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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2010 7:26:38 GMT 8
I was in the Philippines last march, 1st time in 7 years, managed to spend some time on Corregidor, one of my fav places in the world. I saw a few changes since i was last there, a rope line from the hotel for a start, then the hotel menu, changed and not for the better! All the books in the hotel library behind a locked glass case, sign of the times huh? And the hotel needs a maintenance man, hey maybe i could get a job there? nah!! they could`nt afford me! So i went out hiking everyday with the guide, not Syver, he`s long gone, i liked Syver, we shared a beer or three. I wonder where he is now, i remember his wife was expecting. Anyway we trekked around all the same old places and a few new ones, i noticed on my travels more damage to the buildings, the hospital seemed to have holes knocked in walls, revelling passageways also a room that seemed to have insulation inside all pulled down. Talking to the guide i mentioned how i new of this group including Paul Whitman, his reply made me wonder............... "yeah he and his friends are always here, there looking for something" when i asked who was doing all the damage, he replied people looking for something, or scrappers maybe. So i persisted with that line of questioning, i mean to do all this damage you have to have had sledge hammers, maybe a breaker or and disc cutters, gas torches, don`t you guys hear anything i said, yeah we are watching them. So the thought occurred to me that maybe the frequent visitors are watched to see where they are going, what they are doing and then after you`ve gone the "scrappers" move in to pull the place apart looking for the treasure! I dunno, but it maybe worth taking precautions to ensure no one follows you all, cos they all seem to think that gold, silver etc is hidden on the island, maybe its the hotel staff doing all the damage? Anyway when i was sitting having breakfast, i saw this yellow bird flying around, and a kingfisher, Hey those breakfasts are smaller portions now! I set up my 10x50 binoculars and watched the ships passing way over towards fort drum, the only unsinkable battleship ever built! The three days passed to quickly and it was time to return to Manila for the journey home................ A pic for you to enjoy, sunset from battery Grubbs, that`s treasure for you! Would put more on but can`t seem to get more than one on at a time. Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2010 7:31:11 GMT 8
Another pic, me in a tunnel, one of many! Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2010 7:34:54 GMT 8
The hotel from Malinta hill, quite a trek up there, the guide and i sat and took in the view while eating some oranges i`d brought with me. Attachments:
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Post by buster on Apr 21, 2010 11:20:51 GMT 8
Sign for Manila International Airport. Your post touches upon something that's more than a little scary - how it is possible that people, ostensibly educated, have so little a grip upon reality that they believe there is some treasure to be dug at Corregidor. That being the case, I am looking for a business partner in a new venture. Investors interested should write me at "Maps Free With Every Shovel Enterprises Inc., First Bar on the Left, South Mine Wharf, Corregidor." I have even prepared some point of sale materials! Although running any enterprise here is like running in molasses. Sun Cruises pays 180+ days on COD invoices, Exo tells me. Only a few understand the treasure of historical tourism - the great mass much rather piss the potential away. The watcher and the thief are classmates. If it wasn't for the thief, the watchers has no job. Yes, there are scrappers who sneak in from time to time when the fishing gets thin, yes there's an effort at catching them, and sometimes they might even do! But no, it doesn't get better. It never does. They'll tell you it does, but it doesn't. The Inn has had to lay off a few staff-members - I understand that amongst one of the first to get the bullet was their "Safety Officer." The cats are still there, and there's talk of a tourist having been bitten by one, and having had to get rabies shots. I think there's some irony there. Rabies shots are cheaper than Safety Officers. Syver is long gone - he was a real good bloke, and genuinely deeply interested in the island's history. He read books!! That's dangerous, he had to go! I met a fellow recently who had worked some time in Singapore, and he told me that he liked coming to Manila "because, unlike Singapore, Manila has so much potential for improvement." "Quezon got his wish," he noted.
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Post by fots2 on Apr 21, 2010 14:16:56 GMT 8
After only a three day visit if seven years, I must say that you are very perceptive. I won’t elaborate on many of your comments but unfortunately I have to agree with you.
I am still surprised when guides openly admit that they are looking for treasure where ever they go. I have been told this more than once. They are a nice bunch of guys though.
When your guide says “we (the frequent visitors) are looking for something”, he is talking from the only mentality that they understand. Artifacts, or treasure for profit.
I seriously doubt that I am followed especially when I am alone. That would have been noticed long before now. I walk cautiously looking for holes, snakes and hidden structures. By nature I am quiet and often do not use existing roads. I stop often for photos and change direction at any moment thanks to my GPS.
No one can quietly get through that jungle walking on dead leaves and branches. One thing I can guarantee you, if anyone chooses to try to follow me, they will surely earn any little thing they may find.
Nice photo there notchtherhino. It sounds like you had a great trip.
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Post by The Phantom on Apr 22, 2010 7:01:16 GMT 8
I agree with you both on the situation on the island.
I went so far as to invite a Tour Guide to walk with me an entire day after getting static about why I was on the island so long, when I would come.
They assumed that I was looking for "Treasure" as "no one spends time just walking around and looking at ruins." ( Doctor's orders to walk and lose weight or go blind etc., lost 15 lbs this trip, diabetic you see)
The tour guide and I visited several locations. A fox hole under an officer's house on topside, a small bunker on the road to Battery Way made of railroad ties, etc. Just walking slowly and keeping your eyes open brings historic rewards, as Fots can attest..
I have been out at night one night on Topside by mistake with Exo and been taken back to the Hotel.
We were visiting the house of Col. Kirkpatrick for his daughter, Mary, who was born there. We were getting some pictures for her and toasting her father with some good Johnny Walker on the front steps as asked.
It is DARK at night up there. Not safe for many reasons I'm sure.
I wouldn't want to meet that big monkey on a dark road at night..........He has a gang now you know.
As far as being watched, don't think so, get offered rides back to the Hotel a lot when they see me sweating on the road walking back. Good folks there.
Wouldn't mind being watched though, nothing to hide, I'd share the GOLD for sure when found.........if they help carry........
Corregidor is best politics free, just a tourist exploring and walking around, sweating enough to lose some weight, and earn a cold beer at Mac-Arthur's.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2010 8:52:50 GMT 8
Yes they are a good crowd at the hotel, always friendly and helpful. Never have seen any monkeys or snakes, crabs and a few lizards yes, was just about to drop off to sleep one night and a bloody gekko ran over my head! When i was there back in 98 i was rooting around battery James, or it may have been Morrison anyway i bumped into 3 characters up to no good, they looked at me, i looked at them, a big machete appeared in one of the guys hands, never one to back down from a scrap i produced my kukri and dropped my back pack and moved forward, well they must have thought better of it cos they turned and scarpered. I told the people at the hotel and the coast guard were informed, Syver came with me every day from then on. He reckoned they were scrappers, i remember hearing explosions out at sea, and Syver telling me about the dynamite fishing, i guess when people are hard up they will do anything! Maybe the guide was trying to impress me with his comments, to make the place more interesting etc, he did`nt know i`d been there several times before, i just let him take me around, we were out for 5 hours most days, i then messed around the pool area with her indoors and my boy. I hope to get back on a yearly basis now, would like to go to Fort Drum again, but hell its expensive, last time a hired a small bangka and whizzed over there, got a snap of Syver sitting up on the gun barrel , but they said the coast guard won`t allow them to take people any more and you have to use the bigger boats down by the dock. Pic of me the mrs and my boy, battery Grubbs at sunset, I remember they used to take you out there for free, now its part of a package and p150. Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2010 8:54:27 GMT 8
Me emerging from another tunnel Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2010 8:57:23 GMT 8
View of the hospital Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2010 8:59:38 GMT 8
Mile long barracks, interesting roof light! Attachments:
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