Intramuros

Yesterday we went to Intramuros.  Intramuros is the old walled city of ancient Manila.  Its construction was begun in the 1500's by the Spaniards, and continued throughout the centuries under various ownership until the Japanese invaded the area during World War II.  At that time McArthur bombed the crap out of it.  Reconstruction was begun during the 1970's under Ferdinand Marcos (see, he didn't only care about being the richest bastard ever to walk the earth...) and continues today.  The walls (some of the original structures do still exist) were up to 8 feet thick and 22 feet high, and the original walled city had an inner AND an outer moat.

The Manila Cathedral is part of Intramuros.  It was beautiful.

Kiki at The Shrine of the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
She seemed quite happy there.

All of the presidents of the Philippines have a sculpture here.

Now you all know what Bruce is going to be for Halloween.

This is the back of the Manila Cathedral.

It's so funny to see this sculpture since this is what my boobs look like in real life.

Because nothing says makes me feel like a picnic more than thoughts of martyrdom.

My children had never seen a teeter totter in their lives.  This playground was full of stuff that has been outlawed in the States.

Fort Santiago.

More Fort Santiago.

This is Rizal.  He is the hero of the Philippines and was martyred not far from this spot...which makes me feel like having a picnic.

The view of Manila from Fort Santiago.

The walls by the ocean were demolished by the recent typhoon.

We were just wrapping up at Intramuros when the rain started, so we went to YET ANOTHER MALL.  This one was the Mall of Asia.

This was a huge candy department.  Bruce was thrilled to find some favorites from his mission to England.

Kiki at the ocean.

This is Melvin, our driver/manny.  He also drives the stroller.

Now, if you want a true sense of what it was like to be in Intramuros, just turn your heat up to 85 and read this in the bathroom with a hot shower running.