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#OP DID AWESOME JOB WITH THE SHADING AND LIGHTING
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Hey everyone 😊 here’s another art commission I bought and this time it’s from this super talent artist festiveminty on Instagram! I had an absolute blast commission them!! 🤍
This paid commission cost $18 really worth the price <333 they have a cool art style and I am super happy with how it turned out!!they’re currently taking commissions on their Instagram. So, maybe check out their work and please consider supporting them! I'm a big fan of their talent work! :D
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I watched particularly on that denim shirt a while ago, and I found that they were not the same one but of the very same style. The shades on the shirt were not exactly the same. It's like they bought two shirts from one place? Coincidence? No? Ah I llove doing cockles CSI.
Yes, it’s pretty clear who between Misha and Jensen is likely to be making fashion decisions. It’s why I have a whole tag called “Misha does not know how to clothes” because so often he doesn’t (and honestly I love him for it). And I can easily imagine a scenario where Jensen is like “oh GOD Misha you dress like a DISASTER we have to go shopping...” and then outfits him with stuff including his very own denim shirt. (I have a little more trouble imagining that scenario as something wholly platonic male friends do but, eh, I’m probably just overly influenced by the shopping trip scene in “When Harry Met Sally”.) Actually, I am fairly sure that they’ve been photographed while shopping together even though I don’t have the link.
But, Dear Anon, you haven’t shared the denim shirt info with us!! Can you message it to me if I keep it anon? Good CSI practice dictates that you should share your discovery! I had assumed the look of the shading on the shirt was different because of the lighting and filters on the photographs (Misha’s were inside from a photo op, Jensen’s both outside; filters applied on the Misha one, possibly not on the Jensen one). Honestly, though, Jensen seems like the kind of dude who would own multiple denim shirts anyway so maybe he did just give one away. 
I’m doing an awesome job of illustrating Misha’s point about the level of detail “those fucking people” pay attention to, huh? (Whatever--I’m cool with being one of those fucking people as long as it hurts no one.)
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melisusthewee · 7 years
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Fire Emblem news aside, today has been an exhausting and futile day at the office so I am heading home, and going to plop myself down for continued adventures with post-apocalyptic Buzz Lightyear.
No, really, the look is one thing but Danse sounds to me like someone doing a not quite right Tim Allen impression.
Also since I’m liveblogging my first experience with not just this game but the franchise as a whole, I want to give my impressions on him. I apologize if I get a little long here.
My first experience with Fallout 4 was so drab and short-lived that I wanted nothing to do with anything Fallout related. While my friends and dash were all talking enthusiastically about the game and revisiting older Fallout games, I was just, “Wtf no this game sucks why does everyone love it so much?!”
And what everyone seemed to really love was Paladin Danse. As posts came across my dash of people playing through the game, there was discussion on whether people thought he might end up being a synth or how people felt about his personal quest. So suffice to say… I’m pretty spoiled about him.
Basically what I knew about Fallout 4 came down to three things: run away from Preston Garvey unless you want endless settlement quests; MacCready’s Killshot is/was broken as all hell; and OMG PALADIN DAAAAAAAAAANSE!!!
Because of this, while I eventually gave Fallout 4 another shot, I was determined to get through the first several hours and keep going. Maybe the game would open up as I started to start faction quests and meet more characters? Because as adorable as Dogmeat was in his red bandana and doggles (and as great of a companions as he is), the game was dreary and lonely and very... mundane. But at this point, I only had a couple of quests on my lists: proceed to Diamond City in order to further the main quest, or visit a co-op location and clear it out of raiders in order to help the Minutemen establish a settlement. So really, I only had one quest lol.
I got turned around a little when I hit Lexington as it was a nest of debris, raiders, and feral ghouls, but I re-oriented myself once I came out the other side and kept heading south. Approaching Cambridge was when I picked up the distress beacon and I had the decision then to press on for the main quest or stop and investigate. This was the first time I considered what my character would do. I wasn't really certain so I made the decision that as a player in a game, I should check it out and see what's what.
And that's how Riley Quartermain met Paladin Danse... ha ha. But really, I was all gung ho on that first mission, bouncing along behind in military fatigues and patrolman shades because I thought the image of the two of them coming in to kick ass and take names was hilariously awesome. I am in fact still holding on to Righteous Authority as Riley's energy weapon, although I was a little put off when upon returning to the police station and completing a couple of fetch quests, Danse gives you a field promotion and another quest but still won't go with you. I had to make a decision there, looking at my two quest markers on the map and that's when I stopped thinking as the player and started thinking more as this character of Riley Quartermain. Does she veer back to the north-east in order to find a lost patrol with only Dogmeat? Or does she leave Cambridge and continue on south-east towards Diamond City. What, in this moment, is more important to her?
Shaun was the answer. Danse was a stiff military man and she wasn't all that interested in being actively conscripted. So she moved on. At this point I had the intention of eventually going back to the quest, but that was it.
Then the Prydwen showed up as Riley and Nick left Fort Hagen and what was an emotional exchange with Kellogg. I wish I'd taken screenshots or captured video because the scene really impressed me as it was the dead of night when I left the military base and the Prydwen was just absolutely gorgeous with its lights and Maxson's voice over the loudspeakers and this fleet of vertibirds flanking it. I knew then that I'd have to go back to Paladin Danse because Riley would be wondering what this all meant. But that would come later. First came Kellogg's memories, and the realization that she'd need either a whole ton of Rad-X and Radaway or proper equipment to venture into the Glowing Sea. To do that, she'd have to explore the Commonwealth and would do so in the company of a former-Gunner-now-hired-mercenary.
The funny thing is, I figured initially that if I were to romance a character, it would be Danse since so many people I knew absolutely adored him. I figured ultimately who I picked wouldn't matter because I'd end up doing it for the achievement only. That Bethesda has started to make improvements and add depth to their supporting characters and companions took me by surprise. Just how well MacCready fit with and complimented Riley surprised me too.
But here I am now, having eventually gone back to Cambridge because there are vertibirds everywhere what the hell is going on, and hey, maybe the Brotherhood of Steel would have access to or knowledge of equipment to venture out into the Glowing Sea. The moment Riley showed up in Cambridge, she noticed there were Brotherhood soldiers everywhere. MacCready did too and did not approve by any means. Now, if anyone had knowledge that would warn someone away from the Brotherhood, it would be him... coming from the Capital Wasteland and all (I've been doing my research!), but Danse seemed like a good guy so they ought to see what he says anyway.
Elder Maxson is of course ABSOLUTELY BAD NEWS HOLY SHIT, and the Brotherhood are jerks. I walked over to Proctor Teagan because I was told he'd have a job for me and was tasked with extorting food from Commonwealth farmers. Wtf hell no! I just came here for the power armour! And that's where I begin to feel bad and I really have to stop myself from metagaming.
Because it is so easy to raise Danse's approval, I'm finding. Put on power armour? Danse loved that. Kill super mutants? Danse loved that. I only finished one Brotherhood quest to recover the mini nukes and I've already opened his first dialogue. And it just kills me. He is this super serious soldier, but when he starts to open up there's emotion to him and he believes so much in the Brotherhood and this noble purpose and is so proud to share it with someone he believes in as much as he believes in you. And I just... knowing what's coming. That line of, "I'm sticking my neck out, bringing you into the fold so quickly. If I'm wrong about you, we go down together." Together. I just... I really don't know how I'm going to feel once the Brotherhood finds out the truth behind Danse. I really don't. Poor Danse... he's a good guy in a horrible organization.
By the way, if you've read all the way to here, I will also share with you my absolutel embarrassment that immediately after my first foray out into the field in my brand new Brotherhood of Steel power armour, I (or Riley, rather) was not accustomed to the limitation in field of view inside the helmet, didn't see a gap in the pavement, and fell right through a hole in a bridge and sank to the bottom of the bay. It was a long and embarrassing walk back to shore.
This is why she is a sniper and not some big hulking tank. Also, from a gameplay perspective, Paladin Danse is a great compliment to Riley in an open area, but he makes her useless in close quarters as she cannot see around him to hit distant enemies.
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shelleyrobbinsus · 5 years
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Grand Canal Mall Bonifacio Manila
Near the top of every traveler’s Bucket List is a trip to Venice, Italy’s majestic and unique city where water canals make up every one of the streets. In fact, Venice is a series of about 100 small islands on a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, with boats on waterways the only method of transportation (aside from sidewalks and bridges, of course) between them. So, if you want to see Venice and take in its Renaissance and Gothic Palaces, the famed Central Square, and historic St. Mark’s Basilica – and much more – you only have to book a plane ticket then reserve a hotel and pay for your food and everything else. In all, that should “only” run you $5,000 or so for a week – for one person.
But there is another way to take in the splendor of Venice’s canals, snap a family photo on a bridge over Venice’s waterways, and even take a gondola ride with a boatman who dresses in traditional Italian garb and even sings: visit the Grand Canal Mall in the Philippines.
Mall? The Philippines? Have you finally lost it, Norm?
Well, yes, I have – about the exact time I agreed to start working for AllWorld, to be honest!
But that doesn’t mean what I said isn’t accurate – you can at least get a sample of Venice with a great likeness built into a mall in the Philippines.
And I have to admit that it’s super cheesy…but…pretty awesome!
It’s actually the signature attraction to the appropriately-named Venice Grand Canal Mall located in the McKinley Hill area of Taguig, an upscale neighborhood of call centers and international business spaces in Manila.
I’m definitely not a “mall person,” but I just moved to the neighborhood, so my apartment at Morgan Suites is only two blocks away. Inevitably, a lot of the shops, services, and restaurants I frequent are at this mall, so I’m walking through once or twice a day.
The outside of the mall is notable in its own right, as it’s designed in a traditional historical Italian style (I was going to say something like “Neo-Classical,” but that would be BS because we both know I have NO idea about ancient architectural styles!). The entrance ways outside look like an ornate old church or palace you might see in a postcard, but also have dazzling modern lighting and several big fountains. But once you walk inside the mall (through tight security which will check into every bag and give you a quick pat down), you see the real attraction.
The whole center of the mall is an outdoor plaza made to look EXACTLY like the canals of Venice, Italy! As I mentioned, I think this is cheesy as hell, BUT they did a really amazing job with it, and for the average middle-class Filipino who will NEVER get a chance to visit the real thing in Italy, it’s a fun and different attraction. It’s also one of the most hashtagged and “selfied” spots in Manila, for obvious reasons.
But this is no simple photo op, as the canal dominates the whole center of the mall running an entire city block or more, with pristine blue-green waters that meander in a slight crescent. Two or three bridges span the waterways, which are made to look like traditional bridges you’d see in Venice, as well as shaded outdoor plazas to walk or just hang out on either side. They have plenty of outdoor restaurants and cafes with umbrellas so you can sit there are take it all in, as watching the jubilant crowd is part of the fun. One of the best features is an “island” in this canal, which is a small bridge that takes you to a perfectly circular modern building suspended over the water, where you can sit and drink a beer at night. Since the mall is open from around 11 am to 10 or 11 pm, the whole thing is bustling at night, with plenty of light displays and music making it a festive atmosphere.
I almost forgot to mention the gondolas! Yes, there are a handful of full-sized gondolas that roam the canal, constructed as exact replicas of what you’d find in Italy. Even the drivers are dressed perfectly to the part, pushing their way through the water with long oars and sometimes singing as they go.
I’m usually extremely cynical when it comes to commercialization and gimmicks like this, but, I must say, it’s actually pretty damn impressive. Of course, staying right there and seeing the mall every day, the novelty fades. But the Grand Canal Mall does offer some great practical options for me.
View this post on Instagram
The Venice Grand Canal Mall in Manila. Cheesy? Gimmicky? In-authentic? Maybe, but it's also a pretty gorgeous setting and very fun!
A post shared by AllWorld.com (@allworldonline) on Jan 16, 2019 at 10:01am PST
So far, my favorites are:
Robinson Select grocery store The best option for buying food including fresh veggies – which are really hard to find – and other high quality and even western items. It certainly isn’t cheap, but just the presence of such a grocery store in walking distance is a godsend.
KarudaMcKinley Hill Yoga Disclaimer: I’ve never actually been to a yoga class there, but I’ve made friends with one of the teachers and follow them every day online, and looks like a fantastic place for all skill levels and experience with yoga.
Big Boss Barber Shop A really cool gentlemen’s barber shop but with a more modern and open studio setting. It’s not cheap by Philippines standards (I’m like a broken record with that in Manila!) – about $7 just for a cut – but they do a wonderful job and take their time and really treat you like a superstar. FYI I asked if I get a discount for my bald spot but was DENIED!
Gold’s Gym Good gyms are hard to find here, and there tend to be only two kinds of gyms: the really simple, grimy, and pretty dirty local gyms (they’re cheap and full of amazing athletes but not very comfortable for westerners), and the higher-end chain gyms like Anytime Fitness and Gold’s here in Manila. Those tend to be a lot closer to the nice, airy, spacious, and clean gyms we’re used to back home – at least on face value. But they also can be really expensive – especially if you just drop in for a day or two. Either way, I thought Gold’s was my best option because it’s right at the Venice Grand Canal Mall and has a great layout. It’s on the third floor, so you’re looking out floor to ceiling windows on one whole wall at the canal and mall-goers walking around and having gun below.
DIY Moving into my little studio apartment two blocks away at Morgan Suites, I inevitably need A LOT of stuff to get settled in, including a fan, storage shelves, curtains, kitchen and bathroom stuff, and much more. There really aren’t Home Depots or that big U.S.-style hardware and home stores here in Manila that I’ve seen, so people rely on the little local hardware stores. DIY is like the equivalent to an ACE Hardware, and it’s right in the mall. Crazy expensive for a lot of things (like $40 for a shower rod!) because most of the stuff here is imported, but it’s better than nothing and super convenient.
Dental Hub I try to take good care of my choppers, and that means at least two visits to the dentist every year. I usually just found random dentists as I’ve traveled, which means some good ones (like in Angeles City) or some awful ones (like in Thailand). But, when I had a bad toothache and needed some real help, I was happy to see that there was a Dental Hub office right there in the mall – across from Gold’s Gym, actually! I found them to be super clean, modern with the latest tech, very professional and caring. So far, so good, and I’ll keep coming back for convenience and for that great service.
By the way, there are also several medical clinics located in the mall that look just as modern and nice, and, although I’ve been fortunate not to have to need one yet, it’s good to know it’s there!
Daiso This place is so cool – it’s a whole store dedicated to Japanese products for the home, from dishes and kitchenware to lighting, bedding, and tons of nick nacks and gadgets. Since they are Japanese (as opposed to Chinese), the stuff is good quality and works well, and priced surprisingly well. But it’s just fun to walk around and see their stuff that’s way different from items you’d find in the U.S.
Coffee lineup As a workaholic blogger and writer, I log A LOT of time sitting there with my laptop, hunting and pecking my way to a paycheck. I do work at home for a few hours every day but I definitely need two things:
A change of scenery with actual human beings around me, and COFFEE!
The fun part of the Venice Grand Canal Mall is that there are plenty of stores that are accessible from the street (outside the mall) or inside. In fact, on one whole side of the mall sit a lineup of coffee shops – Caffeine Row as I call it. There are literally five or six coffee places and cafes in a row, from Denny’s to UCC to Starbucks, Tim Hortons (my new favorite) and Coffee Bean. If I’m at risk for being over caffeinated and bopping my head to the music in my headphones to dramatically, I can just pick up and take my act to the next café!
There are also plenty of other events, concerts, and happenings at the mall – so visit Venice if you’re in the area!
The post Grand Canal Mall, Bonifacio, Manila appeared first on AllWorld.com.
Via https://www.allworld.com/grand-canal-mall-bonifacio-manila/
source http://allworldus.weebly.com/blog/grand-canal-mall-bonifacio-manila
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christophervanhorn · 5 years
Text
Grand Canal Mall, Bonifacio, Manila
Near the top of every traveler’s Bucket List is a trip to Venice, Italy’s majestic and unique city where water canals make up every one of the streets. In fact, Venice is a series of about 100 small islands on a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, with boats on waterways the only method of transportation (aside from sidewalks and bridges, of course) between them. So, if you want to see Venice and take in its Renaissance and Gothic Palaces, the famed Central Square, and historic St. Mark’s Basilica – and much more – you only have to book a plane ticket then reserve a hotel and pay for your food and everything else. In all, that should “only” run you $5,000 or so for a week – for one person.
But there is another way to take in the splendor of Venice’s canals, snap a family photo on a bridge over Venice’s waterways, and even take a gondola ride with a boatman who dresses in traditional Italian garb and even sings: visit the Grand Canal Mall in the Philippines.
Mall? The Philippines? Have you finally lost it, Norm?
Well, yes, I have – about the exact time I agreed to start working for AllWorld, to be honest!
But that doesn’t mean what I said isn’t accurate – you can at least get a sample of Venice with a great likeness built into a mall in the Philippines.
And I have to admit that it’s super cheesy…but…pretty awesome!
It’s actually the signature attraction to the appropriately-named Venice Grand Canal Mall located in the McKinley Hill area of Taguig, an upscale neighborhood of call centers and international business spaces in Manila.
I’m definitely not a “mall person,” but I just moved to the neighborhood, so my apartment at Morgan Suites is only two blocks away. Inevitably, a lot of the shops, services, and restaurants I frequent are at this mall, so I’m walking through once or twice a day.
The outside of the mall is notable in its own right, as it’s designed in a traditional historical Italian style (I was going to say something like “Neo-Classical,” but that would be BS because we both know I have NO idea about ancient architectural styles!). The entrance ways outside look like an ornate old church or palace you might see in a postcard, but also have dazzling modern lighting and several big fountains. But once you walk inside the mall (through tight security which will check into every bag and give you a quick pat down), you see the real attraction.
The whole center of the mall is an outdoor plaza made to look EXACTLY like the canals of Venice, Italy! As I mentioned, I think this is cheesy as hell, BUT they did a really amazing job with it, and for the average middle-class Filipino who will NEVER get a chance to visit the real thing in Italy, it’s a fun and different attraction. It’s also one of the most hashtagged and “selfied” spots in Manila, for obvious reasons.
But this is no simple photo op, as the canal dominates the whole center of the mall running an entire city block or more, with pristine blue-green waters that meander in a slight crescent. Two or three bridges span the waterways, which are made to look like traditional bridges you’d see in Venice, as well as shaded outdoor plazas to walk or just hang out on either side. They have plenty of outdoor restaurants and cafes with umbrellas so you can sit there are take it all in, as watching the jubilant crowd is part of the fun. One of the best features is an “island” in this canal, which is a small bridge that takes you to a perfectly circular modern building suspended over the water, where you can sit and drink a beer at night. Since the mall is open from around 11 am to 10 or 11 pm, the whole thing is bustling at night, with plenty of light displays and music making it a festive atmosphere.
I almost forgot to mention the gondolas! Yes, there are a handful of full-sized gondolas that roam the canal, constructed as exact replicas of what you’d find in Italy. Even the drivers are dressed perfectly to the part, pushing their way through the water with long oars and sometimes singing as they go.
I’m usually extremely cynical when it comes to commercialization and gimmicks like this, but, I must say, it’s actually pretty damn impressive. Of course, staying right there and seeing the mall every day, the novelty fades. But the Grand Canal Mall does offer some great practical options for me.
View this post on Instagram
The Venice Grand Canal Mall in Manila. Cheesy? Gimmicky? In-authentic? Maybe, but it’s also a pretty gorgeous setting and very fun!
A post shared by AllWorld.com (@allworldonline) on Jan 16, 2019 at 10:01am PST
So far, my favorites are:
Robinson Select grocery store The best option for buying food including fresh veggies – which are really hard to find – and other high quality and even western items. It certainly isn’t cheap, but just the presence of such a grocery store in walking distance is a godsend.
KarudaThe mall is big on fast food chains like Wendys, Jollibee, KFC, etc. and also plenty of low and medium-cost chains for Filipino food, but very few unique, tantalizing, and healthy restaurants. As far as I can see, the best bet is Karuda, which is an indoor-outdoor simple Japanese fusion restaurant. I get one of their bento box options, which is a ton of good food for about $6 and change – the best deal you’ll find! McKinley Hill Yoga Disclaimer: I’ve never actually been to a yoga class there, but I’ve made friends with one of the teachers and follow them every day online, and looks like a fantastic place for all skill levels and experience with yoga.
Big Boss Barber Shop A really cool gentlemen’s barber shop but with a more modern and open studio setting. It’s not cheap by Philippines standards (I’m like a broken record with that in Manila!) – about $7 just for a cut – but they do a wonderful job and take their time and really treat you like a superstar. FYI I asked if I get a discount for my bald spot but was DENIED!
Gold’s Gym Good gyms are hard to find here, and there tend to be only two kinds of gyms: the really simple, grimy, and pretty dirty local gyms (they’re cheap and full of amazing athletes but not very comfortable for westerners), and the higher-end chain gyms like Anytime Fitness and Gold’s here in Manila. Those tend to be a lot closer to the nice, airy, spacious, and clean gyms we’re used to back home – at least on face value. But they also can be really expensive – especially if you just drop in for a day or two. Either way, I thought Gold’s was my best option because it’s right at the Venice Grand Canal Mall and has a great layout. It’s on the third floor, so you’re looking out floor to ceiling windows on one whole wall at the canal and mall-goers walking around and having gun below.
DIY Moving into my little studio apartment two blocks away at Morgan Suites, I inevitably need A LOT of stuff to get settled in, including a fan, storage shelves, curtains, kitchen and bathroom stuff, and much more. There really aren’t Home Depots or that big U.S.-style hardware and home stores here in Manila that I’ve seen, so people rely on the little local hardware stores. DIY is like the equivalent to an ACE Hardware, and it’s right in the mall. Crazy expensive for a lot of things (like $40 for a shower rod!) because most of the stuff here is imported, but it’s better than nothing and super convenient.
Dental Hub I try to take good care of my choppers, and that means at least two visits to the dentist every year. I usually just found random dentists as I’ve traveled, which means some good ones (like in Angeles City) or some awful ones (like in Thailand). But, when I had a bad toothache and needed some real help, I was happy to see that there was a Dental Hub office right there in the mall – across from Gold’s Gym, actually! I found them to be super clean, modern with the latest tech, very professional and caring. So far, so good, and I’ll keep coming back for convenience and for that great service.
By the way, there are also several medical clinics located in the mall that look just as modern and nice, and, although I’ve been fortunate not to have to need one yet, it’s good to know it’s there!
Daiso This place is so cool – it’s a whole store dedicated to Japanese products for the home, from dishes and kitchenware to lighting, bedding, and tons of nick nacks and gadgets. Since they are Japanese (as opposed to Chinese), the stuff is good quality and works well, and priced surprisingly well. But it’s just fun to walk around and see their stuff that’s way different from items you’d find in the U.S.
Coffee lineup As a workaholic blogger and writer, I log A LOT of time sitting there with my laptop, hunting and pecking my way to a paycheck. I do work at home for a few hours every day but I definitely need two things:
A change of scenery with actual human beings around me, and COFFEE!
The fun part of the Venice Grand Canal Mall is that there are plenty of stores that are accessible from the street (outside the mall) or inside. In fact, on one whole side of the mall sit a lineup of coffee shops – Caffeine Row as I call it. There are literally five or six coffee places and cafes in a row, from Denny’s to UCC to Starbucks, Tim Hortons (my new favorite) and Coffee Bean. If I’m at risk for being over caffeinated and bopping my head to the music in my headphones to dramatically, I can just pick up and take my act to the next café!
There are also plenty of other events, concerts, and happenings at the mall – so visit Venice if you’re in the area!
The post Grand Canal Mall, Bonifacio, Manila appeared first on AllWorld.com.
source https://www.allworld.com/grand-canal-mall-bonifacio-manila/ source https://allworldus.tumblr.com/post/182214123892
0 notes
allworldus · 5 years
Text
Grand Canal Mall, Bonifacio, Manila
Near the top of every traveler’s Bucket List is a trip to Venice, Italy’s majestic and unique city where water canals make up every one of the streets. In fact, Venice is a series of about 100 small islands on a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, with boats on waterways the only method of transportation (aside from sidewalks and bridges, of course) between them. So, if you want to see Venice and take in its Renaissance and Gothic Palaces, the famed Central Square, and historic St. Mark’s Basilica – and much more – you only have to book a plane ticket then reserve a hotel and pay for your food and everything else. In all, that should “only” run you $5,000 or so for a week – for one person.
But there is another way to take in the splendor of Venice’s canals, snap a family photo on a bridge over Venice’s waterways, and even take a gondola ride with a boatman who dresses in traditional Italian garb and even sings: visit the Grand Canal Mall in the Philippines.
Mall? The Philippines? Have you finally lost it, Norm?
Well, yes, I have – about the exact time I agreed to start working for AllWorld, to be honest!
But that doesn’t mean what I said isn’t accurate – you can at least get a sample of Venice with a great likeness built into a mall in the Philippines.
And I have to admit that it’s super cheesy…but…pretty awesome!
It’s actually the signature attraction to the appropriately-named Venice Grand Canal Mall located in the McKinley Hill area of Taguig, an upscale neighborhood of call centers and international business spaces in Manila.
I’m definitely not a “mall person,” but I just moved to the neighborhood, so my apartment at Morgan Suites is only two blocks away. Inevitably, a lot of the shops, services, and restaurants I frequent are at this mall, so I’m walking through once or twice a day.
The outside of the mall is notable in its own right, as it’s designed in a traditional historical Italian style (I was going to say something like “Neo-Classical,” but that would be BS because we both know I have NO idea about ancient architectural styles!). The entrance ways outside look like an ornate old church or palace you might see in a postcard, but also have dazzling modern lighting and several big fountains. But once you walk inside the mall (through tight security which will check into every bag and give you a quick pat down), you see the real attraction.
The whole center of the mall is an outdoor plaza made to look EXACTLY like the canals of Venice, Italy! As I mentioned, I think this is cheesy as hell, BUT they did a really amazing job with it, and for the average middle-class Filipino who will NEVER get a chance to visit the real thing in Italy, it’s a fun and different attraction. It’s also one of the most hashtagged and “selfied” spots in Manila, for obvious reasons.
But this is no simple photo op, as the canal dominates the whole center of the mall running an entire city block or more, with pristine blue-green waters that meander in a slight crescent. Two or three bridges span the waterways, which are made to look like traditional bridges you’d see in Venice, as well as shaded outdoor plazas to walk or just hang out on either side. They have plenty of outdoor restaurants and cafes with umbrellas so you can sit there are take it all in, as watching the jubilant crowd is part of the fun. One of the best features is an “island” in this canal, which is a small bridge that takes you to a perfectly circular modern building suspended over the water, where you can sit and drink a beer at night. Since the mall is open from around 11 am to 10 or 11 pm, the whole thing is bustling at night, with plenty of light displays and music making it a festive atmosphere.
I almost forgot to mention the gondolas! Yes, there are a handful of full-sized gondolas that roam the canal, constructed as exact replicas of what you’d find in Italy. Even the drivers are dressed perfectly to the part, pushing their way through the water with long oars and sometimes singing as they go.
I’m usually extremely cynical when it comes to commercialization and gimmicks like this, but, I must say, it’s actually pretty damn impressive. Of course, staying right there and seeing the mall every day, the novelty fades. But the Grand Canal Mall does offer some great practical options for me.
View this post on Instagram
The Venice Grand Canal Mall in Manila. Cheesy? Gimmicky? In-authentic? Maybe, but it's also a pretty gorgeous setting and very fun!
A post shared by AllWorld.com (@allworldonline) on Jan 16, 2019 at 10:01am PST
So far, my favorites are:
Robinson Select grocery store The best option for buying food including fresh veggies – which are really hard to find – and other high quality and even western items. It certainly isn’t cheap, but just the presence of such a grocery store in walking distance is a godsend.
KarudaThe mall is big on fast food chains like Wendys, Jollibee, KFC, etc. and also plenty of low and medium-cost chains for Filipino food, but very few unique, tantalizing, and healthy restaurants. As far as I can see, the best bet is Karuda, which is an indoor-outdoor simple Japanese fusion restaurant. I get one of their bento box options, which is a ton of good food for about $6 and change – the best deal you’ll find! McKinley Hill Yoga Disclaimer: I’ve never actually been to a yoga class there, but I’ve made friends with one of the teachers and follow them every day online, and looks like a fantastic place for all skill levels and experience with yoga.
Big Boss Barber Shop A really cool gentlemen’s barber shop but with a more modern and open studio setting. It’s not cheap by Philippines standards (I’m like a broken record with that in Manila!) – about $7 just for a cut – but they do a wonderful job and take their time and really treat you like a superstar. FYI I asked if I get a discount for my bald spot but was DENIED!
Gold’s Gym Good gyms are hard to find here, and there tend to be only two kinds of gyms: the really simple, grimy, and pretty dirty local gyms (they’re cheap and full of amazing athletes but not very comfortable for westerners), and the higher-end chain gyms like Anytime Fitness and Gold’s here in Manila. Those tend to be a lot closer to the nice, airy, spacious, and clean gyms we’re used to back home – at least on face value. But they also can be really expensive – especially if you just drop in for a day or two. Either way, I thought Gold’s was my best option because it’s right at the Venice Grand Canal Mall and has a great layout. It’s on the third floor, so you’re looking out floor to ceiling windows on one whole wall at the canal and mall-goers walking around and having gun below.
DIY Moving into my little studio apartment two blocks away at Morgan Suites, I inevitably need A LOT of stuff to get settled in, including a fan, storage shelves, curtains, kitchen and bathroom stuff, and much more. There really aren’t Home Depots or that big U.S.-style hardware and home stores here in Manila that I’ve seen, so people rely on the little local hardware stores. DIY is like the equivalent to an ACE Hardware, and it’s right in the mall. Crazy expensive for a lot of things (like $40 for a shower rod!) because most of the stuff here is imported, but it’s better than nothing and super convenient.
Dental Hub I try to take good care of my choppers, and that means at least two visits to the dentist every year. I usually just found random dentists as I’ve traveled, which means some good ones (like in Angeles City) or some awful ones (like in Thailand). But, when I had a bad toothache and needed some real help, I was happy to see that there was a Dental Hub office right there in the mall – across from Gold’s Gym, actually! I found them to be super clean, modern with the latest tech, very professional and caring. So far, so good, and I’ll keep coming back for convenience and for that great service.
By the way, there are also several medical clinics located in the mall that look just as modern and nice, and, although I’ve been fortunate not to have to need one yet, it’s good to know it’s there!
Daiso This place is so cool – it’s a whole store dedicated to Japanese products for the home, from dishes and kitchenware to lighting, bedding, and tons of nick nacks and gadgets. Since they are Japanese (as opposed to Chinese), the stuff is good quality and works well, and priced surprisingly well. But it’s just fun to walk around and see their stuff that’s way different from items you’d find in the U.S.
Coffee lineup As a workaholic blogger and writer, I log A LOT of time sitting there with my laptop, hunting and pecking my way to a paycheck. I do work at home for a few hours every day but I definitely need two things:
A change of scenery with actual human beings around me, and COFFEE!
The fun part of the Venice Grand Canal Mall is that there are plenty of stores that are accessible from the street (outside the mall) or inside. In fact, on one whole side of the mall sit a lineup of coffee shops – Caffeine Row as I call it. There are literally five or six coffee places and cafes in a row, from Denny’s to UCC to Starbucks, Tim Hortons (my new favorite) and Coffee Bean. If I’m at risk for being over caffeinated and bopping my head to the music in my headphones to dramatically, I can just pick up and take my act to the next café!
There are also plenty of other events, concerts, and happenings at the mall – so visit Venice if you’re in the area!
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