WWII Historical Sites

[danno5]

I'm traveling to the Philippines the end of this month, and want to do some sightseeing of WWII historical sites. Any recommendations for particular tours or tour companies you have used?

thanks in advance!

[forreachingme]

Some place in Manila you will find the biggest US cemetery outside US, google shall know where...

I guess Correguidor, this are few islands outside Manila Bay where battles to protect Manila took place, but may be it was Japanese against Pinoys...

[Davis Knowlton]

Danno: I fully agree with forreaching regarding the US cemetery in Manila. It's a fascinating place and, since it is maintained by the US, is in great condition.

I was going to do a long response, but I did a Google search first, and there is simply tons of information there, including critiques of tour companies, reviews of sites of interest, etc. I have lived here for almost two decades, and my information is dated compared to what is available on the web. Be advised it's a one site a day kind of country....distance, travel and traffic will slow you up.

[danno5]

thanks, guys. Yea, I have looked on the web, but thought if someone here had a personal experience it might be a better recommendation. I saw a bunch of info on Correguidor....but nothing on the cemetery, so thanks for that.

Given your comment, Davis, any thought about taking a formal tour vs hiring a car and driver and going it on my own?

[Davis Knowlton]

Well, for the Corregidor tour, you will need to use a tour company. Sun Cruises does one, but there are others. They are probably all alike.

Depending on your budget, The Manila Hotel is right on Manila Bay, and close to the ferry terminal you will use to get to Corregidor. In the original portion of the hotel is the MacArthur Suite, which is a fifth-floor penthouse where MacArthur lived from 1935-41 when he was military adviser to the Philippine Government. It contains a variety of artifacts and is quite interesting. I managed to get a tour years ago. If you are a hotel guest, might be possible? I was told the suite rents for $1500 a night, and almost all clients are Japs.

The US Embassy is very close to the Manila Hotel, and the original Chancery building was there during WW2. The flagpole still shows bullet holes. Forget a tour.....

The war cemetery is a must go. Rent a car and driver. It's in Manila, so shouldn't be hard to get to if you pick your traffic times.

Google Intramuros. Interesting area, also near the Manila Hotel, with WW2 history.

The Battle of Manila in early 1945 pretty much totally destroyed the city of Manila. Estimates are that in under a month, more of Manila was destroyed than London during the entire war. Thus, there is little remaining to see.

[danno5]

great info, Thanks Davis!

[beerlaodrinker]

i cant add much more to what davis has already said , i never went to corrigidor because i was with the wife and kids and they werent all that interested, i think it would be worth a look though. intramuros is definately worth a look. for a quirky hotel i manila stay at the H20 ( google it) sun cruises also does a sunset tour of manila bay

[danno5]

thanks BLD!

[katie23]

I agree that H2O hotel is both quirky and nice. It's near the US Embassy too. The Manila Hotel is grand and historical, but very pricey, IMO, but it's okay if you've got the budget for it. Another hotel option is the Microtel Hotel (of the Wyndham group), it's 3 or 4 stars, I think. It's near the SM Mall of Asia (a very large mall), Manila Bay, the airport (~20 min) and a short taxi ride to Intramuros. You can also look into Heritage Hotel and Kabayan Hotel - they are in that vicinity. If you're in the Manila area, see Intramuros and the American cemetery. I have to warn you though, that traffic in Manila is horrible. If you need more help, you can PM me - I'm a native of the country.

[Boon Mee]

Some place in Manila you will find the biggest US cemetery outside US, google shall know where...

I guess Correguidor, this are few islands outside Manila Bay where battles to protect Manila took place, but may be it was Japanese against Pinoys...

My old man was captured on Corregidor Island and returned with a bunch of his buddies after the War to piss on Jap graves out there.

[danno5]

thanks, Katie

[katie23]

Microtel and Heritage hotels are mid-range, while Kabayan hotel is more of a budget hotel, I think. The area of Microtel, Heritage or Kabayan is good because it's accessible - near the airport, LRT & MRT, Manila Bay, Mall of Asia (lots of food choices there) and lots of nice restos (there's a seafood market) near the mall. For Corregidor, I don't know if the tours require O/N stays, since it's a bit far from Manila. If it's a day tour, I think it's doable, but you'll be pressed for time - best to use an organized tour, as they say. If you want to go to a beach on a nearby island (and not fly), you can go to Puerto Galera, it's ~1.5 hr ferry ride from the Batangas city port. There are some WWII sites in Los Banos, Laguna (it's a university town, the uni was built during the American period). Some US & Filipino soldiers were burned in Baker Hall, a gym type of building. There are other places with WWII significance in that town, but they're not famous, so only locals know about them. Los Banos is ~2 hrs south of Manila by car or bus. For a true Manila experience, ride the LRT or MRT during rush hour. It will be jampacked with all kinds of people. Thank you in Filipino/Tagalog is "salamat". The reply to that is "walang anuman" (it's nothing).

[Davis Knowlton]

Never seen a Filipina on this site before, what brought you to TD? Do you live in Manila?

[Davis Knowlton]

Microtel and Heritage hotels are mid-range, while Kabayan hotel is more of a budget hotel, I think. The area of Microtel, Heritage or Kabayan is good because it's accessible - near the airport, LRT & MRT, Manila Bay, Mall of Asia (lots of food choices there) and lots of nice restos (there's a seafood market) near the mall. For Corregidor, I don't know if the tours require O/N stays, since it's a bit far from Manila. If it's a day tour, I think it's doable, but you'll be pressed for time - best to use an organized tour, as they say. If you want to go to a beach on a nearby island (and not fly), you can go to Puerto Galera, it's ~1.5 hr ferry ride from the Batangas city port. There are some WWII sites in Los Banos, Laguna (it's a university town, the uni was built during the American period). Some US & Filipino soldiers were burned in Baker Hall, a gym type of building. There are other places with WWII significance in that town, but they're not famous, so only locals know about them. Los Banos is ~2 hrs south of Manila by car or bus. For a true Manila experience, ride the LRT or MRT during rush hour. It will be jampacked with all kinds of people. Thank you in Filipino/Tagalog is "salamat". The reply to that is "walang anuman" (it's nothing).

Danno: Corregidor tours are an all day affair, but do not require an overnight stay. Puerto Galera is probably only an hour ferry ride from Batangas pier, if you get on one of the smaller, faster, ferries, but it will take you over two hours to get to the pier from Manila - maybe 2.5. I drive Manila/Batangas all the time and it's 1.5 hours to my house from Manila, and I'm a good 30 minutes north of the pier.

[Davis Knowlton]

Beach Option: Daily temps right now are 22-28 degrees. Good weather for touring around, but way too cold (for me at least) for the beach.

[katie23]

@Davis: I'm researching for a backpacking trip later this year. Entry point Bangkok, exit HCMC. I came across this forum when I was searching for info on how to cross the Kap Cheong border to Cambodia (I posted a question in the Cambodia forum - if you have info which will help, it will be much appreciated). I plan to enter through BKK (have gone to BKK & Ayutthaya in separate trips) so I'm familiar with the BKK area. From BKK, I will go to the Mae Sot/Myawaddy border & explore the border town. I don't need a visa for Myanmar since MM lifted its visa restrictions for Filipinos effective 04 Jan this year. Then from Mae Sot, I plan to travel east to Surin, then cross border to Cambodia. In Siem Reap, I'll meet with friends (fellow Pinoys) and we'll be travelling together until we exit through Ho Chi Minh City. I'm from Laguna. Whereabouts do you live?

@danno: The travel times that I quoted is by public transport. I don't have a car and always travel by bus, so those are the travel times that I know. If you have a car or driver, then of course, travel will be shorter.

[Davis Knowlton]

^Sounds like a great trip. I can't help much, as it's been a long time since I lived in Thailand or down along the Cambodian border. TD information is certainly more up to date than my memories. I live in Lipa City, Batangas. Been here almost 18 years. About 7 years in Manila, then down here since 2003.

[katie23]

^Sounds like a great trip. I can't help much, as it's been a long time since I lived in Thailand or down along the Cambodian border. TD information is certainly more up to date than my memories. I live in Lipa City, Batangas. Been here almost 18 years. About 7 years in Manila, then down here since 2003.

We're practically neighbors! I live near Calamba, Laguna. I'm preparing for this great backpacking trip - itinerary, finances, etc. Looking out for Cebu Pac promo flights - I know some guys here scoff at CP, but it's gotten me out of country and back, they have lots of promos, and they fly out of Manila (hassle to go to Clark), so I'm sold. All the best to you and your family!

[Davis Knowlton]

Yep, Calamba's right next door. Have a great trip! I've got to start working on another trip but with the twins in La Salle, have to wait until summer break.

[Boon Mee]

@Davis: I'm researching for a backpacking trip later this year. Entry point Bangkok, exit HCMC. I came across this forum when I was searching for info on how to cross the Kap Cheong border to Cambodia (I posted a question in the Cambodia forum - if you have info which will help, it will be much appreciated). I plan to enter through BKK (have gone to BKK & Ayutthaya in separate trips) so I'm familiar with the BKK area. From BKK, I will go to the Mae Sot/Myawaddy border & explore the border town. I don't need a visa for Myanmar since MM lifted its visa restrictions for Filipinos effective 04 Jan this year. Then from Mae Sot, I plan to travel east to Surin, then cross border to Cambodia. In Siem Reap, I'll meet with friends (fellow Pinoys) and we'll be travelling together until we exit through Ho Chi Minh City. I'm from Laguna. Whereabouts do you live?

@danno: The travel times that I quoted is by public transport. I don't have a car and always travel by bus, so those are the travel times that I know. If you have a car or driver, then of course, travel will be shorter.

When you get there you'll discover 99.9% of the Vietnamese refer to it as Saigon.

[November Rain]

I'm traveling to the Philippines the end of this month, and want to do some sightseeing of WWII historical sites.

I came across this forum when I was searching for info on how to cross the Kap Cheong border to Cambodia (I posted a question in the Cambodia forum - if you have info which will help, it will be much appreciated). I plan to enter through BKK (have gone to BKK & Ayutthaya in separate trips) so I'm familiar with the BKK area. From BKK, I will go to the Mae Sot/Myawaddy border & explore the border town. I don't need a visa for Myanmar since MM lifted its visa restrictions for Filipinos effective 04 Jan this year. Then from Mae Sot, I plan to travel east to Surin, then cross border to Cambodia. In Siem Reap, I'll meet with friends (fellow Pinoys) and we'll be travelling together until we exit through Ho Chi Minh City.

Clicked on this thread hoping it was a picture thread. Both Danno's and Katie's trips sound very interesting. Any chance of a picture thread, either of you, when your trips are completed?

[katie23]

@ Boon Mee: Yes, I know. I've been to Saigon in 2005, with my Viet mom (am half Fil, half Viet). Mom's family is from the south and she was never "conquered" by the North, since she fled before that. (now that's another long story to tell) The trip this year will be my second time in SGN. I'll be staying with an aunt there.

@ November Rain: The backpacking trip is scheduled for late this year. I'm just planning it now when I have more time, and I'm watching out for the flight promos (and need to determine how many days I can spend travelling vs. the vacation days that I have, etc). I traveled during the Christmas break to Bali for a short trip, but I don't know if anyone would be interested in that?

@Davis: ahh, La Salle. Pricey school. We, the poor (but smart) kids had to go to UP. lol Where do you plan to go during summer break? Some friends of mine booked Cebu Pac flights for May (during the seat sale this week). They got a good deal, methinks.

[Davis Knowlton]

^Not sure where I'm going yet. A very close friend is having his 70th birthday in Bali, where he has lived for many years. Might do that. Also have friends in Bangkok that I am overdue to visit.

Nothing wrong with UP. Your English is far better than many Americans I know - but, that would be the Vietnamese heritage coming through - a number of my friends are married to Vietnamese - and they are a scary smart group of ladies.

[November Rain]

I traveled during the Christmas break to Bali for a short trip, but I don't know if anyone would be interested in that?

If you have pics, we would

[chassamui]

If you have pics, we would

The site has an interest throughout Asia and many folk holiday in Bali. I agree with NR a pic thread would be great.