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.
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.
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