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Dust & Dim Sum: Lost in Manila

@Zara Walsh3/17/2026blog
Dust & Dim Sum: Lost in Manila

okay, so like, i’m pretty sure my brain is currently operating on approximately 37% caffeine and 63% regret. manila. seriously? i just landed and it’s… a thing. a beautiful, chaotic, slightly terrifying thing. i’m writing this from a tiny internet cafe that smells vaguely of instant noodles and desperation. the wifi is patchy, the air conditioning is fighting a losing battle against the humidity, and i’m pretty sure i just saw a guy try to pay for a mango with a handful of pebbles.

I was aiming for a chill, ‘finding myself’ kind of trip, you know? but honestly, i’m mostly just trying to not get completely swallowed by the sheer volume of everything. the heat is a real beast - 26.5 degrees feels like 32 with the humidity hovering around 72%. it’s like stepping into a sauna that’s also actively trying to drown you. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.

My gear list is a disaster. i’ve got my battered Roland 808, a camera that’s seen better days (and probably a few fights), and enough bug spray to fumigate a small country. let’s be real, i’m mostly relying on my instincts and a rapidly dwindling supply of power banks.

I stumbled across this place, a little dim sum joint called "Lola’s Kitchen" - it’s tucked away down a side street in Poblacion. someone told me that the pork siomai is legendary, and honestly, they weren’t wrong. it was greasy, it was salty, it was perfect.

aerial view of white building


Speaking of Poblacion, it’s… intense. it’s basically a giant, neon-drenched party that never sleeps. there are street performers, karaoke bars blasting out 90s ballads, and enough street food vendors to make your stomach weep with joy (and possibly regret). i overheard some drunk advice from a guy nursing a beer at a rooftop bar - he said to ‘just go with the flow’ and ‘don’t try to understand anything.’ which, you know, is probably good advice in Manila.

I’m trying to map out my days, but it’s proving difficult. there’s so much to see, so much to do, so many things that could go wrong. i’m thinking of hitting up Intramuros tomorrow - apparently, it’s like stepping back in time.

people sitting near body of water


I’m also planning a trip to Binondo Chinatown - supposedly the oldest Chinatown in the world. i heard that they have the best noodles outside of China. I’m seriously considering just wandering around and getting lost. it feels like the best way to experience a place like this.

Here’s a quick rundown of what I’m hoping to get out of this trip:

Capture some killer photos: obviously. i’m aiming for gritty, authentic shots - not the overly polished tourist stuff.
 *Eat everything: seriously, everything. i’m talking street food, fancy restaurants, weird snacks i can’t even pronounce.
 *Don’t get robbed: a realistic goal, i guess.
 *Find a decent cup of coffee:* this is crucial.

I’m staying in a hostel near Malate - it’s pretty basic, but the staff are cool and it’s cheap. if you get bored, Makati and Bonifacio Global City are just a short drive away.

high rise buildings during daytime


Okay, I need to go. I think i just heard someone yelling about karaoke. wish me luck.

Here’s a link to TripAdvisor for Manila: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g298468-Manila_National_Capital_Region_Metro_Manila_Philippines.html

And Yelp for some local eats: https://www.yelp.com/manila

Finally, a local Facebook group for travel tips: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploreManila/

Seriously, Manila. It’s a mess. A beautiful, overwhelming, delicious mess.

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About the author: Zara Walsh

Loves data, hates clutter.

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