As modern home aesthetics trend on social media via the popular Home Buddies group on Facebook, a replica of a typical 19th-century mansion in Intramuros reminds visitors that not all olden things must be forgotten. The Casa Manila Museum in Intramuros offers a glimpse to the lifestyle of affluent Filipino families dating back to a century ago. Featuring antique furniture pieces and ornaments made in China and Europe and by local artisans and complemented well by its impressive stone-and-wood structure, one could easily come into conclusion that not even IKEA can hold a candle to home living during colonial times.

Casa Manila Museum is a reproduction of the 1850s San Nicolas Mansion that originally stood along Calle Jaboneros in Binondo, Manila. Designed by architect J. Ramon L. Faustmann, Casa Manila was constructed in 1980 on one of Intramuros' original villages — Barrio San Luis — right across San Agustin Church.

Representing a typical Filipino "ilustrado" home, Casa Manila welcomes museum-goers into a wide and airy living room after climbing a flight of stairs before being led to a series of living quarters and various rooms — which includes: a library, kitchen, music and study room, oratorio (prayer room) and even a banquet hall — all boasting of decorations and furnishings, a wealthy family from the era could easily import from Europe.

Blending perfectly with the foreign objects are local elements like the Capiz windows, antique treasure chests (baul), and other signs of Filipino artistry and carpentry works. Each room comes with a different ceiling design that stood out thanks to its intricate metalwork influenced by the plasterwork seen in old houses in Europe.

Casa Manila dishes an odd yet attractive mix of diverse architectural influences. From its Spanish-inspired balconies, to the quirky color amalgamations of the "sawn and carved" look of Victorian-styled homes, to the elements of a Filipino colonial house, it reveals the best money can afford when it comes to building a mansion in the old days.

My friend Louise and I went here after spending a couple of hours enjoying the breeze and shade at Baluarte San Diego — also inside Intramuros. I told her I’ve been to this house several times before but never had the chance to take some good photographs. To which Louise admitted that “I’ve never been here before”.

After having drinks at the café located downstairs of Casa Manila, we proceeded to enter after being briefed by a tour guide on the rules and regulations inside which includes the most important instruction to follow: do not touch anything.

Inside, we were both immediately mesmerized just the same time we planted our feet on the red-carpeted stairs and hallway as we showed ourselves the way to the mansion’s different rooms.

Like negotiating a miniature maze discovering every fancy corners adorned with fascinating trinkets, furniture and decor, we ended our tour of Casa Manila by passing through the azotea leading down to the courtyard.

Now filled with new knowledge about the history of both Baluarte San Diego and Casa Manila, Louisa and I decided that a heavy meal in Binondo Chinatown is in order.

As we make our way through the vast Rajasthan desert from Jaipur and Jodphur, the golden-colored terrain seems as familiar as the blue skies above. The contrast of colors in this part of India added an extra layer of visual interest to our journey. We have also developed a routine which includes bazaar hopping, street food exploration, and stepping inside centuries-old palaces and giant forts.

Nevertheless, my sense of wonder and pursuit of the oddity lit up as we approached the City Palace of Udaipur on foot. Massive in scale and rich in architectural details, I immediately felt a tinge of royal vibe as we enter the 'Badi Pol' (Great Gate) leading to the Palace's first of many courtyards. Udaipur, being known as "the City of Lakes", lavishes travelers with a picturesque body of water surrounded with a flair of royal heritage—in the form of impressive forts and regal palaces.

The City Palace which overlooks Lake Pichola is one of them. There's also Jag Mandir—a small palace built on a tiny islet and the Lake Palace which stands on a larger island. It was only a few minutes into our walk towards the lake side when a local approached us pointing to something in the middle of the lake. "That palace was where James Bond Octopussy was shot", he told us proudly.

The City Palace was first constructed at the same time Udaipur was founded as a city by Marahana Udai Sing II of the then ruling Mewar Kingdom in 1559. From the initial Rai Angan courtyard, construction spread rapidly to include numerous Royal residences, gardens, function halls and gateways. The whole construction phase spanned 22 generations of Sisodia Rajputs rulers covering hundreds of years from 1559 onwards.

Designed with Rajput Architecture, the City Palace houses eye-popping details and interiors dotting the whole complex from towering balconies, intricate mirror and marble-work to stunning remnants of mural paintings, silver work and colored glass.

Just by looking at the looming façade of the City Palace of Udaipur, you’d easily compare it to the other Forts built all over Rajasthan. As imposing it appears from the outside, stepping inside takes you to another dimension highlighted by a labyrinth of passageways and hallways leading to various rooms showcasing historical artifacts depicting the journey of the Mewar Kingdom to present-day Udaipur.

Former Royal halls are now transformed into museums displaying artworks dating back to the height of the Mewar Kingdom. My friend Aileen and I would often separate from each other as we explore through what appears to be a fun-maze of Architectural marvel. From one room to the next, I never ran out of fine details to ogle at. Whether it was a door, a window, a glass panel or a mural piece, everything seem to arrest my attention.

Alighting at the rooftop courtyard, I proceeded to the balcony to survey the view of the city below. Feeling happily exhausted at collecting new knowledge while pleasing my visual sense, I muster back my energy with a cold bottle of drink in hand. For a few precious minutes, I savored not only Udaipur's cool wind but also of some royal vibe that has been etched for many generations within the walls of the City Palace.

After a visit to the National Museum of Natural History failed to materialize because our online reservation was bumped a couple of hours into late afternoon, my friend Louisa and I decided to just explore Intramuros. This was more than a year into the pandemic and certain restrictions are still in place when visiting establishments such as museums.

Other museums in the area such as Museo Intramuros and Destileria Limtuaco Museum have yet to re-open therefore leaving us with the only option of just roaming the open spaces of Intramuros. Following an interesting image we saw on the satellite rendition of Google Map, we stumbled upon an interesting part of the walled city called the Baluarte de San Diego.

Counting the number of times, I’ve been to Intramuros before, I told Louisa “I haven’t seen this spot before despite being here more than a dozen of times”, as I look around with fascination.

“Really?”, she asked me with astonishment. “Glad, we ended up here then” she added. After entering San Diego garden, we climbed a short spiral stair leading to a 16^th century bastion constructed by the Spanish as part of its fortification of the then walled city of Manila.

Originally constructed between 1591-1594 to serve as a projection platform for artillery defense against invaders coming from Manila Bay, the mediaeval structure is highlighted by its thick three-tier circular walls made of large blocks of stones and a cortina (curtain walls). The San Diego complex, which actually houses another structure: the now ruins of Torre de Nuestra Señora de Guia (Our Lady of Guidance), was designed by Antonio Sedeño, a Jesuit priest and architect.

After a large part of the bastion was excavated from 1979 to 1982, a circular outer structure revealed its whole form. Today, the bastion is surrounded by manicured lawns leading to San Diego garden and dotted with gazebos and pergolas. The guard told us that sometimes, a wedding reception is even held there.

Taking refuge from the mid-morning sun, Louisa and I sat behind a wall to savor the cool wind and to get to know each other more. We started having a conversation digging our career history, our travel destination bucket list and basically, anything under the hot sun that day. Without us realizing it, an hour passed by like a breeze. “This is a nice place to hangout”, I told Louisa. “Yes, I love the view and the fresh air here”, she tells me.

Usually, when I find myself around Intramuros, I would normally hang out in a café but after finding and learning the history of Baluarte de San Diego, I now had a new favorite place to hang out in Intramuros. Maybe, I'll bring a book next time.