Sunday, April 2, 2017

Intramuros Adventure Part 2

Hi there!

Yesterday, April 1, 2017,  I went out biking again towards Intramuros. This time I was more confident of my biking skills because I was able to get a feel of the road last Saturday. I went out early again using the route I used before to avoid traffic and I want to ride while the sun is still not high up in the sky.

This time I went to a really nice place inside the Intramuros wall which is Fort Santiago


Fort Santiago is really rich in history because this is the place where our national hero, Jose Rizal was imprisoned prior to his execution. 

Finding the place is not so hard because there are road signs leading to Fort Santiago.
Fort Santiago sign



I arrived at the entrance. It looks really nice because you can see horses with carriages on the side which you can ride around the Intramuros wall for a fee.
Fort Santiago main entrance


The main entrance. The Fort Santiago gate is further ahead. They are making renovations on the place so some places looks disorganized at the moment. Entrance fee is Php 50.00 ($1.00) for children and students while it is Php 75.00 ($1.49) for adults.
Fort Santiago main entrance gate
Fort Santiago ticket
Fort Santiago ticket


Unfortunately I can't take my bike inside with me so I have to find a parking space near the area.
Luckily I found one. This area looks safe enough to leave my bike and there are people guarding the area.
Parking Area


Upon entering you will see a trinket and souvenir shop, cafe and the administration office on the side 
Admin Office
Cafe
Trinket Shop


Walking a little further will take you to "Baluartillo and Reducto De San Francisco Javier" area which was a defense line of Intramuros
Baluartillo and Reducto De San Francisco Javier sign


The gate is not open to the public
Baluartillo and Reducto De San Francisco Javier gate


A closer look to the tunnel entrance
Baluartillo and Reducto De San Francisco Javier gate


At the right of you will see old structures and the picnic grove/wall of martyrs,
Old structure


Tables and chairs are placed in front of the old building
Tables and chairs
Tables and chairs
Wall of martyrs sign


Some old cannons and some artillery shells are placed near the picnic grove. My guess is they are from World War 2 era
Old Cannon
Artillery shells


You can also a sculptures of General MacArthur and President Manuel L. Quezon in one of the benches
Statues


As you walk further you will arrive at the main gate of the Fort Santiago. The wall of the gate is huge as seen in this picture. I like how they designed the bridge towards the gate. You can see waterlilies below the bridge.
Fort Santiago Wall Gate


The design of the gate looks amazing. It reminds me of old cathedrals
Fort Santiago Wall Gate


From the gate you will see this in the right area. The structure along the right is the Rajah Sulayman theater.
Center Area


The structure on the left is the Rizal Shrine/Museum
Center Area


I went to this pathway towards the museum
Path to museum


The museum allows you to take pictures using your phone but you cannot activate flash. Maybe because some of the relics and paintings here are sensitive to light. Most of the images I took inside the museum are in low light condition so I was not able to capture them properly. 
Museum entrance


So lets go in shall we?

The first thing you will see upon entering is the timeline of Jose Rizal's life. 
Jose Rizal Timeline
Jose Rizal Timeline


This is where he was imprisoned prior to his execution. In here he wrote a farewell poem to his family which he hid in a lamp
Prison cell of Rizal
Jose Rizal Letter
Prison Cell of Rizal


A painting and a picture that depicts his execution 
Rizal execution picture
Rizal execution picture


Jose Rizal's vertebrae that was hit by a bullet
Rizal vertebrae


These are coats that he is usually wearing on his monuments
Rizal coat


On the second floor you can see some of his legacy. These are Philippine money that bears Jose Rizal's image
Rizal money


I exited the museum and visited other places inside the fort

Baluarte de Santa Barbara
Baluarte de Santa Barbara
Baluarte de Santa Barbara


Memorial Cross
Memorial Cross


The dungeons. Unfortunately the gate to the dungeons is sealed so I was not able to enter.
Dungeon


I just peeked in to see a closer look
Dungeon interior


Rajah Sulayman Theater
Rajah Sulayman Theater


Postern of our Lady of Solitude Gate
Lady of Solitude Gate


Here is the view of the entrance from the side of the Museum
View of entrance of Museum

After the tour, I was tired so I decided to eat Halo Halo which is a popular dessert here in the Philippines. It is a mixture of shaved ice, ice cream and milk with various ingredients like oiled sweet beans, coconut, sago, gulaman (agar jelly), tubers and fruits.
Halo Halo




I stumbled upon a cat with green eyes :) so I took a picture :D
Cat Green Eyes

So that wraps it up.I hope you enjoyed the adventure.

See you on my next update 

Thank You :D











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