National Museum of Natural History: How to go There and What to Expect

When we talk about about weekend getaway, the usual places that come to a weekend warrior's mind (including mine) are mountains, beaches, and out of the city staycation. But there is a new and awesome destination in the heart of Manila you can visit for free.

Let me introduce you to the National Museum of Natural History.

The Tree of Life

How to get there?

Well, this is probably the most basic destination you can visit. Just ride a bus, a UV Express, or a jeepney that will pass by Luneta. Alight at Luneta. From there, the white, and majestic pillars of the Museum can be clearly seen. 

How much is the entrance free? 

Zero. Entrance is FREE, free free free (Fading echo)

What to Expect inside the National Museum of Natural History

The Museum has six levels with each levels dedicated to one area of specialization.

Level 1 is the Introduction to the Museum. Audio-visual booths are located here as well as the base of the Famous Tree of Life. This is where the Lower Entrance Hall is located.

Level 2 features our Natural Inheritance like the taxidermied remains of Haribon and other endemic species of our country.

Level 3 is an awesome exhibit of the different wetlands in our country. Learn how important mangroves are and how bodies of water are interconnected with each other.

Level 4 will take you to the Highlands and Wetlands of the Philippines with large dioramas and exhibits. Know the difference between Mossy Forest and Montane Forest and show off your knowledge next time you climb a mountain. Also, look for the Country's Most Famous Wetlands, and maybe visit them yourself.

Level 5 will give you the opportunity to have a close look at the different minerals and precious metals found in our country. Learn where our energy comes from and how we generate them.

Level 6, as of the writing of this entry, is not yet complete. According to the directory, it will be the spot for a sun garden. Right now, an exhibit of Benham Rise is at place.

There are lots of neat stuff to find in this Museum. Here are some of the photos we snapped during our visit.

Temporary Exhibit of the Month: Dinosaurs!!! Rawwrrr!

A diorama of an entomologist camp during field study

Megalodon Jaws: The blogger for scale

My Spirit Animal

The taxidermy of Lolong: the largest crocodile caught alive

Lolong and the blogger

Things to Remember before Visiting the Museum

1. No large bags nor umbrellas are allowed inside the museum
2. Food and drinks are also not allowed
3. Keep your hands to yourself (hehehehe!) Strictly no touching of exhibits.
4. Be aware of lines on the floor. There are some exhibits that can only be appreciated from a certain distance
5. Avoid wacky poses. It's part of the museum policy, okay?
6. If you're going to choose a date of visit, might as well avoid weekends since the place will be packed

Beautiful places are not always in the distant lands. But you only have to open your eyes to see them. So I hope you get something from this entry. I'll see you peeps on the road!

-We often overlook what's in front of us.

Adrian Villaflor, January 2019