Full Day. (Part 1)

A view of the Pasig and Intramuros, taken from the 24th floor of the World Trade Exchange Building.

I love Full Days.

You know those days?  The ones where they’re crammed with things to do?   

In contrast to a “busy” day, say, at the office (that can leave you feeling empty once you get home), full days are great!  Filled with things you love to do, Full days can, at the end of the day, make your mind race with thoughts of “I’d love to do that again!”, “How wonderful!”, and “What a treat this day has been!”.

I just got one of those last Saturday (December 11, 2010) when Mabuhay Guide (www.mabuhayguides.com) Bryan Ocampo decided to treat us to a great tour of Intramuros, the Walled City.

Bryan:  I know everything there is to know about the Pasig (well, he didn't actually say that). 

 THE PASIG AND ITS FERRY

We started the tour at the Pasig River ferry's Guadalupe station.  

No frills Pasig river ferry - Guadalupe Station

Meeting time was 9:30AM but I was running late, so I had to make a quick sprint toward the ferry station.  Good thing, the ferry leaves at 10 AM. 

Ah, I wasn't late for the trip, after all.

From what I can see of the ferry stations and boats, they are utilitarian and not for those seeking a romantic,  luxurious boat ride on the river.  There are schedules for trips and thus, it is important to know the trips before proceeding to the terminals.

I think this is an oil depot along the Pasig.

As an important “highway” to transport people and goods to and from the Manila Bay in the old days, businesses decided to locate their factories along the river side.  Of course, people also decided to be where the action is.  And voila!  Pollution is served.

 

The 27-kilometer river is dead, but not dead.  Its the same, but its just a shadow of its former self. 

Fishing for yummy fish (with pollutants)

Like in the old days, when my grandparents and my mother (with siblings) could afford to frolic, fish, and swim along the Pasig's pristine waters, people today still have not abandoned the river.  Kids still jump to it for a refreshing dip, and men find a free source of food at the river's edges.  Only its darker now, and can make you sick if you drink too much of the water.

One interesting side note in the ferry ride is that it passes through Malacanan Palace, and picture-taking is definitely NOT allowed.  A stern-looking coast guard person came onboard to make sure of that.  

It was either for security reasons, or they didn’t want too many people to find out they did some "remodeling" to the palace's facade.  Lion heads were installed during the time of President Joseph Estrada for good luck.

 

Hmmm.  

Note to self:  if you want to keep your house, NEVER put any lion heads on it.

Its Christmas time, in the ferry.

After, Malacanan, we were a few stations away from our drop off, point:  Plaza Mexico Station. 

Abangan...



XOXO,

GeloCim