Manila Dec 23 and 24

The flight from Tuguegarao yesterday was uneventful. By the time I got through the taxi line and got to my accommodation it was dark so I grabbed a bite at the Starbucks next door and stayed in for the evening. I am at the Malate Pensionne. Here is a shot of our festive reception area. I was in an 8-bed dorm by myself the first night and tonight I have two room mates from Korea and France.

Today I got out on the water on a ferry to Corregidor Island. It is in the center of the opening between Manila Bay and the Great Sea of China. Below is the skyline as we leave Manila.

I was afraid for a while because this ferry has seat belts. In a country which doesn't use seat belts in cars this could mean trouble. The sea was calm however and we had a pleasant crossing, at 23 knots, in just over an hour.

Just one view of a beautiful Island.

Standing on the head of the island looking at the tail.

The island of Corregidor played a major role in WWII. Here is a statue of their beloved General MacArthur.

We traveled around the island on these buses which are modeled after the tram cars that were used by the forces who inhabited the island before and during the war.

The US established a base here in the early 1900's to protect their investment in the Philippines. There is nothing else here now except one hotel which caters to tourists. The island can easily be done as a day trip so not everyone stays.

There are many guns left behind as well as ruins of buildings and ammunition batteries.

As well as Filipinos and Americans there were many Japanese died here. There is a burial ground area with monuments to honour each. Here is a Japanese tomb.

In honour of the unknown Filipino women who supported their men.

The Malinta tunnel was the center of operations during the bombing. There is a hospital with hundreds of beds in there too. A train track runs through it for supplies.

One of the operations centers in a side tunnel off the main one.

Ruins of a huge barrack building. There was accommodation for thousands of men.

The officers had houses. Not any point of the island remained untouched by bombing which started here the day after Pearl Harbour.

Me inside an ammunition battery.

Light house and communications tower possibly rebuilt after the war.

One of the four Pacific War Memorials is here. Behind it you can see the statue of the peace flame.

Flowers are few and far between here. This one was on Corregidor.

Walking back to my hostel I used the promenade along the water and caught this view at the yacht club.

It was a nice day and I feel much better now!