Cosmopolitan, urban, crowded, Manila is everything you would want out of a vacation spot and a lot more. Tourists visiting the city can enjoy its Spanish flavoured architecture, the delectable and exotic cuisine peddled by street vendors and the parks, which are serene pockets of greenery in the bustling city. Manila is a historic place, with many attractions and landmarks serving as reminders. Not everything about its past, is as pleasant as the archaeological displays you can find in the museums. Manila has had quite a turbulent history, but so does any country that was involved in the Second World War. But instead of trying to erase all signs of the war, the city draws attention to it, in hopes of educating future generations against the horrors of war.
The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, is found within Fort Bonifacio, about 6 miles Southeast of Manila’s city centre. Built on a plateau, the graveyard occupies 152 acres, with tropical shrubbery and trees playing a prominent role in the landscape. It is the final resting place for many soldiers from the Allied nations. At the centre of the cemetery, you can find a beautiful white chapel, decorated with sculptures and mosaics. In front of the chapel is a terrace, where two piers have been erected, inscribed with the Tablets of the Missing. Containing over 36,000 names, it is one of the most poignant parts of the cemetery.
Since it is on a plateau, you can catch views of the distant mountains and the surrounding lowland, from different parts of the grounds. The cemetery is open to the public daily, from 9 am to 5 pm, and is only closed on January 1st and December 25th. A staff member is always on duty during opening hours, to answer any questions and also to guide relatives to the correct grave side. You can get there by hiring a meter taxi.
Staying in the city doesn’t have to be a hassle, especially with serviced apartments Manila. An apartment hotel like the Somerset Millennium, offers self catering style luxury Makati accommodation. Meaning you get all the comforts of having your own apartment, right in the heart of the city. With apartments to meet every need, it is a convenient place to reside at, thanks to its proximity to restaurants, shops and other attractions of the city. The quiet and privacy, makes it the ideal place to stay at.
