|
|
| City Guide - Manila - Excursions | ||
|
||
|
Excursions For a Half Day Las Pinas: This small village, 20km (12 miles) from the city centre, still retains much of its original character despite actually lying within Metro Manila. Las Pinas is a relief from the metropolis and among the attractions is the famous bamboo organ at San Jose Church, with a unique sound (open: Mon-Fri 0800-2400; admission: P10). Every year in the second week of February the Organ Festival brings top international organists here. There is also the Sarao Jeepney Factory, where Manila's signature vehicles are assembled using methods as individual as the jeepneys themselves (open: Mon-Sat 0900-1600. Buses headed to Cavite from Baclaran or via Saulog or St Anthony from outside Intramuros stop at Las Pinas, as do Zapote jeepneys (journey time - 30 minutes). Calamba: A small town southeast of Manila on the Laguna de Bay, Calamba has some attractive and relaxing hot springs and bathing places, as well as the Enchanted Kingdom theme park. However, most visitors come for the Rizal Shrine (open: Tuesday-Sunday 0800-1200 and 1300-1700; admission: free), a colonial-era house where the Philippines' ubiquitous national hero was born and which has been converted into a museum full of his relics. The BLTB bus from Manila to Santa Cruz, stops at the Calamba terminal for the Rizal Shrine (journey time - 45 minutes). For a Whole Day Alaminos: The tropical forest resort of Hidden Valley offers hot springs, jungle walks and natural swimming pools. Well-heeled locals and ex-pats enjoy this lush haven from Manila's sprawl and don't seem to mind the hefty price tag of P1550 for a day trip including buffet, more for overnight stays. BLTB, JAM Transit or Tritran bus from Pasay City (journey time - 90 minutes). Corregidor: The last fallback point for the US forces resisting Japanese invasion in World War II, Corregidor was General Douglas MacArthur's headquarters until March 1942 when he withdrew to Australia and delivered his celebrated 'I shall return' speech. He left his successor and thousands of other American and Philippine servicemen to surrender, facing captivity and death at the hands of the occupiers. MacArthur returned in January 1945, directing a devastating assault. The entire island has now been turned into a memorial and museum by the Corregidor Foundation (tel: (02) 523 5605), and wartime fortifications litter the landscape. At its centre is the Pacific War Memorial, and other landmarks include the Malinta Tunnel underground hospital, General MacArthur's Headquarters, the Spanish lighthouse and the artillery batteries. Sun Cruises (tel: (02) 831 8140) offers an inclusive package for P1500 (journey time - one hour). |
||
