▼

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Trip: Corregidor Adventure

Date Budget: PhP 2,000
Actual Spend: PhP 1,996
Quality: 3/5
Service: 5/5
Accessibility: 4/5
Fun Factor: 4/5
Overall Experience: 4/5
Highlights 
  • PhP 998 (per person) all in: terminal fee, roundtrip ferry ride, lunch, adventure kit
  • You get to see parts of the island that are usually off limits
  • Amazing Race type game rules
  • Competitive teammates and opponents!
The Experience 
We really didn't think they were serious when they said it was in an "Amazing Race" type of game. But yes, it was not a tour... it was a game!

We started the day in the Sun Cruises Terminal just across CCP. After registration, we were given our tickets and meal stubs. We then boarded a shuttle to the actual ferry location (which was just a few meters away).


When we reached the island, we were grouped together with two other couples. We were up against a group of office mates from the Magsaysay group.


At first, we really didn't think our team will be that competitive. We were just struggling to look for the clues and finish the tasks. Unexpectedly, we came into a lead at some point. The game was concluded with us losing only by a few seconds. It was still worth all the effort though as we were able to explore parts of the island that not part of the usual guided tour:
  • Restricted areas shell rooms (inside the battery structures... a lot of wildlife in there!!!)
  • Duck Walk Tunnel
  • Japanese tunnel
  • Restricted areas in the Mile Long Barracks, Hospital, Theater and other ruins
  • Forest trails 
The tasks done in these places were all well-designed. The tasks were designed not only to test the physical strength and endurance of the participants. Surprisingly, the tasks also involved a lot of analytical work that will batter the participants' minds!








We have a few expectations though that went a little short:
  • The lunch was just plain packed lunch (not buffet or boodle type as mentioned by other bloggers).
  • The vehicle used was an L300 FB instead of a Tram Bus (though we really didn't used it much as we were running around the island most of the time).
  • The adventure shirt was not included in the kit (but were given as prizes to the winning team). 
Though we were expecting for more because of blog posts we have read previously, the deal was still a steal! As benchmark, a round trip ticket to and from Corregidor Island already costs PhP 1,200 (just the ferry ride, no lunch, no tours). 
 
But then again, this is just a voucher site offer. We would have to think twice if we were charged the PhP 1,999 regular rate, which is also the same rate for their Historical Day Tour complete with buffet lunch and round trip ferry tickets. It is a good alternative though for those who want to get a good appreciation of the island's history without going through the traditional (boring?) guided tour. It is also ideal for team building (and relationship building) sessions. 

Spend Breakdown
Voucher at Pakyaw (for 2)1,996
Actual Spend
1,996

How to get there

  1. From LRT Vito Cruz station, walk to the entrance of Rizal Memorial Stadium along Vito Cruz (Pablo Ocampo St.).
  2. Ride an orange Harabas jeep going to CCP Complex.
  3. Get off at the Sun Cruises terminal just across the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) building.

    Landmarks: CCP Building, Navy Headquarters, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Manila Yacht Club, Harbour Square, Coconut Palace, Folk Arts Theater.
    Address:
    Reservations Office
    CCP Terminal A. CCP Complex,
    Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines
    Contact Number/s:
    (632) 834-6857
    Fax No.
    (632) 834-1523
    E-mail:
    suncruises@magsaysay.com.ph
    Itinerary:
    7:00am    check in at CCP Bay Terminal
    8:00am    departure Manila
    9:30am    arrival Corregidor, start of The Corregidor Adventure
    1:00pm    estimated time for lunch
    2:30pm    departure Corregidor
    3:45pm    arrival Manila


    4. View Larger Map
at