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Post by chadhill on Jul 11, 2018 20:18:23 GMT 8
Thank you for the offer, Karl! If I make the trip, I will certainly get in touch with you! Best, Chad
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Post by Karl Welteke on Aug 2, 2018 4:28:00 GMT 8
The Flags are not flying anymore on Corregidor! At least they were not on the 6th and 7th July 2018. Zc407. 0ne of five images of my walk from Bottomside up to Battery Cheney on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills in WWII, 2018-07-06, this is the Pacific War Memorial area, the flags were not up even though it is a general visit day. Zc405. 0n my walk from Bottomside up to Battery Cheney on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills in WWII, 2018-07-06, this is the Rock Force with the Texas University Memorials, the flags were not flown during my visit. The Philippine Flag did fly from the flagstaff in front of the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (INC) Admin Building. But the Philippine Flag is no longer flying in the famous Malinta Hill Tunnel as part of the Light and Sound Show. CFI said it was a bad deal for CFI with the show provider and it ceased to operate! At this point I like to copy this entry of the 13th July 2018 in our Light and Sound Show thread by Beirutvet: Karl This is indeed sad news. I fondly remember this experience on both my trips to The Rock. I had heard some people refer to the show as kind of hokey, but I disagree. I thought it was a nice finish to the tour. I distinctly remember on my second visit, at the end of the show when they were playing the Philippine national anthem, this young lady standing next to me, in obvious nationalistic pride, singing the anthem with tears streaming down her cheeks. I always thought it a good thing that can evoke that kind of pride and patriotic spirit in the young. I do not know whether the Philippine Flag was flying at the Filipino Heroes Memorial on the Corregidor Tailend; I did not have the time to go there this time. This is the first time in 15 years that I did not see the National Flags flown on Corregidor at the memorials. Sun Cruises Inc. did not fly the Philippine Flag in front of the Corregidor Inn hotel during my visit. They used to have about 10 shorter flagstaffs and flew international Flags to honor the international visitors; they have been removed for the hotel renovation, about 2 years ago and were never replaced. Friends from Manila and Olongapo planned to visit Corregidor on the 6th of May 2018 to participate at a possible commemoration event in memory of the tragic day, the Defeat and Surrender of Corregidor, actually all the Philippine and American Forces, all of the Philippines. We cancelled, as far as we could tell, there was nothing scheduled; I believe, that was also the first time that happened for some time. On the 6th to the 8th July 2018 I visited Corregidor and so far I only documented my firth walk on the 6th of July. If you like to look at all the pictures of this walk, either click on my web page with 63 Images: philippine-sailor.net/2018/08/01/walk-to-battery-cheney-2018-07-06/Or my Photobucket album with 66 images: s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20at%20Random/CI%202017-2019%20Random%20Albums/2018%20to%20B-Cheney%20walk%20July-06?sort=9&page=1
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Post by Karl Welteke on Oct 18, 2018 18:11:01 GMT 8
Corregidor Island Fees as of 6 Sep. 2018. Zc823. Mc Arthur’s Lodge Fees as of 6th Sep. 2018 I visited Corregidor Island between the 16th Oct. to 18th Oct. 2018. This is a cropped section of a fee information sheet posted in the Corregidor Island Administration Building. I took advantage of it and booked for two nights. On the night of the 16th Oct. the place was busy, 4 Filipino environmental contractors booked rooms, they were visiting only and two Australian pilots who had landed on Kindley Field. Zc824. Corregidor Fees as of 6th Sep. 2018. This fee information sheet is posted in the Corregidor Island Administration Building where one pays the fees. This applies mainly for visitors that come to the island with their own arranged transportation. It is available at high resolution with this URL: www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/45352186012/in/dateposted-public/
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Post by EXO on Oct 20, 2018 9:28:29 GMT 8
In twenty years someone will ask, "Where can I find experts on Corregidor now that the website has gone?"
And someone will answer, "There are none. It became too expensive for ordinary folk to go and learn about it."
Maybe not even that long.
CORREGIDOR SHOULD BE A NATIONAL PARK!
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Post by Karl Welteke on Oct 20, 2018 16:35:20 GMT 8
Sun Cruises Ferries run every day now to Corregidor, starting 20th Oct.2018. ZC825. Corregidor Ferry Boat announcement from the Sun Cruises Inc. on Facebook Corregidor Philippines For inquiries and bookings please contact our reservation number +632.834.06857 to 58/ 0998-968-3256/ 0998-968-3056 This is the Facebook page announcing it, look it up yourself: www.facebook.com/Sun-Cruises-543370555848228/Note: This is a pleasant surprise! I visited Corregidor Island between the 16th. and 18th Oct. 2018 and was told by many working residents on the island that last Sunday, the 14th Oct. was the Sun Cruises Ferry Boat that visited Corregidor. And that no more boats would be arriving until the 15th Nov. 2018. Today I got an email from a friend who said that the Sun Cruises boats are running again, I called Sun Cruises and they said: “Yes that is so”. I asked did you announce it and they said: “Yes, on Facebook”. Indeed, I looked it up, found this and posted it.
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Post by Karl Welteke on Oct 20, 2018 18:35:10 GMT 8
Former MacArthur Café Main Building Renovation Oct.2018 Between the 16th and 18th Oct 2018 I visited Corregidor and observed the renovation of the main building of the former MacArthur Café. CFI apparently hired some workers who are replacing the roofing sheets, gutters and the false ceiling etc. The CFI Officer on the island said that CFI is planning to bid this building out. I asked is it going to be a restaurant, the officer did not know. Eleven pictures have been uploaded into this Photobucket album: s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/Corregidor%20at%20Random/CI%202017-2019%20Random%20Albums/Mac%20Cafe%20Renovation%202018-10?sort=9&page=1For this forum presentation I choose these three images: Zc826. 181016 Mc Arthur’s Lodge Main Building Renovation 004. The new gutters for the renovation of the main building of the former MacArthur Café. Zc827. 181017 Mc Arthur’s Lodge Main Building Renovation 001. The same framing but new plywood for the renovation of the main building of the former MacArthur Café. Zc828. 181016 Mc Arthur’s Lodge Main Building Renovation 002. This lady and a helper was cooking for the renovation workers, attended to my room, spoke English well and came from Boracay and was very friendly like most Filipinos.
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Post by oozlefinch on Oct 21, 2018 12:55:00 GMT 8
The more I read about what's going on on the island, the more I relish my 1987 trip with Al and Patsy and before the many reincarnations of CFI came aboard.
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Post by Karl Welteke on Oct 21, 2018 15:16:13 GMT 8
Karl’s visits to Corregidor become more expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you take the time and read this forum page you will learn that I have a history about the prices of boats. At one time the Dept. of Tourism instructed CFI to write me a letter and clarify matters, copies are in this URL: corregidor.proboards.com/thread/874CFI informed me that boats are available for 3500 pesos. The boats belong to Prime Square Enterprise. The next two images indentify that company. Za663. The former Boat Information Sign at the Boat Terminal on Corregidor North Shore Bottomside. This is a 2018 image. The sign is now removed. Za664. The former Boat Information Sign at the Boat Terminal on Corregidor North Shore Bottomside, zoomed in. This is a 2018 image. The sign is now removed. In April 2018, the management of Corregidor Island (CFI) changed hands. Shortly thereafter Prime Square Enterprise moved their three large banca (outrigger) boats to the MAAP Pier in Brgy. Alas-Asin, Mariveles. In May 2018 when I used that service and stayed 2 nights on Corregidor the Prime Square Enterprise charged me then 4000 peso. On my 16th to the 18th Oct. 2018 visit to Corregidor to join the PMA Cadets, I was invited by a PMA instructor to come along. Prime Square Enterprise charged me this new prize: 4000 peso for the boat ride, plus 2000 peso fuel charge because I stayed overnight 2 days, so the boat had to make 2 roundtrips. Another 200 peso was charged for a docking fee on Corregidor. From 3500 peso to 6200 peso, what a change, what an increase: From 2010 to Feb. 2018 I paid 3500 peso for my Corregidor visits boat transportation. Now that Prime Square Enterprise moved to the MAAP Pier in Brgy. Alas-Asin, Mariveles, after the CFI management change. I certainly don’t feel good (understatement) about this development, but what can I do? I love to study our history, hands on and write about it, so I won’t quit. Prime Square Enterprise still operates vehicles on the island, a coaster & white tram (20 seater) 2500 peso; jeeps & open sided tram (15 seater) 2000 peso, and that is for only a 2 hour service. Here are the telephone numbers, I use to make reservation. Up to now I have been speaking to a Mrs. Mildred: 0999 383 8164, 0995 161 3869 Note from Karl: These 3 Prime Square Enterprise boats are bigger and safer than the outrigger boats at Cabcaben and Villa Carmen. For any large party of visitors, these boats are the way to go if you come from the north and don’t want to put up with hassle thru Manila and use the Sun Cruises ferries. Here is the documentation: Zc829. 181016 Prime Square boat fee, Karl's visit to Corregidor for 2 days. Zc830. 181016 Prime Square receipt, Karl's visit to Corregidor for 2 days. Zc831. 181016 Prime Square vehicle fees on Corregidor Island, Karl's visit
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Post by piercebennett on Oct 21, 2018 23:56:24 GMT 8
Hey Karl,
I was on Corregidor this past summer and I also noticed the price hike. Although I didn't have to pay the fuel charge at that time, the price on the boat had increased and so did the overnight camping fee. It's unfortunate that the price has gone up so high. It used to be quite reasonable. That extra 2000 for the fuel charge is fairly frustrating.
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Post by EXO on Oct 22, 2018 12:26:22 GMT 8
An extra US$40 petrol surcharge, over and above the already overpriced costs for the boat, is more than just frustrating. It is a shameless and opportunist ripoff, no doubt enabled by the restrictive practices of the boat cartel.
"Business is bad, let's jack the prices up!"
I hope it's not long before the dwindling numbers make it clear that putting the price up is not the panacea and does tend to put people off. If someone was to ask me about going to Corregidor presently, I would recommend they go to Pagsanjan Falls instead. I am no longer surprised that overall, the number of tourists to Corregidor is falling to the lowest it has ever been.
Nowhere to go but up, eh?
I don't think so, Tim.
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