Corregidor - Invading Historical Island

Corregidor -- April 2008

Corregidor is a small rocky island in the Philippines about 48 kilometers west of Manila which is stragetically located at the entrance of Manila Bay. This island fortress stands as a memorial for the courage, valor, and heroism of its Filipino and American defenders who bravely held their ground against the overwhelming number of invading Japanese forces during World War II.  And it is also known as "the Rock" it was a key bastion of the Allies during the war.

We booked our trip there via Sun Cruises. You can also see their Package/Rates from here.

Sun Cruises offers Day Tour and Overnight Packages. We decided to avail the Overnight package to maximize the Corregidor Invasion. (Inclusions: Roundtrip ferry trnasfers; shrine, entrance and terminal fees; Guided island tour, (1) buffet lunch on day 1 and overnight accomodation at; Corregidor Inn)-- PHP2,000 + Lights & Sound Show - 150.00 Php and 300Php/head for the guided lateral tour/ghost hunting inside Malinta Tunnel, with sidetrip at the Army Hospital, also includes: Sunset and Sunrise viewing plus early morning easy hike going/passing through Japanese Tunnel.

Day Tour

Day Tour Tram

Day Tour is a guided Tour riding in the Tram -- and drop-off to the ruins of the WWII

Here are some of the highlights on our Corregidor Tour

The Big Guns of Corregidor

The Battle's Ruins

The Middleside Barracks

us @ Cine Corregidor

Cine Corregidor

Me @ one of the big Guns

The Spanish Lighthouse

The Lights and Sound Show inside Malinta Tunnel

Around 2-3PM the Day Tour is done - and the Day Tour peeps will sail back to Manila.  And for the rest who got the Overnight pass, we stayed at Corregidor Inn until the next morning.

And like I mentioned earlier on this post, we paid extra to maximize our experience in this historical island.

The MileLong Barracks

us @ MileLong Barracks

After the day tour, we rest for a while, and the call time for our extra tour is before 5PM -- we're not able to catch a good shot of sunset since it was a bit cloudy that time. Then, we dropped-off at The Army Hospital's Ruins, where I can felt goose bumps, we haven't seen any ghost in there, but.... I can feel them.

The Army Hospital

And we headed up to the Main Event that night --  The Night Lateral Visit at Malinta TunnelThis is done inside the tunnel's unexplored side. A 1,000-bed hospital area during World War II. A walking tour of the tunnel's unexplored side.

Our experience inside Malinta Tunnel that night was really FUN and scary at the same time. It was just the 5 of us plus 1 tour guide.

It was cold inside, not just because we're inside the tunnel, but it really feels like the someone was walking along with us aside from our tour guide

...and yet, it was an Experience!

We went back to the Hotel and grab something for dinner.

TIP: If you are going to get the overnight package to Corregidor, it's better to bring your own food, atleast like cup noodles,biscuits, or chips.... because there are only few stores in the Island, and their Cafeteria foods is quite expensive.

The next morning.... we were up really early to catch the sunrise

sunrise @ Corregidor

the tail of Corregidor Island

We also invade the Japanese Tunnel

some of our pics inside Japanese Tunnel

we found this Marine Boat docked in the Island that day

Of course to max out the Corregidor experience... we spent the rest of the morning under the sun and enjoyed the Beach in the island.

Overall, the Corregidor Invasion is worth it.

It feels good that somehow we're able to see and feel the Battlefield of WWII

...from our History

ANAWANGIN's Mystical Beach and Pine Trees

Anawangin - Zambales

Feb 2009 -- Team Bldg
Way back then, I was the one who always assigned for Team Bldg.

So after getting sick and tired of the usual "Pansol" pool party
we decided to invade Anawangin Cove.




SCTEX

It's been like 4-5 hours drive from MOA to San Antonio, Zambales via SCTEX
(Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway),  and that already includes the traffic and stop-over.

We stayed overnight at Wild Rose Beach Inn

This resort is recommended for those who doesn't want to stay overnight or

camping at Anawangin.

It is also best if you're planning to go on Island Hopping, going to Capones and Camara Island as your side trip...

...because the resort is just a few steps away from the beach... the next morning we're up early and prepare the food for our picnic lunch at Anawangin Cove

Capones and Camara Island on my background

We got our boat from there, and it took like 20-30 mins. boat ride going to Anawangin Cove.

the shore of Anawangin Cove

Anawangin Stream

Actually its my habit to do some sort of research on the place I am going to before my travel date, maybe to excite me more...

So in short, I read on some blogs/articles about Anawangin and find out why it's called "Mystical".

Most of the experience I've read on were all great specially the pictures, which made me more excited to see the real/actual view of the place...

based from the stories I've read, Anawangin is truly a hidden paradise ...

Did you know that before Mt. Pinatubo erruption, Anawangin is a habitat of mangroves?

Disclaimer: this shot is not mine, I just borrowed it... hehe

But today at Anawangin what you are stepping on is pyroclastic material, volcanic debris - lahar when mixed with water. the debris which served as if they are icing on cakes a few hours, day or two or weeks after that doomsday eruption and the fallout of debris landed on the adjacent mountains … debris that has found their way directly to the sea. And seems like it explains the unforeseen undercurrents, and uneven depths at 30 meters offshore... that causes several incidents of drowning.

(so always be extra careful even for those who are good swimmers)

Disclaimer: this shot is not mine, another pic I borrowed... hehe

Oh and of course Anawangin is known for its beach front lined-up Pine Trees... and it's really amazing how pine trees got there.... and I found out it was also from Pinatubo erruption. (I just don't know how though... hehe)

Anyways, I am really looking forward to see Anawangin again, but this time, I am exicited to do camping. 

I can only imagine for now.... beach, pine trees, mountain trekking during daytime,  and bonfire while enjoying SHOTS at night time and sleeping inside the tent afterwards.

(Ok, wake up now!) hehe

Pine Trees + Beach = Amazing Anawangin!

Tagaytay - my perfect place for "ME time"

Tagaytay -  October 2010

Tagaytay is the best relaxing place few hours away from the busy Metro.

And everytime I feel like to be alone... Tagaytay is the place I belong. 

Where I can think, emote, or whenever I want to be with myself.

The last time I went here -- It was October last year -- from a break-up

so I decided to go there for a...

"Me Time"  Yes it was just Me, Myself, and I!

Thanks to a good and supportive friend of mine who provided me an accomodation there so I could emote comfortably! hahaha

I stayed here...

Summit Ridge Hotel

(for 3D/2N)

....alone in a twin bed

(Day 1 - I used the 1st bed/Day 2 - I used the 2nd one) hehe

and I eat....

  

pray....

Pink Sisters Convent - Adoration of D' Devine Mercy - Tagaytay

and eat again.... hehe

you can always find me at Starbucks or Pink Sisters, this are the places I feel most comfortable to be with myself...

Here are some of the best places/spot I went to in Tagaytay....

foggy afternoon shot from the hotel room

a perfect HOT Bulalo to a perfect atmosphere of Tagaytay

My all-time favorite Pasalubong

Rowena's Tart

I love their tarts... their store is located at San Francisco Road - along the way from Tagaytay-Manila route via Sta Rosa exit... some of you maybe wondering if I'm driving a car

whenever I go to Tagaytay...well the answer is NO I don't have a car! haha

I usually manage to take public transpo and ask the locals on how to get into one place to another.

...this post will not be enough if I am going to share all my Tagaytay experience,

whether its just ME, with friends or with someone. 

But one thing I am sure.... this place will always be a part of me.