The City of Manila
A new, impressive modern skyline is rising in Metro Manila – a great , bustling , pulsating metropolis of 14 million people , surprisingly safe , sophisticated and civilized . There are dozens of Starbucks , 11 golf courses and three Gold’s Gyms . It plays host to international brand names like Gucci , Ralph Lauren , Prada , Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton among others .
There are 5 star hotels and world-class restaurants . There is superb entertainment – everything from ballet, repertory theatre and cultural shows to discotheques , casinos , entertainment lounges and fashionable cafes and nightclubs . There is history , museums , antique shops , a sophisticated art scene and, lately , even glamorous sex shops along the lines of Agent Provocateur!
For the adventurous , fantastic bargains are to be found in the famous flea -markets of Divisoria and Baclaran - jeans for US$4 ! Chinatown offers a feast of culinary delights and old world charm while Intramuros is the site of forts and dungeons, old churches , colonial houses , and horse - drawn carriages .
The popular expat districts include Makati , which is the financial centre and home to many of the best hotels and restaurants , and bohemian Malate and Ermita which boasts a wide variety of boutique hotels , restaurants , clubs , bars , cafes , art and antique shops and a vibrant gay quarter .