Day Four: Corrigedor

Howdy
We had a pretty, (very pretty) early morning wake up and after four days the girls finally got their act together, waking up at 3:30 am and got down before the boys. Once again, one of the kitchen mums (Marlou) prepared a "mas mas mas masarup" brekkie of scrambled eggs & toast and apples.
The very comfy bus, was waiting for us a 5:15 am. While most of us quickly fell asleep, some of us got a chance to gaze out the window at the wonderments (Luke's word) of Manila.
After an hour we arrived at Manila Bay Port, waiting for around 30 mins till we could board. The boat sailed on the beautiful brownish-blue water of Manila bay waiting to enter the doors of the island of Corrigedor.
As our feet became one with the land, we were amazed once again by God's wonderful creations. Our hilarious tour guide, Bryan, showed us the legendary history of the island, which included the invasions and histories shared by the Spanish, American, Japanese and Filipino people. We were astonished to see how forgiving the Filipino people were as they recognised the Japanese men who invaded their land with a memorial. This enforced our thinking of how forgiveness is the first step to healing when Jesus said the words, "...Father forgive them for they know not what they do.". As Bryan stated " we have forgiven but we will not forgot."
Lunch was a supper with killer view of the south east Indian Ocean, especially tofu and tongue dish was very interesting. We loved the ethnic feel.



After lunch, we limped (many sore bodies after yesterdays soccer tournament) towards the tram for the second half of the tour. At the tail end of Corrigedor we crowded into the Malinta Tunnel and got to experience an Audio Visual presentation called Light and Sound. Hundreds of people had sheltered and died in the tunnel, on both sides of the fight.
Once we got back to Manila, we were driven to the biggest Mall in the Southern Hemisphere, Mall of Asia, where we were dumbfounded by the size of the mall and how juxtaposing it was to the poverty stricken communities. It is so sad how true it is, poverty and affluence are silent neighbours. At the mall we were introduced to various traditional Filipino foods, which was enjoyed by all. We were "tricked" into eating Pork Ceecee, which is a dish made from pig ears; however ironically we probably would have tried it anyway. After the meal, the leaders let the team loose in groups of 5&6 to explore the mall. The mall was filled with amazing shops, a cinema, timezone and even a ice rink.
All in all and epic day was had, which ended with caffeine filled teenagers (sponsored by Starbucks). The bus was filled with lack of sleep induced giggling people who laughed at anything and everything, including who could do the best farts with their hands.

Needless to say it's more fun in the Philippines! I do miss you all, hope you're all missing me and pulling your hair out :0 Reina bby, love you, having withdrawal sympts :( you are my girl xx -Eva

Hi mum, dad and everyone else miss you all hope your doing great. im having great time. You heard from Ben, hows he going? - Nate