January 21, 2009

Sunset view

Back in 2002, then-Mayor of the City of Manila Lito Atienza revitalized the area beside the seawall along the stretch of Roxas Boulevard between the U.S. Embassy and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He had the area tiled, placed funky lamp posts, allowed food stalls (visit I Heart Manila to see a photo) and called it the Manila Baywalk because it's right beside Manila Bay. In 2007, when Mayor Alfredo Lim won the election, he had the food stalls moved to an empty lot across the the road. I usually hate it when politicians overturn the decisions of their predecessors (which happens a lot here, whether the positions are elective or appointive), but I make an exception in this case. Without the food stalls, there's an unobstructed view of Manila Bay and it's glorious sunsets even from the road. Unfortunately, we passed the area just a little after noon so no beautiful colors here. But if you ever come to Manila and want to see its sunsets, then this is the place to be.

Roxas Boulevard beside the Manila Baywalk

15 comments:

Olivier said...

on attend avec impatience une photo avec un coucher de soleil ;o). les boules en haut, c'est des réverbères ?

We look forward to a photo with a sunset ;o). balls at the top is the lamp?

Lois said...

I love the funky lamp posts!

Eki said...

It somehow reminds me of Miami's south beach ... Clean and neat.

abc said...

Yes, we're all looking forward to your sunset photo now Hilda. No pressure though.

George said...

You're right -- this looks like a beautiful drive without the stalls. I'm looking forward to seeing the sunset!

Christina S said...

I love roads like this next to the sea - nice for cruisin' along! And those lamp posts are cool!

marley said...

That was a change for the better. Hope the new mayor doesn't change everything though.

lunarossa said...

Oh Hilda, I miss the seaside so much and this avenue reminds me of the Ligurian roads running along the sea...All the best. Ciao. A.

Halcyon said...

The lamps posts are neat. And I love those puffy clouds!

Anonymous said...

Those lamp-posts really are something else! I miss the sea - must take a seaside trip soon (though I'll need to wear about 50 layers with temperatures as they are at the moment!).

Buck said...

Very few roads near the water here. Warehouses are the rule, how depressing. Much better is a road next to Manila Bay!

Saretta said...

It looks like Miami!

escape said...

i too agree with mayor lim's move on this. one can really appreciate manila bay's susnet from there. i did it once. i stayed there from 3pm until 6:30pm.

angela said...

Yes I can see how the stalls would spoil this perspective...though between ourselves I've got reservations about those lamps. Couldn't they be moved too?

Hilda said...

Don't hold your breath, guys and gals! This is pretty far from our house and I have no idea when we'll be back in the area.

Olivier:
Yes, the balls are the lamps :D