Trip to the Island of Corregidor...

The tiny island of Corregidor lies across the entrance of Manila Bay, located some 25 miles west of Manila. Corregidor served as one of the most vital harbor defenses of Manila. It was also the last place to fall into Japanese hands during the 2nd World War. Although a small island, Corregidor is a storehouse of significant historical events.
To visit the island, tourists have to board a 100-150 seater ferry for a 1 hour trip. We selected the Sun Cruises as recommended by my Filipino friend Ambel for our visit. The ticket per adult cost 1,999 pesos which included day tour and lunch. There is provision for overnight stay at the hotel on the island which includes a night tour as well. At 7.30 on the morning of 11th April, we reported at the office of Sun Cruises located near the CCP complex in Manila. There were quite a few foreign tourists as well as some locals waiting at the lounge. Around 8 o’clock, we were asked to get into a jeepney that would take us to the ferry. We arrived at the pier within 5 minutes and found a lovely ferry waiting for us! Tashmiya took some quick snaps as always before we boarded. The interior of the ferry was quite inviting with rows of comfortable seats and a TV set in front. Since it was centrally air conditioned, we were saved from the scorching heat outside.
As the ferry set sail around 8.30, one of the tour guides welcomed the passengers and then gave a briefing about the island’s history. Later there was a short film about Corregidor and its main places of interest. Meanwhile, we enjoyed the breakfast which Simi & I had carried with us. After food, we went to the deck of the ferry and took photos. The sun was strong yet the sea breeze was cool & relaxing. By 9.30am, we could see the island at a distance. It looked pristine and green. The guide instructed all the English speaking visitors to board tramcars number 4 or 6, while the Japanese group was asked to board a different tramcar.
As we disembarked from the ferry, we saw colorful Tranvias (pre-war tramcars) waiting for us. We got into no. 6 and were welcomed by a cheerful tour guide. Once everyone settled in, the tranvia took us to the important spots inside Corregidor. Our guide carried on his running commentary which was peppered with humor and kept us in good spirits. Soon we arrived at the famous Malinta Tunnel where the Americans had taken shelter during the Japanese attack on the island. The light & sound multi-vision show inside the tunnel was an enlightening experience as we could get an idea of the pain and frustration faced by the soldiers who were hiding there. Interestingly, there was even a hospital inside the tunnel to treat the wounded soldiers. The life led by the men during the war almost came alive through the light & sound show.
Our next stop was the Corregidor Inn Hotel for an early lunch to avoid the rush of the other visitors. The hotel was an old bungalow built in English style and was on top of a hillock. So we could catch a breathtaking view of the sea & some parts of the island from there. Cool Gulaman juice welcomed us to the hotel. Lunch was a hearty one with corn soup, Pancit Canton (noodles with seafood), Chicken Adobo, stir- fried vegetables, green salad with different dressings, and fruit salad to serve our palate!!
Though we wanted to relax on the balcony of the hotel and enjoy the lovely view, the tranvia’s horn made us rush back to it. From the hotel we went to see the various gun batteries scattered along the island. The guns that still stood there were indeed massive and powerful. The brutally damaged walls of the shell storage rooms bore testimony to the ravages that the war created. There were even graffiti on some of the walls. “Keep the Japs out of here” caught my attention! Next we came to the Mile-Long barracks which had housed hundreds of American soldiers. Though partially damaged by the war, it told its own story. Near the barracks was the school where children of American military officers had studied. The official residences of the officers were also close to the barracks.
The Lighthouse is another attraction of the island. We were allowed to climb up to a certain point of the lighthouse from where we could get a clear view of the tail end of Corregidor. The island of Bataan could be also seen from the lighthouse. Several souvenir shops lined at the entrance of the lighthouse complex. Next we went to the Pacific War Memorial & Museum which is indeed a landmark of the island. The marble dome of the memorial was massive and beautiful. The museum housed arms and ammunition of the war, uniforms of soldiers, utensils, stationary used by the war officials among other items. The American flag which was hoisted on Corregidor after the defeat of the Japanese army was kept securely in a glass box. A short walk from the museum brought us to a vista point from where the Malinta tunnel and the tail of the island could be perfectly viewed.
The heat however was taking its toll on some of the people and they volunteered to stay behind on the tranvia while we came to our last spot for the day. It was the Japanese Garden with neatly trimmed trees and hedges, and a few guns as well. A unique Buddha statue with a female body (a combination of Buddha & Mother Mary, it is said) stood on one end of the garden. Taking a quick walk across the Japanese Garden, we returned to our tranvia and were taken straight back to where the ferry waited.
On boarding the ferry, we found respite in its cool air conditioned interior. We bid farewell to the beautiful the island of Corregidor as the ferry began its journey back to Manila. Truly, Corregidor is a rich storehouse of history and the visit was an enriching one for us.

Shooting the rapids! The trip to Pagsanjan

Before the arrival of our niece, Tashmiya, to Manila, we had already planned a trip to the famed Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna. On the 4th of April, we started out quite early, around 6.30 in the morning. Mifu’s classmate, Gucci was kind enough to send his van which would take us and the Chistie family to Laguna. The van being a spacious one all of us settled comfortably in it and drove off.
It took us nearly an hour and a half to reach the Riverview Resort in Pagsanjan town. Gucci’s driver had actually used a shorter route to get us there early. The staff at the resort was aware of our visit and so they immediately came to our assistance. We were told to keep our bags in the lockers and proceed to the bankas (local canoes) waiting for us. One of the resort’s staff helped us with the life vests and the helmets. It was a very sunny day & we were worried about the bad tan we would get during the banka ride. But there was no way out!
There were three bankas waiting for us and we settled into them. Mifu, Raheel & the driver were on the first boat, the Chisties on the next while Tashmiya & I sat on the last one. Most of us being non-swimmers, I whispered a silent prayer for everyone’s safety. As the boatmen oared the bankas forward, we found ourselves moving through the Pagsanjan River. There were other resorts that lined up on one side of the river while private residences lined on the opposite bank. Since it was a Sunday, many locals were also travelling across the river in private bankas. In fact, almost every family owned at least one boat. The river was an intimate part of their life as it seemed to me. As we moved further upstream, we encountered several picnic revelers enjoying themselves in the water or simply relaxing by the small bamboo sheds that stood on stilts above the water. Some of them waved at us as we passed by them. Tashmiya was busy taking pictures of the new sights that caught her attention.
Gradually, we could feel the boatmen’s struggle as they pushed the bankas through narrow passes in between huge rocks on the river. The ride now was getting more adventurous! Having left behind the picnic spots, we found ourselves amidst the green forest on both sides of the river. It was a breathtaking landscape. It was absolutely quiet except for the occasional chirping of some wild bird or the cry of a local gibbon. Interestingly, The Hollywood movie named Apocalypse Now was shot in these very locales.
We reached a resting point where our exhausted boatmen caught their breath. There was a small café that stood on a huge rock, selling soft drinks & snacks. After ten minutes or so, we got into the bankas again and were heading towards the bigger rapids near the falls. The boatmen kept telling us to hold on tightly to the sides of the boat and stay still as they heaved & pushed the bankas through the rapids. Finally, after almost an hour, we reached the actual falls.
It was a beautiful place indeed. There were already several tourists present. People can even take a raft and go directly under the cascading waters of the falls. The raft men were calling out to the tourists and soon I found Mifu & Tashmiya jumping into a raft. I watched the raft move slowly towards the falls and then it just disappeared for a few seconds. It emerged from the thunderous waters with excited shouts from the people on it. Once they were back, Mifu & Tashmiya coaxed me to experience the raft ride. After some resistance, I gave in and got into the next raft along with Raheel, Simi & Zaina. There were a couple of other ladies with kids. Raheel was looking pale with fright & I tried to make it light by showing him the other children on the raft. As we neared the water thundering down, I tightly caught hold of Raheel and asked him to keep his eyes shut and also keep his head low. I felt my breath stop for a second as we passed down the force of the pouring waters. Everyone screamed out of fright or excitement. Raheel was in tears and I wondered why I had brought him along. Before we knew it, the raft was again heading towards the falls; maybe someone wanted a second thrill. I just wished it would be over soon.
What a breath stopping experience it was! Raheel was quite amazed by where he had been since he has a fear of water. After taking some photos, we got back to our bankas. The ride on the way back was equally thrilling. The bankas moved in great speed through the rapids. However, it wasn’t very hard for the boatmen as we were going downstream. The sun meanwhile had done the damage on our exposed skin. By the time we reached the resort, we were all badly tanned.
Having taken quick showers, we headed for the lunch which was laid out nicely on the outdoor eating area of the resort. The lunch was filling and we felt quite exhausted after eating. The kids played for a while we simply lazed around before driving back to Manila.
Pagsanjan Falls, a must-see for all who visit Manila. It’s a haven for the adventurous at heart!!