For the fifth time around I was again traveling back to historic Corregidor Island but, this time, I was traveling with my loved ones – my wife Grace, my son Jandy, my daughter Cheska, my 1 year old grandson Kyle and Cheska’s fiancée Marve. With an overnight stay at Corregidor Inn included in our package, it was going to be a true family outing.
My family at Battery Way
Exploring Battery Hearn
This was to be Grace and Jandy’s second visit to Corregidor and the first for the rest. It being a long weekend, the 150-pax, airconditioned MV Sun Cruiser II was fully booked, with chance passengers waiting on the sidelines. We left the Sun Cruises Terminal a little past 8 AM and, after a 26-km. journey, arrived on the island in a little over an hour.
Author at ruins of Middleside Barracks
Our tranvia (pre-war-styled street cars) tour bus No. 5 awaited us upon our arrival at North Dock. Our guided tour again consisted of short stopovers at Battery Way (four 12” mortars capable of firing in any direction), Battery Hearns (a 12” seacoast gun), ruins of Middleside and “Mile Long” Barracks, the Spanish Lighthouse (where Grace, Marve, Cheska and Jandy climbed to the top), the famous flagpole and the Pacific War Memorial (with its museum and steel wing-shaped “Eternal Flame” sculpture).
Check out “Pacific War Memorial Museum“
Cheska and Marve at Malinta Tunnel
Kyle and Grace at South Beach
Marve, Cheska and Jandy availed of the optional, 30-min., vividly-staged light and sound show called the “Malinta Experience” (PhP200/pax), a re-enactment of dramatic World War II events. As they started the show from the east entrance, while Grace, Kyle and I were driven to South Beach where Kyle frolicked on the gray sand. Back in our bus, we met up with the others at the tunnel’s west entrance. This culminated our island tour.
Author at the Pacific War Memorial
Jandy at the Memorial altar
Cheska, Kyle, Marve and Jandy at the Eternal Flame
Finally, we were driven to the 31-room Corregidor Inn where a filling buffet lunch awaited us at La Playa Restaurant. We were allowed to check into our suite by 2 PM and, as I climbed the stairs, I noticed framed copied of 2 of my Business Mirror articles (“Adventure Island” and “Adventour Challenge: Corregidor’s Amazing Race”) hung by the stair landing. Quite flattering to say the least. I hope to add a third with this visit.
Check out “Hotel and Inn Review: Corregidor Inn“
Adventure Island
Adventour Challenge: Corregidor’s Amazing Grace
The first time I stayed overnight at the inn, I checked in at an airconditioned standard twin room with bath (one of 30) but, this time around, we all stayed at the inn’s lone but more opulent and roomy airconditioned suite located at the end of the hall, equally furnished with exquisite rattan furniture. It too didn’t have cable TV but we didn’t mind as it allowed for more family bonding time.
The 31-room Corregidor Inn – the best in the island
The opulent suite
Family bonding time at La Playa Restaurant
Corregidor Inn: Signal Hill, Brgy. San Jose, Corregidor Island, Cavite. Mobile number: (0917) 527-6350. E-mail: corregidor_inn@suncruises.com.ph. Website: www.corregidorphilippines.com/corr_inn.html.
Sun Cruises, Inc. (SCI) – Reservation Office: CCP Terminal A, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Manila. Tel: (632) 831-8140 and (632) 834-6857 to 58. Fax: (632) 834-1523. E-mail: suncruises@magsaysay.com.ph.
Sun Cruises, Inc. (SCI) – Sales Office: 21/F, Times Plaza Bldg., Ermita, Manila. Tel: (632) 527-5555 local 4511 and 4512. Fax: (632) 527-5555 local 4513. E-mail: sales@suncruises.com.ph.