DAY 61---MANILA, PHILIPPINES

 

        We arrived and were docked on time.  Sunny haze today and 86 degrees this afternoon.  We departed for out tour at 9:45 this morning and returned at 1:15.  Rebecca even went today.  Very hot when outside.

Historical/Background Info:

        We visited Manila on our 2010 world cruise.  I was special as many of the crew members were Philippino.  As we docked that morning their family members were down on the pier as we pulled in.  It was a very happy time with lots of smiles.  We got to meet our suite stewardess’s family later.  BUT, that evening as we departed there were lots of tears from both crew and us passengers while waving bye.  I expect the same this time also.

        Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a densely populated bayside city on the island of Luzon, which mixes Spanish architecture with modern skyscrapers.  It is also known as "The Pearl of the Orient".  Population here is 13.5 million.  We all know the WWII war history involving the Philippines so I won’t go into that. 

        Manila is a major center for commerce, banking, retailing, transportation, tourism, advertising, legal services, accounting, insurance, theater, fashion and the arts.  The port here is the largest in the Philippines.  Manila welcomes over 1 million tourists each year.  It is also considered one of the best shopping destinations in Asia.  By the way you have probably talked on the phone with Philippinos manning call centers for many US companies.  I always ask how the weather is in Manila and that we have many Philippino crew member friends. 

LAST EVENING

This evening we shall never forget.  These three ladies were a hoot and so much fun.  L to R:  Mary from Florida, Pat from Southern California, and Abby from Dallas.  We had east to west coast covered tonight.  They had a margarita at the bar then 3 with dinner so you can imagine how entertaining they were.  I had arranged a Mexican dinner for them as they are bar flies with us in the Mariner Lounge.

The guacamole was excellent and chips not made on board so were what we were used to in the States.

Tortilla soup was EXCELLENT

                        Dara and Benji served the fixins needed to go with our dinner.

By now no one was feeling any pain and getting ready for the hot entrees.  We started with fish tacos but they were not so good.

                                                                    Chicken enchilada

    Beef & refried bean burrito.  Not so good.  We also had beef tacos which were really good.

                              Churros with chocolate sauce and tres leche cake for dessert.

We could dine with these three every night as they are so much fun.  Never know what may come out of their mouths.

                                                                    Tonight's show

We were on the front row left side and absolutely loved the show.  This is a very talented cast for sure.  Unfortunately, not many in the audience for the show.

TODAY

                               Many cargo ships anchored in Manila Bay as we approached.

When we entered the break water (concrete barrier that protects the port) there were many barge like boats tied up inside for protection.

Commercial docks

              Manila skyline.  Our tour however is in the old part of Manila just to right of this.

                                                                   Approaching the pier

Note the small red flag protruding from ship.  It is to tell the pier workers where our gangway will be.

Four Philippino Coast Guardsmen during our arrival.  Our tour bus was stopped at the gate when we returned to the port and Coast Guardsmen checked out lower compartments of explosives prior to letting us enter.

             They were retrieving our bow lines to be attached to the yellow post for docking.

    We had a band playing for our arrival.  Unfortunately, no crew families allowed on the pier.

              She was taking our temperatures with a camera like thing as we departed the ship.

                    Our scheduled 3 1/2 hour tour today.  We did the same tour back in 2010.

     This is Jen, our guide.  She was the best guide we have had so far on this cruise.  Loved her!

Our first stop was just a short drive from the pier.  If you click on this you can read about their national hero, Dr Jose Rizal, who was executed for his reformist views from Spain in late 1800's.  

                  This is the place where he was executed at age 35 by the Spanish in 1896.

                                          Flag at the Rizal Monument is 150 feet high.

                                   Two soldiers standing guard at the Rizal Monument.

               Our second stop was just a short drive for first.  It was at the famous Manila Hotel.

        This hotel was the American army's headquarters/command post during WWII and General Douglas MacArthur commanded and lived here until the Japanese took Manila and he and his staff went to Corregidor island across the bay.  On March 11, 1942 he, his family, and staff were transported off Corregidor to Australia.  His famous saying was, "I shall return".

The hotel is very nice and the hotel lobby is same as it was back then.  A new bigger part of the hotel is just behind the 5 story one.

Our guide led us first to some photos of the hotel back during the war.  These two were attending to an orchid tree.

                                         Spacious, beautiful lobby with very nice chandeliers. 

                                         View inside of the luxurious Champagne Restaurant.

                                          Piano is raised on next level overlooking the lobby.    

                                                            
                                      Pretty little flowers just outside front entry of hotel.

        Our 3rd stop was at the Intramuros, which is a  quarter square mile historic walled city inside Manila.  It was surrounded by fortifications and served as the seat of the Spanish government here until 1865.    It was completely destroyed during the 1945 Battle of Manila as the Japanese made this their last stand against the American army.  Fort Santiago is inside here.

                                                  I saw this cute tourist today on my tour.

          Here above is showing the ruins of the American barracks before the Japanese took Manila.

        This is part of the moat that surrounded the 3 square mile Fort Santiago built in 1571 inside Intramorus.  The perimeter of the fort is just over 2000 feet.  The Americans drained most of the moats to reduce mosquitos and later made a golf course there when they ruled from 1898.  Leave it to the Americans!!  The walls are approximately 22 feet high and 8 feet thick made of volcanic rock. 

                                             This is the reconstructed main gate of the Fort.

                                                       We just went through the main gate.

                                        This was a military parade ground just inside the gate.

                                                 No roof on barracks to right after the war.

                                                        I thought the tree was interesting.

                                              16th century place for a lookout sentury.

         The Pasig River runs along the fort from a lake to Manila Bay.  Looking toward the Bay.

                                    Looking other way and there is a new bridge over the river.

        Directly across the river is the oldest China Town in Asia.  Buses cannot get in there as the streets are very narrow.  Our guide said the Philippinos love going there for the many Chinese restaurants.

        These kids were going down in the fort's dungeon's.  We could not go as there were hundreds of kids touring here today.  The Japanese used the dungeons and prisons here during WWII to hold American POWs.  Over 600 American POWs died here due to starvation and suffication.

                                                             Defensive positions along the wall

                                         I took this photo to show the width of the fort's walls.

          Top view of previous photo taken ground level and I commented there was no roof.

              Back on the bus heading to the next stop.  Horse cart transport across the street.

        This is San Agustine Church and Convent adjacent to it which was our next to last stop.  It dates back to 1607.  During WWII the Japanese used it as a concentration camp.

                                                        Another mode of transportation here.

        I was not impressed with this stop.  While roaming the museum I saw some cookies so walked into a glass door which I did not see was closed and smashed my face into it.  No damage to my beautiful face thankfully.

        Last stop was this handicraft place.  Rebecca liked some of the crap but too big to get home so I lucked out.  I roamed out the back and found a VERY small pharmacy.  Got 3 z-pacs for $10.

This is a Jeepney.  We were originally booked on this tour but switched to an air conditioned bus tour.

        View from other side of our ship today.  We really enjoyed our visit here to Manila today.  Wish we could have over nighted so the crew could have more family time.

        We sailed from here at 6pm and will have another day at sea tomorrow.  Cocktails and dinner as usual.  Here is the Compass Rose menu for tonight.

         The show tonight in the theater is featuring Sharene, a harmonica player.  Sorry but this is not an appropriate show for the world cruise.  Obviously, we are not going.  Give me the Texas Tenors!!!