Horse-drawn Carriage | Manila, Philippines

After we spent the morning at Fort Santiago, we decided to take a horse drawn carriage around the rest of the Intramuros. At first, I was really excited. We rode through little winding streets and alleyways, but once we rode into traffic, I felt very unsafe. My mom asked the driver to take us to Rizal Park. It's a bit far from Intramuros, so the best way to get there was through traffic.  I guess in Manila anything goes, even carriages through packed streets.

Fort Santiago | Manila, Philippines

I hate to say it, but Manila is not my favorite city. It's crowded, it's hot, it's dirty and its confusing. If I didn't have family members in the vicinity, I don't think I would ever go back by choice. Now, I understand why my parents chose to retire in Tagaytay. It's definitely less overwhelming and the weather is a tiny bit cooler. There are some beautiful cities and places in the Philippines, but Manila isn't one of them.

Now I say all this to say, the Intramuros area of Manila? Beautiful. I love seeing historical things. I think growing up in Florida, where it's flat and not much history, I've grown up starving for it. When we went to Fort Santiago, I felt like I was in another place. It felt like a haven in the overwhelming city. I was thankful to be able to take a break from the hustle and bustle that is Manila.