Manila Series 103 : "Sunsets in Manila Bay"

Fancy this? Let's go malling!

Although I took college in Manila eon of years ago, I can count my fingers those instances that I've ventured out of the capital. Looking back, all I ever did was study for fear of failing any of my subjects. My scholarship warranted not a single fail per semester, or else I will lose it. I needed that to finish my studies.

Living in Manila for 4 years, I rarely go anywhere alone. But throughout this time, the coast in Roxas Boulevard, Manila was a stone's throw away from our school, the access was easy with just a few blocks walk going through LUNETA. Going with my group of friends was not a problem for its' SUNSETS.

Roxas Blvd.

The boulevard then was clear of any stalls, with just occasional vendors with a basket or a mini-cart selling candies or sodas for those people who strolling along the area. As it's a long stretch of the sea coast, people come here to watch the SUNSET. In Manila, this is the place that's centrally located to do just that. As the city is flat, one need to go outside the metropolis to the outside towns like Antipolo to its' mountains that overlook Manila.

Throughout the years when coming home from abroad, this place was full of stalls and mini-restaurants with live bands. It was extended till the end of EDSA in Pasay and the 4th largest mall in the country was built along the coast in 2006, the Mall of Asia or MOA. For Filipinos, it's another place to hide from the heat, aside from its' thousands of shops having anything under the sun. This can be the reason why nowadays, the number of people along Roxas boulevard has dwindled.

If the largest mall in the US have a ferris wheel inside it, MOA have other features to be proud of. It's carparks can be a concert ground that can accommodate 80,000. Having also an olympic ice skating rink inside, international ice skating competitions have been held here. Although I have never tried its' iMAX theatres, I will at some point. But it's one of its' appeal.

Are these all?

Facing the coastline and alongside the boulevard is an amusement park. Land looking similarly to the London eye along the River Thames, this huge ferris wheel is the best venue to watch the sunset. Whether you're at the top or at the bottom!

Tip: get a place along the boulevard by 5 pm. The concrete can be hot so bring something to sit on. Buy some snacks if one fancies it too.

Unless you want to have early dinner and watch the sunset? The western part of MOA are rows of restaurants with a European style of having tables outside, along the corridor. Anyone is spoilt for choice!

All images are mine and unedited, taken with my Samsung Galaxy S7.
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