EXCURSIONS INTO THE PHILIPPINES

[westernaus]

Good one Karl using the V A clinic , you have earned the right to use it Buddy and thanks for all your albums .Your latest pictures especially these last two show the state of affairs the world is in with panic buying and isolation . Gee I have never seen a Navy Commissary so bare . I extend my feelings for yourself and your family to safely get through this trying time . and some time in the future may we see you on THE ROCK dressed in a Hawaii shirt playing a guitar .

[Karl Welteke]

Waikiki, from Zoo to Ft. DeRussy 19th March 2020

On the 19th of March I visited Kapiolani Park but it was secured because of the virus from Red China. The Zoo and many other placed were closed also. So, I went from the Zoo to Fort DeRussy. The State just started to shut down things and not all tourist had the word yet.

I shot 131 pictures and put them into this Photobucket album. I would like someone at least try it ones. Please go to slideshow right away and maybe the advertisements will not be so bad.

Please someone give a feedback a) as to whether it opens, b) how bad the advertisement at slide show and c) do you see any of my image comments? This is the URL:

app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/fa104e21-aa40-4126-896c-6d410cd13673

To me it is a pleasant experience to walk around so many landscaping, view the blue ocean, attractive buildings and in the warm weather. A few historical markers are displayed, like the Hawaiian Royal Kingdom History, WWII, and the surfing.

Here are 6 sample images:



U540. This is a one of 5 pictures of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and or inside of it in the Waikiki area on the 19th of March 2020. It played an important role in WWII.



U541. This is a one of 5 pictures of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and or inside of it in the Waikiki area on the 19th of March 2020. It played an important role in WWII.



U542. This is a one of 5 pictures of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and or inside of it in the Waikiki area on the 19th of March 2020. It played an important role in WWII.



U543. This is a one of 5 pictures of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and or inside of it in the Waikiki area on the 19th of March 2020. It played an important role in WWII.



U544. This is a one of 5 pictures of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and or inside of it in the Waikiki area on the 19th of March 2020. It played an important role in WWII.



U545. Well, I have to present at least one image of Diamond Head.

[Karl Welteke]

Added 20 pictures to an album, returned to the Philippines 2020.

The link to the album is below. For your information only the first image is presented here in the forum. It shows Grande Island, the former Fort Wint in the distance. But 2 maps of the stretch of beach of Subic Bay, called Barretto Beach, are added for your orientation. Barretto Beach was once the Marine/Navy Maquinaya Rifle Range until 1942. Then in in 1945 it became the Naval Subic Bay Supply Depot, perhaps until 1959.



U646. One of 20 images of my walk to Barrio Barretto Beach on the 5th of Dec. 2020, a Saturday; this was my 2nd day of freedom, after 2 weeks home quarantine since the family returned to the Philippines from Hawaii. The blue, calm waters, the beach of the bay of Subic Bay are irresistible, especially when I think how I spent the months of December in Germany or Utah. I was surprised how much entertainment is going on, a stark difference what I just experienced in Hawaii, under the New Normal because of the Virus from Red China. It is like, I’m free again! The iCove Hotel is next to Mangos and it seems to be full of guests every day. The Palm Tree place is on the other side of Mangos and has the Water Fun Island in front.

I entered the beach at Drift wood Beach, walked to Papagayo and had a beer, met and talked to the proprietor, who is Ironman Legend. Walked to iCove, looked around the Beach in front of it, had a cool diet drink and contemplated how happy I am, that the Navy brought me to these shores of history. At the first picture you are able to see Grande Island, the former Fort Wint, full of history by itself. Some of the big hotels are closed or at very reduced operations.

The iCove Hotel is located where the Islander Bar was, famous because of its Submarine Service connection. The proprietor of iCove Hotel, is the owner of Arlene’s money exchange, where many of us Vets change their money.



U647. Barretto map fm Casa Barretto



U648. Barretto map from Arizona Hotel

Added 20 pictures to this album, returned to the Philippines 2020.
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10220937675665330&type=3

[beirutvet]

Karl

That is certainly a beautiful view from that beach.  On my next trip to PI will you take me to that beach?  I'm buying the beer!

[Karl Welteke]

Just added 13 images to my FB album: Return to the P.I. 2020, first impressions, views.

For this forum notification I will add only this image:



Another short walk in Barrio Barretto on the 16th of Dec. I’m enjoying a cold diet drink in the back of a bar, beach bar and hotel complex which is now called Out-Back Billaboks (not sure I spelled it right). Way back this was the Night Rider Bar but now it got the pool and beach area in back. In the distance we see the historical Grande Island and the former Fort Wint.

This is the URL for the posting of 13 images to my FB:

This is the URL of the album: Return to the P.I. 2020, first impressions, views:
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10220937675665330&type=3

[Karl Welteke]

Subic Town Market and Fishing Port Dec. 2020

On the 16th of Dec. 2020 I had reasons to visit Subic Town. I was surprised to see a new and very large market has been built with plenty of parking. The family has decided to go shopping there from now on.

I made an album with 29 pictures in my Photobucket account. If you are going to watch it, I suggest you click slideshow and wide screen; the advertisements should not show up then! This is the URL:

app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/254564ee-7cc0-474b-a378-9ca65a09e4a9

For this forum notification I only use this one picture, ice being delivered to a fishing boat!



U650. One of 12 pictures of the fish landing area; real early in the morning it is super crowded here with people selling and buying fishes.

The 29 pictures are labeled as follows below:

One of 5 images of the new Subic Town market; it is big and spacey. The 5th picture was shot on the 23rd of Dec and it was crowded. People stayed apart?

One of 5 images of the surroundings around the new Subic Town market; it is easy to park.

One of 5 images of the Subic Town fishing boats; I was surprised that there were that many boats.

One of 12 pictures of the fish landing area; real early in the morning it is super crowded here with people selling and buying fishes.

One of 3 pictures about a large ferry vessel being loaded with Mt. Pinatubo sand; don’t know where to, Red China?

[Karl Welteke]

SBFZ and Subic Bay Views 21st and 24th Dec.2020
I added 8 images to this album, this one, called: Return to the Philippines 2020.

This is the URL for the 8 pictures Facebook addition:

This is the URL for the album: Return to the Philippines 2020, first impressions and views:
www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=karlwilhelm.welteke&set=a.10220937675665330

For this Facebook presentation I only chose these 3 images:



U651.-This is one of 5 images with views of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), the former Naval Base on the 21st Dec. 2020, from the 6th level of the 8 story high Shoe Mart Mall (SM Mall) about the former main gate area.
The few things that are still recognizable from our Naval Base time are listed here; everything else you see is new. 1= is the Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Club which became a Chinese Restaurant; 2= is the single barracks, across Canal Street from the CPO Club-it became a hotel and a casino; 3= was our Gym-it is torn down now and a new steel frame building is going up; 4=the Philippine Flag is flying at the same place where it jointly flew with the US Flag until Nov 1992. But is flying at a higher flag pole now; 5= is the old Cubi Point Naval Air Station fighter Hangar and is now an international air port terminal but with very little traffic right now; 6= More of the old Cubi Point Naval Air Station hangars- once they were used by FedEx before they moved their hub to Red China.




U652.-Since my return to the Philippines this was my first walk on the hills, and got this nice view of Barrio Barretto. I marked a few spots: 1= Two large school buildings were added in the Barretto Elementary School #1, perhaps they are expanding to high school classes. That means Barretto has now 2 elementary and 2 high Schools. 2= is the Barangay (Barrio, Village) Barretto covered, open sided, event hall and basket ball courtyard. 3= is the Barangay, Barrio Barretto Catholic Church, I believe it was built in 1986. 4= is now a budget hotel, this is where the Irish Rose Bar used to be. Then it became a gas station. 5= is the Suzuki Beach Hotel. It was built after the base closure and has expanded now. 6= is Grande Island, the ex Fort Wint. Here is a story you may not have heard.
During the Spanish American War and before American Philippine War started, the Spanish Civilians and Military took refuge on Grande Island and did not want to surrender to the Filipino Freedom Fighters. An Imperial German War appeared and assisted the Spanish. General Aguinaldo reported that to Commodore Dewey. He sent a US warship up here and told the Germans to beat it and turned the Spanish over to the Freedom Fighters. As far as I can tell this area was the Maquinaya Naval Firing Range until 1942 and became a Naval Supply Depot in 1945 until about 1959 when it was returned to the Philippine Authorities. It is amazing what has become of this place, not bad!



U653.-Since my return to the Philippines this was my first walk on the hills, and got this nice view of Barrio Barretto. I marked a few spots: 1= this is where the approximate 1945 pier and bay swell breaking metal sheeting run. Most of the metal sheeting still exists, mostly underwater and you can see the concrete pilings where the pier run ashore.2= is the large addition of the By The Sea Hotel. 3= is the new Central Park Reef Hotel. Both are hit hard by the virus from Red China and are closed presently. We hope better times are around the corner.

[Karl Welteke]

Naugsol to Tibag Smokey Mountain Walk 31st Dec. 2020.

Friends

This is an album of my walk from Naugsol to the new Subic Town Smokey Mountain in the Matain River Valley above the Sitio (Village) Tibag on the 31st Dec. 2020. To me these walks are exciting because one sees the people of the Philippines struggle with their life and how they succeed in making a living. They look at me as a stranger and usually or almost always make me feel welcome. Looking at the scenery makes one appreciate one’s life and to me it is the most interesting to see the beauty of nature and the things people made to make their life easier This walk was even more special because I was gone for 15 months and to observe all the changes the local Filipinos of Subic Town have made.

The Changes that I observed are:

-A road has been started and a bridge is built; the people said it will go to Bataan, in other words it will bypass Subic Town and Olongapo City.
-The Matain River Banks have been concreted in Naugsol.
-Other light bridges and fords for foot and trice have been built.
-The high voltage line, being built, is making progress.
-A new landfill, I like to call them Smokey Mountain, has been established.
-More road concreting has been done, but the trash trucks are also causing some damage in the gravel road sections.
-More people are building houses along the river and older hootches have become houses.
-Nothing has changed in Tibag and no pictures are provided.
-The people are as friendly as always to people like me, an American, European type stranger
-Higher up, by the landfill I followed Aeta trails which I had not seen before.




U667. The lead picture and description of this walk.



U668. The new big bridge, people said it is for a Subic Town and Olongapo bypass road.



U669. The new high voltage line is making progress.



U670. A zoomed in section of my GPS track of this walk.



U671. A zoomed in end section of my GPS track of this walk.



U672. A zoomed in section near the start and end of my GPS track of this walk.


For the Facebook presentation 59 images are provided. Some of the pictures have descriptions embedded. This is the URL:

I actually created or took about 150 pictures and put them into the Photobucket album:

app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/79164adf-6037-4c63-b675-3f1915e93d58

If you are going to watch this on Photobucket, they are bugging you with advertisements. Try to click slideshow right away and go full screen. Then another option might be to click stop and look at the pictures one by one. The bad thing about the new Photobucket is they don’t show my image descriptions. But then, in this album, some descriptions are embedded!
Happy New Year feels good to be home
Karl

[Karl Welteke]

585 meter foot hill of Mt. Pointed Peak in Cawag, Subic Bay.

The 585 meter hill behind the Kurokutok Nature Park, a friend with 5 female athletes came along. I'm getting old; I'm very slow going up a steep hill like that. We parked at the park and went. The hill is completely burned, that made it possible. Nice views from the top, all the way around! We climbed this hill on the 21st March 2021.

43 images have been uploaded into this Photobucket album:

app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/e0fab4f6-f4ce-4e66-a5dd-a57d804c333d

4 sample images are presented here.


U813.


U814.


U815


U816

[Karl Welteke]

Redondo Mt. Hike, 11th April 2021.

I love to walk and like to share the views and the geography of our beloved Subic Bay. 12 pictures were posted into this, my Facebook account, the pictures have descriptions:

4 sample pictures are presented here:



[/a]846. My Garmin GPS track transferred to Google Earth. My Track Notes: Started in the new Agusuhin Village, the trail starts at the school, the trail is good passed the Police Outpost and the next ridge and the last 150 meters elevation it was ok also but about 100-meter elevation in between was no good. The hill was burned, so navigation was easy. explored on top. Returned the same way but at the bottom I branched off and that was difficult.



U947. The Redondo Mountain Peak, my goal, a little over 600 meter high. The trail is gone at places but because of the burn and that I have been here before, caused no problem finding the way. This area, this peninsular, separating the bay of Subic Bay from the South China Sea is called the Redondo Peninsular.



U848. This was ones a lovely valley called Agusuhin, and the people loved the Marines. The Marines called this valley and area Green Beach and used it as a training area. It was also the Quarry for the Subic Naval Base and the new SBMA Management. A hole was dug here, and they build an oil platform. Then it became the Hanjin Shipyard. In back we see Grande Island the former US Army Fort Wint; the virus from Red China also slowed that resort to a standstill; a resort that is what it is now.

The Hanjin Shipyard, in the former lovely beach area of Agusuhin, also called Green Beach, went broke. I zoomed in, I don’t see a person or even a mouse, the place is dead now. There was news about new entities interested in this place, but I did not see anything happening.

Battery Warwick with two 10 Inch Disappearing Guns, in 1968 the guns were disassembled by U.S Sailors, incl. my friend Charlie Moser (HTI DV then) and shipped to Fort Casey. See this URL: philippine-sailor.net/2018/07/18/battery-warwick-guns-are-not-forgotten/



U849. Another WWII spot in Subic Bay to remember.

Wild Bill Lewis in the Facebook page: Gains Beach in memory of PHC Ernie J Gains Subic Bay writes the following in this URL: www.facebook.com/groups/173482504408826:

The 102nd Battalion arrived in Subic Bay on February 28, 1945, with the 24th Regiment and set up camp at the site of the submarine base. The regiment, after a brief stay at the old ammunition depot at Maritan Point, settled in the administrative area at Olongapo.

Construction of a submarine base was the next assignment of the 102nd Battalion. Offices were set up in a 20-by-168-foot multiple-Quonset hut, and quarters and mess facilities were also established in Quonsets. Access roads throughout the area were gravel-surfaced, and sidewalks were built throughout the camp.

Radio facilities for the base were provided in two standard Quonsets, placed end-to-end, with a third Quonset connected to form a T-shaped building. The structure had a concrete deck. A wood-frame building with a concrete deck was erected to house the generating equipment.

Submarine repair facilities also were constructed by the 102nd, with the help of base personnel. Enlisted men were quartered in eight 24-by-176-foot double-deck wood-frame barracks. A wood-frame messhall and galley to accommodate 2,000 men was provided. Laundry and ship's store activities were located in two large Quonset huts. A general stores warehouses, 100 by 135 feet, was of multiple-quonset construction, and a wood-frame structure was installed to protect six 650-cubic-foot refrigerators. Medical facilities for the base were provided in five Quonset huts.

Multiple-Quonset construction was used to make a torpedo workshop, 123 by 200 feet, and a shipfitter ship, 100 by 120 feet. The torpedo workshop was later equipped with an overhead crane, and a 20-by-100-foot frame addition was made to the shipfitter shop for use as a compressor shed. Two electrical shops, a photography shop, and a radio and radar shop were installed in Quonset huts. A pontoon pier, complete with dolphins, was installed for cargo vessels. This was later supplemented by the construction of a timber pier.

Five miles of gravel-surfaced roadway and four timber highway bridges were constructed to provide access to the base.

To permit construction of the submarine supply center, a native village was relocated. Ten quonsets were built for quarters. A carpenter's shop, a packing building, and two 226-by-300-foot multiple Quonsets were constructed as warehouses.

The base water-supply system was at first cared for in wood-stave water tanks erected by the Seabees. Later, three Japanese 160,000-gallon steel storage tanks, captured at the base, were erected for a permanent base water supply.

Access roads over rice paddies, including a 120-foot timber highway bridge over the Matain River, and 12 acres of open storage areas were built by the 11th Battalion.

Gains beach is born ...
Source is bureau of yards and docs and civil engineering corps 1940-1946 United States Navy pgs 388-389