A Sparkling Excursion Around the Glamorous Venice Grand Canal

I received a surprise call one day that made my heart jump with delight and excitement. It's from a very dear friend who has been sweet and close to me since elementary days. In a cheerful tone of her soft and lovely voice, she excitedly told me that she was here in Manila at that moment to process some important documents and before going home to the province, she wanted to meet me for some girly and hearty sweet-nothing catching-ups. A "surprise call" because she did not tell me any updates prior to her scheduled visit in the city where I am currently living. She was very good at holding with the element of surprise though.

Hello, everyone!

Allow me to share with you virtually another colorful excursion I had in the metro as I took my dear friend on a stroll around the busy city.

It's not her first to come here but there are still so many places that she has not yet explored around the Urban Manila and she wanted me to take her on a tour around the city, which is of course, a pleasure for me. I asked her where she wanted to explore and she told me she wanted to go to the famous Grand Canal Mall in McKinley Hill, Taguig. And yes, her wish is my command. I am more than happy to let her have a memorable stay and take her on a spectacular excursion in the city and I wanted of course to make the most out of it. It's not my first time visiting this place, so I consider myself as her tourist guide, and not as a tourist this time, lol.

And so the awaited day came. We agreed to meet at 5 PM on the weekend, after my duty. I suggested before going to Venice Grand Canal, maybe she would also love to visit SM Aura Sky Park in BGC (Bonifacio Global City), to which she cheerfully agreed.

Now, as I take my friend on a joyful excursion, allow me also to take you on a sparkling virtual tour around the city, infused with whimsical and colorful touches and designs..so here we go my friends.

First stop, I took her to the St. Pedro Calungsod Chapel which is located at the roof deck level of the SM Aura Mall. We offered some silent prayer and savor the solemnity of the place inside.

After a few minutes, we decided to go out of the chapel and enjoy the spectacular view of skyscrapers around the city, each glimmering in their bright and unique one-of-a-kind facade lights, which were more stunning during the night. The view was quite amazing from where we were standing. My friend was able to enjoy the 360-view of the shimmering charm of the busy city with its sparkling city lights that were in front of us.

And then we proceeded to the colorful spots where colorful and sparkling huge displays were quite inviting. It's not my first time visiting here but it was my first time to see those things vibrantly displayed at "Sky Park", it's what they call this place at open space of the roof deck level for every mall-goer/visitor to enjoy. I was a bit curious about this glowing colorful huge stuff and I read what it's all about. I have read this as written by the management;

Play among a mesmerizing array of colors and shapes in a towering gemstone-like playpark!

There are lighted swings and seesaws that glow in a rainbow of colors. Step on the foot and tap the inflatable balls to watch them shift from color to color. Play, interact, and take selfies.

Discover BEAUTIFUL FUN at the PRISM PARK

Of course, the fun was not only for the children or young people but also for the young at heart like us. My friend and I did not miss the chance to take a selfie with all this vibrantly glowing in the dark decorations in the background.

After enjoying Sky Park, we headed to the destination that she had eagerly requested me to take her to - the Venice Grand Canal Mall.

Upon our arrival, I witnessed how her eyes sparkled with bliss with the silent word shouting in the gesture of her face saying "Finally, I am here!". She was like a little child who was amazed by everything that she was seeing, which tickled my heart with happiness too.

From its name, it is a Venice-an inspired mall that draws thousands of travelers for its world-class architecture and displays a resemblance to Italy’s Grand Canal —which is the main attraction here.

The people visiting here can get to enjoy the Italian atmosphere by having a romantic ride in the gondola, which will give you a spin of once in a lifetime experience for 500 Philippine pesos or 8.83 USD per person for a shared boat.

And just like the iconic attraction on Rialto bridge in Venice, they also have a mini bridge here that displays love locks, in different shapes and colors, which truly captures the glimpse and ambiance of Italy here in the Philippines.

Little did I know, I was not just there to be her tourist guide but her personal photographer as well, lol.

Of course, it was truly rewarding to help her create beautiful selfies that will give her beautiful memories while she is here.

Mostly in her signature talikod/back-pose, I hope I gave justice to how she was living the moment at that time.

We ended the day by stopping by a Mexican-inspired restaurant where we decided to eat our dinner.

My friend and I were both mesmerized with the interior design which is aesthetically designed with colorful lanterns and sunflowers.

We ordered pizza and a glass of iced tea to refuel our starving stomachs.

And before bidding farewell to each other, as being her privileged personal photographer at this special moment (that has become very rare as we grew older), I took another snap of her as she struck a lovely pose.

Thank you, everyone, for walking along with me as I take you on a virtual walk around the city for this week's #WednesdayWalk by Sir @tattoodjay.

Until next time and have a good day everyone!