In a rare quiet weekend in January, Alan and I joined a group going out to Corregidor Island at the mouth of Manila Bay. This island was the last stand for the American and Philipino military after the Japanese attacked the Philippines during WWII. Then Pres. Quezon left from here to go in exile in America and Gen McArthur uttered his famous "I shall return" from here before leaving for Australia. (he did return and win back the Philippines). From Manila we took a ferry out to the island - about 26 nautical miles out.
This is a large flooding Chinese restaurant docked next to the ferry boat.
On the ferry were a group of Filipino reinactors going out to camp for the weekend. The island is now a national park and monument.
This relief map is in one of the small museums. The island is very small - 5mls x 1 1/2 mls. It has a volcanic mountain in the center. The Spanish used it for a prion camp.
Our tour guide was an American living on the island doing research. His father was a WWII POW who was stationed on the island. This was the gun his father manned.
The mountain in the center has a very intricate tunnel system that had housing, a hospital and offices. From here MacArthur lead the war until his forced exit to Australia.
In side the main tunnel. There are tracks on the floor from the "train" used to move materials.
One of the many side tunnels. Inside the tunnel there is a light and sound show giving the history of the tunnel.
One of the many guns still standing on the island.
Ruins of the hospital. The island was completely destroyed by the Japanese bombing. Even the plant life was destroyed. When the island became a national park, the trees and plants were replanted. It has taken years to restore the island.
One of the barracks. There were three large long barracks on the island. When the bombing started they were abandoned and everyone had to move into the tunnel.
The Eternal Flame of Peace in the memorial park.
That's me - Looking out at the South China Sea.
There are several beaches long the island that are now parks.
Alan and I at the memorial park.
One of the gun batteries. Before the island became a park, many of the guns were stripped for scrap metal.
Carrabao Island near by. There are several small islands around Corregidor.
Hole left from a Japanese bomb.
Our tour group for the day! It was a nice day trip. There is alot of history there. Since coming to the Philippines I am just now learning alot about the war. My father was a WWII veteran.
This is a large flooding Chinese restaurant docked next to the ferry boat.
On the ferry were a group of Filipino reinactors going out to camp for the weekend. The island is now a national park and monument.
This relief map is in one of the small museums. The island is very small - 5mls x 1 1/2 mls. It has a volcanic mountain in the center. The Spanish used it for a prion camp.
Our tour guide was an American living on the island doing research. His father was a WWII POW who was stationed on the island. This was the gun his father manned.
The mountain in the center has a very intricate tunnel system that had housing, a hospital and offices. From here MacArthur lead the war until his forced exit to Australia.
In side the main tunnel. There are tracks on the floor from the "train" used to move materials.
One of the many side tunnels. Inside the tunnel there is a light and sound show giving the history of the tunnel.
One of the many guns still standing on the island.
Ruins of the hospital. The island was completely destroyed by the Japanese bombing. Even the plant life was destroyed. When the island became a national park, the trees and plants were replanted. It has taken years to restore the island.
One of the barracks. There were three large long barracks on the island. When the bombing started they were abandoned and everyone had to move into the tunnel.
The Eternal Flame of Peace in the memorial park.
That's me - Looking out at the South China Sea.
There are several beaches long the island that are now parks.
Alan and I at the memorial park.
One of the gun batteries. Before the island became a park, many of the guns were stripped for scrap metal.
Carrabao Island near by. There are several small islands around Corregidor.
Hole left from a Japanese bomb.
Our tour group for the day! It was a nice day trip. There is alot of history there. Since coming to the Philippines I am just now learning alot about the war. My father was a WWII veteran.
