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Post by tomasctt on Aug 8, 2010 11:36:26 GMT 8
In 2005, I was a classified as a chance passenger by Sun Cruises. It seems they don't like the idea of people who go there using their ferry service but not signing up for their tour package. I remember being told to wait until there was room in the ferry. Paid P500.00 for a one-way ticket to Corregidor. Then when I tried to arrange my return to Manila, they couldn't allow me because the ferries were full. Fortunately, there was a fisherman who was going back to Cabcaben and I was told I could hitch a ride with him. Ended up paying him P600+ I think for the banca trip. Here's me with the fisherman (name escapes me) and the banca named Evangeline at Cabcaben: I've always wanted to go back via banca and not via Sun Cruises. I guess the experience of being told by them that I'm a chance passenger was scarring (sorta like being told "Oh very well then, we'll accept you for this one ride only, and you're on your own. But you could always avail of our service if you stay at our hotel blah blah...." Alas, having read this thread, looks like a solo expedition has just become more expensive. One day... One day I'm going back.... One day....
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Post by tomasctt on Aug 8, 2010 11:23:19 GMT 8
I'm afraid a classmate of mine is partly responsible for turning Corregidor into "Adventure Island." Unfortunately, he being a pacifist who is more interested in culture and such, he wasn't interested in history (to think he is a History graduate in UP Diliman....). To hear him tell me that they found a "culture there that our indigenous" blah blah.... *sigh* FWIW, I deplore Corregidor's current situation as a "tourist trap." I don't like the way it is marketed today, as an 'adventure destination' where one can hold 'adventure activities' like zip lines, and spelunking, or even have your weddings taken place there and such. It's a war grave, and it deserves to be respected. I remember back in 2000 in my first trip to Corregidor when I learned that the Department of Tourism "owned" the place - and started "beautifying" it. Yet they couldn't properly maintain the Pacific War Memorial.... Really find it sad that people who go to Corregidor do not exactly go there for its history. They go there for the beach. For the zip lines. For the adventure. Sure they'll nod their head and say "Wow" when the tour guide brings them to the batteries, but that's all there is to them - just another gun, just another mortar. They do not fully appreciate it. I find it sad really that a lot who go there now see it only as a vacation spot. Hell, when I was camped at South Dock in 2005, I had a hard time sleeping because of the rowdy tourists who insist on singing offkey at Pirates Cove, or drink copious amounts of alcohol, running around like it's one big playground. I immediately missed camping at Middleside in front of the YMCA ruins when I saw how, ah, "polluted" South Dock was. I guess if I'm going back, Middleside will be my basecamp from which to explore Topside. Never again South Dock - unless there are no other tourists (I guess I was unlucky, because a regatta was held during the time I was there). Heh, the people at South Dock surely didn't experience having a kite land within two meters from where they stood, eh? I sorely wish people really appreciate Corregidor as what it is: a battlefield, not a tourist spot. Alas, money talks, and tourists bring in money, and you get a tourist trap.
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Post by tomasctt on Aug 8, 2010 11:10:13 GMT 8
Hi all, I'm Tomas Tirona, a resident here in the Philippines. I've been to Corregidor twice, the first in 2000 in a day trip organized by the Corregidor Foundation. The second was a 3-day solo camping trip in 2005. Since 2005, I've always said "next year, I'll go back." Alas, time and funds were never on my side. I originally planned to go back this month (August), but it never pushed through due to lack of preparation. Hoping to go back next year. In my previous trip, I was on my way to Battery Cheney but I turned back when the trail I was following disappeared into the jungle. It was only a few months ago while perusing the Heritage Bn's website that I learned I was relatively close to Cheney. *sigh* Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello to you guys. Very nice forum you have, lots of information. If anyone's going back to Corregidor, I'd love to join - if that's ok. Here's me at Battery Geary, 2005: EDIT: Apologies if this post is in the wrong subforum. Still getting the hang of it.
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