As modern home aesthetics trends on social media via the popular Home Buddies group on Facebook, a replica of a typical 19^th 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.

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.

The Facade of the City Temple looks more like a typical Rajasthan Fort

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.

Aside from the hustle and bustle that New York City has to offer, there are many other places on the East Coast that are perfect vacation spots. For deserted, white sand beaches, to mountainous cities with trails that go for miles, the options are endless. With so many wonderful places to see and experience it is hard to choose where to visit. But don’t fret, that is where we come in. We love exploring and finding the best nooks and cranines to visit. So here are a few of our favorite places to visit on the Southern East Coast.

Palm Beach, Florida. Photo credit: WikiCommons