beaches and coral reefs of Puerto Galera.

MANILA:

This massive metropolis of over 16 million inhabitants is the Philippines' economic and political heart. The main visitor attraction is Intramuros, the old spanish city that was the focus of the colonial government, surrounded by massive stone walls. Sadly, few of the original buildings remain due to heavy damage inflicted during the second World War, but at its heart stands Manila Cathedral, rebuilt after the war on the same site occupied by several predecessors down the countries, To the south of Intramuros  Lies Rizal Park, s large green open space, and site of the execution in 1896 of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, beyond stretches a seashore promenade along Roxas Boulevard, southward to the yacht marina.

To get two very different taste of commercial Manila, first head north of the Pasig River to the Quiapo district the areas narrow streets are crammed with markets and perpetually jammed with shoppers. From here, cross over to Makati for a taste of the modern city with its gleaming skyscrapers, upmarket boutiques and air-conditioned malls, a whole world away from the more traditional Asia north of the River

Top: A view at dusk along Roxas Boulevard of the Ermita and Malate district of Manila These Downtown centres have much of th city's tourism infrastructure, being filled with hotels and restaurants.

Left:  With shops and restaurants lining a meandering stretch of water, softened and shaded by palms, trees, orchids and a host of other plants, the upmarket Greenbelt Plaza is a rare  green urban oasis, a feature of Metro Manila's Makati district.








Right: The central nave of Manila Cathedral, centre of Catholicism in the Philippines. Destroyed several times down the centuries, today's cathedral dates only from the 1950s.

Above: The lobby bar of the Pan Pacific Hotel is typical of the modern chic design that has swept through Manila's top class hotels in recent years.




Below: The crowded bustling streets of Quiapo are typical of the old parts of  Manila lying north of the Pasig River. Here are many of the city's poorer district, some of the most densely populated places on Earth.

Left: A mobile snack shop pedals along the seafront promenade on Roxas Boulevard just before sunset.In recent years this seafront area has become a popular place to relax in the cooler hours of sunset and dusk.


Right: Fruit and dried  fish piled up on a stalls in Quiapo Market typify the everyday produce available to the crowds of shoppers here.

Above:  One of the best places in Manila to pick up a wide range of fruit is the San Andres Market in Malate Manila where everything from apples to rambutan can be found.