Corregidor Tour by a former Guide,
26th Dec. 2021.I posted these 192 images of that tour that only a knowledgeable person about Corregidor may get an idea how Corregidor looks like now, on the 26th Dec. 2021. The pictures were not edited nor have descriptions. This is the URL, warning many, many pictures, click here:
www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/albums/72177720295512907Here are some of my observations:
Mr. Marianito Malacaman (He said, call him Mart), a licensed guide, organized this Corregidor Tour via Facebook messenger. We met in Cabcaben. 6 people signed up including me. We used Villa Carmen boats. Because of the virus, the boats only load 50% capacity, so two boats had to be hired. The guide told me he paid 4K peso for each boat. We parked at the Villa Carmen Beach, we were 3 PUVs. Another group beat us to the boats; only 2 boats were available, so we had to wait our turn. No problem, Mart had the trolley and only driver reserved, so the first group had to wait for us and we used a trolley jointly and shared the cost. There was no driver for the only van on Corregidor (cheaper) and we were prepared to pay the higher cost of the trolley, so things worked out for both parties. The North Channel had the typical NE wind and swells, so going over no problem, coming back we got wet.
I paid 2700 for everything, the boat, the trolley, the entrance fee. Mac Arthur Café is closed, the former proprietor works there now as an employee and food arrangements have to made prior via the CFI office. Mart shared a hamburger with me; he had brought over, great guy! Overnights are available with prior arrangement at the MacArthur Café and one needs to discuss what one wants to eat, prior via the CFI Office. The power will stay on during the night with overnight guests, otherwise the power, right now, runs from 6pm to 9 pm. The Hotel is still closed. The CFI staff is reduced but many familiar faces are still there, the nurse, the cashier, the Mac Arthur Café entrepreneur, now an employee though. This was Sunday but saw maybe an 8 men sweeper crew.
The Philippine Navy and Marines have small detachments on the island, they will get relieved on the 27th Dec. so the teams don’t miss both Holyday seasons, and one guy said the detail lasts 3 month. Everybody on the island cares for their own food, bring, or get it yourself, Menard the boat food delivery from Bataan is still available but less often. Interestingly the Navy team had a monkey and was allowed to climb on people. The sailor said, they got it as a baby on Corregidor and it will go with them when relieved. Both outfits are located at the Bottomside south beach. The Coast Guard is still there, the roof is beginning to need repair. The roof over the outdoor area at Mac Arthur Café is hurting also.
I asked and Villa Carmen boats said, this month, so far they had 10 round trips, the Cabcaben Boat CoOp, I don’t know. The Coast Guard or Navy and another enterprise were over here, this month, but with their own transportation. Also I don’t know whether CFI with their 15 passenger craft had any trips this month, and remember they leave from the CCP in Manila now.
On this trip the guided tour was like normal and the pictures in the album are in sequence and tell you that everything on the tourist route looks the same as before. We skipped Battery Grubbs and Battery Crockett and did not get off the trolley at the Philippine Hero Memorial. The guide and I did sit down at the Mac Café while we waited for the boats when they took the first bunch back which had beat us to the punch today. I walked thru the chapel, it is beginning to hurt. The Malinta Hill Tunnel, we walked just into the west entrance and were cautioned about the rocks falling down sometime, outside the entrance.
I’m glad I made the trip and it helped me to prepare myself for my next trip in Feb. 2022. And I appreciate all the effort the tour guide Marianito Malacaman put into this and he travelled up here with his motorbike.
Here are 10 sample images:
Zf459. We had a Corregidor tour guide, Mr. Marianito Malacaman, a trolley with driver and he was the best tour guide on Corregidor Island. He said, his joke, because he was the only guide on the island.
Zf460. Battery Way on Corregidor Island, we visited all the normal tourist sites, they are kept presentable, even with the limited CFI staff. Our tour skipped Battery Grubbs and Battery Crockett.
Zf461. The guided tour trolleys on Corregidor need some attention; the lack of recourses is notable.
Zf462. On the Corregidor guided tour, we not only had the normal trolley and a qualified tour guide, CFI went out of their way, started up the generator Topside and even the souvenir shop was open and I’m wearing my new Corregidor shirt right now.
Zf463. This is the foundation of the eternal light on Corregidor, dedicated Pease on earth. The solar power system recently got renovated and the light is on all day. One has a great view of the Malinta Hill and the Tailend of Corregidor. We also walked to the end and one has a better view from there. The ashes of one of our Corregidor Friend Tom Aring have been put here by his family, “RIP Tom”.
Zf464. This is the lounge of the Corregidor Foundation Inc (CFI) Admin Building, which was built as a replica to a Spanish Building that once stood here. Notice two library shelves have been put in place. So, for any overnighter, one can read books here now about the history of Corregidor and more.
Zf465. The Corregidor Sweeper Gang, on a break or between sweeping assignments. I’m glad to see them that they are still around and keep at least a bare minimum of historical places presentable. Today was a Sunday and they were on the job!
Zf466. This is the General Wainwright and Nurses (some of the nurses were Filipinas) Memorial. Whenever I can I have a look at this Memorial, I like to be sure that this Memorial is not forgotten.
Zf467. This is a member of the Navy Security on the island. This fellow said they got this monkey as baby. It will leave the island on the 27th Dec. The Security team will change so both teams have at least one of the holyday periods at home or at their station.
Zf468. The Marine security was camped at the building near San Jose Point, South side of Corregidor Island. Apparently one of their troopers just came back with a fishing boat. So, Both, the Navy and the Marine Security Teams are camped out at the Corregidor South Shore and stay about 3 months and rotate then with other teams.