Before I went to sleep last Saturday night, I made sure I had my cellphone alarm set at 04.30 AM. I told myself that come Sunday morning, I will do something that I haven't done for almost six months now - an early Sunday morning jog at Baywalk.
Beautifying the other time of the day. I know, Manila Bay has been known for its magnificent sunsets. But one must notice likewise, that Manila Bay offers fantastic sunrises too.I really love jogging at baywalk during Sunday mornings. It brings back a lot of childhood memories, 'cause ever since I was a child my dad and my mom would always bring me here for an early jog. We still do everytime we could get the time when Dad's around, though it's not as often as we used to. Manila Bay is a great place for families, friends, and couples. Kudos to Manila mayor Lito Atienza for renovating the Baywalk shoreline a couple of years ago and preventing its extinction. Baywalk is also one of the few spots in the metro where you could go for a run with minimal pollution - sea breeze still make a difference.
I arrived yesterday at Baywalk around 05.15 AM. I usually start at the P. Faura point, where I warm myself up with a couple of static exercises and then jog all the way up to the CCP Complex. Typically, it is a must for me that I mustn't stop until I reach CCP; however yesterday morning I did one short stop halfway my route. I got exhausted - I haven't done this for months. When I reached CCP, I rested a bit, and then made ten laps along the CCP Facade. Sipped some coffee at figaro, walked my way to the Manila Film Center, and jogged my way back to Roxas Boulevard corner Pedro Gil. I did some occasional stopovers to cover some pictures.
For those who would want to spend some weekend mornings at Baywalk/CCP complex, here are ten things you could do to make the most of the experience:
1. Check in at a nearby hotel. This goes for those people who have some money to spare. Pamper yourself at any nearby hotel during the weekend. This will also save you the trouble of waking so early as 4 or 5 AM during your "jog morning". Shown above is the Traders' Hotel (center) - I checked in here when I got my first paycheck last January 2006. It's managed by Shangri-la and their Club Traders rooms will surely beat your expectations.
2. Start jogging at P. Faura. It's the farthest point of Baywalk to the north. Jog all the way south to CCP to burn a whole shoreline's length of calories. (or you could do a CCP to P. Faura route, depends on where you're coming from)
3. Do laps at the CCP facade. The driveway is pretty steep, and that means more challenging runs and more fats burning. Yes, it's open for joggers during mornings. Ü
4. Rent a bike and pedal away. There are lots of rent-a-bike's inside the CCP complex. This is advisable for those with kids. Also for Lance Armstrong fanatics.
5. Get a buco. For a cheap amount, you can get yourself a good buco (coconut). Drink the juice, eat the white fruit. Cleans your body way better than techron. Ü
6. Ride a calesa. If you don't know how to make it to Chinatown, then Baywalk is an alternative to experiencing old Manila. These calesas can be found in front of the Liwasang Rajah Sulayman, near the Aristocrat restaurant.
7. Do your aerobics. Choose from different aerobics/aerodance groups found at the CCP complex and put your groove on! To the left, to the right! Raise your hands in the air, and kick!
8. Engage in a racket sport. Choose from badminton or tennis. And don't worry about forgetting your rackets at home - there are also a lot of rent-a-racket's inside the complex. Only setback: it's asphalt everywhere. Forget about those dive saves.
9. Watch the dragon boat races. Dragon boat racing is a sport that is slowly blooming in the Philippines. Races are held every Sunday morning. Aside from the mostly company-sponsored teams, collegiates are starting to join the dragon boat bandwagon. De la salle, Santo Tomas, and the University of the Philippines already have established their teams and participate in these races.
10. Attend the mass. These are for Catholics and Non-catholics alike; everyone is very much welcome to the holy sacrifice of the mass. Shown above is the Malate church, just a block away from Baywalk. Nothing beats a Sunday morning started by participating in the Holy Eucharist. ÜSo next sunday, bring your family and friends to Baywalk and allow yourself for some surprises. if you can add up a number 11 on my list, let me know! Ü
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Labels: Discover Philippines, Travel
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