Corregidor: The Prologue

What a feat! Got up at about 5am to get dressed for the Corregidor Day Cruise that the bf and I booked to celebrate the 4th anniversary.

I am definitely NOT a morning person. My head was still spinning, but we didn't want any issues at boarding time, so I dragged my ass outta bed.

We booked the Sun Cruises day cruise, so we had to be at the CCP dock by 7am. We arrived at about 6am, here's what we witnessed --

Gadzooks! Areobics at Harbor Square -- at the break of dawn!

I had never seen so many morning people in my life... and they're dancing around in a public place.

Well, I suppose it's ok. It looks like it's free (I wouldn't know, really. I didn't ask anybody.)

This tot was doin' it too. Look how cute!

Then there're the rowers...*yawn* (still sleepy while taking photos -_- )



This auntie likes to exercise with a view... and doing it in front of our boat! How posh. Hehe.



(click to enlarge)

One thing I really like about Harbor Square, though, is that you get a really lovely view of Manila Bay.

*sniff* Ahhh. The occasional putrid smell that comes from The Bay. We are def-o in Manila. Still, it's a nice view.

It's nice and cozy inside the Sun Cruises ferry. Just a bit cramped because the seat rows are a little too close together, so it might be tricky for tall people. But the trip to Corregidor Island only takes over an hour, so I doubt if it's a significant issue.




The good thing about taking the Corregidor day cruise is that the whole itenary is mapped out for you. All you need to do is board the boat. When you arrive at the island, there are buses already waiting to give you the island tour.



And because it's a guided tour, you will never miss out on all the trivia and historical facts while driving through the sites (which is good for me because I'm a sucker for trivia).

Corregidor Island has NIL RESIDENTS. It is considered a shrine by the Philippine government. All the people here are employees who stay a maximum of 6 days a week. How's that for a fun fact? Hehe.



I just love the buses! They used to be cable cars that went around the island, but the railroads had all been bombed out. So wheels were put underneath the cable cars instead.

I'm a-whorin' at the back o' the bus, yo.

(click to enlarge)

Corregidor has a really lovely coastline. The water was very clean and the view just makes you want to sit under one of those sheds by the beach. *sigh*

Corregidor comes from the Spanish word “corregir,” meaning to correct. One story states that due to the Spanish system wherein all ships entering Manila Bay were required to stop and have their documents checked and corrected, the island was called "Isla del Corregidor" (Island of the Correction). Another version claims that the island was used a penitentiary or correctional institution by the Spanish and came to be called "El Corregidor." - excerpt from the Corregidor official website.

Don't go for a dip though. The water is non-swimmable, according to our tourguide.

Corregidor Island, apparently, is the Filipino version of Alcatraz. The shores are full of corals and you will only hurt yourself if you attempt to swim away from it.

Breath-taking views. I just love 'em.

I'm doing a series of posts on this tour. The bf and I each had our own cameras, so there were practically millions of photos to cover the whole day. Hope y'all will like 'em.

~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~

Oh, and before I forget. I'm absolutely chuffed that Jerine & BearBear had nominated me for The Marie-Antoinette A Real Person, A Real Award. I'm so flattered! Thanks girls!




There are also a few blogs I know of that deserve recognition:

1. Mark
2. Gab-Gab
3. Rashid
4. Sheila
5. Mr Battery
6. Sendo
7. Tiago


Furthermore, accepting this honour does have its requirements:

1. Please put the logo on your blog.
2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs.
4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them.