What do you do when you land in Manila during a typhoon?

A clickbait headline you may ask? Absolutely not. The truth? Yes, indeed.

We arrive in Manila as a typhoon lashes through the capital. Fortunately, our plane lands right at the start, before Gaemi, as she (or he, or they?) is named, gathers pace, as she certainly does over our three-day stay.

We’re staying in Makati, the business district, which isn’t as affected as other parts of the city, and the rest of the Philippines. But we are forced to skip the sightseeing across town, and remain glued to this bougie neighbourhood, eating and shopping. Not exactly a hardship. And my kind of city break.

I am ashamed to admit that this visit is my first to Manila (and the Philippines), en route to a wellness retreat, The Farm at San Benito – less than a two hour drive. Even Filipino friends downplay the capital, claiming the city is far from tourist-friendly, whilst encouraging everyone to prioritise one or two of the gazillion islands. But I am suitably impressed. Chaotic Bangkok meets pristine Singapore.

So here’s everything we soak up. Almost literally too. Sheltered from the rain.

Eat, shop, eat. My culinary travel guide to Manila HERE.