Page 91 - May 2018 - December 2018 Issue

A New Way

of Visiting

Intramuros

By Rachelle Lee, Human Resources
and Administration

Intramuros or what we call “The Walled City of Manila”
in the Philippines has been one of the few places that
you can travel back in time. When old Capiz houses
can be seen in every street and horse drawn carriages
or Kalesa is one of the major transportation.
The Walled City, which it really is, was the seat of
Spanish colonial rule in the East for almost four
hundred years. It was the center of commerce,
education, government and religion. Intramuros’s
history is rich and colorful. The massive stone walls
which were used to fortify the inhabitants against
attacks, Fort Santiago, the San Agustin Church, and
whatever is left of the gates, palaces, monasteries,
convents, courtyards, all make this colonial fortress
deserving of our respect.

After World War II, however, Intramuros lost its old
grandeur and glory. Today, there are still a lot of new
places to visit in Intramuros aside from the well-known
Fort Santiago that served as the defense fortress during
the war and where our national hero, Jose Rizal, spent
the last days of his life. It is a must-visit historic site for
visitors to the Philippines.
Walking the “The Walled City” will really take your
endurance so we came across this new, fun, and
innovative way of travelling back in time, inside the
historic walls. By using a bicycle, but not just any ordinary
bicycle, it’s a bicycle made from BAMBOO. Yes, you read it
right! And they called it “BamBike.”

It’s a must try activity which is super fun and
enjoyable not only for bike lovers. Bambike Ecotours
offers exciting and educational ecotourism activity in
the heart of Intramuros. Tourists will be riding
through the streets on bamboo bikes that have been
handmade by Gawad Kalinga villagers. Tourist will
be led all throughout the walled city. Plus, the tour
teach visitors about Philippine history while making
them feel energized. Bambike Ecotours offers a
variety of tour from customized, night and sunset
tours which you can see on their website

https://www.bambike.com/ecotours.

Intramuros stands as a monument to the resiliency of our forefathers and of the Filipino character. As what Winston
Churchill said “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us”. Enjoy Intramuros with a new perspective.

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