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Post by tomasctt on Oct 21, 2010 12:19:29 GMT 8
Ok, I've been too busy lately to resize the pix and upload them at Photobucket so I can post them here. I still got tons to do, but considering I'm staying put this weekend (other than going to jail ;D ), I reckon I post the trip's pix by Sunday. Anyhow, let's start by leaving Manila on 9 October 2010: A sneak peek of what's to come: Along the road to Cheney - 12-in. gun at Cheney - View from Crockett - Pretty visitor (local celebrity Bianca Gonzales) - ;D The rest over the weekend.
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Post by tomasctt on Oct 21, 2010 7:24:13 GMT 8
Oh, and FWIW, I also think that CFI, with its limited resources, is doing a good job. They could do it better, of course, like by giving the tour guides a better grasp of history (so they can give correct facts, and not wrong information). They could also open the place to people like me: those who won't use the hotel and won't be taking the guided tour, preferring to explore the island on their own, and staying in a tent. That'll open the island to those who cannot afford the somewhat steep fees involved. Of course, the downside is that there'll be more people, and it'll be crowded, which I understand is the reason for why the tours run on a very tight schedule.
Still, CFI is doing a good job AFAICT (judging from my previous trips in 2000 and 2005), but it can be done better with a more historical bent and less of another "summer getaway" destination.
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Post by tomasctt on Oct 21, 2010 7:18:32 GMT 8
EXO, I've been meaning to create an article of sorts for a site www.pinoymountaineer.com. The site's webmaster/blogger there, Dr. Gideon Lasco, has an article on Malinta Hill. I want to expand on that by giving him a draft of the article I have in mind, i.e. a trek to the eight batteries fots2, I and my 2 coworkers visited two weekends ago. I was glad my 2 coworkers (who had no trekking experience at all, and were not history buffs like us) were very happy with our trek. For them, visiting the batteries off-the-beaten path, seeing the relatively untouched ruins of Smith, Cheney, and Wheeler, and getting to know more about the history from fots2 and other ruins they saw was so much better than the guided tranvia tour. In fact, when we did the day tour on our second day (because my 2 coworkers wanted to see the Malinta Tunnel L&S show), they remarked that the day tour was bland and that they preferred the long trek we did on Day 1. When my coworkers proceeded to tell our other officemates about our Fort Mills expedition (officemates who have visited Fort Mills a few months ago taking the guided tour package), they were a bit jealous because they only saw 3 batteries whereas we did 8. That said, due to the reaction of my coworkers, that got me thinking of submitting an article with itinerary of our 8-battery, 3-tunnel expedition to Pinoymountaineer.com. I reckon Dr Lasco will be glad in adding it to his website. My concern right now is if it is proper to do so, by which I mean if you guys think it's a good idea (after all, it caters to the "adventure escapade" idea). For me, the 8-battery, 3-tunnel trek has a more historical feel to it though. For those not well-versed in history, it is really an adventure, albeit more with a historical bent - provided they get a good guide who'll give them correct info. Willing to give the green light on this little pet project of mine?
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Post by tomasctt on Oct 20, 2010 21:36:12 GMT 8
Re: Eco-tourism, I have an objection on applying that "role-model" to our beloved Fort Mills.
Eco-tourism is that - Ecological Tourism. The focus being on the environment.
Fort Mills is a battlefield. And the best way to promote Fort Mills is by promoting it as a battleground. In some countries like the USA and some in Europe, battlefields are billed as such: battlefields, not some eco-tourism destination, or an adventure escapade. History is the Number One draw in it. That is how Fort Mills should be "marketed." Not as an adventure island. Not as an eco-tourism destination. To do so otherwise misses the point, and the point is that Fort Mills is a battlefield.
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Post by tomasctt on Oct 19, 2010 9:33:39 GMT 8
Great discovery, karl! Awesome photos. Am I the only one getting goosebumps seeing all this "hidden history"? Looking at the pix, I can't help "seeing" the soldiers and sailors of WW2 walking around doing their job.
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Post by tomasctt on Oct 18, 2010 8:05:59 GMT 8
Whilst not Corregidor-centric, I figured you guys would be the best to ask this inquiry about the Philippine Krag. Several thousands of Krags were modified here in the Manila Arsenal to adapt the "bolo" bayonet. Is there anyone here who has info on this particular rifle? Any chance that serial numbers can be secured and if so where? If not, any leads where such records are kept and if it is possible to see them? Thanks.
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Post by tomasctt on Oct 13, 2010 9:15:29 GMT 8
Thanks Battery for the info. If it's along the route or near it to serve as a side trip, I'll try to go there after the climb.
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Post by tomasctt on Oct 12, 2010 10:56:33 GMT 8
Hey Tomas....I am green with envy and to have our very own Fots as a guide makes it even more enviable. How fortunate can you get? Am looking forward to the pix. Cheers. Indeed, we were very fortunate to meet up with fots. He was a much better guide than the usual ones in the tour. Walking through the ruins at our own pace and time was so much better than the hurried pace the tour has. This was my coworkers' first trip to Corregidor. And while they suffered aches and pains because we walked with full packs most of the way (I was carrying 30 pounds of gear and food!), they still enjoyed it immensely and said that our trek with fots was so much better than the guided tour on tranvia. Fots was a gracious host, I hope he enjoyed the baked tuna I made on Saturday night. I'll be uploading the pix up to my Multiply account so you can see it in high resolution. I also took videos at Grubbs magazine and Smith Tunnel. I'll compile and make one video of the trip and upload it to Multiply. I'll then provide the link. It'll take some time to do so, but will try to finish it before my mountain climb this Saturday. I also had you in mind, okla, and I really wish you can come over.
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Post by tomasctt on Oct 12, 2010 10:24:46 GMT 8
Reading up on the 1942 siege, I wonder if there were any plans to fortify or defend the mountains of Cavite? Bataan served as the northern flank of Corregidor, and obviously troops were there to defend that area. But how about the mountains of Cavite? If there were no plans, why didn't they take into account those mountains? I'm just puzzled as to why the mountains of Cavite remained undefended, and the Japanese "allowed" to occupy it and rain artillery on Frank, Drum, and Corregidor.
I'm going to Mt. Pico de Loro on 31 October. While the primary objective is to climb the mountain, I'm also interested in knowing where the Japanese emplaced their guns thereat. Anyone here has explored that area WRT the guns?
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Post by tomasctt on Oct 11, 2010 22:52:05 GMT 8
Just came from Fort Mills over the weekend, with fots2 guiding us to the batteries, particularly Smith, Cheney and Wheeler, as well as providing valuable information. My two coworkers and I enjoyed the trek. Thank you, fots! Will post some pictures later.
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