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Post by rik on Dec 13, 2014 20:27:43 GMT 8
I did a private tour with Carlos Reyes a couple years ago and we were able to see quite a bit of the side tunnels. At one point we actually uncovered the remains of a human bone. There's definitely stuff to see down there. Every future trip will include an excursion into the tunnels, as long as we are able. There is also a danger of snakes down there too, a couple of times Carlos had to stop us so he could scout ahead and make sure we didn't inadvertently scare any snakes. Apparently they sometimes come across cobras down there.
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Post by rik on Oct 13, 2014 19:36:14 GMT 8
Having spent time exploring the island with Steve and Marcia, I'm saddened to see them leaving. Steve's passion for Corregidor is amazing and hiking the island with him was the highlight of all of my trips to The Rock. Just a wonderful, wonderful couple.
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Post by rik on Aug 22, 2014 19:11:51 GMT 8
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Post by rik on Feb 7, 2014 12:30:38 GMT 8
Some fantastic shots in there, thanks for sharing.
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Post by rik on Jan 18, 2014 18:17:02 GMT 8
Carlos Reyes (tour guide) tells the story of this guy to his Corregidor tour groups and he does it in a somewhat humorous way - he says that when he returned to Japan he received several marriage proposals. Why? Because he was also awarded 29 years of back pay, making him a rich man, lol. Carlos is the best.
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Post by rik on Dec 5, 2013 12:31:02 GMT 8
Has anybody heard any recent updates to this? I've been hearing for a while that the US is planning an increased presence in the PI but it's hard to find many details. I'm a DoD civilian so I'm hoping maybe there might be a job for me there eventually!
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Post by rik on Dec 4, 2013 11:50:27 GMT 8
I've been wondering about the Lingayen beach landings for a while now. We have a small beachfront house on Nibaliw in San Fabian which is also called White Beach. I have several ex-pat friends there, some who have been there 30, 40 years and they've told me that our beach is the one that MacArthur landed at. The next beach over has some monuments and such saying that was where he landed but my friends laugh at that and say the people over there tried to capitalize on it by putting up markers saying MacArthur landed there but the locals all know it was actually our beach. One of these days I need to do some research and see if I can find the actual truth.
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Post by rik on Dec 4, 2013 11:45:57 GMT 8
That's right Fots, not an easy trek and the buildings are dangerous, riddled with shell holes. I took a couple pictures there because I happen to work on the base where the 503rd is currently stationed so I got a kick out of finding it.
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Post by rik on Dec 4, 2013 11:18:14 GMT 8
Just got back a few days ago and wishing I was still there. I had made some loose plans but as always when I go to the PI I leave my options open and remain flexible since things always seem to change there. I spent the first week up in San Fabian (next to Dagupan) as we have a small beachfront house there. The second week was the highlight, I traveled to Corregidor and spent a few days with Steve and Marcia who took me trekking around different parts of the island that I would never have seen on my own. For those who have never met them, Steve and Marcia are just awesome people. Steve has an unbelievable passion for The Rock and I learned so much that I never knew about Corregidor from him. I'd say the highlight was the trek up to the top of Malinta Hill, the views from up there are spectacular. It was also nice to sit and chat with them and get to know them a bit. I look forward to my next trip even more now.
After Corregidor I headed to Manila to meet up with Leslie Ann Murray who invited me to the AMCHAM "Kapihan" where I was able to meet several members of the American Chamber of Commerce. Since we were both attending the press screening of "Corregidor: The Road Back" on Friday Leslie invited me to ride with her which another great experience as we rode in with a gentleman named Edgar "Looby" Crohn who lived through the Japanese occupation of Manila. The stories he told on the way to the event had me enraptured.
Lastly was the event itself. The screening of the film was held at University of Santo Tomas and afterwards there was a panel discussion involving Edgar, Steve, Peter Parsons, Paul and a couple others. It was just great to see the film and even better to be able to meet Peter and Paul in person. I just wish I'd had more time to talk with them.
Overall, just a wonderful, wonderful trip loaded with memorable experiences. Now I'm back in Italy where it's freezing cold and I spend my days at work dreaming of my next trip...
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Post by rik on Dec 4, 2013 10:55:22 GMT 8
I happened to be on Corregidor last week trekking through the jungle wit hSteve and Marcia. At one point we trekked through to the old senior NCO barracks which are not easily accessible and lo and behold, inside one was spray-painted "F Company 503d P.R.C.T. Command Post 16 FEB 1945" I would post a pic but I'm not sure how to post pics on here...
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