Smart Backpacker

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Independence Day Tour: Corregidor and Bataan (June 12, 1012)

Last June 12, 2012, I went to two of the most important places in World War II history in the Philippines - Corregidor and Bataan.

From Manila, I boarded a Bataan Transit bus to Balanga, Bataan. The travel time is approximately 4 hours.

I reached the municipality of Mariveles and alighted at Brgy. Cabcaban.

I boarded a tricycle and went to the Port of Cabcaban.

The daily boat trip to Corregidor Island is available at this port.

Contact Nos. - 0908-144-6984 / 0905-489-7056

Boat Rates
Day Tour - 3,000.00
Overnight - 5,000.00
Maximum capacity - 8 persons

Originally, my plan was to reach Corregidor via Sunrise Cruise in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. But since I have not toured in Bataan, I decided to see both Corregidor and Bataan at the same day. And I ended up using the Cabcaban port to reach Corregidor.

I chartered the entire trip for P2,500 only (P3,000). I asked for a discount and after a series of counter-offers, the owner of the boat agreed to my initial offer.

The trip that day was very windy and the waves were so strong, I ended up praying during the trip.

Past one hour, we reached our destination, the Corregidor Port (North Dock).

The Corregidor Tour is offered by -

Sun Cruises, Inc.

Contact nos.-(02)-527-5555 loc. 4511, 4512, 4515

http://www.corregidorphilippines.com/

Day Tour Package (Adult) - P2,200
Day Tour Package (Child 3-11 yrs old) - P1,250

Overnight Room rate - P2,000
Outdoor activities - P250
Check in time - 7:00 am
Boarding time 7:30 am
Cut-off time - 7:45 am
ETD Manila - 8:00 am
ETA Corregidor - 9:15 am
ETD Corregidor - 2:30 pm
ETA Manila - 3:45 pm

After arriving at the port, I went to the registration area and paid the minimal fee for the tour.

I left my backpack at the registration area. Initially, the staff told me to rent a jeepney for the tour amounting to P2,500. After hearing this, I decided to hike instead.

From the registration area, it took me only seven minutes to reach the only church in Corregidor.

Whenever I conduct my tour, part of my itinerary is to go and to pray in a church.

Afterwards, I went to my next stop. It took me 12 minutes ascending to reach the - Malinta Tunnel.

The interior of the Malinta Tunnel

Then, I went to the other side of the tunnel.

The trek to the beach is good for almost an hour.

This is the top view of the beach.

Then, after reaching the beach, I went back to the rear of the tunnel.

And I proceeded to the batter hearns and grubbs.

Along the way, I passed the Gen. Wainwright Memorial.
The distance from Topside to Bottomside is three kilometers long. Its width is five kilometers at its widest point. Corregidor island has an elevation of 628 feet above sea level at Topside and 50 feet above sea level at Bottomside.

After walking for ten minutes from the Memorial, I reached the War Memorial Zone.

Then, the Mile Long Barracks

Honestly, it took me almost three hours of trekking but I did not mind it. Thanks to the beautiful scenery in Corregidor, I lost track of time.

Crockett, Geary and Grubbs

Battery Hearn

After the trek, I went back to the North Dock.

There are other spots that one can visit, such as:

MacArthurs Cafe and Souvenir Shop (02) 456-7333; (02)362-6518

Prime Square Enterprises
(02) 833-4679; (02) 831-9514

Sea Calm Inn - 0949-725-1621
0926-757-9440

I boarded the boat and went back to Cabcaban.

My next destination that day was to go to Mt. Samat.

I boarded a bus and went to the spot.

It took me 45 minutes to reach the jump-off point to Mt. Samat.

I hired a tricycle for P300.00 for my transportation.

After 30 minuted of uphill ascent, I reached the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor).

Touring is from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

I went inside the museum located inside the Shrine.

I saw the names of the soldiers inscribed at the wall who fought to defend Bataan during World War II.

And marveled at the huge cross at the top of Mt. Samat.

After one hour at Mt. Samat, I decided to go back to Manila. From this point, after the Fall of Bataan and Corregidor, the Death March took place and thousands of soldiers died.

I enjoyed my Independence Day Tour!

Thanks to Corregidor and Mt. Samat.

Related links -
Adventure

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-neophyte-trekker.html

Spelunking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/caves-in-philippines-spelunkers-dream.html

Skywalk/Edge Coaster - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/adventures-in-cebu-city.html

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/two-mountains-in-one-day-mt-maculot-and.html

Mt. Pinatubo - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-pinatubo-trek-capas-tarlac-trail.html

Top Ten adventures - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/12-of-my-best-adventures-in-philippines.html

River Rafting - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-river-rafting-in-davao.html

Sagada - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-adventures-in-sagada-plus-itinerary.html

Mt. Makiling - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-makiling-trek-and-itinerary.html

Pagsanjan - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-thrill-of-rapids-in-pagsanjan-and.html

Beach

Boracay - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/boracay.html

Coron - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/enchanting-coron.html

El Nido - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/el-nido-adventure-of-lifetime.html

Others –

Batanes - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-captivating-and-stunning-beauty-of.html

Bukidnon - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/exploring-bukidnon-twice.html

Bohol - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/experience-bohol.html

Top Ten Places - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/top-ten-places-in-philippines-i-visited.html

32 Ecotourism spots - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/32-ecotourism-spots-in-philippines.html

Top 10 summer pics 2011 - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/top-10-of-my-pictures-for-summer-2011.html

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

The Great Sta. Cruz Island (Zamboanga City) Updated 2015

The Philippines is endowed with white sand beaches and pristine waters.

But there is one beach in the Philippines which has pink sand beach and that beach is the Sta. Cruz Island Beach in Zamboanga City.

December 27, 2012. I was staying in Lantaka Hotel in Zamboanga City. I was in Mindanao for my post Christmas tour for 2012. I arrived 9 pm in Zamboanga City from Pagadian City. There were only two places that I would like to visit in Zamboanga City, Sta. Cruz Island and Fort Pilar.

Lantaka Hotel by the Sea

Contact no. (062)-991-2033 to 35

Fax No. (062)-991-1626

STANDARD ROOM

Single Occupancy (roadside) - P1,452.00

Single Occupancy (seaside) - P1,749.00

Double Occupancy (roadside) - P1,815.00

Double Occupancy (seaside) - P2,11.00

SUITE ROOMS / LOFT SUITE (also available)

Arriving at the hotel, I took the single occupancy (roadside), the cheapest and paid using my credit card. It is not often that you can use your credit card in Mindanao.

The following morning, I went to Paseo Del Mar.

From Lantaka Hotel, the walk to Paseo Del Mar is just five minutes and Paseo is just a stone's throw from my hotel. This was the primary reason why I took lodging in Lantaka Hotel (the only seaside hotel in the city).

Paseo del Mar is a 2.5-hectare leisure park located between the historical shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar and Lantaka Hotel by the Sea, the oldest hotel in this city.There are numerous things you can do in Paseo Del Mar like jogging, biking, street food eating, and nature tripping. But the number one attraction is available only Saturday and Sunday and that is riding the colorful vintas of Zamboanga City.

Unfortunately, it was a Thursday that day and the vinta tour on a tarts 4 pm - 6pm at an affordable cost of P50 for a 20 to 30 minutes ride around the picturesque Paseo del Mar.

Paseo also offers nightlife attractions.

Anyway, I proceeded to my destination.

And that is the berthing point of the ferry boat to Sta. Cruz Island.

It was 6:45 am and there were already a handful of tourists at the registration area.

I immediately talked to the staff and I was told that the first trip leaves at 7:am.

Contact persons and nos.

Raymond - 0926-372-1457 (my guide)

Richard - 0906-932-6439 (the manager)

Office no. - (062) - 992-3007

Entrance fee - P20.00

Terminal fee - P5.00

Cottage fee - P100.00 (6 pax)

P200.00 (10 pax) / P500 (15-30 pax)

Transportation rate - P1,000 for 1-10 pax)

I chartered the entire boat and paid P1,000 and proceeded to Sta. Cruz Island.

The boat ride is 25-30 minutes depending on the tide.

It was a beautiful day and we arrived ahead of time.

I was told by my guide (Raymond) that there are actually two islands - The Great Sta. Cruz Island and the Small Sta. Cruz Island. We were headed to the Great Sta. Cruz Island. The Small Sta. Cruz Island is the destination of scuba divers.

And after 20 minutes, we reached the spot.

I strolled in the beach and took pictures of the beach.

What a lovely sight it is!!

The Great

Sta. Cruz Island

My guide brought me to the Samal cemetery which is also located in the island.

I was told that according to Samal tradition, they had to bury the deceased within 24 hours and they had to bring the corpse to this spot. Nowadays, the Samal and Badjao are no longer allowed to do their ritual/tradition on this island.

There were also these rolling grasses.

And during windy season, you can see these grasses rolling in the beach.

After thirty minutes, tourists began flocking in. There were plenty of tourists that day and some of them arrived at the beach using the navy's boat.

Some of the people were simply fishing at the beach.

I continued exploring the island.

There were souvenir items sold in the island.

The island also has a mangrove (bawakan) plantation.

The plantation will be developed and they will be providing a bamboo bridge so that tourists could explore the mangroves.

After staying for more almost two hours at the island. I decided to leave and go to my next destination.

I enjoyed the tour!! =))

And I boarded the anew and went back to the berthing point.

Another 25 minutes for the boat ride.

From the berthing point, I walked for another five minutes and reached my second destination.

Fort Pilar and National Museum

The fort was under renovation and initially, the security guard did not give access inside the fort.

I tried my best to persuade him to allow me since I was a tourist from Manila.

The guard told me to talk to the manager and after then minutes, I was inside the fort.

Fort Pilar is one fort rich in Philippine history.

I was told that the Queen of Spain took her lunch this year (2012) at this fort.

That afternoon, I went back to the hotel, got my bag and went back to Pagadian.

It was the second day of my tour and I still had to go to Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.

It's really more fun in Zamboanga City!!! =))

Pink Sand Escape

Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga City

Inclusions

Pick-up and drop-off at the airport

Motor boat transfer

Lunch

Lagoon Tour

Service of a tour guide

Applicable entrance, Terminal and cottage fees

Tour Itinerary

Pick-up guests

Transfer to Island

Inland Tour (Samal village, Burial site, Lagoon, sandbar)

Lunch

Free leisure time (swimming, diving or snorkeling)

Bring your own equipment for diving and snorkelling

Back to mainland and transfer to hotel

Duration of Tour – 6-8 hours

Rates

No. of pax Rates per pax

2 P1,905

3-4 P1,440

5-6 P985

7-8 P795

9-10 P690

11 and up P645

Address: Mayor Jaldon St., Canelar, Zamboanga City 7000

Tel # +63(62) 991-1174

Cel # +63917-7006410

e-mail: itraveltouristlane@live.com

Facebook: Zamboanga Tourist Lane (Look for Ms. Leah)

Place to Stay in Zamboanga City

City Inn Hotel (Gov. Alvarez cornerr La Purisima St. Zamboanga City)

Tel No. (062)-955-4058 / Cell No. 0936-608-8777

email: cityinnzam@gmail.com

lowest rate - P895 (1 pax) / P995 (2 pax)

Medio Hotel (Buenavista Street corner San Jose road near Shell and Petron Station)

Tel No. (062)-955-1580

email: mediohotel@yahoo.com

Lowest rate - P550

Traveller's Inn

Good for short stay only, in between Medio Hotel and City Inn Hotel