Post by fots2 on Dec 4, 2010 20:19:07 GMT 8
I don't know if anyone is much interested in this but I thought I would show you views of Bottomside. Usually I considered this part of Corregidor to be only a place to stay and a starting point to heading somewhere else. Perhaps I have been taking it for granted. This particular morning (December 3rd) I had some free time before meeting up with the hotel manager. He wanted to go scout out a couple locations he was considering to take overnight guests.
The day started with sunny and cloudy periods then became mostly cloudy with showers at times. As we are nearing the end of the rainy season the island is still quite green. For those who have never visited Corregidor or not recently, here are the photos of a two hour stroll yesterday morning.
From the dining area of the Corregidor Inn, here is the morning view looking SE towards Cavite. That is the tip of Caballo Island to the left.
From the opposite side of the same dining area we are now looking to the north across to Bataan. Mount Mariveles is often in the clouds.
The ferry carrying the day trippers swings around as it approaches the North Dock. It is mid week so still not a lot of visitors to Corregidor at this time of the year. Weekends can be fully booked but for the past two days, I have been the only overnight guest at the Corregidor Inn. I love it but it does not pay their bills. The peak season is coming.
The North Dock with the 8-inch barrel from Battery RJ-43 on display.
Walking west we see the Engineer Dock ahead plus a corner of the Power/Refrigeration Plant.
Engineer Dock
At the end of Engineer Dock looking south towards Engineer Ravine. The Power Plant is totally hidden from Bataan.
Looking across to the North Dock we see the smaller of the two ferries that Sun Cruises use for the Manila-Corregidor-Manila run.
View of the Power Plant in Engineer Ravine.
A road connects North Dock and Engineer Dock. Ahead is the maintenance shop for the tour buses. To the right is the rear of one of the islands watering holes. Fully equipped with videoke of course. The guardrail you see near the top is along the road going to Middleside.
Returning to the North Dock area we see the adjacent Corregidor Foundation Admin building.
This artillery piece guards the front lawn here.
Here I am standing on an intersection where I can see Lorcha Dock straight ahead. At mid right is the start of the North Shore Road that rounds Malinta Hill on the way to Tailside. Bottom right is the road heading directly across the island to the south of Bottomside.
Lorcha Dock and the General MacArthur statue.
At the end of Lorcha Dock is a good view across North Dock. That is the Power Plant straight ahead in the hillside.
From the same location looking east of Lorcha Dock is the Philippine Coast Guard Station.
Inland from Lorcha Dock is one of our favourite after hike locations named McArthur's Cafe. (Did anyone ever tell them Macs name is spelled wrong?)
Beside McArthur's Cafe is the Hostel run by Sun Cruises. It is dormitory style accommodations for large groups or hotel overflow.
To the south of the Hostel is a 12-inch gun barrel which was designated to be the spare barrel for Battery Cheney. This time of the year it is almost completely overgrown.
Here I am standing on the cross-island road looking north. The structure to the left is a location for feeding the large groups that stay in the hostel or for any function that the Inn or south side Kiosk cannot handle. Years ago it was sort of a lounge also with a pool table and outdoor seating.
Mid island is the San Jose Church. Ahead above the road was the bridge for the trolley line that went to Malinta Tunnel.
Looking south, a closer view of the trolley bridge.
Just past the bridge you see an open area which was a section of Barrio San Jose before the war.
Also at this location is a small memorial park with three monuments. (Wainwright, the Nurses and Corregidor in general).
Continuing south we soon come to an intersection. The north-south road is left to right in the photo. Straight ahead turning to the left takes you to Malinta Tunnel's West entrance. Turning right where the two guys are walking puts you onto the South Shore Road around Malinta Hill.
A third watering hole with videoke.
As we reach the south shore the first buildings we see are CFI's Passenger Welcome Shed. Malinta Hill is view behind it.
The South Dock.
From the South Dock looking east. The recent guardrail around Malinta's South Shore Road is very visible.
Standing on the outer end of the South Dock we are looking north across Bottomside. At the top of Skipper Hill is the Corregidor Inn. Straight ahead the red roofed structure is the 'Kiosk' operated by the Corregidor Inn people.
A view of the west to south-west section of Malinta Hill.
Looking across Black Beach which was the February, 1945 invasion beach.
On Black Beach looking east. Caballo Island and Cavite are in the background.
A closer look at the Kiosk. This is a great place to spend time in the evening.
Ok, enough walking. Its time to sit down for a cold drink of some sort and enjoy the ocean breeze.
The Kiosk. Note the rock on the newspaper so it won't blow away.
I have three more trip reports to complete whenever I get around to it so more coming someday.
The day started with sunny and cloudy periods then became mostly cloudy with showers at times. As we are nearing the end of the rainy season the island is still quite green. For those who have never visited Corregidor or not recently, here are the photos of a two hour stroll yesterday morning.
From the dining area of the Corregidor Inn, here is the morning view looking SE towards Cavite. That is the tip of Caballo Island to the left.
From the opposite side of the same dining area we are now looking to the north across to Bataan. Mount Mariveles is often in the clouds.
The ferry carrying the day trippers swings around as it approaches the North Dock. It is mid week so still not a lot of visitors to Corregidor at this time of the year. Weekends can be fully booked but for the past two days, I have been the only overnight guest at the Corregidor Inn. I love it but it does not pay their bills. The peak season is coming.
The North Dock with the 8-inch barrel from Battery RJ-43 on display.
Walking west we see the Engineer Dock ahead plus a corner of the Power/Refrigeration Plant.
Engineer Dock
At the end of Engineer Dock looking south towards Engineer Ravine. The Power Plant is totally hidden from Bataan.
Looking across to the North Dock we see the smaller of the two ferries that Sun Cruises use for the Manila-Corregidor-Manila run.
View of the Power Plant in Engineer Ravine.
A road connects North Dock and Engineer Dock. Ahead is the maintenance shop for the tour buses. To the right is the rear of one of the islands watering holes. Fully equipped with videoke of course. The guardrail you see near the top is along the road going to Middleside.
Returning to the North Dock area we see the adjacent Corregidor Foundation Admin building.
This artillery piece guards the front lawn here.
Here I am standing on an intersection where I can see Lorcha Dock straight ahead. At mid right is the start of the North Shore Road that rounds Malinta Hill on the way to Tailside. Bottom right is the road heading directly across the island to the south of Bottomside.
Lorcha Dock and the General MacArthur statue.
At the end of Lorcha Dock is a good view across North Dock. That is the Power Plant straight ahead in the hillside.
From the same location looking east of Lorcha Dock is the Philippine Coast Guard Station.
Inland from Lorcha Dock is one of our favourite after hike locations named McArthur's Cafe. (Did anyone ever tell them Macs name is spelled wrong?)
Beside McArthur's Cafe is the Hostel run by Sun Cruises. It is dormitory style accommodations for large groups or hotel overflow.
To the south of the Hostel is a 12-inch gun barrel which was designated to be the spare barrel for Battery Cheney. This time of the year it is almost completely overgrown.
Here I am standing on the cross-island road looking north. The structure to the left is a location for feeding the large groups that stay in the hostel or for any function that the Inn or south side Kiosk cannot handle. Years ago it was sort of a lounge also with a pool table and outdoor seating.
Mid island is the San Jose Church. Ahead above the road was the bridge for the trolley line that went to Malinta Tunnel.
Looking south, a closer view of the trolley bridge.
Just past the bridge you see an open area which was a section of Barrio San Jose before the war.
Also at this location is a small memorial park with three monuments. (Wainwright, the Nurses and Corregidor in general).
Continuing south we soon come to an intersection. The north-south road is left to right in the photo. Straight ahead turning to the left takes you to Malinta Tunnel's West entrance. Turning right where the two guys are walking puts you onto the South Shore Road around Malinta Hill.
A third watering hole with videoke.
As we reach the south shore the first buildings we see are CFI's Passenger Welcome Shed. Malinta Hill is view behind it.
The South Dock.
From the South Dock looking east. The recent guardrail around Malinta's South Shore Road is very visible.
Standing on the outer end of the South Dock we are looking north across Bottomside. At the top of Skipper Hill is the Corregidor Inn. Straight ahead the red roofed structure is the 'Kiosk' operated by the Corregidor Inn people.
A view of the west to south-west section of Malinta Hill.
Looking across Black Beach which was the February, 1945 invasion beach.
On Black Beach looking east. Caballo Island and Cavite are in the background.
A closer look at the Kiosk. This is a great place to spend time in the evening.
Ok, enough walking. Its time to sit down for a cold drink of some sort and enjoy the ocean breeze.
The Kiosk. Note the rock on the newspaper so it won't blow away.
I have three more trip reports to complete whenever I get around to it so more coming someday.