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Post by xray on Apr 21, 2012 15:40:17 GMT 8
I am determined that I must set foot on the Rock. I am 45, not getting any younger, and am presently in the peak of health. As this is something that obviously should be planned well in advance, I just need to know a few basic things from the experts.
First and foremost, what is the best season for a visit ?
I would imagine I would arrive in Manila, and have some sort of arrangements to be taken to the Rock. I am thinking of at least a 10 day stay, or 2 or 3 weeks, with the majority of time on the Rock. Drum would be great too, along with some Bataan sites. Would be great if other forum members were there, so I would try to time out the visit when that may be possible. Love to do some fots type exploring, but obviously it wouldn't be wise or productive to attempt to do it by myself. I'm thinking sometime between FEB and APRIL of next year.
Not thinking too much about expense, but what would you guys reckon an approximate cost for this venture ? For instance, how much would a week long stay on the Rock cost [US$] ... Is it even possible to stay that long ?
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Post by sherwino on Apr 21, 2012 16:03:40 GMT 8
You're choice of time is good. Least chance of rough weather. April 9 is a good date for Mount Samat climb but the climate is too hot. My estimate of the costs on Corregidor would be the least since we did spent an overnight on camping grounds at the South Beach. Let's wait for the experts.
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Post by fots2 on Apr 21, 2012 20:03:53 GMT 8
Hi xray, It is great that someone like you who is more than a little interested in Corregidor can finally visit ‘The Rock’ next year. I can give you some suggestions but only you know exactly what your interests and expectations are. Here is some general information for you. It sounds like you will not be limited by dates or length of vacation. I would recommend February as the weather is very good plus the grasses and vines have had an extra month to die off since the end of the rainy season. Also at this time of the year, others on these forums often visit so chances are very good that you will have company exploring if you wish. I expect to be there on and off during both January and February. You are more than welcome to join me. If so, we can discuss what you want to see and go from there. I will make the assumption you are coming from the U.S.A. Spend the first couple days in Manila to get your body used to the heat and get rid of jet lag. There is plenty to do such as visit Intramuros (including Fort Santiago) and the American Cemetery. You can even get a day trip to Bataan or Tagatay etc. A week to ten days would be plenty of time on Corregidor to visit just about everything on most people’s list. For me, longer than that results in ‘history overdose.’ There is little to do in the evenings so you may get bored. Food selection is not great and you mostly do the same thing every night. I find the island an amazing place but in 4 to 5 day stretches only. The best way for you to get from Manila to Corregidor is via a Sun Cruises’ ferry. They have a web site that lists prices which will allow you to determine your weekly costs. (Basically calculate the first day w/overnight and add the extra days you want). Food and drinks are extra. You can make reservations on the site. www.corregidorphilippines.com/This company also operates the Corregidor tours and the Corregidor Inn. As a first time visitor, I would recommend the Inn as your home on the island. When you arrive, take the day tour as it gets you oriented with the different sections of the island. After that, you are free to explore where ever you want. Drum can be a day trip from Corregidor. You also have Bataan options from Corregidor. That should get you started. Feel free to ask any questions.
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Post by xray on Apr 22, 2012 3:19:48 GMT 8
Thanks guys. This is something I really need to do, and when I set my mind on a course of action, it usually comes out as planned. USA is correct. For the last 10 years or so, I work setting up, maintaining and tearing down an auto trade show, from late NOV to early FEB. Almost 3 months of solid work with lots of overtime, plus I have my income tax payments rolling in at that time. After the show, I have lots of spare $$, and as much free time as I want, so that would be the perfect time to go. Was actually thinking about doing it this year on an impulse, but I figure some planning would make for a better experience.
I'll for sure have more questions, I might as well save them for when the times gets closer. I see what you say about history overdose, and dull evenings. The key to breaking that I think would be early to bed, early to rise ,,, And a break in the routine, such as a jaunt to Drum and/or Frank. A week on the Rock would probably sound about right. I'm actually quite fond of hot weather, though I realize "Philippine hot" likely has more bite than I am used to. Would love to stop by and grab Okla for the trip, but I think I have heard him say before that hes not up to it.
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Post by okla on Apr 22, 2012 5:10:30 GMT 8
Hey XRay....Many thanks for the consideration. I AM UP TO IT, but other local issues, oka-san's medical problems, etc, not to mention the financial angle, would preclude a trip to the "Rock". Making that excursion would be a dream come true, but I will just have to depend on Fots and company to keep my appetite/addiction held at bay. My lone opportunity to ever visit the PI came and passed way back in 1953 when my USAF hitch in Korea was finished and my request for transfer to Clark Field instead of rotation back to the ZI went "kaput". Cheers
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Post by xray on Apr 22, 2012 9:36:43 GMT 8
Well Okla, when the time draws near, we'll see whats shaping up. I'm absolutely loaded in those months, I could cover the air fare - But if medical issues preclude this or will make it too much of a risk, then obviously it is out of the question. You don't need to go exploring cobra infested caves with me and fots ,,, I'm sure there are less strenuous ways to walk in the footsteps of history there ... Maybe rent out a ATV ?? [joke]. Hell, just setting foot on the Rock will, I already know, be a high point of my life, I'm sure it would be for you too.
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Post by okla on Apr 22, 2012 23:55:09 GMT 8
Hey XRay....Absolutely no question about it. A trip to Corregidor, as you say, would be among the zeniths of my life. I seriously wonder if I could survive actually walking thru Malinta Tunnel (including the Hospital laterals), wandering around the Topside Parade Ground, gawking at the Battery Way Mortars, and certainly mucking thru that spooky area out on the Tail where the Japanese landings took place. Might be a bit much for this old goat to experience after so many years of reading about it, but as I said, my Wife's medical issues, preclude even thinking about such a venture. As Harry Truman once said, "hind sight is 20-20", but if only my assignment to Clark Field had come thru back in 1953, I could, today in 2012, proudly proclaim that I had visited Corregidor less than 10 years after the last shot had been fired and the island still appeared much as it did when retaken by our forces. I certainly hope your planned journey to that "sacred place" comes to fruition, especially if you can hook up with Fots and his band of "Cut Throats". I would hope that you all wouldn't end up in Bilibid. What an outing that should be. Maybe you could send me a "blood stone".Cheers.
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Post by xray on Apr 23, 2012 3:03:00 GMT 8
I will certainly time my visit when there are good odds of other experienced forum members being present. I plan to get off the beaten trails, and safety alone would be a good reason to not be by yourself ... But almost as important, my explorations will be much more productive in the company of such experts who know the lay of the land so well. I would do intensive reading sessions months beforehand, and while I am there - I did the same thing with Gettysburg, that made my visits there much more productive. A place like Corregidor is actually very concentrated compared to a sprawling battlefield like Gettysburg, where entire armies maneuvered over a large area around for days. But the Rock has its own unique challenges, as fots and other experts here know so well, and she will never give up her secrets easily.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2012 10:03:51 GMT 8
Yeah - definitely not a place to explore alone. I highly reccommend hooking up with more experienced folks if you can. 100 yards on Corregidor can really equal miles and miles of effort anywhere else if you don't know where you are going. I was fortunate to have 8 experts with me on my first trip to the rock this past Feb. including Karl and Fots. My advice is to travel light. Fots has a great beltpack setup with a "fanny pack" and 2 water bottles. I found myself carry 2 sport bottle size containers as well. You can refill at lunch at the Inn and you are good to go for the afternoon. Anything heavier and the vines will make bushwacking impossible.
My challenge now is convincing the wife that the "once in a lifetime" trip might be a second or third in a lifetime....
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