* First view of Corregidor upon setting foot on the island. Located on the entrance of Manila Bay, Corregidor served as the largest among a group of islands forming a natural harbor defense around the bay. Fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines, the island served to safeguard the City of Manila against any naval attack.

* Since it is a rather large island, various Trams (open-air mini-buses) took as around to various places of interest in the island where we were given ample time to explore each one. Arguably, one of the most famous stops in the tour was the statue of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the very well-regarded American general and field marshall of the Philippine Army during World War II.

* The Philippine Heroes Memorial is a complex containing 14 murals depicting heroic battles fought by Filipinos from the 15th Century up to the present day. 

* Within the Memorial is a room containing a collection of paintings and photographs showing the Japanese atrocities during the war. Atrocities include the mindless torture of innocents (upper left), the raping of the Philippine women (known as comfort women, lower left), mass genocide (upper and middle right) and the Bataan Death March (lower right) wherein 80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war marched 128km, most of whom to their deaths. 

* Of course we all know how that ended for Japan. Understandably, most tour guides don't recommend that the Japanese tourists check out this room, as to this day the war is a very sensitive topic back there.

* The Japanese Garden of Peace was built as a memorial to the Japanese soldiers who served and died in the island during WWII. Along with various photographs and memorabilia (including the actual flag raised by the Japanese to celebrate the capture of Corregidor), the complex contains a couple of shrines, markers and a praying area. Conversely, most American/Philippine veteran guests get aggravated upon seeing that the Japanese have a memorial here dedicated to their dead. This has lead to several acts of vandalism by these heroic servicemen throughout the years. 

* Rather than focus on the memorials at the Garden of Peace, I think most of the tourists today just go for the various artillery located right beside! 

* The Malinta Tunnel is a sprawling tunnel complex built by the Americans to serve as their bomb-proof headquarters which proved to be useful when the Japanese started bombarding the island, leveling all the buildings. During the Battle of Corregidor, Malinta became the HQ of Gen. MacArthur and the USAFFE, the seat of government for the Commonwealth of the Philippines under Manuel Quezon, and later a hospital for the soldiers defending the island.

* Today, Malinta is a light-and-sound interactive show, showcasing highlights from the Battle of Corregidor and the ordinary lives of servicemen stationed here during the War. For a fee, the tunnels are open to the public at night for "Ghost Hunting" activities.

* Battery Way is an artillery battery containing four 12-inch mortars. An artillery battery is a group of guns, mortars, rockets or missiles grouped together to make battlefield communication, reloading and targeting so much more effective and efficient.

* Pictures of the various ruined buildings all over the island. Previously, these would have been barracks, administration buildings, cinemas, mess halls or even recreation centers.

* At its peak, Corregidor had 23 batteries consisting of 56 coastal guns, 13 anti-aircraft artillery and 10 Sperry searchlights. The island's longest-ranged coastal piece was this 12-inch (305mm) artillery gun located at Battery Hearn, which could hit a target 27km away!

* Some guns stand "limp", others stand "erect" (and supported by various people). I wonder what that chap on the right is doing?

* The Pacific War Memorial was completed by the US Government in 1968 to honor the American and Filipino soldiers who served in WWII. One of the more tranquil parts of the tour, this area is ripe for reflection, meditation and remembrance of the sacrifices of our war veterans. 

* Of course, Aaron and I also decided to "cup and pinch" the moment.. respectfully of course.

* Another shot of the War Memorial, this time featuring the interior of the Corregidor museum (lower left), the actual American flag of Corregidor (lower right) and statue showcasing the bond and friendship formed by the US and Philippines back in the war.

* No Trolls allowed!

* Aaron and I appreciating the various guns sprawled across the lawn in front of the War Memorial. I don't know what the hell we're supposed to be doing on the right.

* Our last stop was the Corregidor lighthouse, built in 1853. While we did make it up to the top of the structure, I was too scared of the height to draw out my camera!

* Finally a shot of the explorers with their significant others, who were game enough to accompany these two WWII and history buffs to the island and actually put up with their shenanigans!

* The current structure is actually the third Augustinian church erected on the site. The first two structures, made of bamboo and nipa, were both destroyed by fires: the first during the invasion of Manila by Chinese pirates, and the second during a funeral of a high-ranking Spanish official. It was then that the friars decided to rebuild using stone instead of wood.

* Due to its central location and prominence in the ancient walled city of Intramuros (the actual ancient city of Manila back in the Spanish period), San Agustin has played host to many important events in Philippine history. The Church was where the Spaniards surrendered to the Americans after the Spanish-American War. During WWII, San Agustin was turned into a concentration camp for American and Filipino prisoners, and in fact was the only standing building in all of Intramuros after the Battle of Manila in 1945. 

* While the church itself is a working church with hourly masses during Sundays, the monastery right beside has become a museum showcasing over 400 years of Philippine religious and colonial history.

* With hundreds of religious figures, paintings and murals, the museum is an ideal area for reflection and historical appreciation. The cloisters here even remind me of the ones at the Barcelona Cathedral!

* The crypt actually contains the remains of several Filipino national heroes, including that of Juan Luna, one of the greatest painters our country has ever produced. The memorial on the right marks the spot where the the Japanese executed Filipino clergymen, prisoners and ordinary citizens during the darkest hours of the Battle of Manila.

* Easily one of the creepiest parts of this museum is this room full of antique religious figures. Don't let the camera shots fool you, this place was dark and dreary!

* Some of the items found therein are saints clutching skulls (upper left), saints just plain giving up (lower right), Jesus bloodied and beaten (lower left) and saints with knives stuck on their heads... (upper right).

* Well it probably didn't help that I was the only one in here at the moment! 

* Father Manuel Blanco was an Augustinian friar who built a vast garden behind San Agustin, filled it with all sorts of plants native to the country, and published a book titled, Flora de Filipinas, a complete guide to the flora and fauna of the Philippines!

* Some other items found within the museum include a collection of Flores de Mayo floats (upper left), Jesus in complete thought (upper right), replicas of Spanish Galleons (lower left) and some random statues, like this saint with his pal (lower right).

* Easily one of the more impressive parts of the museum is this stone staircase heading up the second floor. This place just screams Medieval Europe!

* The monastery also contains replicas of ancient Spanish government offices (upper left), paintings of various religious scenes and depictions of everyday life (upper right, lower left) and a collection of ancient Chinese vases.

* My two favorite creepy paintings, however, have to be this poor soul getting impaled (left) and this very intense lady giving us the Ghostbusters II heebie-jeebies (right). 

* The highlight of the second floor is this giant bamboo organ also with giant song and piano books! They must have had an ogre playing for them back then to demand this size.

* The courtyard in the middle of the cloisters offers yet another place for meditation and soul-searching. God I love this place!

* While the museum monastery is open to the public the whole day, the church can only be explored in the lull between masses.

* Which I recommend everyone do as the church itself also offers multiple points of interest including: its very beautiful altar (top), old-school Catholic pulpit (bottom right) and the burial plots of some of the Philippines' richest families (bottom left).

* Exploring further down towards the altar brings us to the Easter Egg of the whole Church! Towards the left of the altar lies a room containing the sarcophagus of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the Spanish Conquistador who conquered the Philippines for the King of Spain, Philip II, and was the first Governor-General of the Spanish East Indies.

* Outside the Church grounds, there is a continuing effort to rehabilitate the ancient walled city in the hopes that we as Filipinos will remember that Manila was once so beautiful that she was referred to as the "Paris of the East".

* Built in 1605, Kensington Palace was once a mansion known as Nottingham House, which was purchased by the joint-monarchs King William III and Queen Mary II in 1689 to help with William's bad asthma. 

* Looking quite unassuming next to the more stately Buckingham and imposing Windsor, Kensington is however, the most inviting and homey of all the palaces that I have been to. No wonder it is the favorite among current, modern royals.

* The main exhibition hall inside the Palace showcases the life and work of Queen Victoria. Having ruled the British Empire from 1837 to 1901, Victoria's rule of 63 years is currently the longest of any female monach in history, and is known as the Victorian era.

* The Victorian Era was a long period of peace, prosperity, national pride and refined sensibilities for Britain. So vast was Queen Victoria's influence that all the major players of World War I: King George V of Great Britain, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, Tsar Nicholas II were all first-cousin, grandchildren of Victoria. Currently, the royal lines occupying the the thrones of Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK are all descended from this amazing Queen.

* Portraits of the modern-day royals who have lived or are living here decorate the hallways. Kensington is also the official home / party house / bachelor playground of Prince Harry.

* The personal highlight of this visit was entering the King's State Apartments via the King's Staircase. Painted by William Kent back in 1724, the whole place was supposed to be a recreation of King George I's court in Hanover, Germany.

* King George I was the German Duke of Hanover, who at the age of 54 and after the death of his distant relative, Queen Anne of Great Britain, ascended to the British throne. Why was George I made King instead of all the other relatives who had more claim to the throne? Because George I was a Protestant, while everyone else in line was Catholic!

* The King's Gallery contains a vast collection of paintings, sculptures and other works of art and craftsmanship. It's no Versailles nor Buckingham, but the place still manages to convey a feeling of elegant majesty!

* The Queen's State Apartments were cozy, private rooms used by Queen Mary II for relaxation. Today, the rooms have been converted into an interactive display for children.

* Including this collection of creepy, old dolls who want nothing but to steal men's souls..

* And this weird display of artifacts containing hidden speakers, where random conversations between ancient gossipers and courtesans are played on loop.

* As an added feature for the throngs of Princess Diana fans who undoubtedly come here to see the place where their idol lived, there is a gallery dedicated to all her dresses and gowns, as well as those belonging to Queen Elizabeth II herself and her sister, Princess Margaret. 

* Finally, one cannot visit Kensington without admiring its very photogenic gardens. Along with this grand statue of Queen Victoria, the Gardens also feature the Diana Memorial Playground, a mini amusement park for children.

* After a whole morning of walking and sight-seeing, I found myself craving for some good Mediterranean cuisine!

* The inside, on the other hand, is a mixture of antique and modern architecture! The Museum paralleled the rise of the British Empire, expanding to add more exhibits as the Empire established more colonies.

* Due to all items being collected (legally or with great coercion) from every continent on earth, there is great controversy with some of the objects on display; particularly with the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon of Greece. Literally everything you see in this grand hallway was taken from the interior of the Parthenon, leaving only the famous columns and ruins in Athens. The Greeks have long demanded that these priceless artifacts be returned to their homeland.

* One of the more impressive objects in the museum is the Nereid Monument, a sculptured tomb resembling a temple, originally located in Xanthos, Lycia. The whole thing (it's HUGE!) was shipped to Britain from Turkey.

* Also found here are works of art from one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. The lion (left) is one of the few-standing sculptures remaining from the Mausoleum having survived since 353 BC.

* The Crouching Venus (upper left) hails from the Antonine period and was once referred to by the English as the "finest statue of all" back in 1631. The cult statue of Apollo of Cyrene (upper right) was found in the ancient city of Cyrene, Libya and was crafted in the 2nd Century AD. 

* With a collection numbering a staggering 330,000 works, the Department of Middle East contains by far the world's largest and most important collection of Mesopotamian (Assyrian, Babylonian, Sumerian), Persian, Arabian, Syrian, Anatolian, Palestinian and Phoenician artifacts in the world.

* The Lamassu was an Assyrian protective deity depicted with a bull/lion body, eagle's wings and human head. Found at the entrance of every Assyrian city's main gate, its purpose was to convey the Empire's power and prominence.

* From the ruins of Persepolis come these relics from the Ancient Persian Empire: A Persian Soldier (upper left), Subjects, delegates and dignitaries offering tokens to the Persian King (upper right), the lion feasting on the bull (lower left) and Persian armor and weaponry.

* Outside the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the British Museum has the largest and most comprehensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the world! Due to its immense size, the exhibition space currently only displays 4% of its Egyptian holdings!

* The Rosetta Stone is one of the British Museum's most prized possessions. Discovered by Napoleon Bonaparte's forces in Egypt back in 1799, the Stone is the reason why we now have a modern understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphs, a question that had stumped scientists and archaeologists for centuries beforehand. Announcing the ascension of King Ptolemy V, the Stone contains the same message in Hieroglyphs, Demotic script and Ancient Greek.

* This COLOSSAL bust of Ramsses II, fondly known as the Younger Memnon, was created in 1270 BC and discovered in Thebes. Celebrated as the greatest and most powerful pharaoh of the Egyptian Empire, Ramsses II was also the pharaoh depicted in the biblical story of Moses!

* Among the other artifacts in the Egyptian exhibit include a sarcophagus (top), Black granite statues of Sekhmet (lower left, 1400 BC), the goddess of healing, and three black granite statues of Sesotris III (lower right, 1850 BC), the pharaoh who built the "Canal of the Pharaohs."

* One of the more featured pharaohs in the museum is Amenhotep III, also known as Amenhotep the Magnificent. It was during his reign that Egypt reached the peak of her artistic and international power. His sculptures here include a limestone bust (left), seated (middle), and colossal red granite (right).

* The Museum also has a collection of 140 mummies and coffins, the largest outside of Cairo. Obviously, this collection is the most popular exhibit among visitors here!

* Coffins in all shapes, colors, and sizes.. literally. They even have coffins for babies and animals!

* The Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas contains some real trippy statues including the Hoa Hakananai'a (right), the Easter Island statue.

* More creepy than trippy, the Aztec exhibit showcases such items as the Mosaic Mask of Tezcatlipoca (left) and the Aztec Serpent, Quetzalcoatl (bottom).

* The King's Library houses the donated personal library of King George III, containing over 65,000 volumes, maps, charts and drawings. Now THIS is how a home library should look like!

* Not to be outdone, the Department of Asia contains over 75,000 artifacts covering all the cultures of the Asian continent! Very impressive considering that apart from the Indian subcontinent, huge parts of Asia were never colonized by the British.

* Some epic looking statues include The Judgement Figure (top left, Ming Dynasty), and the Seated Luohan from Yixian (bottom).

* More Tibetan/Chinese figures on display! Them Ancient Asians sure had wild imaginations!

* This looks like that crazy, flying, dagger from that Alec Baldwin movie, The Shadow!!

* Not limited to ancient, prehistoric items, the Museum also offers a vast collection of Medieval artifacts, most of which are Christian themed. 

* These two troubled-looking fellas are part of the Lewis Chess-set, a group of 12th Century chess pieces made out of walrus ivory.

* A special exhibit features actual items relating to the famous Gladiators of Ancient Rome. Along with helmets, armors and personal property (Right) are actual advertisements promoting the Gladiator games! (Left)

* Those sure are a lot of detailed, sculpted, heads! The craftsmanship and level of quality exhibited by people who lived two thousand years ago never fails to astound!

* Some other cool stuff include: Etruscan Burial Tombs (Top left and Middle left) and a Column from yet another member of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus (Bottom right).

* The Royal County of Berkshire was founded in 840AD and has been a site of many important battles throughout history, most notably those of Alfred the Great's campaign against the Danes. A lot of notable persons also come from Berkshire, among them: the poet, Alexander Pope, the current Prime Minister, David Cameron, the actress, Kate Winslet, the comedian, Ricky Gervais, and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

* For us travelers, the massive King Henry VIII Gate atop Castle Hill serves as the main entrance to Windsor Castle. Somehow I remembered the equally massive Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem upon passing through. These walls were built for seigin'!

* When William the Conqueror came to power, he built this Castle to assert and protect Norman dominance in the areas around London. Fortified by a motte-and-bailey, the Castle was also just a day's march (32km) from William's power base in the Tower of London, which meant that both structures could be easily reinforced by the other during times of calamity.

* Throughout the centuries, the Castle has been beloved and continuously renovated by numerous English Monarchs to its present form. Such is the affection of the Royal Family for this place, that King George V officially adopted the family name "Windsor", a name that is still used today by the current royal family.

* Arrow Slits dot the walls protecting the Castle; a reminder of English medieval life when wars could just erupt anytime. For the life of me, I don't know how the archers were able to aim with how narrow the opening was!

* Central to the Castle is the Round Tower, the original structure built by William the Conqueror. Today, it serves to house the Royal Archives, Photographic Collection and the Royal Standard (the Queen's flag). 

* Look how hard it must have been to invade this place! I felt like an Orc invading Helm's Deep with how formidable this keep looks.

* Behind the Round Tower are the State Apartments, the living / working / entertaining area of the Castle. That gentleman on horseback is King Charles II, the monarch who restored the Monarchy after Oliver Cromwell tried to end it by establishing the English Commonwealth.

* The most famous room in the State Apartments is the Waterloo Chamber, dedicated to the defeat of the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte by the alliance of Tsar Alexander I of Russia, King Frederick William III of Prussia, Emperor Francis I of Austria and King George III of England.

* Other sites of interest include: Queen Mary's Dolls' House, known as the largest and most famous collection of dollhouses in the world, offering realistic replicas of furniture, clothes (made by leading Parisian fashion houses: Lanvin, Cartier, Hermes and Vuitton), decors, water pipes (which actually have water running through them) and even wine (with real booze!!) at a tiny scale of 1:12 (the scale of GIJoes); and the Drawing Gallery, which contains a collection of chalk etchings made by the world's masters, including one of Christ by Michelangelo. 

* This Roman-esque building found directly across the Tower is the former Port of London Authority Building. Once the largest port in the world, the Port of London has been central to the growth and development of the city since the Roman foundation in the 1st Century AD.

* While the Normans (Vikings who settled in the Northern area of France called Normandy) built the central area of the fortress, the whole complex has been expanded several times, mainly under the reigns of Richard the Lionheart (of Crusader fame), Henry III and Edward I.

* A great example of medieval siege weaponry, the Trebuchet is a form of catapult that uses a counterweight. My inner video gamer got giddy as I remembered the various times I used this siege engine to conquer my enemies in Total War and other historical Real-time strategy games.

* The Main Entrance to the Tower of London, where thanks to our London Pass we skipped the line and headed right in!

* The White Tower was the first building ever constructed here and is the heart of the whole fortress. This tower contains the national collection of arms and armour, as well as the Chapel of St. John the Evangelist, a finely preserved example of Norman architecture and one of London's oldest churches.

* The Arms and Armory exhibit contains an impressive collection of cannons, swords, shields and armor, including those used by the Kings themselves. Check out how HUGE Henry V's sword is next to that kid on the right!

* On the St. Thomas Tower, one can see a faithful recreation of King Edward I's prayer room (left), coronation throne (upper right, the original of which can be seen in Westminster Abbey) and bedchamber (lower right). Quick to anger, greatly intimidating and very tall for a man in that time period, Edward I was nicknamed "Longshanks."

* Traitor's Gate (upper right) has the infamous reputation of being the entrance gate (albeit, soaked) for all sorts of prisoners, scoundrels and innocent folk brought forth from trial in Westminster Hall. It also doubles as the best vantage point to take a picture of Tower Bridge (upper left).

* You can't have a fortress and not have guards; who in this case are the Yeoman Wardens. Fondly known as the Beefeaters, this 30 plus group of gents (who all have served distinguished military services in the armed forces) have historically had the job of looking after the prisoners and protecting the crown jewels. Today, they stand proud as touristy photo attractions, tour guides and wearers of really awesome armor!

* The view from the top of one of the towers is astounding! Apart from the previously mentioned Port of London Building (left), you can also see the Gherkin, that egg shaped building found in the middle of London's main financial district.

* The main attraction for most women here is undoubtedly the Jewel House (left), built to house the Crown Jewels of the English monarchy including the Imperial State Crown (containing 2,800 diamonds?!), the Sovereign's Scepter (containing the world's largest diamond) and the Sovereign's Ring (referred to as the wedding ring of England), among other bejeweled crowns, scepters, swords and orbs. For obvious reasons, no cameras are allowed inside. Other places of note include the Tower Greens (upper right), which is the execution spot of aristocratic prisoners including Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, and the Tower Ravens (lower right), which legend states that if they leave the Tower, the monarchy will fall soon after.

* For guys, however, the main attractions have definitely got to be the Bloody Tower, where the killing of the Little Princes (the brothers Edward and Richard) took place, and the torture exhibit in Wakefield Tower, showing the various torture methods inflicted on the poor souls incarcerated within. Other famous prisoners housed here include: William Wallace (Braveheart), Lady Jane Grey (Queen for Nine Days), Guy Fawkes (V for Vendetta), and Rudolf Hess (deputy leader of the Nazi Party).

* With its dark past, it's no wonder that the Tower is widely agreed upon to be the Most Haunted Place in London, where the ghosts of Anne Boleyn, Henry VI, Lady Jane Grey and the Princes of the Tower are frequently seen, felt and reported by tourists, Beefeaters and night staff. Curiously, the Tower also once served as a menagerie (zoo), showcasing the various animals gifted to the English monarchy by foreign kings and dignitaries. At one point, polar bears, lions, leopards and monkeys once called this place home. Today only their sculptures remain, randomly scattered throughout the complex.