The Cube

Index page for 16 days in Egypt, Oman and layover in Manila.

Day 6 - Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hapshetsut and Colossi of Memnon

Day 8 - Shali Fortress, Gebel Al-Mawta

Day 9 - Salt lakes, Cleopatra's Pool, Temple of Umm Ubayd, Gabal Dakrur, sunset from the desert

Day 10 - Aman Yden Hot Spring, Shali Fortress for sunset

Day 13 - Spending a day in Nizwa

Day 14 - Day trip to Birkat Al Mouz and Bahla

Day 15 - Around Muttrah

Day 16 - Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Bayt Al Maqham, Omani brunch and around

Philippine Airlines offered the cheapest flight with maximum transits (read: 2) I can deal with for the date that I need arrived at my destination. It was supposed to be a 1 hour 20 minutes transit between flight 1 and flight 2 but my first flight from Melbourne to Manila was postponed for 2 hours. With this change, I would not be able make it to my second flight. I didn't want to delay my arrival timing at our final destination so I requested to fly a day earlier. This resulted in this overnight layover in Manila. 

I decided to stay near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Most accommodations are located opposite T3. I booked a night at Savoy Hotel Manila near Airport NAIA Terminal 3 MNL. 

My flights in and out were at T1 and there terminals are not within walking distance. Most information I found online mentioned to book a rideshare (Grab) to get around the airport terminals. I wasn't in any rush with this new transit time and decided to ask if I could take the free inter-terminal shuttle. There were comments online that mentioned one can only take the bus if you have a boarding pass to your next flight. I was asked the timing of my flight. I was allowed to get on the board when I told them that my flight was scheduled the next day and I didn't have a boarding pass for my next flight yet. 

The shuttle runs every 15 minutes and went from T1 to T2 to T3. Interestingly, on my return route the next day from T3 to T1, it went T3 to T2 to T1. Both times had a short wait at T2, around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the driver. 

Intramuros Old Town where Intramuros means "within the walls" is Manila City's historic walled district. Established by Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in 1571. It became the Spanish's political and military stronghold in Asia. Top attractions in Intramuros old town include Fort Santiago, San Augustin Church and the Manila Cathedral. San Agustin Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

I've only covereed a few places there, unfortunately due to its popularity, there were many persistent touts less pleasurable. 

One of the four Baroque churches of the Philippines. There was a wedding happenening in the church during my visit so I didn't go in. 

 

It was on the way on my walk to Roman Catholic Cathedral of Manila. 

The cathedral was initially built in 1581 and had previously damaged by typhoon, fire and earthquake. The 7th reconstruction of the cathedral was between 1954-1958. The center of the cross on the dome is a reference point of astronomical longitudes of the archipelago. 

Part of the cathedral was blocked off for a wedding but there was a small area that was accessible. 

This is the main fortress of Intramuros and established by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi on the site of the former wooden fort of Rajah Soliman, 1571. It was burned during the sieged by Lin Feng (Limahong), a Chinese pirate and reconstructed with local volcanic tuff. It was also the citadel of the armies of four foreign powers - Spain, Great Britain, The United States and Empire of Japan. It was declared a National Shrine and a National Monument in 1951 and National Cultural Treasure in 2014. José Rizal, the Philippine national hero, was imprisoned here before his execution in 1896. It is the only attraction that I visited that has an entrance fee, PHP 50.

I had 3 meals in Manila and wanted to have Jolibee as brunch before I departed. I thought there was a shop after security check but turned out that the outlet was before immigration/security check. So no Jolibee for me. 

Traditionally sisig composed of pork jowl and ears, pork belly, liver, onions, chilli pepper and calamansi. To be fair I do not know if this is a true sisig. I know it contains pork but I am not sure if the ingredients include the other parts as well. I was hungry by the time I left the hotel for Intramuros and walked-in to a random shop along my walk to the LRT station. This came to rice and they also brought me a bowl of sinigang (sour and savoury broth).

 

Appears that this is a popular Filipino breakfast dish but I had it for dinner. I had to walk through a long night market from the LRT station back to the hotel and did my takeaway from one of the stalls. Bangsilong is made out of bangus (milkfish), sinangag (garlic fried rice) and itlog (fried egg), served with vinegar dipping sauce. 

It was tasty but I find the garlic fried rice taste a little unexpected as it was fried with margarine.  

A grilled chicken dish which I had in the airport so probably not the best version available, unfortunately but luckily still tasted ok. 

We made it to Egypt. As for Oman, I found out that Oman Air had a good price with free layover options. However, the payment didn't go through when I tried to make a purchase and after a couple of attempts, the flight price went up so much that I coudn't bring myself up to continue with it. By that time, I was too invested in visiting Oman so I flew from Cairo to Muscat before heading back to Melbourne.