Captain Scott's Log ~ Thursday, May 1st, 2008

Subject: Manila

Manila Bay is huge. We sailed around Corregidor Island which is in the mouth of the bay and a full 15 miles from Manila itself. Mount Batan on the Batan peninsula closes the north end of the Bay. Corregidor is a large island and now heavily overgrown.

The Batan death march, known to all for its infamy. Manila Bay is a cess pool. We were welcomed at the YC. Past Commodore Butch and his Japanese House chairman "Bong" have gone overboard for us. Yesterday Bong took us to his favorite Jap restaurant and afterwards gave us a tour of old Manila. Old Manila is within the walls of the Spanish fort built in the 1500s. He has given us his car and driver for the rest of our stay necessary for re-provisioning. He is also giving Donna a B-day party.

Manila YC does have a relationship with BBYC and I have exchanged burgees. The BBYC flag flies in the MYC bar. I am spending a few days at the Pan Pacific hotel. The Nances and I will move back aboard on the 2nd and depart to sail north along the coast of Luzon on the 3rd. Today the first of May is Labour Day here and one of the biggest holidays.