I stayed in Manila as a staging post to other islands in the Philippines (and there are over 7,000 to choose from!)
Manila doesn't have much for visitors to see, and what there is, is lost in traffic jams and crowds. Devoid of its own culture, Manila seems hell bent on importing everybody else's in a fury of skyscrapers and shopping malls...all the european and american shops are there!
But you didn't leave home for western style shopping, did you?
Stay a day in Manila to provide the buffer the guide books recommend for flight connections. Or better still fly to more manageable regional airports, now that some low cost international carriers have started new routes.
But do get out into the rest of the Country, your effort will be well rewarded by mountains, warm seas, beaches to die for, friendly people and great value. There is plenty of low cost local style accommodation, much better value and more atmospheric than resorts (if indeed there are any resorts...) Once you are there you'll wish you had allowed more time for your visit.
I visited the Palawan Region, arriving by air in Coron and then I travelled south by boat, bus and jeepney to Puerto Princessa. Not an easy trip, more a great and memorable experience.
Anywhere in the Philippines...
For great photo opportunities of the Opera House, take a walk over the Sydney Harbour bridge -signposted from The Rocks/Circular Quay. Then use your Day or Weekly 'My Multi' ticket to travel back over the bridge by train. I was going to do the Harbour Bridge climb, but after walking across the bridge, I decided the view from the footway was almost as good and I saved myself AU$180 into the bargain!
The entrance to the footway is a 10 minute walk west (left) from Circular Quay (don't be tempted to walk towards the bridge at ground level-the entrance is much further back).
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